Musica Vitae - The Way You Look Tonight - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

THE WAY YOU LOOK TONIGHT As an award-winning actress, musician, screenwriter, composer and arranger, Jennifer Porter leads a very busy life. It is obvious from listening to The Way You Look Tonight that Jennifer has a beautiful voice, a real feeling for vintage lyrics and the ability to swing at every tempo. Featured on the CD are pianist / accordionist Sonny Barbato, guitarist Kevin Barry, trumpeter Trent Austin, saxophonist Matt Langley, drummers Les Harris, Jr. and Dave Jamrog, and bassists Jim Lyden and Aubrey Harris. Each contributes colorful solos and blends in very well with Jennifer's voice. The set opens with 'The Way You Look Tonight,' a happy version reminiscent of Billie Holiday's recording with Teddy Wilson. Austin's exuberant trumpet is a major asset. 'There's A Small Hotel,' inspired by Ella Fitzgerald's version from her Rodgers and Hart Songbook project, is sung sweetly and with feeling. Duke Ellington's 'Sophisticated Lady' is taken as a tasteful duet with pianist Barbato. 'I'll Get By,' usually performed as a slow ballad, is taken as a medium-tempo cooker with some fine tenor from Langley. Jennifer's expressive vocal on 'A Foggy Day' is followed by a creative trumpet solo and a colorful tradeoff by piano and drums. After a quietly passionate version of 'Don't Explain,' Jennifer swings 'There Is No Greater Love,' which has an excellent chorus from guitarist Barry. A playful and sensuous 'Ain't Misbehavin'' and a spirited 'I'm Beginning To See The Light' precede Jennifer's heartfelt duet with guitarist Barry on 'Can't Help Lovin' That Man.' The set concludes with a rollicking 'Rolling In My Sweet Baby's Arms' which features infectious New Orleans parade rhythms, Sonny Barbato on accordion, and a party atmosphere that is pure joy. First trained as an opera singer and classical pianist, Jennifer has been performing Jazz for over twenty years. With her pa

Azz Dock Orchestra, whose career was established by their first gig in January 2018, is a Inchhouse bigbandInch for Jazz Dock, the renowned Prague jazz club, a magic and favourite place on the riverside, where top players form the Czech jazz scene and from abroad meet and play. The Orchestra consists of some of the best Czech and Slovak musicians, helmed by the English saxophonist and composer, Andy Schofield. So far the Jazz Dock Orchestra has welcomed several legendary guests at it's gigs, among them Kurt Elling, Richard Bona, Ben Wendel and Niels Klein, and has played compositions and arrangements by the classics like Duke Elligton, Bob Brookmeyer, Charles Mingus or Gil Evans. Nevertheless, on this album, released to celebrate the band's 5th anniversary, the musicians present the compositions by their own co-leaders - Andy Schofield and Jan Jirucha. The album was recorded live to capture the inimitable atmosphere and the unique energy often returned to the players by their fantastic audience at the Orchestra's regular monthly gigs at Jazz Dock.

The third CD from west coast musician Tom Corbett is a continuation of his musical migration. Tonight I Ride shows his love of the stories and history of the west told through the back drop of fiddles and mandolins. Bakersfield telelcasters and the back beat of Tex Mex band. Having worked with some amazing musicians over the years including John McEuen (Nitty Gritty Dirt Band), Robin and Linda Williams (Prairie Home Companion) and Mike Ness (Social Distortion) Tom brings along many of his musical friends to help tell his stories. Along for the ride are stellar pickers and singers including Nina Gerber (Kate Wolf), Herb Pedersen, David West, Jonathan McEuen, Tom Ball and Kenny Sultan, Tom Rozum, Lorenzo Martinez and Victor Besetti (Los Lobos) just to name a few. The musical styles range from a Bluegrass border crossing, a tragic never ending folk love story, a conjunto dance band to a saloon style romp through the 'Middle Of Nowhere'. Eleven of the twelve cuts are Tom's original songs with the one cover being the classic Charlie Pride song 'Is Anybody Goin' To San Antone'. Lovers of all things country and it's roots will find something to hang their soiled cowboy hats upon and can kick up their boots and enjoy a joyful ride to the West. The liner notes tell it this way..... ' Inspired by the west. The stories of it's history. The peaks of it's mountains and endless valleys. Redwood giants. Cactus flowers. Stone temples. From the flow of the rivers to the roll of it's waves. Nourished by a golden sunlight and a nice plate of chili verde. The spirit is strong'.