JazzJaunts recordings

Po'Jazz is described as "Poetry in Partnership with Jazz". The CD Po'Jazz: Takin' It To The Hollow is a compilation of cuts from poet/producer Golda Solomon's "Po'Jazz at the Center" acclaimed performance series -- featuring many notable NYC jazz musicians combined with award winning, established and emerging poets. The CD is a unique combination of poetry alone, poetry combined with improvised jazz, and just good jazz alone.

It includes performances by poets (listed as they appear on the CD): Patricia Smith, Veronica Golos, Malaika Adero, Peggy Ann Tartt, Rigoberto Gonzalez, Golda Solomon, Shirley LeFlore, Stephen D.Coleman, Anthony Costantini, Mariposa, Barry Wallenstein, Elizabeth Conrad Dispenza, Tyrone Henderson, and Regie Cabico.

It also includes performances by musicians (also listed as they appear on the CD): Tom Aalfs - violin, Uli Frost - drums, Ron Jackson - guitar, Nicki Parrott - bass, Ray Turull - percussion, J.D. Parran - clarinet/flute/percussion, Essiet Okun Essiet - bass, Nasheet Waits - drums, Bernard Purdie - drums, Joe Exley - tuba, Debbie Kennedy - bass, and Gary Smulyan - baritone saxophone.

Sample Sounds (click for short mp3 file)

Building Nicole's Mama - Patricia Smith

Celebration Dance

I Am A Black Woman Song - Shirley LeFlore

You

Jazz Spirit I - Golda Solomon

Cantaloupe Island

tribute: the poet is shiva isis mothermary nefertiti & judy garland - Regie Cabico

Doña Maria Greets Her Comadre Doña Luna at the Balcony Window - Rigoberto Gonzalez

Pent-Up House

Bodacious Cowgirls - Stephen D. Coleman

Other Tracks: Letting Go - Veronica Golos, On Labor and Love #3 - Malaika Adero, Sex Fugue - Golda Solomon, Bluebird - Anthony Costantini, Broken Ends, Broken Promises - Mariposa, Fancy - Barry Wallenstein, Happy Birthday Louis Armstrong - Elizabeth Conrad Dispenza/Tyrone Henderson, So What - Golda Solomon, Prologue, Bending Light, Blue Nights, Just in Time

Presented as the audio companion to her poetry collection Flatbush Cowgirl, Golda Solomon (hailed as the "Medicine Woman of Jazz") performs her sensuous jazz poetry as it meets the grooves of the legendary Bernard Purdie, joined by electric tubist Joe Exley and electric violinist Tom Aalfs. Also included are 2 live cuts from her acclaimed Po'Jazz performance series not available on Po'Jazz: Takin' It To The Hollow.

On this autobiographical CD, Golda presents her life in and about he historical NYC jazz scene, jazz greats and the impact they had on her during her tenure living in Greenwich Village, in addition to her earlier years growing up in Brooklyn. This CD summons back to the rites of the Last Poets and captures in both musical and poetic sense the "vibe" of this legendary scene. It was only upon reflecting back, was she aware that musical history was being made all around her -- and this is what this CD celebrates and encapsulates.

Musicians: Tom Aalfs - violin, Essiet Essiet - bass, Joe Exley - tuba, Ron Jackson - guitar, and Bernard Purdie - drums.

Sample Sounds (click for short mp3 file)

On Meeting Eric Dolphy

So What

Flatbush Cowgirl

Spice Rack

Even with her very modern musciality, Barbara Sfraga is every bit a jazz singer. As fellow jazz vocalist Mark Murphy writes in the liner notes, Sfraga is a singer "who knows how to DARE. And if you can’t DARE, jazz won’t be comfortable for you." New Yorker Sfraga’s phrasings, scats and ballad singing are all done with an introspective but daring approach. It’s a voice that is full of honest emotions and wistful melodicism. She is never showy. Not with her revolutionary version of Jerry Lee Lewis' hit 'Great Balls Of Fire' or her unique take on jazz standards like 'Good Morning Heartache' or ‘I Didn’t Know What Time It was.' With as much reverence and disregard for traditions as singers like Cassandra Wilson and Sheila Jordan, Sfraga is, by any measure, an important singer today. Aided by Bruce Saunders' mood-inducing guitar work and, on three tracks, the brilliant sure-handed touch of pianist Fred Hersch, Oh What A Thrill is not just the record’s title (and a line from 'Great Balls Of Fire'), but an apt description for any listener’s response. The album also features fellow jazz vocalist Mark Murphy, who also wrote the liner notes, on one composition co-written by Murphy and Sean Smith called, 'I’ll Call You.'

Musicians: David Berkman - piano, Eric Halvorson - drums, John Hebert - bass, and Bruce Saunders - guitar

The latest solo CD from legendary drummer Bernard "Pretty" Purdie (known as "the most recorded drummer in history") features all of Bernard's famous styles: Latin to Country, Jazz to Funk, R&B to Pop. It's all there. With guest stars: Jorge Dalto, Galt McDermott, Richard Tee, Roy Ayers, Freddie Hubbard, Grover Washington Jr., Dizzy Gillespie, Eric Gale, George Naha, and MORE!!

Keep checking back for more recommended recordings from friends and associates of JazzJaunts!!