 About
the reviewer: F. Norman Vickers is a founder of the Jazz Society of
Pensacola and Pensacola JazzFest, and a former president of the American
Federation of Jazz Societies. He is a member of the Jazz Journalists
Association and the Jazz Photographers Association. He is a serious
amateur multi-instrumentalist.
added September 28, 2008
A STRAIGHT-AHEAD MELODIC JAZZ ALBUM CD
(Why We're) Happy Together
( www.markguest.net )
Review by F. Norman Vickers
Jazz guitarist Mark Guest, of Asheville, NC is featured on this outstanding
CD with pianist George Mesterhazy, a former pianist with the late vocalist
Shirley Horn, and Guest's regular members of the trio-- bassist Ian
Bracchitta and drummer Sonny Thornton. The
 repertoire
includes jazz standards such as "There is No Greater Love," " Emily" and" Do
You Know What It Means to Miss New Orleans." Included here are three
originals by Mark Guest: "This Tune Needs a Title," " Out There" and" Mardis
Bossa." Guest's three originals need special mention. The album opens with
Guest's “This Tune Needs a Title." The quartet sets up a melodic groove over
which the guitar and piano can solo. "Out There" is played at a leisurely
tempo with plenty of room to appreciate the innovative licks of the guitar
and piano. There is also a nice bass solo. The third original, "Mardis Bossa"
features guest artist Frank Southecorvo on alto sax, his only appearance on
this album.
On all the numbers, there are elements of pleasant surprise. This is an
album which can satisfy both the casual listener and the sophisticated jazz
fan. It's sixty minutes of great music.
Personnel: Mark Guest, guitar; George Mesterhazy, piano; Ian
Bracchita, bass; Sonny Thornton, drums; Richard Graham, percussion and Frank
Southecorvo, alto sax.
Selections: This Tune Needs a Title; Emily; There is No Greater Love;
Happy Together; My Romance; Out There; Mardis Bossa; Tenor Madness; Do You
Know What It Means To Miss New Orleans.
Contact and purchase information:
jazz@MarkGuest.net
added July 15, 2008
LARRY HAM: JUST ME, JUST YOU
CD Review by Norman Vickers
 This
solo piano album is Larry Ham’s first for the Arbors Piano Series. However,
he’s played as sideman on several Arbors issues: The Earl May Quartet:
Swinging the Blues; Dave Glasser: Above the Clouds; and Jazz Ambassador:
Scott Robinson Plays the Compositions of Louis Armstrong.
Ham has played with Lionel Hampton’s orchestra (’86-’87) and Illinois
Jacquet’s big band (‘90-’95). He currently is a member of the Earl May
Quartet.
Ham’s innovative piano performance here gives new life and meaning to
several jazz standards. Of the fifteen selections here, three are his
originals. Brenda’s Waltz is interesting and melodic; Ridin’ the Blues is
roadhouse, boogie piano; The Ring is a melancholy tune in F minor.
This is an album most listeners would likely leave on the turntable for
repeat enjoyment.
Liner notes are by veteran jazz writer Nat Hentoff.
Selections:
My Romance ( Hart/ Rodgers)
I’ll Keep Loving You ( Bud Powell)
Just, Just Me (Klages/ Greer)
Brenda’s Waltz (Ham)
How About You? (Freed/ Lane)
You Know I Care (Pearson)
It Could Happen to You ( Burke/ Van Heusen)
Don’t Mess Wit Nobody But Me ( unknownCalypso)
Bewitched, Bothered & Bewildered (Hart/ Rodgers)
Ridin’ the Blues (Ham)
If I should Lose You (Robin/Rainger)
I Can’t Get Started (I. Gershwin/Vernon Duke)
My Shining Hour (Mercer/ Arlen)
The Ring (Ham)
The Star-Crossed Lovers ( Ellington/ Strayhorn)
added June 23, 2008
CHRIS FLORY: FOR YOU
CD Review by Norman Vickers
 Manhattan-based
guitarist Chris Flory, now in his mid 50s, is presented on this his debut
album for Arbors Records. He selects jazz standards for this album with the
exception of his own composition on the lead cut, J H Blues, a tribute to
Jimi Hendrix. Some of the tunes are in trio format with organist Mike
LeDonne and drummer Chuck Riggs. Other selections add tenor saxophonist Dan
Block and trumpeter Jon-Erik Kellso.
Detailed liner notes are contributed by longtime jazz journalist Ira Gitler.
We learn that Flory took guitar lessons from Tiny Grimes at age 17 and
studied with Carl Thompson in Manhattan until 1972. Flory traces his
influences from Charlie Christian, Barney Kessel and Herb Ellis among
others. Flory has “paid his dues” performing regularly with Scott Hamilton,
and performing with Buddy Tate, Illinois Jacquet, Hank Jones and Jo Jones.
LaDonne’s organ adds spice to the mix and the entire album is pleasing.
Peter DeRose’s The Lamp is Low was an adaptation of Maurice Ravel’s Pavane
for a Dead Princess. According to the liner notes, this experience comes
from a recording by Buddy Tate’s Celebrity Club Orchestra.
Another innovation is a bluesy adaptation of Billy Moll’s I Want a Little
Girl. This tune was a signature item for the late trumpeter Doc Cheatham who
also sang it. Doc would be an also-ran in the jazz polls in the
category “ Talent deserving wider recognition.”
In all, a pleasing recording which deserves repeat listening.
Selections:
J. H. Blues (Chris Flory)
For You, For Me, Forever More (Ira and George Gershwin)
Swinging at the Daisy Chain (Count Basie)
The Lamp is Low ( Mitchell Parish, Peter DeRose, Bert Shefter)
I want a Little Girl ( Billy Moll, Murray Mencher)
Three Little Words (Bert Kalmar, Harry Ruby)
Bean-O (Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis)
Young and Foolish (Arnold Horwitt, Albert Hague)
A Beautiful Friendship ( Donald Kahn, Stanley Styne)
Vignette ( Hank Jones)
Mister Goodbeat (Jimmy Forrest)
Sample audio and CD available at:
http://www.arborsrecords.com/recordtemplate.html?ProductID=19357
added June 23, 2008
Allen Vache':
WITH BENNY IN MIND
CD Review
 by
Norman Vickers
Clarinetist Allen Vache’ ( pronounce
va-SHAY) has recorded with a small group of excellent musicians
including guitarist Vincent Corrao, vibraphonist Christian Tamburr,
pianist John Sheridan, bassist Phil Flanigan and drummer Ed Metz,
Jr. There are swinging arrangements associated with Goodman’s small
group including such numbers as Flyin’ Home, Air Mail Special,
Stompin’ at the Savoy, Seven Come
Eleven and Goodman’s sign-off number, Goodbye. Many from Pensacola
and the Jazz Society may be familiar with these names because all
have appeared under the auspices of the Jazz Society at one time or
another with the exception of vibraphonist Tamburr and guitarist
Corrao. Vache’ and Sheridan were both associated with the Jim
Cullum band at one time, so this is a reunion of sorts. Both are
now pursuing their independent careers.
added June 23, 2008
Ray Kennedy:
THE RAY KENNEDY TRIO PLAYS THE MUSIC OF ARTHUR SCHWARTZ
CD Review by Norman Vickers
Pianist Ray Kennedy performs the music
of Arthur Schwartz with his trio which includes his brother Tom on
bass and Miles Vandiver on drums. Guitarist Joe Cohn is guest
artist on this recording. Joe is the son of tenor saxophonist Al
Cohn of the Woody Herman band. These tunes are played with special
finesse. Some of these songs will be familiar to most listeners:
That’s Entertainment!, You and the Night and the Music, Something to
Remember You By, Alone Together and Dancing in the Dark. Although
these are instrumentals, some of the songs are so familiar you’ll
want to sing along. Yet, these are played with such finesse that
there is always a nuance or a surprise.
Copyright 2001 Jazz
Society of Pensacola
P.O. Box 18337
Pensacola, FL 32523-8337
For general info, contact Kathy Lyon at
metzger200@hotmail.com or (850) 433-8382
Roger Villines
- jrvill@aol.com
webmaster -
Geoff
Walker
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by Dr. Norman Vickers