New Episode! Re-boot of the show!

Hello! We're back with a brand new episode of the podcast! Listen to five distinctive and vibrant selections from some of the most talented jazz artists in Florida!

Robotman at Stardust Orlando FL May 2017

Hosts: Kenny MacKenzie & Allison Paris

1. Tom McCormick - "South Beat" - from the album South Beat

2. Jeff Rupert with Veronica Swift - "Let's Sail Away" - from the album Let's Sail Away

3. Robotman - "The Chase" - from the album Robotman

4. The Mica Bethea Big Band - "Frahm Out of Nowhere" - from the album Stage 'n Studio 5. Perry Joslin - "Rain" - from the album Dreams of Reality

  podcast copyright 2019 Kenny MacKenzie 

Palm Coast Jazz Episode 16 - Revisited!

This episode warrants repeating, so we added some nice photos, removed the clutter & put buy links at the very bottom. Wonderful musicians making wonderful music from start to finish. Enjoy the soul-moving sounds! (Note: clicking on pictures causes audio to stop)

Most of these selections are available wherever cds & downloads are sold online, but if you enjoy our presentation, please consider using the links at the bottom of this post! Thank you for supporting creativity in jazz!

1. Introduction - Allison & Kenny

2. "MG 1020" - David Fernandez

(Miami Springs, FL)
from the album "Symmetry"

David Fernandez - soprano sax
Carlos Vega - tenor sax
Gabriel Saientz - piano
Gabriel Vivas - bass
Ludwig Alfonso - drums



3. "Coral Sea" - Kenny Drew Jr.

(St. Petersburg, FL)  
from the album "Coral Sea"
courtesy of Random Act Records

Kenny Drew Jr. - piano
Jon Burr - bass
Marty Morell - drums

4. Announcements - Kenny
(background music from the album "Live in the City" by Jack Pierson)
 

5. "Julie's Lament" - Michael Royal Trio

(Sarasota, FL)
from the album "Transition"

Michael Royal - piano
Richard Drexler - bass
Steve Davis - drums






6. "Madcap" - Chuck Owen & the Jazz Surge
(Temple Terrace, FL)
From the album "Madcap"

Chuck Owen - keyboard, composer, arranger
Jack Wilkins - tenor solo, John Abercrombie - guitar
Clay Perry - piano, Mark Neuenschwander - bass
Dave Hardman - drums

woodwinds: Valerie Gillespie, Tami Danielsson, Jack Wilkins,
Rex Wertz, Matt Vance
trumpets: John Robinson, Ron Turner, Mike Iapichino, Tom Parmerter
trombones: Keith Oshiro, Chris Clifton, Andrea Rawlison, Jim Hall





7. Announcements - Allison
(background music from the album "Moved" by Kenny MacKenzie Trio)


8. "Pheonix Phunk" - Clay Foster & Carey Frank
(Orlando, FL)
from the album "Bona Fide Sea Monsters"

Clay Foster - guitar
Carey Frank - organ
Frank Brunot - bass
Jonathan "Jon-Jon" Parks - drums





9. "La Noche" - Lynne Arriale

(Jacksonville, FL)
from the album "Solo"
courtesy of Motéma Records

Lynne Arriale - piano







10. Announcements - Kenny
(background music from the album "Second Chances" by Allison Paris)


11. Closing Announcements - Allison

Palm Coast Jazz closing theme by Seven Octaves.

produced by Kenny MacKenzie

CD Review ~ Out of this Town, Zach Bartholomew Trio

Something for Northern Florida to be proud of.

"Like" ZBT on Facebook!

"Fresh new spin on jazz" might be a phrase tossed around frequently, as might be "distinctive sound"; when the truth is, this guy is just revamping 70's soul-jazz nicely, that girl is riding the coattails of The Krall, and this quartet sounds like it wrote their new album in 1961, and so on.

I caught ZBT live a few months back, and knew immediately I was privy to something 'new'. I can't always put my finger on it - which, might be a good description for something new. Not to say you wont hear snatches of Bill Evans, Keith Jarrett or Brad Mehldau; but all three members of the group (particularly Bartholomew) have somehow allowed themselves to get right to themselves; and one knows at once upon listening that the experience is original and indeed, fresh.

The album starts strongly - "Stop and Go" efficiently introduces you to each member and is a fine listen - clever on many levels; with a head that will make other musicians go 'wow', a phrase or two reminding me of the great Herbie Nichols. Striking is a confidence in playing that endures for the entire album; an easy-going assurance that your ears are in capable and caring hands. The mid-song tempo change is bold and welcome. Also clever is putting such a track in the lead-off slot where many artists go with "this is what you want me to do"; ZBT instead choosing "This is what we can do, check it out."

"Out of This Town" is an uptempo jazz waltz sporting a certain pleasant liberation in rhythm thanks to drummer Miles Bozeman, Who also takes a dandy solo at the end. The sunny tune could easily be adapted to a throwback r&b hit. "Shades of Blue" relaxes and swings with enjoyable sprawling lines and lush solos; bassist Brandon Robertson hitting a number of nails on the head.

Zach at the recording sessions for "Out of This Town"

A full-bodied, romantic melody permeates the entire track of "Lovers Lament"; carrying it amply from rhapsodic, meterless strumming to mildly-angry driving rock and back again. The plaintiff melody is there even when it's not - making it comparable to the many fine, early RTF compositions.

One could go on. These boys play very well together, and that undefinable something really comes through in both "New Beginnings" and "Road Trip". The former is a jaunty & delightful romp in 5 with prime soloing by Bartholomew and all three enjoying the proceedings; while extended form, a smattering of Monk-like harmonies and modern funk feel make "Road Trip" a most enjoyable ride.

No filler, excellent compositions and even a smart rendering of Coltrane bolster the album. A small distraction is the slightly dull mastering job, hardly noticeable once you're tuned in to all that's going on: both the spirit and accuracy of the performance. Certainly, this is one of the best jazz 'things' to come out of Florida in some time. Don't let it escape you. In one word: "refreshing". - PCJ 

Get your copy of "Out of This Town" at:
Itunes, Amazon or CD Baby.

Lynne Arriale - Solo

Motéma Records ~ MTM-83

Lynne Arriale's adventurous "Solo" has the win/win quality of being both easy to listen to and musically fulfilling. You'll find yourself weaving in and out of relaxed enjoyment, getting kicks and rapt concentration. It's the perfect album for sittin' and ruminatin' in the lazyboy with a piping mug of whatever; or poolside: just you, a frosty glass and the puffy clouds.

The album is reminiscent of Thelonious Monk's finer solo releases (like "Alone in San Fransisco") not simply because Lynne covers two of his works aptly (and imaginatively), but because she's learned a thing or two from both his ability to stimulate the listener rhythmically and harmonically, and his knack for setting a stark emotion with the piano that draws one right in.

Arriale is a fine composer - the opener "La Noche" is a chromatic, brooding mood setter; while "The Dove" is all-out impressionism: here a shade Eastern, there a touch Debussy - just lovely and warranting repeat listens.

Her first Monk cover "Evidence" begins in an inquisitive,  searching manner, gradually building into some of the album's most swinging invention. She manages to bring forth all the tune's mystery, with none of the obligatory aping. 

"Wouldn’t It Be Loverly" floats directly from the "enormous chair": dreamy, romantic, wise and reflective; followed by the pianist's rhapsodic "Will O' The Wisp". Lynne states her independence from the rhythm section with "Yada Yada Yada", a jaunty, angular blues with verve and motion.

Romance skirts on the edge of New Age aesthetics with the lilting "Dance" – one of the real high points of the disc; unforgettable once heard. "Arise" has all the makings of a quality theme for a romance movie, gorgeous and touching if you stick with it.

The best display of Arriale's depth and capacity as a jazz pianist comes on an enigmatic spin of Cole Porter's "What is This Thing Called Love"; anything but an old warhorse here: full of surprises, harmonic inventiveness and delightful tension; all with fluidity and poise.

A minor original "Sea and Sand" is a fine addition to the long line and grand history of slow, haunting, danceable Latin piano ballads. "Bye Ya" begins as a playful exposition on both the composition and the more finer points of Monk's improvisation; but soon develops into a marvel of jazz architecture, revealing distillations from several jazz masters and coming out sounding very much Arriale.

"And So It Goes" is the closer as it is on Billy Joel’s "Storm Front" – a pretty investigation of the familiar melody.

All that and no filler make this a necessary addition to the library of jazz piano lovers, particularly those who might have feared the art of making a real good solo piano album was lost a few decades ago. - PCJ

Sample and pick up your copy of "Solo" at these locations:
Motéma Records Website,
Itunes
Lynne Arriale's Website
or wherever jazz music is sold!

CD Review - Jamie Ousley A Sea of Voices

Bassist Jamie Ousley has put out some very high quality material since 2008, but this is definitely his best: a kind of summation, gathering together and improving of all he had to say on his previous 2 excellent releases ("O Sorriso Dela" in 2008, "Back Home" in 2010). His already keen sense for appropriateness and when to do what seems to have reached a new pinnacle; his melodies are sturdier and gripping, and the new line-up seizes every opportunity for unity, flow and brilliant support. In particular, pianist Joe Davidian is perfect for Jamie's refined and sentimental brand of jazz. All three musicians bring just enough fire and virtuosity to give a sense of joy and contentment.

Joe Davidian

Jamie Ousley

Opening samba "Hymn of the Tides" (all songs have a water theme) is a perfect example of all these assets. Davidian states the promptly unforgettable melody, puts Jarrett amounts of thought into his own improv and then backs up Ousley's crystal solo with finesse; the always-present and flowing latin momentum provided by drummer Austin McMahon peaks at the end over a euphoric 2-chord vamp, while piano & bass exchange closing thoughts amid a wash of sizzling ride cymbal (mix & master job on the cd are both superb).

Davidian's intricate, straight-8 re-working of "How Deep is the Ocean" is welcome and refreshing, taking the standard to unforeseen modernity and emotion. The trio captivates and convinces while empathizing for the greater good; reminiscent (as is much of the album) of the Rubalcaba and Jarrett trio's at their most liberated and uplifting periods. A listener will have no trouble stopping everything to take it all in.

Austin McMahon

Along with Jamie's originals ("Steam" - a darkest-corner-of the-club swank-blues; "Loving Beauty" fittingly titled jazz waltz; "With You" - another Ousley samba-special complete with exciting piano crescendo & finish, and what can only be described as a remarkably great melody; "Holy Water" calm soul-gospel 6/8 featuring a brief and very well-recorded Ousley solo of note) are a Coldplay cover and a respectfully antiquated duo rendition of "Alfonsina y el Mar" with guest pianist Gabriel Saientz.

The icing on the cake are two back-to-back slices of eloquent Americana. A plaintive, soothing evocation of "Shenendoah" with vocalist Nanami Morikawa lending her beautiful mezzo-soprano to a verse each in English and Japanese (a proper dose of "World" sensibilities enfuse all of Ousley's releases). The ensuing bowed chorus also adds an Asian feel, and the harmonizing between the two performers is a high point of the disc. The syncopated latin 6 romp through "Rocky Top" will give you a new, happy outlook on life in our USA and you'll move somewhere in your body to the lilting percussion provided by Carlomagno Araya.

Finally, (as if you needed another reason to treat yourself to this marvelous disc); in an unselfish gesture, Jamie has allocated all proceeds of this successful cd (#8 on Jazzweek national radio chart) to Sunshine State Interfaith Power and Light, who are dedicated to mobilizing faith communities in Florida to care for creation. - PCJ

listen to & pick up your copy at:
CD Baby
Itunes

Pianist Mike Orta

Mike Orta is a Florida resident as well as an Associate Professor and Director of Jazz Performance at Florida International University. This was taped in Poland. Mike takes an inspired and reaching solo, and the whole band is cookin'. Paquito's arrangement of the warhorse "All the Things You Are" is exciting and clever! - PCJ