Sacd Jazz

Austrian singer Simone Kopmajer has consistently released charming and wonderful albums from the Japanese label Venus Records over the years, many of them musically directed by brilliant pianist/arranger John di Martino. They got together again for this collection of Hawaiian songs, interpreted from a jazz musicians' perspective and performed with superb musicianship.

Listening to the Mysterious Shorter SACD in Surround Sound, you'll discover some interesting takes on Shorter's music. As Bob Belden suggests in the liner notes, they've taken some of his upbeat compositions and arranged them to take advantage of the Organ, Guitar, Sax and Trumpet in the group. The SACD also does a fine job of reproducing the performances. It definitely provides a "you are there" level of performance and Chesky's minimalist recording approach with no compression and overdubs offers a nice change of pace from the very compressed sounds we all too often hear in many of today's conventional audio disc releases. Weather Report and Jazz fans will enjoy this one.

This absolutely classic jazz recording is entitled Portraits of Cuba and is a milestone project of Paquito D'Rivera. Arranged by Carlos Franzetti, the large band ensemble provides an orchestral ambiance akin to the legendary Gil Evan sound with Miles Davis, in the classic "Sketches of Spain." This recording couldn't come at a better time, as it presents an artistic commentary on a national and social transition as it unfolds in a new and evolving Cuba. It is truly a work that will be applauded worldwide as the quality of the writing and performance is at a level few artists are capable of achieving today. Paquito D'Rivera provides some of the most inspired improvisation in his career to date and the material chosen for this recording are familiar classics in the popular Latin music tradition. Best Latin Jazz Album of the 39th Annual Grammy Awards.

Hank Jones, who has just turned 90, is still wowing audiences around the world with his elegant swing and "magic touch". The tradition of combining Hank Jones with an unexpected rhythm section continues in this wonderfully recorded hybrid SACD. The latest iteration of Jones' Great Jazz Trio includes veteran bassist George Mraz and explosive Billy Kilson who represents a new generation of jazz drummers. His sharp and powerful drumming is surely one of the highlights of this album.

Fred Hersch is an American jazz pianist and educator. He has performed solo and led his own groups, including the Pocket Orchestra consisting of piano, trumpet, voice, and percussion. He was the first person to play weeklong engagements as a solo pianist at the Village Vanguard in New York City. He has recorded more than 70 of his jazz compositions. Hersch has been nominated for several Grammy Awards. This compilation of celebrated pianist's best-loved recordings for Chesky culls material from three discs-1991's Forward Motion, 1993's Dancing in the Dark and 1994's The Fred Hersch Trio Plays.

Ramon "Mongo" Santamaria was an Afro-Cuban Latin jazz percussionist. He is most famous for being the composer of the jazz standard "Afro Blue", recorded by John Coltrane among others. In 1950 he moved to New York where he played with Perez Prado, Tito Puente, Cal Tjader, Fania All Stars, etc. He was an integral figure in the fusion of Afro-Cuban rhythms with R&B and soul, paving the way for the boogaloo era of the late 1960s. His 1963 hit rendition of Herbie Hancock's "Watermelon Man" was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1998. His album Mambo Mongo was released on Chesky Records in 1993.

Austrian singer Simone Kopmajer's (formerly known simply as "Simone") new release from Venus Records is a fresh and thrilling encounter of classical music and jazz. Simone and lyricist Karolin Tuerk wrote the lyrics to well-known classical melodies by Liszt, Chopin, Ravel, Bach and others, and performed them with talented Viennese musicians. Surprisingly, these new "songs" sound natural and even familiar, as if they are jazz standards. A fascinating, new jazz vocal album.

Originally conceived by a Japanese record label, The Great Jazz Trio began with Hank Jones, Ron Carter and Tony Williams 30 years ago. Throughout many iterations, Jones has remained as a constant, as well as the concept of pairing the veteran pianist with the most exciting rhythm section of the day. In 2005, at age 86, Jones found himself in the company of another GREAT rhythm section: John Patitucci on bass and Jack DeJohnette on drums. Though certainly younger than Jones, they are both veterans who have established themselves firmly as superb musicians and masters of their respective instruments.

Hank Jones, a true aristocrat of jazz piano, was 85 when this recording was made in 2004. His Great Jazz Trio has been around for almost 30 years, with various first-call bassists and drummers. His new team is state-of-the-art: bassist John Patitucci and drummer Jack DeJohnette.