Chet Baker’s intimate vocals as well as of jazz classics such as have influenced countless jazz Jimmy Rowles’ “The Peacocks” artists, June Bisantz among and Bill Evans/Miles Davis’ “Blue them. In fact, the Connecticut- in Green.” To mark the 30th anni- based singer follows Let’s Fall in versary of the session, Sunnyside Love, her 2006 Chet Baker tribute recently reissued the album. album, with the self-released It’s Hersch’s own heartfelt composi- Always You: June Bisantz Sings tions are here, as well, includ- Chet Baker Vol. 2. Bisantz keeps ing the radiant “Child’s Song,” the proceedings appropriately a lyrical and affectionate piece hushed, her singing — which, dedicated to Haden and our selec- many have noted, resembles tion. The bassist’s magnificent that of Phoebe Snow — sensi- Hristo Vitchev woody tone is spotlighted during tively shaded by pianist Alex a solo interlude and remains a Nakhimovsky, guitarist Norman sturdy counterpoint to Hersch’s Johnson, bassist Matt Dwonszyk phrasing and tones completely sparkling keys throughout. A and drummer Ben Belillo. The compatible, as heard on the master of understatement, Baron vocalist delivers shivers with an album’s title track, our selection. maintains a subtle shimmer on intonation that bears the glint of Where one mind leaves off and cymbals that keeps the proceed- moonlit melancholy but hardly the other begins is difficult to as- ings moving apace. The album, lacks for warmth — particularly certain, as they eloquently con- and the tune, take on added when she’s accompanied by just verse, trading solos and comps, poignancy with Haden’s passing Nakhimovsky and Johnson, or while Robbins and Shannon in 2014. solely by the guitarist, or when new double album of guitarist beautifully anchor and fluidly she goes it alone, as she does on Vitchev’s impressionistic com- propel the proceedings. Italian pianist Enrico Pieranunzi is an a cappella read of “Spring Is positions. Thus, the music took another jazz artist who confirms Here.” Bisantz’s horn-like phras- shape night after night, perfor- The word “sublime” was the vast influence of trumpeter ing floats atop the quartet’s mance after performance, until coined to describe the collec- and vocalist Chet Baker. Growing sterling accompaniment on “It’s it coalesced into the free-flow- tive and individual sensibilities up in his native Rome, Peranunzi, Always You,” our selection. The ing, dynamic results captured of Fred Hersch , Charlie Haden 66, listened to 78s of Charlie track also features the Baker-like in the studio shortly thereafter, and Joey Baron . Pianist Hersch Parker, Lee Konitz, Lennie Tristano trumpet of Gabor Viragh and re- when the group returned home had recorded his debut album for and, of course, Baker. He couldn’t minds listeners that the tributee to San Francisco. Vitchev enjoys Concord at the beginning of 1986 have imagined that one day he’d was also a distinctively soulful an extraordinary synergy with and was casting about for a fol- perform and record with the horn player. his longtime bandmates, pianist low-up project later that year. He American jazz icon, which he did Jasnam Daya Singh (a.k.a. Weber had previously performed and re- in the 1980s. At that time, Baker This past year, the Hristo Vitchev Iago) and bassist Dan Robbins, corded with Haden, so he invited guided the pianist toward the Quartet traveled throughout as well as with more-recent the bassist to join him and drum- deeply emotional and lyrical play- Asia, playing their bright electro- addition Mike Shannon, who mer Baron at his home studio in ing of Bill Evans, which, combined acoustic jazz in South Korea, conveys sensitivity and excite- New York City’s Soho District. This with the epic sweep of McCoy Japan and China. This provided ment (dig his minute-and-a-half resulted in Sarabande, a spectacu- Tyner, forms the linchpin of his them an opportunity to road intro to the exuberant “Almost lar piano-trio album with reads aesthetic. His most recent record- test the music on In Search of Home”). Vitchev and Singh seem of standards by Rodgers and ing, Tales From the Unexpected Wonders (First Orbit), the group’s to be telepathically linked, their Hammerstein and Cole Porter, (Intuition), spotlights Pieranunzi’s 44 spring 2016 jazziz PhotobyChristopherDrukker foundation, while Dino Soldo supplies slinky textures on tenor sax and EWI. When Phil Woods and Vincent Herring sing your praises, you might just have a bright fu- ture as a jazz saxophonist. Of course, those two heavyweights aren’t the only ones who’ve recognized the saxophonic gifts A new instrument can be a of Erena Terakubo . The Japanese- catalyst to creativity. Such was born musician was also awarded the case with Chris Standring a prestigious Presidential and his recently acquired Scholarship from Berklee College Benedetto Bambino archtop of Music in Boston; recorded guitar. Although he maintains her first album in 2010 at age the heavy grooves and electronic 18 with Kenny Barron, Peter Disc 1 embellishments that have be- Bernstein and Christian McBride; Darol Anger/Barbara Higbie Quintet “Egrets” from the album Live at Montreux come his trademark, Standring and followed it up with two Kait Dunton “Love Lost” from the album TrioKait finds new inspiration on his more recordings, both featuring Chris Standring “Parisian Blues” from the album Ten latest recording, Ten (Ultimate Barron, as well as Ron Carter, Erena Terakubo “Golden Oolong Tea” from the album A Time for Love Vibe), thanks to his new ax. “On Lenny White and Jimmy Cobb. June Bisantz “It’s Always You” from the album It’s Always You previous recordings,” relates the For her latest CD, A Time for Love British-born, Los Angeles-based (Cellar Live), the New York City- Hristo Vitchev Quartet “In Search of Wonders” from the album In Search of Wonders contemporary-jazz artist in the based Terakubo intersperses a Fred Hersch with Charlie Haden and Joey Baron “Child’s Song” from the album Sarabande liner notes to his 10th album, sturdy set of tunes by the likes of Enrico Pieranunzi “Anne Blomster Sang” from the album Tales From the Unexpected “my solo often took a back seat Tadd Dameron, Duke Ellington Darryn Farrugia “Making Joseph’s Coffee” from the album Seeds to whatever the ‘vibe’ was. This and mentor/album producer Christian Winther “Looking Back” from the album Refuge in Sound time around, I decided to write Herring with a couple of her own Virginia Schenck “Throw It Away” from the album Interior Notions music that was also a vehicle outstanding compositions, both Jim Clayton “Miss Kelly’s House” from the album Lenny Jumps In for me to really play.” Vibes still of which prove album highlights. abound, as Standring folds elec- The altoist’s lithe yet substantial Mike Metheny “Home” from the album Twelve for the Road tronic effects into his sonic pal- tone remains the centerpiece of Disc 2 ette, combining subtle program- “Golden Oolong Tea,” our selec- Ken Fowser “Head Start” from the album Standing Tall ming with live instrumentation tion, as she confidently rides the Eugenie Jones “I’m Alright” from the album Come Out Swingin’ supplied by superb sidemen such brisk and thrilling rhythms pro- as bassists Andre Berry and Dan vided by pianist David Hazeltine, Roxy Coss “Don’t Cross the Coss” from the album Restless Idealism Lutz; drummers Chris Coleman bassist David Williams and Wes Montgomery “Night in Tunisia” from the album In the Beginning and David Karasony; and a host drummer Lewis Nash. This tea is Letizia Gambi “Back to Black” from the album Blue Monday of keyboardists, including Jeff most definitely caffeinated. Freddie Hendrix “On the Rise” from the album Jersey Cat Babko, Jim Wilson and Chester Thompson Trio “Elation” from the album Simpler Times Rodney Lee on Fender Michael Cain “In the Front Door” from the album Sola Rhodes, piano and organ, Robby Ameen “The Pursuit” from the album Days in the Light respectively. Standring showcases his silken tone National Jazz Ensemble “Thruway” from the album National Jazz Ensemble Featuring Gerry Mulligan and sparkling chops over Daria Grace and the Pre-War Ponies “Amapola” from the album Get Out Under the Moon an insistent vamp on Scott DuBois “First Light Tundra” from the album Winter Light “Parisian Blue,” a bluesy Robin Eubanks “More Than Meets the Ear” from the album More Than Meets the Ear cut that would have sounded at home on a JAZZIZ ON DISC is a 2-CD collection of music, curated by JAZZIZ Wes Montgomery album. and includes artists of the past, present and future, bundled in the subscriber copies of the print editions of JAZZIZ Magazine. For Lutz, on acoustic bass, more information regarding this and more than 100 other JAZZIZ and drummer Karasony compilations available for purchase, go to www.jazziz.com. lay down the rhythmic jazziz spring 2016 43.