Thea Gilmore - Murphy's Heart - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

Rich Harney has been illuminating the Austin jazz scene as one of it's brightest stars for the last decade. His remarkable talents as pianist, composer, and vocalist have gained him acclaim from the Austin American-Statesman as Inchone of Austin's most valuable musical resources.Inch The Austin Jazz Players and Critics Poll honored him in 1993 as Composer of the Year, Best Songwriter, and Best Male Jazz Vocalist. He also received second place honors in the Austin Music Umbrella's 1992 Composer Competition. In a 1990 competition adjudicated by Branford Marsalis, MUSICIAN magazine named Harney's sextet as one of the twelve Best Unsigned Bands nationwide. Harney has performed extensively as band leader and ensemble pianist with Gene Ramey, Tony Campise, Carmen Bradford (Count Basie Orchestra), Martin Banks (Duke Ellington Orchestra), Clifford Scott and Ted Piltzecker (Director, Aspen Music Festival's Jazz Program). In addition to playing jazz festivals and local venues, he and singer Beth Ullman co-produced the popular concert series InchJazz at St. David'sInch and the highly acclaimed theatrical concert InchDyin' to Swing.Inch Born and raised in Champaign, Illinois, Harney was first inspired by Oscar Peterson's recordings. Other influences on his compositions and arrangement include Thelonious Monk, Tadd Dameron, and Charlie Parker, as well as the early jazz piano of James P. Johnson and Fats Waller. InchAny traditional jazz music is an inspiration to me, Inch Harney says. InchI just want to carry on the spirit of the music.Inch Echoes of old-time stride piano, forties big band style and fifties bebop draw a wide audience to his innovative sound. But the soul of his music lies in an elegant simplicity that comes from what Critic Jay Trachtenberg calls Inchit's verve, humor and unabashed drive.Inch As Harney himself notes, InchMost audiences really respond if you play wh

Thea Gilmore - Built for Storms [COMPACT DISCS] date 08/18/2014

... incredible tone, she swings hard, and the accent is just irresistible... Astrid Gilberto via Moscow. - Guy Eckstine. Every Monday, as she has over the past three years, the Russian-born Svetlana assembles her band of all-star musicians to play for a packed room of dancers and listeners at the Lower East Side's Back Room, an authentic New York speakeasy operating since Prohibition. Though a centerpiece of the resurgent hot jazz & swing scene, the band's diverse set list - from Ellington to Tin Pan Alley to the Beatles, the Beach Boys, and several originals - their nuanced musicianship, and Svetlana's engaging vocals, together offers the band a broad appeal beyond their most obvious audience. Produced by the Grammy-award winning Guy Eckstine with special guest, trombonist, vocalist and arranger Wycliffe Gordon, and liner notes by the Wall Street Journal's Great American songbook aficionado, Will Friedwald, InchNight at the SpeakeasyInch offers an exuberant, top-flight musical experience.