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Looking Back at 2012... the Best Albums and Performances

12/31/2012

8 Comments

 
2012 was a good year for jazz recordings and live performances. It was a year marked by scandals at the Grammys as they removed so many categories in Latin, World, Spiritual and even Classical categories. In the end, a few of the categories were reinstated and it was a good thing for Bobby Sanabria whose album "Multiverse" was nominated for best Latin Jazz album.

It was a great year for Latin Jazz and for Jazz artists in general with some phenomenal recordings released. As I look at the best of the year, it seems dominated by so-called Latin Jazz artists -- so-called because I don't always like that kind of separation along ethnic lines. This point is proven to me once again as my choices for "Best of the Year" are not broken into ethnic categories but according to who was (in my estimation) the best... or at least my favorite. And the "Latin Jazz" were strongly represented.

Best Guitar Jazz Album of the Year...
"When You Passed By" by Toshi Onizuka

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My original review from April 1, 2012 can be found here: http://travisrogersjr.weebly.com/8/post/2012/04/when-you-passed-by-new-cd-from-toshi-onizuka.html

It was a remarkable album of incredible virtuosity and originality. It was the product of a Japanese guitarist who studied flamenco in Spain before coming to the United States and creating a jazz sound which bore the impressions of all of those influences.

The compositions were brilliant and the arrangements were unique. I have never heard anything remotely close to its grace and beauty.

http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/toshionizuka2

Best Sax Jazz Album of the Year...
"Second Cycle" by Melissa Aldana

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My original review is located here: http://travisrogersjr.weebly.com/3/post/2012/11/second-cyclethe-new-release-from-melissa-aldana.html

Melissa Aldana is a young sax player from Chile but is rolling through New York City like a storm front. Her album is also marked by superb original compositions and two well-placed and well-arranged covers.

As was written in the review of her latest album, she shows a great maturity and is extremely well-complimented by her three band-mates.

This is her second album and along with her first album "Free Fall" has already created a small body of recordings that hold great promise for the future.

http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/melissaaldana1

Best Vocal Jazz Album of the Year...
"Winters & Mays" by Aimée Allen

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Aimée Allen stole my heart this year. I am more of an instrumental fan myself but this is one of those albums that has never ventured far from the very top of my CD stack.

The original review from October 16, 2012 is here: http://travisrogersjr.weebly.com/3/post/2012/10/october-16th-20121.html.

As sterling as her vocal performance is, her writing skills are just that impressive. Enough cannot be said of her sometimes sassy, often sultry and forever sweet approach.

http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/aimeeallen3

Best Jazz Large Ensemble or Big Band Album...
"Multiverse" by Bobby Sanabria Big Band

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Bobby Sanabria was one of the leaders in the fight against the loss of all those Grammy categories, as I said at the top, and his album "Multiverse" received two Grammy nominations.

The original August 8, 2012 review is here: http://travisrogersjr.weebly.com/3/post/2012/08/multiverse-the-latest-cd-release-from-bobby-sanabria.html

Bobby is one of the greatest drummers to ever grace the planet. I listen to him again and again and wonder just how many arms the guy has.

Don't let the kindness of the man fool you, he bursts forth with power and energy like Shiva on crack. In my list of all-time favorite drummers, Bobby is in the Top Three. This album shows why.

http://www.jazzheads.com/store.php?crn=244&rn=570&action=show_detail

Best Jazz Duet or Trio Album of the Year... 
Día y Medio (A Day and a Half) by Berta Rojas and Paquito D'Rivera

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Originally reviewed in September, 2012, that review can be read here: http://travisrogersjr.weebly.com/3/post/2012/09/da-y-medio-a-day-and-a-half-the-new-cd-by-berta-rojas-and-paquito-drivera.html

It is a rare occurrence to find a duet of Jazz guitar and saxophone but this was a delightful rarity and a collaboration that still charms me even four months after its release.

This was like a soundscape of Berta's homeland of Paraguay. The title is taken from a the day and a half that Berta and Paquito spent in Paraguay while on tour after which Paquito remarked that "a day and a half is not enough." It is a beautiful exploration of Paraguay through the music of Paraguay's great composers and performers.

http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/paquitodriverabertarojas

Best Jazz Live Performance of the Year...
Live at the Candlelight in Portland by SoulMates

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It was the end of an era. After decades of live music seven nights a week, a Portland shrine was closing to make room for ... a train station.

The original review of the March 16, 2012 performance is located here: http://travisrogersjr.weebly.com/2/post/2012/03/all-good-things.html

It seemed like all of Portland turned out for the final SoulMates performance at the Candlelight and the trio played with all the passion and fire that have marked every performance from them.

Ironically, the second place finisher was also a SoulMates performance--this time at Jimmy Mak's in Portland and you can read about that here: http://travisrogersjr.weebly.com/2/post/2012/04/i-believe-in-music-i-believe-in-love-a-tribute-to-donny-hatahway-and-roberta-flack.html

Best Jazz Song of the Year...
"Song for Fighter" by Toshi Onizuka

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Song for Fighter was composed by Toshi Onizuka for solo guitar. It was written shortly after the March 11, 2011 disaster in Northern Japan. His dedication is to “everyone who follows a thorny path.”

It is not a cheer or an encouragement but a consolation. There are moments of utter heartbreak followed by moments of hope. The song fades on a sad but optimistic note.

This is my favorite track of the album "When You Passed By" and upon long reflection it must be pronounced my favorite song released in 2012.

Hear a sample here: http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/toshionizuka2

Best Jazz Album of the Year...
"Afro Blue Monk" by Chembo Corniel.

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Of all the albums that got me this year, this one was the album that combined everything I love from Thelonious Monk to Mongo Santamaria.

The original review is here from September 9, 2012: http://travisrogersjr.weebly.com/3/post/2012/09/afro-blue-monkthe-upcoming-release-from-the-chembo-corniel-quintet.html

It featured brilliant performances and arrangements from Elio Villafranca, a vocal interpretation of "Afro Blue" by Mongo Santamaria's own daughter, Ileana and world-class percussion from the amazing Chembo Corniel himself.

Of all the great artists, recordings and performances of 2012, "Afro Blue Monk" by Chembo Corniel has it all.

http://www.allegro-music.com/online_catalog.asp?sku_tag=ASH34922#.UCh0J7r9AB8.facebook





What a great year for recordings. So many wonderful people making wonderful, heartfelt music. A warm thanks to all of you musicians who made the year brighter and more hopeful because of what you have bestowed upon us all.
8 Comments

Joey Porter's Tribute to Stevie Wonder... Live at Mississsippi Studios

1/22/2012

0 Comments

 
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Reinhardt Melz before showtime
On Friday and Saturday nights, 20 and 21 January 2012, Joey Porter's Tribute to Stevie Wonder Concert was on display at Mississippi Studios in Portland, OR. From the outset, Joey Porter should be applauded for the idea and implementation of such a concept using some of Portland's premiere musicians. His vision for the event and his musical direction of the event were superb.

A tribute to Stevie Wonder would have been enough in itself to get my wife and I to attend but there was an added and even greater draw for us. That was Porter's inclusion of Reinhardt Melz and Jarrod Lawson as members for this unique concert mini-series. The two of them are permanent members of The SoulMates, the band that has been identified as "Portland musicians' favorite band." Porter also chose to include sometime SoulMates member Jans Ingber. However, while Stevie Wonder may have been the focus in absentia, Jarrod and Reinhardt stole the show.

A further word about the line-up. The band included:
Joey Porter - keyboards and musical director
Reinhardt Melz - drums
Jarrod Lawson - keyboards
Paul Creighton - vocals
Dan Scollard - bass
Jans Ingber - vocals and percussion
Joshua Cliburn - sax
Max Ribner - trumpet and flugelhorn

It is well-known in Portland that Stevie Wonder is well-covered by local musicians. The SoulMates provide their unique arrangements of Wonder's tunes and Paul Creighton's group InterVisions have a great love affair with Wonder's songs. It is always a treat to see Paul Crieghton visit The Candlelight Cafe where Jay "Bird" Koder and The SoulMates hold court. Creighton joining The SoulMates for  All I Do (Is Sing About You) is about enough to you feel that your hair is on fire...I mean that in a good way.

The Saturday night performance began with Do I Do and had Jarrod, Paul and Jans all on vocals together. It was a good start for the fun to follow. Jarrod continued with lead vocals on Please, Don't Go.  After the Jans Ingber's rousing Living for the City,  Jarrod returned to lead vocals for Ordinary Pain. There is good reason why it has been said of Jarrod that "Everything he touches turns to soul." On Saturday night, all of those reasons were in evidence and the audience took clear notice.

One of the nicest treats of the evening was watching Paul Creighton. As stated above, I have enjoyed watching Paul sit in on occassion with The SoulMates. He has always been a delight and I have always admired his respect and demeanor during those performances.

On Saturday night, I became even more enthusiastic about him. I mentioned his respect and it showed itself in a few ways. One of those ways was in how he did not demand or even desire to have the attention on himself. The stage was full and the performers' space was certainly limited. When Paul was not singing, he would squat down on the floor to allow the audience to see Reinhardt on drums behind him or Dan Scollard on bass.

Plus, he is just a fun vocalist to watch and hear. His singing of All I Do and For Once in My Life were just joyous! In the latter song, Jarrod again got a rousing ovation for his playing of the melodica.

In the second set, Paul was lucky enough to get the nod to sing Superstitious, Higher Ground and Jesus Children of America. The opening of Higher Ground got a little convoluted but Reinhardt absolutely seized control of the direction and Paul and Jarrod joined in. The song was powerful.

Reinhardt's performance truly made the audience stop their dancing. They stood with mouths open and eyes wide. After the song concluded, my wife said that Reinhardt's entry into the song was like the arrival of "God's own thunder."

Jans got the lead vocals for Always and Jarrod's keyboard playing was sweet. In fact, it was Jarrod's solo that got the best response from the audience. Soulful as always.

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Jarrod Lawson on keyboards...before the wine spill.
Jarrod's lead vocals were reserved for All Day Sucker, Knocks Me Off My Feet, They Won't Go When I Go and I Wish. For this performance, Jarrod appropriately sang All Day Sucker according to Stevie Wonder's arrangement but I have to let you know: The SoulMates' treatment is one of the most amazing things you will ever hear.


I Wish was a great choice to end the second set. Jarrod and Reinhardt literally slammed the door shut. Happily, there was an encore. It was something that I had been wanting to hear from Jarrod for a long time. I am endebted to Joey Porter for picking Jarrod to sing
Don't You Worry 'Bout a Thing as the final song. 

Good Lord, what a finish! It seemed as though the band was determined to go home with no energy reserves left in themselves. Joey Porter on his keys,  Dan Scollard on bass, Reinhardt on drums, Joshua and Max on the horns and Jarrod Lawson singing his heart out with Paul and Jans joining was a great finish.

When the concert was coming to an end, a big guy standing close to us had something he wanted to remember. Maybe he knew he was a little drunk and wanted to make sure he didn't forget. He stood there, transfixed, and kept repeating to himself "Jarrod...Lawson. Jarrod...Lawson. Jarrod...Lawson. Jarrod...Lawson. Jarrod...Lawson."

0 Comments

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