STEVE KUHN — Seasons of Romance (1999) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Steve Kuhn's sole session for the Postcards label feels like three separate dates. With tenorist Bob Mintzer and trumpeter Tom Harrell individually featured on three quartet tracks apiece, plus three trio selections with bassist George Mraz and drummer Al Foster, the chemistry is stimulating throughout the disc. Mintzer's brisk bop vehicle "Six Gun" explodes right from the start, while a lush treatment of Quincy Jones' "'The Pawnbroker" and Kuhn's magical samba "Clotilde" also merit praise. Harrell is added for the wistful ballad "Romance," making a late entrance following the leader's poignant opening solo. The trumpeter contributed the passionate"Visions of Gaudi" and also appears in Kuhn's upbeat "Looking Back." But Kuhn is best heard in the trio numbers, including a playful extended workout of the standard "There Is No Greater Love"; Steve Swallow's driving, intense "Remember"; and an emotional arrangement of "Good Morning, Heartache." This valuable CD unfortunately did not remain on the market for long, with the swift demise of the Postcards label after only a few years of existence. Ken Dryden
Tracklist :
1    Six Gun    4:57
 Bob Mintzer
2    Romance    4:10
 Dori Caymmi
3    Visions Of Gaudi    5:27
 Tom Harrell
4    There Is No Greater Love    9:12
 Isham Jones / Marty Symes
5    The Pawnbroker    5:57
 Quincy Jones / Jack Lawrence
6    Remember    6:03
 Steve Swallow
7    Clotilde    6:16
 Steve Kuhn
8    Good Morning, Heartache    5:33
 Ervin Drake / Dan Fisher / Irene Higginbotham
9    Looking Back    5:02
 Steve Kuhn
Credits :
Double Bass – George Mraz
Drums – Al Foster
Piano – Steve Kuhn
Tenor Saxophone – Bob Mintzer (tracks: 1, 5, 7)
Trumpet – Tom Harrell (tracks: 3, 6, 9)

PHILIP CATHERINE TRIO ft. TOM HARRELL AND HEIN VAN DE GEYN — I Remember You (1991) WV (image+.cue), lossless

A wonderfully sparse and subtle offering from guitarist Philip Catherine, featuring Tom Harrell on flügelhorn and Hein Van de Geyn on bass. This drumless trio pays memorial tribute to Chet Baker with a tranquil, melancholy set of standards and originals, beginning with Miles Davis' "Nardis" and continuing with an extended Catherine original titled "Twice a Week." The set also includes a swinging "I Remember You," a mid-tempo "My Funny Valentine," and a nod to hard bop with Hank Mobley's "Funk in Deepfreeze." Harrell contributes two originals, "From This Time, From That Time" and "Songflower," while Van de Geyn weighs in with a dark waltz, "Soul Role." Catherine closes the album with his own angular, altered "Blues for G.T." Catherine's bright, twangy sound and tasteful use of vibrato, harmonics, octave leaps, and volume and chorus effects distinguish him from many other straight-ahead jazz guitarists. Van de Geyn proves himself to be not only an excellent timekeeper, but also a conversational ensemble player. And this stripped-down setting especially flatters the velvety, lyrical brilliance of Tom Harrell. David R. Adler
Tracklist :
1    Nardis    6:13
 Miles Davis
2    Twice A Week    11:03
 Philip Catherine
3    I Remember You    5:59
 Johnny Mercer / Victor Schertzinger
4    Soul Role    7:32
Hein Van de Geyn
5    From This Time, From That Time    5:47
 T. Harrell
6    Songflower    3:53
 T. Harrell
7    Funk In Deepfreeze    7:54
 Hank Mobley
8    My Funny Valentine    6:07
 Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers
9    Blues For G.T.    5:14
 Philip Catherine
Credits
Bass – Hein Van de Geyn
Flugelhorn – Tom Harrell
Guitar – Philip Catherine

PHILIP CATHERINE TRIO ft. TOM HARRELL AND HEIN VAN DE GEYN — Moods, Volume I (1992) WV (image+.cue), lossless

The trio of guitarist Philip Catherine, flügelhornist Tom Harrell, and bassist Hein Van DeGeyn mostly performs group originals on this introspective, relaxed, and thoughtful set. Michel Herr's keyboards add atmosphere to three numbers. The music is subtle post-bop, sometimes quite eerie (such as the closing "A Time for Love"), and generally unpredictable. This set, and the slightly superior Moods, Vol. 2, deserve several listens. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    Côté Jardin 12:30
Composed By – Philip Catherine
2    The Man I Love 9:10
Composed By – G. Gershwin
3    Moods 2:00
Composed By – Philip Catherine
4    December 26th Variation I 7:57
Composed By – Philip Catherine
5    Romance 6:35
Composed By – T. Harrell
6    Fridge Blues 7:14
Composed By – H. Van De Geyn
7    Côté Cours 2:42
Composed By – Philip Catherine
8    Angel Wings 5:36
Composed By – Philip Catherine
9    A Time For Love 3:39
Composed By – J. Mandel
Credits
Bass – Hein Van Der Geyn
Flugelhorn, Trumpet – Tom Harrell
Guitar – Philip Catherine
Keyboards – Michel Herr (tracks: 1, 5, 7)

PHILIP CATHERINE TRIO ft. TOM HARRELL AND HEIN VAN DE GEYN — Moods, Volume II (1992) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Recorded the same two days as Moods, Vol. 1, this trio/quartet outing by guitarist Philip Catherine, flügelhornist Tom Harrell, bassist Hein Van DeGeyn, and (on two of the ten songs) keyboardist Michel Herr has a bit more energy than the first volume and more variations in tempos and moods. All of the music except for Charles Mariano's "Pink Lady" and the second take of "A Time for Love" are originals by group members. The attractive group sound, which often has the three main musicians functioning as equals, is a major plus throughout this generally successful set. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1    Mingus In The Sky 7:24
Composed By – Philip Catherine
2    The Carousel 6:55
Composed By – Tom Harrell
3    Entrance Des Princes 2:02
Composed By – Philip Catherine
4    Galerie Des Princess 10:42
Composed By – Philip Catherine
5    Two Faced Lover 4:38
Composed By – Hein Van De Geyn
6    Twenty Bar Tune 5:22
Composed By – Tom Harrell
7    December 26th Variation II 8:49
Composed By – Philip Catherine
8    Pink Lady 6:05
Composed By – Charlie Mariano
9    The Waltz 7:52
Composed By – Tom Harrell
10    A Time For Love 3:51
Composed By – Johnny Mandel
Credits
Bass – Hein Van Der Geyn
Flugelhorn, Trumpet – Tom Harrell
Guitar – Philip Catherine
Keyboards – Michel Herr (tracks: 1, 4)

TOM HARRELL | JACKY TERRASSON — Moon And Sand (1995) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Tracklist & Credits :

LEE KONITZ NONET - Yes, Yes, Nonet (1979-1986) 24bits-44.1Hz | FLAC (tracks), lossless

It was a tragedy that Lee Konitz's versatile nonet was not able to succeed commercially. Just like its leader, the group was able to stretch from swing standards, bop and cool jazz to freer improvisations and challenging originals. This SteepleChase release (featuring the nonet when it was comprised of such fine players as trumpeters Tom Harrell and John Eckert, trombonists Jimmy Knepper and Sam Burtis, baritonist Ronnie Cuber, pianist Harold Danko, bassist Buster Williams and drummer Billy Hart in addition to Konitz on alto and soprano) features the group at its best on such pieces as "Footprints," "Stardust," "My Buddy" and four songs by Jimmy Knepper. It's an excellent outing from a somewhat neglected group. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Dearth of a Nation 6:05
Jimmy Knepper
2     Lanquid 6:13
Jimmy Knepper
3     Footprints 8:04
Wayne Shorter
4     Stardust 5:13
Hoagy Carmichael / Mitchell Parish
5     Primrose Path 6:32
Jimmy Knepper
6     Noche Triste 4:33
Jimmy Knepper
7     My Buddy 3:31
Walter Donaldson / Gus Kahn
Credits :    
Alto Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone – Lee Konitz
Baritone Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone – Ronnie Cuber
Bass – Buster Williams
Bass Trombone – Sam Burtis
Drums – Billy Hart
Piano – Harold Danko
Trombone – Jimmy Knepper
Trumpet, Flugelhorn – John Eckert, Tom Harrell

LEE KONITZ & THE BRAZILIAN BAND - Brazilian Serenade (1996) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Lee Konitz has long been a versatile jazz musician, adaptable to many different styles. This Brazilian-flavored session is one of two that the alto saxophonist recorded during the mid-'90s for Venus; his session partners include trumpeter Tom Harrell, guitarist Romero Lubambo, pianist David Kikoski (who mostly sticks to electric piano), bassist David Fink, drummer Duduka Da Fonseca, and percussionist Waltinho Anastácio. As expected, Konitz's light sound works well with the Brazilian favorites they perform, with Harrell being a particularly inspired foil for the leader. The works of Antonio Carlos Jobim are well represented, including breezy takes of "Favela" and "Wave." Harrell's lyrical "September" (featuring him in a fine muted solo) and Konitz's "Brazilian Serenade" also fit the mood of this relaxing CD very well. This rewarding release is well worth investigating. Ken Dryden
Tracklist :
1    Favela 7:28
Composed By – A.C. Jobim
2    Once I Loved 6:27
Composed By – A.C. Jobim
3    Recado Bossa Nova 5:20
Composed By – D. Ferreira
4    September 6:01
Composed By – T. Harrell
5    Dindi 7:16
Composed By – A.C. Jobim
6    Wave 5:34
Composed By – A.C. Jobim
7    Meditation 6:32
Composed By – A.C. Jobim
8    Brazilian Serenade 7:44
Composed By – L. Konitz
Credits :
Alto Saxophone – Lee Konitz
Bass – David Fink
Drums – Duduka Dafonseca
Guitar – Romero Lubambo
Percussion – Waltinho Anastacio
Trumpet – Tom Harrell

ART FARMER MEETS TOM HARRELL - Company I Keep (1994) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Flugelhornists Art Farmer and Tom Harrell meet up on this 1994 Arabesque CD, and although few fireworks occur (the two brassmen mostly sound pretty complementary and mellow), the music is tasteful, enjoyable advanced hard bop. With Ron Blake (doubling on tenor and soprano), pianist Geoff Keezer, bassist Kenny Davis and drummer Carl Allen completing the group, Farmer and Harrell explore group originals, a song by Fritz Pauer, Duke Ellington's "TGTT" and Bill Evans's "Turn Out the Stars." Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1     Sunshine in the Rain 7'02
Tom Harrell
2     Song of the Canopy 8'15
Geoff Keezer
3     Santana 10'37
Fritz Pauer
4     Beside Myself 5'29
Tom Harrell
5     Beyond 6'01
Kenny Davis
6     T.G.T.T. (Too Good to Title) 5'58
Duke Ellington
7     Who Knows 8'22
Kenny Davis
8     Turn Out the Stars 8'52
Bill Evans / Gene Lees
Credits :
Bass – Kenny Davis
Drums – Carl Allen
Other [Flumpet] – Art Farmer
Piano – Geoff Keezer
Tenor Saxophone, Soprano Saxophone – Ron Blake
Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Tom Harrell

JANE MONHEIT - Come Dream with Me (2001) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Jane Monheit's sophomore outing follows in the same accessible mold as her debut, Never Never Land. The young, fairly green vocalist is joined again by all-star musicians, including renowned pianist Kenny Barron, bassist Christian McBride, and drummer Greg Hutchinson, with Michael Brecker and Tom Harrell making a handful of guest appearances each. Closing the album on a surprising note, African phenom Richard Bona joins for an intimate duo rendition of Joni Mitchell's "A Case of You," playing acoustic guitar accompaniment and overdubbing fretless bass filigree behind Monheit's vocal. Monheit's exquisite voice is becoming more seasoned and expressive, particularly on sassier numbers like "Hit the Road to Dreamland" and "I'm Through with Love." She also wraps her seductive charm around Jobim's swaying free-association poem "Waters of March" and takes on two of jazz's grand ballads, Billy Strayhorn's "Something to Live For" and Fran Landesman's "Spring Can Really Hang You Up the Most." The latter, a duet with Kenny Barron, prompts one to compare and contrast Chaka Khan's rendition with Chick Corea on 1982's Echoes of an Era. "Blame It on My Youth," "I'll Be Seeing You," and "Over the Rainbow" are pleasant but less remarkable. (The hidden 12th track, which features Monheit as a child croaking her way a cappella through "Over the Rainbow," is a harmless bit of self-indulgence.) There are a number of textural enhancements that distinguish this album from its predecessor, including subtle overdubbed background vocals, unobtrusive string orchestrations by Bill Fisher, and general arranging input from the superb young pianist David Berkman. With the Joni Mitchell tune and also with "If," a '70s soft rock hit by Bread, Monheit complicates her image as a retro jazz classicist, which earned her some rather severe critical drubbing when she broke onto the scene in 2000. by David R. Adler
Tracklist :
1     Over the Rainbow 6:38
Harold Arlen / E.Y. "Yip" Harburg
2     Hit the Road to Dreamland 4:05
Harold Arlen / Johnny Mercer
3     Spring Can Really Hang You Up the Most 6:47
Fran Landesman / Tommy Wolf
4     Waters of March 4:42
Antônio Carlos Jobim
5     I'm Through with Love 3:16
Roger Cook
6     I'll Be Seeing You 3:07
Sammy Fain / Irving Kahal
7     Something to Live For 5:35
Duke Ellington / Billy Strayhorn
8     So Many Stars 4:34
Alan Bergman / Marilyn Bergman
9     If 4:10
David Gates
10     Blame It on My Youth 4:30
Edward Heyman / Oscar Levant
11     A Case of You 4:23
Joni Mitchell
12     Over the Rainbow 0:39
Harold Arlen / E.Y. "Yip" Harburg
Credits :
Acoustic Bass, Electric Bass – Christian McBride (faixas: 1, 2, 4, 6 to 10)
Arranged By – Richard Bona (faixas: 11)
Arranged By [Rhythm And Horns] – David Berkman (faixas: 6 to 8, 10)
Arranged By [Strings], Conductor [Strings] – William S. Fischer
Arranged By [Vocal And Rhythm] – Jane Monheit (faixas: 1, 9)
Arranged By [Vocals] – Jane Monheit
Drums – Gregory Hutchinson (faixas: 1, 2, 4, 6 to 10)
Guitar, Bass [Fretless] – Richard Bona (faixas: 11)
Piano – Kenny Barron (faixas: 1 to 10)
Saxophone – Michael Brecker (faixas: 6, 8)
Trumpet – Tom Harrell (faixas: 1, 4, 8, 10)

JIM HALL TRIO ft. TOM HARRELL - These Rooms (1988) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This 1988 studio date is one of the overlooked treasures in the considerable discography of Jim Hall, possibly due to the label's low-key promotion and less than eye-catching cover art. It is easy to understand why artists like Art Farmer and Paul Desmond omitted a pianist after hearing a release such as this one, because it would only clutter Hall's soft yet complete accompaniment. Joined by Tom Harrell (heard mostly on flügelhorn), bassist Steve LaSpina, and drummer Joey Baron, this CD is a delight from start to finish. The interaction of the musicians in the opener, a lively, waltzing "With a Song in My Heart," makes it sound like they have been a working unit for years. The well-conceived arrangement of "Where or When," which Hall dedicated to Basie guitarist Freddie Green (who died the year prior to the sessions), proves to be the most captivating track, with its understated yet consummately swinging air. Hall contributed the tense "Cross Court," a smoking post-bop vehicle, a pulsing calypso written originally for his 1985 Montreux concert with Michel Petrucciani and Wayne Shorter, as well as the haunting ballad "These Rooms," which opens with Harrell's melancholy unaccompanied trumpet solo, and has an abstract solo by the leader. "Something Tells Me" is a lovely bittersweet ballad by Jane Hall (Jim's wife, a talented composer whose work he has often recorded), featuring Hall and Harrell. Hall's unaccompanied take of Duke Ellington's "All Too Soon" makes one wonder why he has never recorded an entire album of guitar solos. This out of print CD is destined to become a collectible. Ken Dryden 

Tracklist:

1 With a Song in My Heart 8:26

Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers

2 Cross Court 5:15

Jim Hall

3 Something Tells Me 5:13

Jane Hall

4 Bimini 9:20
Jim Hall
5 All Too Soon 4:02

Duke Ellington / Carl Sigman

6 These Rooms 11:28

Jim Hall

7 Darn That Dream 4:08

Eddie DeLange / James Van Heusen

8 My Funny Valentine 6:25

Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers 

9 Where or When 5:51

Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers

10 From Now On 7:08
Tom Harrell
Credits:
Bass – Steve LaSpina
Drums – Joey Baron
Flugelhorn – Tom Harrell (tracks: 1 to 5, 7 to 10)
Guitar – Jim Hall
Trumpet – Tom Harrell (tracks: 6)

KEN PEPLOWSKI - It's a Lonesome Old Town (1995) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

 

Ken Peplowski has long been open to playing in more modern idioms of jazz while not losing his facilities or interest in the older styles. On this CD, Peplowski -- doubling as usual on clarinet and tenor -- is joined by guitarist Alden, pianist Allen Farnham, bassist Greg Cohen and the late drummer Alan Dawson. In addition, all but the final two of the dozen selections add either guitarist Charlie Byrd (who is on five songs), trumpeter Tom Harrell or pianist Marian McPartland (the latter two, on three songs apiece, both appear on "Last Night When We Were Young"). The repertoire, which has several expected swing standards, also includes a boppish original by Harrell (the opening "More Than Ever") and a song apiece by Lennon & McCartney, Sonny Stitt and Antonio Carlos Jobim. "These Foolish Things" and "Supposin'" are particularly delightful, for they feature a trio comprised of Pep and the two guitars. This was the first time Alden and Byrd had recorded together, and their interplay is quite special. There are many subtle surprises throughout the set, such as the tango rhythm given "It's a Lonesome Old Town," the pure joy to be heard in the jubilant Brazilian folk song "Bonicrates De Muletas," the cooking bebop of "The Eternal Triangle," and the effective transformation of the Beatles' "In My Life" into a jazz ballad. The tricky Peplowski original "Crimehouse" (based on "Limehouse Blues") wraps up the inventive and rewarding set. by Scott Yanow  
Tracklist:
1    More Than Ever    6:40
Tom Harrell
2    They Can't Take That Away From Me    4:22
George Gershwin / Ira Gershwin
3    It's A Lonesome Old Town    4:57
Charles Kisco / Harry Tobias
4    These Foolish Things (Remind Me Of You)    5:03
Harry Link / Holt Marvell / Jack Strachey
5    Supposin'    3:07
Paul Denniker / Andy Razaf
6    Bonicrates De Muletas    3:38
Jacob Do Bandolim
7    It Never Entered My Mind    5:03
Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers
8    In My Life    5:10
John Lennon / Paul McCartney
9    Last Night When We Were Young    6:13
Harold Arlen / E.Y. "Yip" Harburg
10    The Eternal Triangle    4:52
Sonny Stitt
11    Zingaro    6:25
Chico Buarque / Antônio Carlos Jobim
12    Crimehouse    2:32
Ken Peplowski
Credits:
Bass – Greg Cohen
Clarinet, Tenor Saxophone – Ken Peplowski
Drums – Alan Dawson
Guitar – Charlie Byrd (tracks: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6), Howard Alden
Piano – Allen Farnham, Marian McPartland (tracks: 7, 8, 9)
Trumpet – Tom Harrell (tracks: 1, 9, 10)

EDEN ATWOOD - This Is Always : The Ballad Session (2004) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Eden Atwood exhibits a confidence that few jazz vocalists of her generation seem to have in standards. While others seem to be opting for lightweight rock hits from the 1970s and 1980s, Atwood is able to find new approaches to old chestnuts that seem to be overlooked in the early 21st century. She shines in pianist Bill Cunliffe's loping arrangement of "Without a Song." Atwood restores the frequently omitted verse to "This Is Always," then steps back to feature Tom Harrell's brilliant, fragile trumpet, while conveying the lyrics with a sincerity that few singers seem able to convey. "Blame It on My Youth" is a powerful performance. She sings the verse unaccompanied, with bassist Darek Oleszkiewicz joining her afterward as her sole backing, then Harrell's emotional trumpet takes her place to wrap it. Cunliffe's piano playing in "Deep Purple" is a throwback to an earlier era, as Atwood captures the nuances of this gem. But it is hard to surpass her moving rendition of "You Leave Me Breathless." Atwood and her musicians are clearly having fun in their fresh take of "Come Rain or Come Shine," with space devoted to Cunliffe's down-home piano and Harrell's spirited trumpet, as well as the leader's confident vocals. The haunting finale is "For All We Know," a lush duet for voice and piano. Highly recommended. by Ken Dryden  
Tracklist:
1     Without a Song    6:05
Edward Eliscu / Billy Rose / Vincent Youmans
2     This Is Always    4:59
M. Gordon / Harry Warren
3     Day by Day    5:15
Sammy Cahn / Paul Weston
4     Blame It on My Youth    6:36
Oscar Levant
5     Deep Purple    4:57
Peter DeRose / Mitchell Parish
6     You're Nearer    5:45
Lorenz Hart / Richard Rodgers
7     Serenata    7:24
Leroy Anderson
8     You Leave Me Breathless    4:14
Ralph Freed / Friedrich Hollaender
9     Come Rain or Come Shine    6:27
Harold Arlen / Johnny Mercer
10     For All We Know    3:23
Steven Chino Lewis
 Credits
    Bass – Darek Oleszkiewicz
    Drums – Larance Marable
    Piano, Arranged By – Bill Cunliffe
    Trumpet, Flugelhorn – Tom Harrell
    Vocals – Eden Atwood