Sunday Music Muse Day - Bob Sneider & Paul Hofmann, Avishai Cohen, Dan Vitalie

This Sunday Music Muse Day finds us bracing for temperatures reaching the 90s.  I managed to mow my lawn before it got too hot, and still sweated bullets.  So, with that done it's was time for some afternoon jazz in my air conditioned house.  First up is a compliment to last week's Paul Hofman CD featuring  Mile Melito, with Bob Sneider and Paul Hofmann Serve and Volley.  This 2008 piano-guitar duo outing is their third following Interconcection (2004) and Escapade (2006), which I have also.  The music is totally swinging and accessible.

Next up Avishai Cohen Adama. This 1998 release was his first as a leader after co-founding the Chick Corea's Origin group, where he spend six years honing his skills as a performer and composer. Cohen presents a very contemporary sound, described as "... a blend of Middle Eastern, eastern European, and African-American musical idioms." - Wikipedia.  Any musican that spends that much time in collaboration with the late Chick Corea is definitely worth a listen. 

Here's an extra tibbit.  I picked up this copy of The New York Jazz Record, a free monthy newspaper at the Bop Shop Record shop.  Browsing the back pages a small item caught my eye.  The old released date of records, including Daniel Vitale Quartet (August 3rd, 1992)  "Danny" Vitale is the bassist for Bob Snieder Trio and others.  

It seems Danny only had this recording as a leader.  I'd like to find it. I look forward to seeing Danny with Bob amd Mike soon.

Sunday Music Muse Day - Paul Hofman with Mike Melito, Steve Masakowski

This Sunday Music Muse Day find me just returning from a trip to Portland, Maine for a little R&R (rest and relaxation).  I had hoped to scope out some CD/records stores in the area but only managed to visit one that didn't yield any great finds.  So, a visit to one of my local favorite shops, Record Archives, proved more productive. First up is local talent Paul Hofman Topsy Turvy, with my friend Mike Melito on drums. Hofman actually states this 1999 release "Topsy Turvy is on several levels an extension of Mike's My Conception (1997). The studio is the same, the rhythm section is identical, and Grant Stewart (tenor saxophone) returns to play on a few tracks".  It will be nice to play both CDs back to back. Topsy Turvy offer a nice showcase of Hofman's talent in separate settings of solo piano, duets (piano-drums, and piano-bass), trio (piano-bass-drums), and quartet (tenor saxophone-piano-bass-drums).  Fans of Bop and Hard-Bop jazz will find plenty to like in the CD.

Just for reference, here's Mike's 1997 CD.

Next up is Steve Masakowski (for Joe) is inspired by, and dedicated to, legendary jazz guitarist Joe Pass.  Masakowski plays the 7-string electric guitar and relates how his hearing the record "For Django" by Joe Pass "would have a humbling seemingly life-altering effect" on him as a young know-it- all guitar student. This very tasty CD shows he learned his lesson well. I think Joe Pass would be honored and proud at the result.

These selections will make for a pleasant afternoon of jazz listening.