They Play Ms. Bley

I have been impressed by a number of new albums released this Summer that are soft in volume but musically and emotionally strong.  

The trio of Steve Cardenas (guitar), Ted Nash (tenor + soprano saxophones, clarinet), and Ben Allison (bass) have played on each other's albums and in live concerts for more than two decades. Nash and Allison were connected as founding members of the New York City-based Jazz Composers Collective (very active in the 1990s) while Cardenas began recording as a member of the bassist's group around the turn of the century.  As an ensemble, they've recorded three albums, 2018's "Quiet Revolution" (Sonic Camera, Allison's label), 2019s "Somewhere Else – West Side Story Songs" (Plastic Sax, Nash's label), and the recently released (July 2022) "Healing Power – The Music of Carla Bley" (Sunnyside Records, the label Cardenas records for). Their 2018 debut was dedicated to the music of reed master Jimmy Guiffre and his work with guitarist Jim Hall–the shape and sound of the lineup was perfect for an exploration of that composer's music and also worked really well for the Bernstein/Sondheim songs on the second recording..

For the trio's third release, they turn to Carla Bley whose unique musical stylings has kept listeners and critics entranced and guessing for over five decades.  She has led numerous ensembles including both a small and large big band as well as, most recently, a trio with bassist Steve Swallow and saxophonist Andy Sheppard.  Her music reveals all sorts of influence but Ms. Bley has always a penchant for smartly-crafted melodies. The songs on "Healing Power" come from throughout the composer's career; not only do Messrs. Cardenas, Nash, & Allison do the music justice, they make the songs their own.  The nine-song program opens with one of her most famous pieces "Ida Lupino".  Composed in 1964 and first recorded by her-then husband Paul Bley, the music is quite introspective and has a lovely melody.  Allison's quiet bass lines creates a perfect foundation for the solos.

Photo: Ludovico Granvassu

The second track, "Donkey", is even older (1962) and swings nicely with a be-bop line worthy of Charlie Parker. With the exception of "Lawns" and the title track (both from 1987), all the tracks are from the mid-1960s.  The music shows both the composer's versatility and her willingness to carve out her own compositional space in the fertile Creative Music scene.  The listener should be thrilled by the mysterious and emotional "Olhos de Gato" (listen below) as well as the playful "King Korn" (both pieces that feature Nash on clarinet).  The former has a Spanish "tinge"(a hint of flamenco) plus splendid short  solos from all three musicians. Meanwhile, the latter track has a sweet bluesy feel–the main "body" of the piece is a three-way conversation that is bright, musical, with a touch of humor.

The program closes with the blues-drenched title track; note the interaction of the bass and guitar on Cardenas's sweet solo plus how Nash "gets down" over the sympathetic background.  Yes, "Healing Power" just might cure what ails the world (ah, we can dream) but this soft yet dynamic session will make you smile as it reminds you just how impressive a composer Carla Bley has been through her long and continuing career.  Kudos to Steve Cardenas, Ben Allison, and Ted Nash!!

For more information about the trio, go to https://benallison.com/the-trio.  To hear more and purchase the album, go to https://stevecardenas.bandcamp.com/album/healing-power-the-music-of-carla-bley. 

Hear them play "Olhos de Gato":

Here's the title track:

From Vinyl to Digital

Newvelle Records, the American-French collaboration that has created an amazing series of modern jazz vinyl albums over the past six years, is just beginning to release some of those albums on their new digital label.  Earlier in 2021, the label released three albums (two new) including the brilliant 61-track tribute to the late pianist Frank Kimbrough plus two duo albums, one by bassist Skúli Sverisson and guitarist Bill Frisell (which had been released on vinyl in 2018) as well as one by vocalist Becca Stevens with label co-owner/ pianist Elan Mehler.

Now, as the year closes, the label has chosen to release three more of the original vinyl albums in a digital format, one from each of their first three "seasons".  Note that the musicians own the rights to the music after two years –– artists who the label has recorded have issued their Newvelle Lps on their own labels including bassist Ben Allison, saxophonist Tim Berne, and guitarist Lionel Loueke (in both a trio session and a duo date with pianist Kevin Hays). 

Let me also state here that when you visit the label's website –– www.newvelle-records.com –– you'll also see that there are recordings of artists from New Orleans (among them, the late Ellis Marsalis as well as vocalist Irma Thomas) plus an "international artists" collection that includes vinyl releases by guitarist Gilad Hekselman (Israel) and trumpeter/flugelhornist Nadje Noordhuis (Australia).

The label's first vinyl release was "Meantime" featuring pianist Frank Kimbrough in a quartet/quintet setting with tenor saxophonist Andy Zimmerman, bassist Chris Van Vorst Van Beest, drummer R.J. Miller, and, on several tracks, trumpeter Riley Mulherkar.  The program, expanded from nine to 12 tracks on the new release, features both new and older originals plus several standards.  Zimmerman is a new voice for me –– he's been based in Chicago for several decades and made his debut as a leader on Newvelle in Season Three, a quartet setting with trumpeter Dave Douglas, pianist Kevin Hays, and bassist Matt Penman.  The saxophonist and leader work well together really nicely (check out "Alabama Song" below), his subdued attack on the sax similar to the gentle explorations of Kimbrough. Adding Mulherkar to the mix, especially on the swing take of Andrew Hill's "Laverne", is a treat as the trumpeter gets to display his delightful bop chops. The rhythm section is responsive throughout while the pianist's inventiveness, as usual of his albums, shines brightly. 

There's much more –– if you are a fan of Frank Kimbrough's music and did not spring for the vinyl (mea culpa), this is a very welcome addition to your collection. Go to https://newvellerecords.bandcamp.com/album/meantime and purchase this delightful album.

Here's the opening cut:

From Newvelle's second season comes "Cuban Nocturne", a solo piano release featuring the impressive Cuban-born now American artist Aruán Ortiz.  The pianist, a native of Santiago de Cuba, started out on violin and viola as a youth but switched to the keyboard after moving to Havana in his late teens to attend school. He went on to study in Barcelona, Spain, before moving to the Berklee school in Boston, Ma, on a full scholarship.  Ortiz has recorded nine albums as a leader or co-leader but "Cuban Nocturne" is his first program of classical Cuban music.  Pieces from the composers Ignacio Cervantes (1847-1905), Antonio María Romeu (1876-1955), Ernesto Lecouna (1895-1963), and Catalan composer Federico Mompou  (1893- 1987) plus the title track which Ortiz created for the 2015 movie "Sin Alas (Without Wings)" as well as two short original "Interludes".  It's a stunning, delightfully impressionistic, 38+ minutes of splendid musicianship, lovely even stately melodies, and certainly well worth your time and money!

For more information about the album, go to www.newvelle-records.com/products/nv011lp-aruan-ortiz-cuban-nocturne. To hear more and to purchase the album, go to. https://newvellerecords.bandcamp.com/album/cuban-nocturne.

Here's the title track:

From Newvelle's third season comes "Charlie & Paul", an tribute to bassist Charlie Haden (1937-1914) and drummer Paul Motian (1931-2011) created by guitarist Steve Cardenas with a ensemble that features Loren Stillman (alto saxophone), bassist Thomas Morgan, and drummer Matt Wilson. The program includes five compositions from Motian (three of which are premiered on this album) and five from Haden (one of which, "There In a Dream", is not on the vinyl version). All four musicians had worked with one or both of the two Masters (Cardenas is the only one who played with both) and the listener can tell that by the way they dig into the material with love, passion, respect, and joy. The music runs the gamut from Country-rock ("Prairie Avenue Cowboy") to a Spanish-Latin feel ("La Passionara") to "freer" associations ("Riff Raff") to a gentle acoustic guitar driven folkish tune ("For Turiya") to "electric bebop ("For the Love of Sarah") and elsewhere. The music is a treat from start-to-finish and the digital sound quality is first class!  The crisp, clean, tones of Cardenas's acoustic guitar as well as Morgan's soulful bass work stand out as do the delightful percussion play of Wilson and Stillman's melodic, cool, alto sax lines.  Such an excellent ensemble, splendid material, and enchanting musicianship.

For more information, go to www.newvelle-records.com/collections/shop-newvelle/products/nv013lp-steve-cardenas-charlie-paul.  To hear more and to purchase the digital album, go to https://newvellerecords.bandcamp.com/album/charlie-paul.  

Firehouse 12 Concerts Return + Steve Cardenas Honors Paul M.

Firehouse 12, 45 Crown Street in New Haven is back in business, the concert business that is.  The Spring 2014 season commences this Friday (March 21st, the first full day of Spring) with the Ben Allison Trio.  Bassist/composer Allison, a proud son of New Haven, issued his first self-released CD, "The Stars Look Very Different Today" (Sonic Camera) in late 2013 with a quartet featuring guitarist Steve Cardenas, drummer Allison Miller, and guitarist/banjo picker Brandon Seabrook.  Sonically, the recording contains some of the most dense music the bassist has ever recorded with Seabrook being the wild card.  That writ, there are several strong ballads including the banjo-led "The Ballad of Joe Buck" and the harder-edged "No Other Side" (the blend of Cardenas's more mellow sound with Seabrook's electronically altered 6-string is quite attractive).  There's a raucous re-arangement of Allison's "Swiss Cheese D" (first recorded on 2001's "Riding The Nuclear Tiger") that slashes and dashes, churns and burns (the title of the song comes from the repertoire of New York Knicks' commentator Walt Frazier.)  Overall, it's one of Ben Allison's strongest recordings.

(photo by Ben Allison)

For the New Haven gig, the bassist is bringing a different lineup, one that I'm not sure he has ever performed with in a live setting.  Cardenas, who has now appeared on Allison latest 5 recordings, will be on the gig and the third member of the Trio is trumpeter Ron Horton (pictured left).  Horton was a charter member of the New York City-based Jazz Composers Collective and appeared on the bassist's first 4 CDs as well as being part of the JCC's Herbie Nichols Project.

The opening set is at 8:30 p.m. and the second begins at 10 (separate admission charges for each).  For ticket information, call 203-785-0468 or go to firehouse12.com.  To learn more about Ben Allison and his music, go to benallison.com.

Guitarist/composer Steve Cardenas has a brand new CD, his 4th as a leader and 2nd to appear on Sunnyside Records. Although there is no dedication on the album jacket, "Melody in a Dream" sounds like a tribute to Paul Motian (1931-2011).  The guitarist recorded 4 CDs with the late drummer/composer/bandleader, 3 as a member of the Electric Bebop Band.  Cardenas has also worked with bassist Charlie Haden, vocalist Elaine Elias, drummer Joey Baron. an is prominently featured on fellow guitarist Anthony Wilson's delightful "Seasons" project.

On this new project, Cardenas works with a splendid rhythm section of drummer Baron, bassist Thomas Morgan (who also worked with Paul Motian), and, on 3 tracks, trumpeter Shane Endsley.  Upon first listen, what stands out is the crisp percussion, the excellent guitar accompaniments and Morgan's impressive bass work (he is so melodic).  Baron does not imitate Motian but his work on the CD's ballads remind one of the spare style that his elder was well not for (it's shown to great example on tracks on the opening 2 tracks, "Just One More Time" and "New Moon", both Cardenas originals.  The blend of guitar and bass (who is often playing counterpoint) is impressive throughout. The bluesy strut of "Ode To Joey" adds the trumpet to the mix - the piece shifts tempo several times but Baron's drumming guides all through the changes with no problem.

The program features a pair of Motian compositions, the sweet ballad "Once Around The Park" and the loping medium tempo of "In The Year of The Dragon." The late drummer's compositions have such fascinating melodies (quite singable - I'm surprised there are so few with lyrics);  On "..Park", Morgan builds his solo off the theme and it really sparkles. There is a hint of Bobby Troup's "Route 66" in the melody of "...Dragon" - still, it's a subtle gesture on a program filled with subtleties.

There is a quartet of "standards" programmed one after another starting with the Victor Young/Sam Lewis 1932 classic "Street of Dreams" (the Trio performs the piece ever so slowly) moving to an up-tempo take of Lee Konitz's "Subconscious-Lee" (Endsley takes the lead and his bright tone works nicely with the muted sounds of the guitar.) Horace Silver's classic "Peace" is transformed into a gentle samba (the mix makes Baron's excellent percussion stand out as do Morgan's fine counterpoint phrases)  which leads into a guitar/drums reading of Thelonious Monk's "Teo."  Cardenas's crisp lines and harder sounds are a fine foil to Baron's crisp snare, splashing cymbals and thumping bass drum.

Don't approach "Melody in a Dream" expecting to be blown away by musical pyrotechnics or long, convoluted, solos.  Take your time with this music, enjoy the fine drawn interactions, the sounds of the instruments, the various melodies and how the musicians explore these songs.  The albums Steve Cardenas has created over the past decade show a musician who digs into songs to mine them them for their myriad possibilities and we, the listeners, are the benefactors of his musical research.  To get a taste of this fine recording, go to sunnysidezone.com/album/melody-in-a-dream.