Sunday Music Day - Clay Jenkins, Gene Bertoncini, Ike Strum, and Redman, Mehldau, McBride, Blade

This Sunday Music Muse Day finds us celebrating Easter Sunday with family on bright sunny afternoon.  It also a good time to enjoy some good tunes from two groups of musicians who it seems couldn't come up with a group name.  First up is Clay Jenkins Gene Bertoncini Ike Sturm Joy, a trumpet, guitar, bass trio. Trumpeter Clay Jenkins is a member to Trio East with drummer Rich Thompson. I've seen Trio East often, and look forward to seeing them again, soon. The wonderful session is collections of well known tunes and an original by Jenkins, and guitarist Gene Bertoncini.  Worth a listen.

My second selection is Redman Mehldau Mcbride Blade - RoundAgain, as in Joshua Redman saxophones, Brad Mehldau piano, Christen McBride bass, and and Brian Blades drums. This is killer CD that the tune Floppy Diss is getting major air play on Jazz 90.1.  Again, well worth a listen.

It is Easter Day, so I  keeping this short and sweet.  Enjoy.

Sunday Music Muse Day - John Nyerges, Gerry Mulligan Quartet

Again, this Sunday Music Muse Day finds us continuing our countdown to Holiday's big events.  Here's some good tunes counter the onslaught of holiday music.  First up is John Nyerges Jazz, Pictures and Poems.  I admit pianist Nyerges is new to me, but his sidemen on this 2007 session included  Rich Thompson (drums), Clay Jenkins (trumpet) and Jeff Campbell (bass) who make up the group Trio East, who I've featured many times before.  It's nice to hear them in solid support of Nyerges's originals.

Next up is an another Gerry Mulligan find, Gerry Mulligan with Chet Baker  Reunion.  This is an interesting collection of mono recorded tracks, and alternate takes, from the 1950s and 60's. You can't go wrong with Mulligan and Baker in any format.

Next week, we plan to get the Christmas tree, so I expect I'll post some holiday music favorites. Still enjoy.

Easter Sunday Music Muse Day - Eastman Jazz Trio, Wayne Shorter.

On this quiet Easter Day, I have just two Sunday Music Muse Day selections.  First is the Eastman Jazz Trio "the question is...". For non-locals, "This recording presents performances by the Eastman Jazz trio, the in-house faculty rhythm section of the Eastman School of Music" , Harold Danko on piano, Rich Thompson on drums, and Jeff Campbell on bass, with guest Clay Jenkins on trumpet, a new member of the jazz faculty at the time, leading to the formation of the Eastman Jazz Quartet.  Besides being well-respected teachers, they each have a impressive resume of music experience in the jazz world. I'm continually amazed at quality and quantity the Eastman School of Music contribution to Rochester's musical culture.  I've had the pleasure of meeting several Eastman faculty members, like Rich Thompson, Bob Sneider, and Mike Melito, attending many of their live gigs.  Picking up another one of their CDs is always treat.

Next is jazz legend (and that's no overstatement) Wayne Shorter Alegria, a 4/5 star rated CD the one reviewer called, "-- at least to many critics who welcomed his return to highly cerebral acoustic post-bop".  This is very adventurous outing that will leave you excited at the twist and turn Shorter still presents in his music that begs for repeated listening. 

 So, if no one has said it, have a wonderful, peaceful, Happy Easter and Passover.

Sunday Music Muse Day - Trio East, Clarlie Byrd, Rez Abbasi Acoustic Quartet,

This week's Sunday Music Muse Day again features some great local talent in Trio East, with Rich Thompson on drums, Clay Jenkins on trumpet, and Jeff Campbell on bass.  Lisa and I caught the first set of the Trio East performance at the Little Theatre Cafe on Friday night.  We're sorry we couldn't stay for the second set, seems we missed the horn player Jeff Beal playing with the group.  But before we left we were able to talk Rich Thompson and buy their latest CD, plus Rich throw a second at a heavy discount (thanks, again Rich).  I really like the both CDs, For the Love, and Best Bets.  They play a wide range of tunes from jazz standards and composers, plus striking originals.  My ears perk up at the tunes of guitarists John Scofield and John Abercrombie, two favorites of mine,which they presents on their live set and on CD.  Scofield and Abrcrombie don't get enough credit for their composing skills.  By all means, check out Trio East, whenever possible.  You're in for a treat.

In between rainy downpours today, I was able to hit the record shops and find two more interesting picks.  First is Charlie Byrd for Louis, by legendary guitarist Charlie Byrd, well known for introducing Brazilian "bossa nova" to the U.S. with Stan Getz on the classic LP Jazz Samba.  Sadly, For Louis, was his last studio recording, competed several weeks before he passed away on December 2, 1999.  This is sort of tribute to another legend and contemporary, Louis Armstrong, featuring tunes strongly associated with Louis.  It is a very fitting testament to the legacy of both of them.

My last selection was leap of faith, Rez Abbasi Acoustic Quartet Intents and Purposes. I didn't knew anything about the leader guitartist Rez Abbasi or the other palyers, but the tagline on the CD cover, "Acoustic Interpretations of 70's Jazz-Rock Classics" hooked me.  I know all the tunes listed and have the original LPs of all the artists. So, this was worth a chance.  I'm happy to say the group does a great job on these tune.  I'll be enjoying this CD many times over.  I'll have to look for Abbasi's other works.

That's it for the first Sunday Music Muse Day of October.  Fall is here, and winter is not far behind.  This is the perfect time to store up good music to warm your hearts on those cold days and night to come.  I know these selection will warm mine.  Enjoy.