Sunday Music Muse Day - Ben Wendel, Guilermo Bazzola

Today's Sunday Music Muse Day finds me inside as the cold snowy weather settles in before the Thanksgiving holiday this week. Just by coincidence, the first selection is Ben Wendel The Seasons, a concept album by the young saxophonist. (Rich Thompson, recommend this CD, Thanks Rich) It is a studio recordings based on his original series of twelve duets released over twelve months on youtube, in 2015. The project was inspired by the classical twelve piano pieces by Tchaikovsky called The Seasons. The music on this CD is performed by "a quintet made up of artists from the original video series.  The music is transformed from the intimate settings of duos to something much grander in the hands of these master musicians", writes Wendell in the liner notes. Although I enjoy these versions overall, I like the video version of the selection "October", a duet with guitarist, Gilad Hekselman, much better. Give it a listen and see of you agree.

My next selection is one of those leaps of faith, as I knew nothing about this guitarist, Guillermo Bazzola Hora Libre,  I picked the CD as it looked interesting,  I sampled the opening cut at the record shop, and it didn't sound bad so I bought it. After listening to it several times I glad I did. It a quartet with guitar, Hammond organ, saxophones, and drums.  Here's all the info could find on the CD, from the Apple Music Review:

"About Guillermo Bazzola

Argentinean jazz guitarist Guillermo Bazzola started playing as an amateur by the end of the 1970s, taking guitar classes in 1979. Two years later, the musician joined a band called Combop, playing along with Mariano Tito soon after. In 1986, Guillermo Bazzola composed the soundtrack for a cultural documentary broadcast by a local television station. In 1989, the artist was awarded by Partners of the Americas, getting a scholarship after participating in an international jazz seminar. In 1998, the guitarist, composer, and arranger had the opportunity to play along with Sid Jacobs while participating in a festival called Guitarras del Mundo (Guitars of the World). A year later, Guillermo Bazzola formed the Summer Quartet with drummer Hernán Mandelman, bassist Rodolfo Paccapelo, and Rodrigo Domínguez, recording an album called 3D, released by PAI Records. In the year 2000, the talented guitarist teamed up with pianist Ernesto Jodos, issuing Long Ago."  Basically that's it, but that's enough his music speaks for it, solid playing with an international jazz feel, proving music is our universal language. Worth listening to.

Winter is coming, maybe sooner than we like.  Keep warm, and keep listening to good music.

Sunday Music Muse Day - Paul Desmond, Ben Wendel.

This Sunday Music Muse Day finds the weather turning into a pleasant autumn day after a very cool, and rainy morning, yesterday. Today's selection are in the same vain, a contrast in old and new, in terms of jazz saxophonists.  First up is Paul Desmond Feeling Blue, the legendary saxophonist well known for his work with equally legendary pianist Dave Brubeck's groups. The liner notes states Paul Desmond didn't use piano players in his sessions "to avoid comparison with the Brubeck sound he helped to create".  The notes continues: "he preferred the pure sound of the guitar".  That is abundantly evident in the playing of the great Jim Hall on this compilation of sessions recorded in 1961 through 1964.  There are lot a great jazz standards played on this CD that's has fresh sounding as ever.  Prefect listening for a fall afternoon, or any time.

My second choice, is a young saxophonist,, Ben Wendel Frame. He is relatively new to me, but I have a duet,"October" with guitarist Gilad Hekselman, save on my youtube music playlist. It seems it will be included on new release of Wendel titled, The Seasons.  Twelve duet with twelve different musicians.  (I know a FB friend mentioned this CD, but I can't remember who, sorry) I'll keep an eye out for it.  Frame is fine compliment to the Paul Desmond, it's a contemporary feels with solid playing on all original tunes by Wendel, with the except of Dizzy Gillespie tune, "Con Alma", showing respect for jazz roots.

Autumn has arrived, and with falling leaves and crisp afternoon to enjoy a warm drink and cool jazz.  Sounds like a good plan to me.  Enjoy.