Sunday Sleep In ~ “I Love Paris” ~ Michel Legrand & His Orchestra.

What more befitting music and album for this particular Sunday, Legrand’s first and a masterpiece.

Sad though it is in homage of the horrific tragedy that took place in France this week.

Today we all walk, mourn and rally with Parisians, anything but silenced.

God Speed to the families of all the victims in both locations and all of France.

Sunday Sleep In ~ “Sundays” ~ Enrico Pieranunzi Trio

 

Born in Rome, Italy this pianist, composer and arranger has accompanied and played among the best in Jazz.

Chet Baker, Charlie Haden, Frank Rosolino, Billy Higgins, Art Farmer just to name a few.

He has written scores for movies, is a professor and an author. The album “Ballads” from which this song is from is the 6th album in-which he collaborated with bassist Mark Johnson and drummer Joey Baron in 2006. The first with them in 1984 and since has released two more.

Starting in the 70s in Europe he quickly set both the classical & jazz scene there on fire before hooking up with American musicians.

In all Enrico Pieranunzi has written more than 300 compositions and recorded more than 70 albums/CDs. From solo’s, duets to quintets. Chet Baker’s “Night Wind”, Phil Wood’s “Hindsight” just a few from a notable list that became international standards.

A lyrical approach so fine it has made him a very much recognizable figure of contemporary jazz.

Sunday Sleep In ~ “What Now?” ~ Kenny Wheeler

Who needs drums when you don’t even notice they’re not there. Kenny Wheeler composes such rich in-depth songs with artists who cast you into a spell, it actually makes it sound as if you hear some cymbals in the background. Dave Holland’s spectacular double bass playing does exactly that.

On this particular piece both Wheeler and Chris Potter play off each other beautifully, add John Taylor’s piano and you have magic.

Sunday Sleep In ~ “Silently” ~ Tim Lapthorn Trio

So nice to see somebody carrying on the tradition of a Bill Evans, Dave Brubeck & Vince Guaraldi.

Transport his third album released in 2012 makes you feel as if it’s the 60s again. Every song shines with harmonies and explosive improvisations you’d expect from the greats of jazz. Swings & Roundabouts is another off this album/CD that shows his talent beyond his years.

This British born pianist excels in everything he’s done thus far.

Sunday Sleep In ~ “Canción de Amor” ~ Paco de Lucía

In memory of one of the most influential virtuoso’s of Spanish Flamenco Guitar that ever lived. On Feb. 25, 2014 his being left us but through a catalog of music a mile long from 1964, you will experience his spirit forever.

My first taste I got of this man’s talent was in 1976 when he played on Al Di Meola’s Elegant Gypsy. When I heard Mediterranean Sundance I absolutely flipped. I had never heard such acoustical precision like that in my life. It was Paco’s “Río Ancho” that was fused into the song.

But unlike Di Meola who dipped into different fusions, Paco de Lucía who also crossed over into the classical & jazz realms his sound managed to stay completely enjoyable to his roots. All variations had that epic Spanish history to everything he played. He was on his own level yet played as if he created the musical atmospherical equivalence and I mean that as a storm, thunderous and awakening.

Such a sad loss at only 66 years old. I’m sure there will be tributes upon tributes to this exquisite player.

Heaven is dancing as Paco has taken his place.

Our hearts will see you through the beauty of the music you left us with. God’s greatest gift.

 

Wednesday When It Was Music ~ “The Other Hours” ~ Harry Connick, Jr.

 

There is no other singer I know of that absolutely captures Frank Sinatra’s fabulous phrasing other than the very talented Harry Connick, Jr..

This man is a blessing that has thankfully continued the tradition of fine tuned vocalization.

Sultry Saturday ~ “Something Wicked” ~ Spencer Day

This 2013 release “The Mystery Of You” is just another example of the fabulous composing and lyrical works of this artist. With sensual smooth baritone crooning vocals for me he is the best thing that has come onto the jazz scene in several decades.

This whole concept album contains variations of taste to the ballads, latin jazz and pop with each telling a story.

But as I said on another blog written on Spencer after his first major release in 2009 “Till You Come To Me” I have no idea why this man hasn’t caught fire and became a household name.

Unbelievable stylistic phrasing and very creative writing skills.

He’s completely in tune with his inner musical soul and it comes out in the best of ways. His whole approach to a song comes from out of the depths.

He doesn’t perform attempting to try to emulate anyone else other than himself and that is true and defining talent.

 

Sunday Sleep In ~ “Ambiance” ~ Marian McPartland

This great lady of jazz who just left us on Aug. 30th at the age of 95. Host of Marian McPartland’s Piano Jazz on NPR from 1978 until 2011. She played everything from Classical to Jazz, Cool jazz, Bebop, Mainstream jazz, Swing, Post bop and Standards.

Marian was undeniably virtuosic hitting those ivory keys with such elegance, her credits musically a mile long whether playing her own compositions or others.

Her “A Delicate Balance” theme of a show she hosted for 14 years on WBAI prior to NPR was so befitting for how she performed, who she interviewed and played with or what she put on a turntable. Whether known or the obscure she never left the very best of music untouched.

Marian shared and gave us a taste of it all.

Sunday Sleep In ~ “Infant Eyes” ~ Wayne Shorter

 

Ingenious Perfection.

Wednesday When It Was Music ~ “When A Gypsy Makes His Violin Cry” ~ Erroll Garner

What a beautiful piece by Garner.

He originally did this song in 55′ solo but re-recorded it in 72′ with some other gifted players and all gave it that splendid latin flavour.

Like Art Tatum he too learned and played by ear from the early age of three never learning to read music or having the need to.

Sunday Sleep In ~ “Lullaby” ~ Dave Brubeck

First solo after 40 years. He never lost it did he…and never will.

Music for Eternity.

Sunday “Screamin’ The Blues” ~ Oliver Nelson

Screamin’ The Blues composed by Oliver Nelson.
Released in 1960 off this 4th self entitled album.

Sunday Sleep In ~ “Peace Piece” ~ Bill Evans

Released in 1958 off of Evan’s second album, “Everybody Digs Bill Evans”….. And everybody did.

The album did have the rest of his Trio, Philly Joe Jones – drums, Sam Jones – bass. But this song was a sit down first time completely unrehearsed improvisation. A melodic treasure.

This man played with everybody. But sadly had the demons and traits shared by so many other talented musicians. One tragedy after another yet their musical ability transcended excellence. Completely unexplanatory and leaving us surreal.

 

Sunday Synopsis ~ Dave Brubeck

Anybody can read Wiki, Time Magazine or one of a thousand articles on Dave Brubeck and give you more than outline of one fabulous career. Me, all I can do is tell you what his music personally meant to me. I did a blog the evening of his passing and I thought how incomplete. A few pictures and video’s and how I immensely enjoyed hearing him one final time in my life in 2007 at the Detroit Jazz Fest.

I loved music all my life, all genres. Blues my passion. But what I always sought for was the different sound that stood out from all the rest. Music done in different ways to capture an even more inner story of a song and that was Dave Brubeck. That’s what all his different time signatures in essence was really all about.

How to enhance and combine music to draw people into something they thought they were not or ever would be into. Jazz was around prior to Dave’s 59′ Time Out album, but a 5/4 never heard before musical time measure hadn’t and that is why Paul Desmond’s “Take Five” took them all in and the album in-which it came off became Jazz’s first million seller.

Sunday Sleep In ~ “Dreamsville” ~ Henry Mancini

Another Masterpiece from the Genius of Mancini.

Composer, Arranger, Conductor, Creator of some of the most beautifully orchestrated music this earth will ever see.

Saturday Serenade ~ Glen Miller Orchestra ~ “Moonlight Serenade”

If you have never seen the movie The Glen Miller Story with James Stewart & June Allyson try to catch it on TCM or rent it, you won’t be sorry. I’ve seen it numerous times and God knows my Mom has seen it even more. In my opinion this particular song seems to epitomize my parents whole entire generation as their theme song.

Tuesday Time Machine ~ 1963 ~ Gerry Mulligan ~ Night Lights

This album titled song was composed by Gerry Mulligan and this particular piece to me is straight out of the jazz history books. It is a timeless mood for those of us who like the wee hours of the morning and the dark we seem so accustomed to as if 3:00am is the norm.

It reminds me of either driving around or sitting down by Detroit’s riverfront on a hot summer night when it’s still 80 degrees out in the middle of the night.

Soothing Saturday ~ Lujon ~ Henry Mancini

You can never get enough of the genius of Mancini.

This song was composed for the TV series Mr. Lucky in 1959 and was also known as “Slow Hot Wind”. Named after an African percussion instrument (constructed by pianist John Lewis) played by Shelly Mann on the track. To me it was just another Masterpiece by Mancini.

Sunday Suave’ ~ Spencer Day ~ Till You Come to Me

This young cat hit the scene in 2004 with his first album ‘Introducing Spencer Day’, his second one came out in 2005 ‘Movie of Your Life’ featuring his own songs. And the same year wrote the whole score and stared in a 20 song musical revue ‘Someday, Love’.

Born in 1981 this 30-year-old croons with a style of other contemporary pop, jazz and blues artists from years past that seemed to come out of my parents generation.

I mean this guy’s voice, sound and style is as sexy and as smooth as they come. He composes, plays piano and from this 2009 release of the album ‘Vagabond’ Till You Come to Me is only one prime example of his sophisticated writing and smooth baritone of phrasing.

Thursday Throw Down ~ Henry Mancini ~ Peter Gun

OOOOOOH YEAH!!!

Pete Candoli really gets going on this.

Friday “Fallout!” ~ Henry Mancini

Just some of the Musicians in the Orchestra on this 1987 TV Special.

Pete Candoli, Bill Watrous, Vincent De Rosa, Ronny Lang, Ray Pizzi, Abe Most…….

So Sexy, So Talented… Yet so Vulnerable. Chet Baker ~ Songs of the Weekend.

Man take your choice.