Treasures on Youtube 1

Most jazz lovers already know youtube is a veritable treasure trove one can get lost in for hours. Our focus on jazz in Florida can occasionally dig up a little piece of music history that charms based on it's place in time, and excites from it's dynamic content! Here's one from 1988, filmed in Tampa. Herbie Hancock on piano, Branford Marsalis on sax and Sting on vocals; just jamming the day before the big show ("Nothing Like The Sun" tour). A very fine "Oh Lady Be Good" including the verses is played as well as Sting's own "Sister Moon" - along with some enjoyable banter. Hope you dig it! - PCJ

Gary Burton's Top 10 Jazz Albums

6 decades of breaking ground might be an apt description of the artistry and career of Gary Burton. Here's some things you may or may not know. The pianistic, four-mallet playing technique is pretty much his creation. After 3 years with Stan Getz he intrinsically pioneered jazz-rock in the 60's ("Duster" with Larry Coryell, Roy Haynes and Steve Swallow is considered by many to be the first important album of the genre, if not the actual first). He was the youngest recipient of Downbeat's Jazzman of the Year (1968). In 1971 he turned the risky venture of a solo vibes concert at the Montreaux Jazz Festival into a show stopper and his first Grammy award. In the 70's he continued taking chances with his "New Quartet" and duo albums including the extremely popular and ongoing collaborations with Chick Corea. By 1985 he was Dean of Curriculum at Berklee and in 1996 he was appointed Executive Vice President. Along with jazz, Gary ventured into Tango and even classical with long-time collaborator pianist Makoto Ozone - winning a Grammy in each genre around the millenium mark. Last year his newest quartet released "Common Ground" on Mack Ave records, and this year saw "Hot House" - another amazing duo with Chick Corea. He's just completed his own Online Improvisation Course, and most recently - the Downbeat Readers Poll just crowned him the best vibes player of 2012. And that's the short version.

Almost unbelievably - Mr. Burton took time out of his intense schedule to contribute to our Top 50 Jazz Albums of All Time poll, so we have the remarkable opportunity to see a list of some of the music that pleases and inspires a master creator and craftsman. A great list & what a treat!

"Here are ten of my favorite records, not sure if I could narrow it down to my 10 best, but I would readily recommend any of these for their lasting qualities."


 1. (Anything by Miles and Gil, but let's go with) PORGY AND BESS - Miles Davis/Gil Evans "I consider the entire set of Miles and Gil records to be one of the great achievements in recorded jazz.  Incredible writing and playing, and a very original concept. Those records changed the nature of large ensemble jazz for all time."

2. PORTRAITS IN JAZZ - Bill Evans Trio

3. EXPLORATIONS - Bill Evans Trio "Bill Evans influenced practically every young musician coming up in the 60s, especially the piano players, of course."

4. RELAXIN' - Miles Davis Quintet

5. NEWK'S TIME - Sonny Rollins

6. THE BRIDGE - Sonny Rollins

7. BLUES AND THE ABSTRACT TRUTH - Oliver Nelson "Oliver Nelson's signature recording was innovative, and brought together an amazing group of major players. Definitely a must-have record."

8. KIND OF BLUE - Miles Davis "Miles Davis, generally speaking, was the most influential jazz musician of the past fifty years, introducing a host of majorly talented players through his bands, and pretty much reshaping the current style of jazz every decade (BIRTH OF THE COOL'49, KIND OF BLUE '59, BITCHES BREW '69)."

9. NOW HE SINGS, NOW HE SOBS - Chick Corea

10. GETZ AND J.J. AT THE OPERA HOUSE - Stan Getz and J.J. Johnson



A thousand thanks to Gary for his insights and list, making our poll that much more awesome and fun! You can visit Gary's website here and pick up any of his latest releases wherever jazz is sold. Below are some links for your convenience. Thanks to all the many artists who contributed and help to make the jazz scene throughout Florida flourish. And thanks to YOU for visiting! - PC Jazz

La Lucha Nails It

Album cover photo - "Eruption of the Popocatepti Volcano" - John O'Leary

La Lucha - La Lucha

In case you haven't noticed - PC Jazz only reviews albums we like. (Why waste time?) There's a concerted effort made to keep album reviews brief - very hard to do when you are excited about the music, and nearly impossible in this case. If you're looking for the short version, here it is: you must go out and buy this album. You won't want to miss it; and we wouldn't steer you wrong!

The bio: La Lucha is a Tampa-area based piano trio with members from 3 different countries (Columbia, Mexico & United States). Alejandro Arenas - bass, Mark Feinman - drums, John O'Leary - piano. They've many accolades including the Umbria Jazz Festival, a grant from Hampton Arts Management and a commission from American Stage. This is their second release. 

The aesthetics: "to create music that transcends genres and classifications". La Lucha is not the first jazz act to 'jazzify' music by current (or older) pop acts; nor is this their only output (very fine originals and a bright "Stella by Starlight" also grace the cd). The difference being that they are so incredibly successful at doing it; the results are so dang pleasing and often surprising, that one instantly embraces their ideas, and fans are won quickly (the first run of the cd sold out within a few months - rare in jazz!).

The music: John Lennon's "I'm So Tired" opens the album & sums up neatly the aesthetics of the band - simple production, stark emotion, tongue-in-cheek melodrama, bittersweet piano, organic meter changes and a trio very frequently functioning as one. The addition of vocalist Jun Bustamente is nothing short of genius - her broad range; warm, wonderful tone and conviction (with a grand sense of irony) are entirely perfect for this project, and frankly - indispensable. As an instrumental, No Doubt's "Don't Speak" becomes a rhapsodic jazz saga, showcasing O'Leary's subtle style and skill, suddenly breaking down into naked, gritty funk with both bass & piano endowed with fascinating electronic processing. More importantly, these boys can play! Attention to detail in the arranging is also a high mark.

Saxophonist Austin Vickrey joins the trio for both originals and "Stella", his tenor sound is clear with enough bite (a la Brecker); adding a welcome new color, some extra fire and a chance for the arrangements to expand in depth. The latin "La Migra" airs out some refined and modern compositional abilities from Feinman & Arenas, the melodies stand up well next to all the familiar tunes.

Other highlights include the Beach Boys' "Dont Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder", an exquisite rendering with Bustamante and trio giving a hear-a-pin-drop, edge-of-your-seat performance. Seriously, you need to hear this.

"Papparazzi" (Lady Gaga) is stunning and dramatic, putty in La Lucha's hands; another must hear (see video below). The groove from Feinman & Arenas is first-rate, and O'Leary responds every step of the way. The bass solo is gorgeous. (ps - this album is well recorded, mixed and produced.)

A jazz version of Britney Spears is laughable. Of course it is! La Lucha have nailed it twice - this time around it's a delightfully re-harmonized "Oops...I Did It Again". Bustamante magnificently laments, moans and croons her social faux pas, almost Shirley Bassey-esque, all flirt; while slinky bass lines & film noir jazz creep and crawl under her. It will change your thoughts about the song, (surely their goal).

A lot of great jazz albums have come our way this year, and labeling one 'the best' can't be done. If you're looking for jazz that's essential; both stimulating and easy on the ears; an album that will satisfy nearly every age group - this might be the best album in decades. - PC Jazz
 
places you can get a copy:
Itunes
CD Baby
Amazon

La Lucha - Paparazzi from La Lucha on Vimeo.