Sunday Music Muse Day - Bob Sneider & Kristin Korb, Nicki Parrott, Esperanza Spalding

This week's Sunday Music Muse is inspired by a live performance by guitarist friend, Bob Sneider and bassist Kristin Korb at the Bop Shop Record Store, last Monday.

It was a duet setting with vocals by Kristin. I admit this isn't normally my taste in jazz, but I totally enjoyed the show.  Their playing was adventurous and entertaining. I'm constantly being amazed at the depth of Bob guitar playing.  Kristin was new to me, and mentioned they haven't played together in ten years, and she was jet-lagged from traveling from Norway. Neither affect their amazing playing in the least. I liked her so much I bought a CD of hers at after the show. I'd like to see them record a set together.

Here's Kristin Korb Beyond the Moon, a 2016 bass, piano, drums set.  It's an enjoyable outing, I'll throw in the CD player on occasion. I'd like to explore her originals she talked about between sets.

Kristin Korb's bass playing did reminder of two other female bassist/vocalist in my CD collection. First,  Nicki Parrott From New York to Paris, a collection of vocals and tasty bass playing from a musician I hadn't heard of before. Although the liner notes states she was the bassist for guitar legend Les Paul for ten years.  That fact alone was worth a listen.  Plus, and she has 27 albums releases. This CD is more "lounge jazz" for my taste, but the quality of her singing, playing and recording production is top notch.  In fact, the CD is listed on a best jazz of the year list I've seen online.  It will make for dinner background music for the most part, for me.

Thinking of female bass players,  I'd like to add the amazing Esperanza Spalding to the mix., with her Emily's D+Evolution. If you remember the buzz about Kate Bush's tune "Running Up that Hill", used in the Netflix series Stranger Things, you'll enjoy this unique outing by a young multi-talented musician.  She's best know as a highly awarded jazz bassist and college music instructor.  This could be a concept album and "Emily" a alter-ego.  In any case, It a very densely produced modern style. I find the vocal styling hard to follow without reading the lyrics, but that could be my old ears. My favorite tune is the tune " Unconditional Love (Alternate Version) with blistering guitar solo by Matthew Stevens.

So that my step outside my jazz listening comfort zone.  Have a good weekend.