Benjie Porecki - All That Matters - Funklove Productions
All That Matters showcases the versatile and distinctive pianist-organist Benjie Porecki performing melodic originals and covers in a jazz trio. Ranging from accessible grooves to thoughtful ballads, Porecki creates a program filled with variety and subtle surprises. In his prolific career, Benjie has enriched the music of a countless number of artists in such settings as jazz, pop, funk, R & B, urban, country, rock and mixtures of the above. Through it all, he is tastefully harmonious while adding his own lively musical personality and creativity to the music. Porecki has also recorded many sessions of his own. All That Matters features Benjie at the head of a trio that includes bassist Michael Bowie and drummer Mark Prince, performing six of his originals and four other beloved pieces. While mostly heard on piano, Porecki also adds organ to some of the more gospel-oriented numbers. While there is plenty of variety in moods and tempos, each of the ten selections on All That Matters fit into the themes of love, loss, and the things that truly matter in life. All That Matters is the latest accomplishment in Benjie Porecki’s career, a grooving and subtle trio outing that includes some of his most sensitive and inventive writing and playing.
Lisa Hilton - Lucky All Along - Ruby Slipper Productions
In her liner notes for her latest release entitled Lucky All Along, the acclaimed pianist/composer/band leader Lisa Hilton shares that the music is “Inspired by the history of cool jazz as well as the art of Impressionism.” Instead of paint, her compositional tools include “different harmonic palettes and rhythmic textures such as blues, swing, improvisation, free jazz, polyrhythms, bop, ragtime, early rock, the Latin tinge and traditional riffs.” Hilton hails from California, where many cool jazz creators previously lived for a period, including Miles Davis, Chet Baker, Stan Getz, as well as pianist Bill Evans. These “cool” and very expressive artists favored a moody style of playing with innovative harmonic explorations versus the more energetic “hot”, or free jazz styles. Percolating with ideas, the nine original compositions and three cover tunes are intimate, enthralling, and laced throughout with rich blue tones, swinging with Hilton’s expressive touch on the piano. Lucky All Along gracefully shares the spotlight with quartet mates Igmar Thomas on trumpet, Luques Curtis on bass, and Rudy Royston on drums and percussion.
Jazzmeia Horn - Messages - Empress Legacy
As Grammy nominated vocalist Jazzmeia Horn looks out the window of her 11th-floor hotel room in Tokyo, she describes the surrounding skyscrapers, the yellow and pink clouds floating by and Messages — her fourth project to date as a leader. In part, Messages is intended to be a word of encouragement to anyone making tough choices — a reminder that we all make sacrifices. Sometimes, the difficulties encountered along the way are worth it, though. The bandleader’s pared back her ensemble, eschewing the personnel of a big band, but retaining the avant-playfullness of the Sun Ra Arkestra. Ruminations on family, friendship and love all circulate among the 10 original compositions on the album.