Posted under Podcast & Vocalists
Vocalist Maria Neckam’s latest CD is Unison (Sunnyside Records, 2012). In this interview, Neckam talks about finding her own musical path early in life; writing songs that don’t use traditional forms; her journey from Vienna to Amsterdam to Brooklyn; and the effects of Buddhism on her life and music. Learn more at marianeckam.com and follow her on Twitter at @MariaNeckam.
Posted under Record Reviews & Vocalists
I don’t write very many record reviews these days, but this is an album that really hit me. Full disclosure: I know Schrire personally.
/ / /
Nicky Schrire’s Freedom Flight
From the first moments of Nicky Schrire’s Freedom Flight, it’s clear that this is no ordinary jazz vocal album. The album beings with an example of the fearlessness and daring that have become hallmarks of Schrire’s live performances, as she sings a stark, haunting, wordless opening to what becomes a captivating version of Paul McCartney’s “Blackbird.”
Schrire, who hails from Capetown, London and New York, fills her debut recording with moments that remind us of the power of the human voice and its ability to tell a story. She does this through arrangements of well known songs like Bob Dylan’s “Don’t Think Twice It’s All Right” and the aforementioned “Blackbird,” coupled with her own original compositions and works that aren’t often sung in this context.
Schrire is equally at home as an instrumentalist (e.g. her wordless vocal with the band at the end of her song “Journey”) or out front carrying the emotional core of the song. Her pop-inflected voice brings all her repertoire firmly into the modern era, even when she’s singing a standard like Lerner and Loewe’s heart-rending “If Ever I Would Leave You.” But don’t misunderstand, Schrire has an obvious grounding in the tradition and lots of chops – this isn’t a pop singer dabbling in the jazz world. Schrire is also a skilled arranger – clever without being precious, always serving the song.
The core band members – pianist Nick Paul, bassist Sam Anning and drummer Jake Goldbas – bring sympathetic ears and a shared understand of Schrire’s aesthetic. Paul’s piano is always right where it needs to be and he’s an accomplished soloist, too (hear him on “É Preciso Perdoar”, for example). Anning and Goldbas, meanwhile, are skilled at laying down a groove (“Ode To A Folk Song”) or creating a spacious environment for Schrire to expand into (“Cosmic Love”). There are standout solo performances by several other musicians, including saxophonist Paul Jones, who shines on “Ode,” clarinetist Jay Rattman, percussionist Brian Adler and one of Schrire’s mentors, pianist and vocalist Peter Eldridge.
It’s Schrire’s gorgeous singing, though, that holds everything together. The listener is drawn again and again to moments like the switch to English on “Sleep Away,” when Schrire’s voice seems to dance out of the speakers and fill the room. Or her arresting and childlike performance of Loudon Wainwright’s “The Swimming Song,” accompanied by Adler’s earthy cajon and Schrire’s own overdubbed backing vocals.
The highest compliment that can paid to this record is that it doesn’t sound like a debut. This is an album by a talented, confident singer with a fresh approach and the voice to bring her ideas to life.
NOTE: Freedom Flight will be available in the US on May 22 and in South Africa on July 1. Schrire will be performing a CD release show at Cornelia Street Cafe in New York City on Wednesday, June 6 at 8:30 p.m.
Posted under Podcast & Vocalists
Vocalist Melissa Stylianou’s new CD is Silent Movie (Anzic Records, 2012). In this interview, Stylianou talks about her accidental entrance into the world of jazz; the importance of storytelling; and how her training as an actor has impacted her musical career. Learn more at melissastylianou.com and follow her on Twitter at @sleepinbee.
CONCERT NOTE: Melissa Stylianou is performing two CD release shows in honor of her new album — at Jazz Standard in New York City on April 3 and at The Rex in Toronto on April 7. More details at melissastylianou.com.
Posted under Pianists & Podcast & Vocalists
Pianist and vocalist Champian Fulton’s latest CD is The Breeze And I. In this interview, Fulton talks about the bebop record she listened to exclusively for months (starting the day she was born); her father’s influence and how his friendship with Clark Terry shaped her life; and her transition from student to working musician. Learn more at champian.net and follow her on Twitter at @ChampianFulton.
Posted under Podcast & Vocalists
The Tierney Sutton Band’s latest CD is American Road (BFM Jazz, 2011). In this interview, Sutton talks about why the band chose to focus on Americana for this record; how the band functions as a collective in everything from song arranging to business; and how her Baha’i faith has influenced the way she approaches making music. Learn more at tierneysutton.com and follow her on Twitter at @TierneySutton.
Posted under Podcast & Vocalists
Vocalist Ed Reed’s new CD is Born To Be Blue (2011). Reed, now 83, has lived the kind of life about which movies are made. This interview charts the story of his life: his childhood in the Watts neighborhood of Los Angeles, where a young Charles Mingus was a frequent neighborhood visitor and the big bands were a constant source of entertainment; his time in the military, where he was introduced to drugs; his years in San Quentin and Folsom prisons, where he played in the prison bands with the likes of Art Pepper; his eventual rehabilitation after many attempts; and his turn to performing and recording in his 70s. Learn more at edreedsings.com.
Posted under Podcast & Vocalists
Vocalist Amy Cervini’s new CD is Digging Me, Digging You (Anzic, 2012), a tribute to Blossom Dearie. In this interview, Cervini talks about her early exposure to Dearie and why she fell in love with her music; how she chose the songs for this album from Dearie’s large repertoire; why she favors working bands; and the itinerary of her upcoming tour. Learn more at amycervini.com and follow her on Twitter at @amycervini.
CONCERT NOTE: Amy is playing two CD release shows in New York on March 6 and 7, 2012, from 7-9 p.m. both nights at the 55 Bar, 55 Christopher St. She is also touring throughout North America. Visit her website for details.
Posted under Podcast & Vocalists
Vocalist Andrea Wolper’s new CD is Parallel Lives (Jazzed Media, 2011). In this interview, Wolper talks about her unfettered and very personal approach to song choice and performance; how poetry influences her work; and her parallel life as an activist for social justice. Learn more at andreawolper.com and follow her on Twitter at @AndreaWolper.
Posted under Guitarists & Podcast & Vocalists
Vocalist and guitarist Camila Meza’s most recent CD is Retrato (Vertice Records, 2009). In this interview, Meza talks about her early days learning guitar in her native Chile; how a teacher discovered she could sing and the effect it had on her life; and how she sometimes feels like two people at once when she plays and sings at the same time. Learn more at camilameza.com.
CONCERT NOTE: Camila Meza performs on 11/1/11 at 8:30 p.m. at Cornelia Street Cafe in New York.
Posted under Podcast & Vocalists
Renée Yoxon is a vocalist from Ottawa, Ontario. Her debut recording, Let’s Call It A Day, is a duet album with guitarist René Gely. In this interview, Yoxon talks about the jazz scene in Ottawa; how she started singing standards and why she still does; and how her science background has influenced the way she approaches the physicality of singing. Learn more at www.reneeyoxon.com and follow her on Twitter at @reneeyoxon.
Posted under Podcast & Trombonists & Vocalists
An interview and performance with vocalist Kyoko Kitamura and trombonist Jen Baker, recorded live at Downtown Music Gallery in Manhattan. In this interview, Kitamura and Baker talk about collective improvisation; building a new vocabulary; and the structures of their compositions. Learn more at kyokokitamura.com and baker7jenz.com/home.html.
Posted under Podcast & Vocalists
Vocalist Jay Clayton has long been known as both an accomplished singer of standards and a fearless adventurer in the world of electronics. In this interview, Clayton talks about those dual personas and how she brings them together; discusses her work with Sheila Jordan, Theo Bleckmann and others; and talks about her early days in the New York loft scene. Learn more at jayclayton.com.
Tracks used in this episode: (from In And Out Of Love) Falling In Love With Love; Freedom Jazz Dance; (from Circle Dancing) Circle Dancing; Sappho; Ditto; (from In And Out Of Love) Sunshower.
Posted under Podcast & Vocalists
Mad Heaven (Palmetto, 2011) is the new album by pianist and vocalist Peter Eldridge. In this interview, Eldridge talks about making a thematic album; the influence of his parents and siblings on his musical taste and career choice; and the many projects he’s working on, including a film score, a musical and a duo project with bassist Matt Aronoff. Learn more at petereldridge.com.
Tracks used in this episode: Charmer; Voce e Eu; Buffet Philosophy; Mad Heaven; No Tomorrow; Pra Machucar Meu Coracao; The Very Thought Of You.
Posted under Podcast & Vocalists
Vocalist Fay Victor explores her Trinidadian roots in the company of Other Dimensions In Music on Kaiso Stories (Silkheart, 2011). In this interview, Victor talks about the chance meeting that led to the new CD; how she melded the calypso music of Trinidad with the experimental jazz she’s known for; and the many projects with which she’s currently involved. Learn more at www.fayvictor.com.
Tracks used in this episode: Maryanne; John Gilman Wants Tobacco; Three Friends’ Advice; Nora; Saltfish; We Is We.
NOTE: Fay is performing tonight (April 11, 2011) at 7 p.m. with Dominic Lash at Clemente Soto Velez Cultural Center, 107 Suffolk Street, NYC, as part of the Evolving Music Series. Please note that this is a new location for the series. Also on the bill: Theo Bleckmann & Jay Clayton (8 p.m.); Charles Gayle’s Forgiveness (9 p.m.); Arts for Artestra (10 p.m.).
Posted under Podcast & Vocalists
Singer and songwriter Rebecca Martin turns her attention to the Great American Songbook on When I Was Long Ago (Sunnyside, 2010). In this interview, Martin talks about how a recording with Paul Motian led to her own album with no chordal instrument; why she chose to interpret standards for this recording; and her ideas about the primacy of melody. Learn more at www.rebeccamartin.com.
Read my poetry at jasoncrane.org.
