Blues & Jazz

The Jazz Vocalist

May 23, 2010 blues music
Posted by admin

When a jazz musician only known locally (e.g., L.A.), w/ no label,”releases” a CD, what does that really mean?

I’m a Jazz Pianist and vocalist planning to record a CD. Locally known a little, I’m not in that coveted “inner circle,” but on the fringe of it, wherein I sub occasionally for those who are, and thus get to play periodically with some local L.A. “greats.” But all these musicians “releasing” their CDs – I have yet to know what that really means. Is it when you present it at a venue and invite your friends, who come and buy it and sign their names in a notebook so you know who bought it? Is that what constitutes it, when you are simply doing it on your own, with your own budget? Musicians, please give me YOUR definition of “releasing” a CD, by an independent, only locally semi-known, jazz artist. I’m 50, a good singer likened to Diana Krall, and a competent pianist though not virtuosic, which keeps me out of that “upper echelon” category. Thank you!… Nina

You don’t have to have a CD Release Party but it helps to spread the word since you are independent. Simply releasing a CD just means it’s available for purchase. You can sell it from your website if you have one and after live performances.

‘You are There’ Accompanying a Jazz Vocalist

Mel Torme’s Velvet Fog Magnet $2.00 This magnet features a youthful image of the great jazz singer Mel Torme, he of the velvet fog….

Yanni – Tribute [VHS] $1.70 Exotic locales and famous monuments! Adagios and waltzes! Spectacle and bombast! A didgeridoo and an orchestra too! Yanni’s amazing hair!! All this and much more make Tribute a feast sure to be eagerly devoured by the Greek composer-keyboardist’s legions of fans–and it’s not hard to understand why, as it is an impressive achievement. The DVD chronicles Yanni’s 1997 concerts at India’s Taj Mahal (…

Vocalists [VHS] $20.00 …

Prof. Plum’s Jazz 3 with Premier Jazz Vocalist JIMMY MAZZEY at the 1990Thanksgiving Dixieland Jazz Festival in the San Diego, California …

1995 $16.98 This is a 2002 reissue of the original CD by guitar hero David “Fuze” Fiuczynski’s Screaming Headless Torsos quintet. Along with two previously unissued tracks (Jimi Hendrix’s “Little Wing” and George Harrison’s “Something), this outing provides an early glimpse of one of the most powerful jazz-rock units to emerge in quite some time. On the other hand, perhaps the brand of music heard here could be akin to shock therapy treatment. Vocalist Dean Bowman adds a lot of character to this quintet as he raps, croons, and scats atop an assortment of high-octane pieces, consisting of funk motifs, jazzy progressions, and tricky time signatures. Dynamics abound, partly due to the rhythm section’s razor-sharp precision and seemingly impossible technical gymnastics. Fiuczynski leads the charge via his often slithery attack, marked by screeching crescendos, blazing single-note leads, and swiftly executed chord voicings. However, the group lowers the generally excitable proceedings down a notch or two during their soul-blues rendition of “Little Wing.” The band’s slightly in-your-face demeanor provides the knockout punch, yet it’s not all about aimless or frenzied chops fests. On this release, the musicians rise to the occasion amid 14 solid tracks that cover quite a bit of terrain. Recommended. ~ Glenn Astarita, Rovi

50th Birthday Celebration, Vol. 12 $16.98 The “version” of Painkiller John Zorn assembled for this performance in his month-long 50th birthday celebration at Tonic included Bill Laswell from the original incarnation and drummer Hamid Drake as well as vocalist Mike Patton. While Patton is no Yamantaka Eye, Drake is far more compelling as a drummer than Mick Harris. The insert on the set correctly claims that this unit is something completely different. Not only does this band play a less free version of jazz, punk, and rock, it also plays free of many of the dub trappings it had engaged in an earlier incarnation. This is a deeply groove-oriented set of vanguard funk, jazz, and rock. There are three tracks here, and all of them are driven by the bedrock of Laswell’s dirty funk playing and Drake’s propulsive kit work. Zorn is out front playing snake-wise, melding everything from hard bop, free jazz, soul-oriented groove lines, and his own unclassifiable sonic palette. Patton’s vocals are heavily treated yowls and screams combined with rhythmic breath work and moans. Tape delays are employed here as well, making the entire set a compelling, singular workout that is exciting, harsh, intense, and compelling. ~ Thom Jurek, Rovi

A Case of You $1.99 She had a voice like an angel, smooth and complex as a twenty-year-old single malt, rich as thick cream. Everyone who heard Olivia sing felt as if she could see right into their souls, that her songs were meant for them alone. This was the magic her artistry conjured. In earlier times, she wouldhave been put to death as a witch. Such was the talent of Olivia Saint. Meet Andy Curran, drummer in a struggling jazz trio. When a distinctly odd street person sings at an open mic night at the club where they work, it’s clear they’ve found their salvation: a vocalist of incredible talent. After she departs as abruptly as she’d arrived, Andy sets out to discover where Olivia Saint has gone and who she really is. That knowledge soon proves to be deadly indeed. In A Case of You, a crime novel that sweeps from the jazz clubs of Toronto, to New York City and Northern California, Rick Blechta has created a compelling story, rich in detail and compassion, and populated with characters not easily forgotten.

A Hot Night in Paris $29.98 In the latter half of the ’90s, Phil Collins’ career hit a bit of a sales slump, and instead of shamelessly chasing after another number one single, he decided to change pace and try something different. Returning to the drums, he assembled the Phil Collins Big Band, reviving the sound of such idols as Buddy Rich and Sonny Payne, but largely sticking with his original material. After a brief European tour in 1996 (which happened to feature Quincy Jones as conductor and Tony Bennett as vocalist), he created a new version of the band featuring several accomplished jazz and studio musicians in support — notably alto saxophonist Gerald Albright, but also guitarist Daryl Stuermer, tenor saxophonist James Carter, and pianists George Duke and Brad Cole, among many others, in varying roles. That band toured America and Europe in 1998, and it’s the one featured on the ten-song, 70-minute live album A Hot Night in Paris. Initially, it may be disarming for long-time fans (and detractors) to hear “Sussudio,” “That’s All,” and “Against All Odds” blaring forth in brash, brassy arrangements, and it is true that the melodies can occasionally sound thin in this context, but once that first reaction passes, A Hot Night in Paris is actually entertaining. Collins doesn’t try anything new with the big band form — he just updates it with his own songs, including the Genesis chestnut “The Los Endos Suite,” along with covers of Miles Davis’ “Milestones” and the Average White Band’s “Pick up the Pieces.” As such, it’s the sort of record that will inevitably irk purists, since it’s targeted right at mainstream jazz audiences, ones that aren’t really familiar with big band music but have a vague idea of what it sounds like, but anyone whose standards aren’t quite as exacting will likely be pleasantly surprised with A Hot Night in Paris. When the band just plays — which is quite often, since the themes are stated quickly enough so they’re recognized, then they disappear — th…

Accompanying the Jazz/Pop Vocalist: A Practical Guide for Pianists $10 Used – The relationship between singer and accompanist is not always an easy one, but when it clicks, it’s highly rewarding for both parties – and the audience. In this book/CD pack, author and pianist Gene Rizzo reveals the secrets to getting on a singer’s accompanist “A” list, covering topics including: exploring song forms, intros and endings, writing a lead sheet, accompanying different vocal styles, descriptive accompaniment, tempo rubato, transposition and more. The book includes two compl

Acoustic Fingerpicking DVD $9.45 Musician, teacher, producer and songwriter Jamie Findlay presents in-depth instruction on acoustic fingerpicking. He demonstrates exercises to build technique in a variety of fingerpicking styles, such as folk, pop, country, blues and jazz. Jamie shows variations on fingerpicking from comping to soloing, and from chord melodies to walking bass lines. Features Jamie performing with a vocalist and bass player, incorporating many of the techniques he teaches. Includes a helpful lesson book. 33 minutes.

Acuna, Claudia / O’Farrill, Arturo – In These Shoes CD $14.49 A collaboration between an Afro-Cuban jazz band led by pianist/arranger Arturo O’Farrill and vocalist Claudia Acuna sounds like it should be a rewarding session. Yet in spite of the strong cast of …

Adriana Miki – Sashamiki CD (Import) $28.09 Import – 2009 debut from the smooth Brazilian jazz vocalist originally from Sao Paolo. Her vocal nuances remind you of a young Astrud Gilberto. She continues to carry on the traditions of Brazilian…

Al Jarreau $50.99 High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! Alwyn Lopez “Al” Jarreau born March 12, 1940, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States) is an American singer. A seven-time Grammy Award winner, he is the only vocalist in history to win in three separate categories: Jazz, Pop, and R&B.He also won the Grammys within a span of four consecutive decades – the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s and 2000s. Jarreu, a long time wine conessuir, has been noted for his preference of white wine over red. Jarreau was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the fifth of six children. His web site refers to Reservoir, Inc., the name of the street in Milwaukee he lived on. His father was a Seventh-Day Adventist Church minister and singer, and his mother was a church pianist. He and his family sang together in church concerts, and also performed in benefits. He and his mother performed at PTA meetings as well.

Al Jarreau $61.2 Used – High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! Alwyn Lopez “Al” Jarreau born March 12, 1940, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States) is an American singer. A seven-time Grammy Award winner, he is the only vocalist in history to win in three separate categories: Jazz, Pop, and R&B.He also won the Grammys within a span of four consecutive decades – the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s and 2000s. Jarreu, a long time wine conessuir, has been noted for his preference of white wine over red. Jarreau was born in M

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