 | Thursday, June 11th at 7pm: The Jazz Record Art Collective is proud to present Mike Allemana performing Derek Bailey's "Ballads", released in 2002. The night will also include live painting by visual artist, Karol Hilker. ALBUM BACKGROUND: "Ballads is stunningly gorgeous, lovely melodies like "Laura" being passionately stroked even as they abut against Bailey's questioning angularities and brusque, impolite commentary. The pure sound he elicits from his acoustic guitar is mouthwatering, so reverberant and alive. When he absolutely wrenches the melody of "Stella By Starlight" from the poor body of his instrument, it's enough to leave one gasping. And longtime Bailey fans might simply shake their heads in disbelief when he strums with schmaltz -- as well as beauty -- the sentimental theme from "My Buddy" before taking it on a circuitous walk. Whether one is glad or distressed that he chose to dip his toes into these waters, Ballads is a singularly lovely recording, one that certainly stands out in Bailey's oeuvre and one that is nigh impossible not to smile about and linger over. " ~Brian Olewnick Performance Access Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/682800652290858/ |
 | Thursday, June 18th at 6pm: The Jazz Record Art Collective is proud to present Petra Van Nuis, Andy Brown and Joe Policastro performing Julie London's "Julie Is Her Name", released in 1955. The night will also include live painting by visual artist, Kristin Wenc. ALBUM BACKGROUND: "For a time, Julie London was as famous for her sexy album covers as for her singing. Her debut is her best, a set of fairly basic interpretations of standards in which she is accompanied tastefully by guitarist Barney Kessel and bassist Ray Leatherwood. "Cry Me a River" from this album, was her biggest hit, and her breathy versions of such numbers as "I Should Care," "Say It Isn't So," "Easy Street," and "Gone with the Wind" are quite haunting." ~Scott Yanow Performance Access Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/1067665410281936/ |
 | Wednesday, June 24th at 7pm: The Jazz Record Art Collective is proud to present Carl Kennedy performing Mary Lou Williams' "Zodiac Suite", released in 1945. The evening will also feature live painting from visual artist Abena Motaboli. ALBUM BACKGROUND: "Mary Lou Williams' Zodiac Suite, a 12-piece work with a different theme made for each of the signs of the zodiac (and keeping in mind the personalities of a few jazz musicians born during each period), was composed and first recorded in 1945. With the assistance of bassist Al Lucas and drummer Jack "The Bear" Parker, pianist Williams performs these moody and often introspective (but occasionally playful) sketches in a forward-looking swing style. Six alternate takes have been added to the original program on this CD reissue which, although not quite essential, has its interesting moments. " ~Scott Yanow Performance Access Link: https://www.facebook.com/events/1335215600006984/ |
