Jazzizit

Trudy teams up with British jazz legend and Ellington aficionado Michael Garrick on piano (and bassist Paul Moylan on selected tracks) to add a new dimension to some of the Duke’s favourite tunes. Among them are In a Sentimental Mood, Mood Indigo and Don’t Get Around Much Anymore plus some of Michael’s own compositions such as October Woman and Song by the Sea.

Jazzizit Records are delighted to announce Big City Calling, the debut jazz release by artist John Heavens.    Big City Calling is stylistically eclectic and is a contemporary blend of Jazz, Rap, African, Rock and Gospel showcasing John’s original compositions and subtle vocals.  Featuring Andrea Vicari - piano/arrangements, Jonathon Brattof - guitar, Mark Parnell - drums.

Kerr’s theme for the CD is based on songs that have a significant link to her past.  The twelve beautiful tracks display Kerr’s undoubted versatility as a jazz singer. Trudy is accompanied by the fabulous Swedish pianist Jan Lundgren, her husband Geoff Gascoyne on bass and Steve Brown on drums.  Geoff has arranged for string quartet a moving version of  “The Summer Knows” as well as augmenting other tracks on the album with strings played by the Juno String Quartet. Trudy’s special guest is Bob Dorough who sang an upbeat duet with Trudy on his original composition of “Up Jumped a Bird”.

"The idea for JAZZ FOR JUNIORS came from a desire to sing songs other than nursery rhymes to my kids. I started to teach them lyrics and melodies to the tunes I grew up with and I thought other parents might like to do the same. This musical adventure brings old favourites to children in a jazz style that's different, new and exciting. Have fun....!" Trudy Kerr

Ben Waters is the finest young boogie-woogie pianist in the UK and has already been featured on "Later with Jools" alongside Jools himself, Axel Zwingenberger and Rolling Stones' star, Charlie Watts.  He has the kind of two-handed technique that sets the piano keys flying in all directions.  The words "Powerhouse boogie-woogie" pretty well sum it up.  It's a driving, energetic sound, to put it mildly, and you would have to be in a pretty dismal mood not to get carried away with it! Ben Waters - piano; Derek Nash - saxophone; Special Guest Jools Holland - piano; Chris Longergan - bass; Sam Kelly - drums

The Only Official Ronnie Scott Tribute Album

"As an evocation of the musical climate that grew up around the Soho club, it would be hard to better this set" (Dave Gelly - Observer). "Crumly....puts down a masterly reading of 'Weaver of Dreams', a Ronnie favourite apparently, with Critch and Drew impeccable in support. Valuable music" (Peter Vacher - Jazzwise)   "It is fitting that he should be remembered with an outstanding album such as this. There is nothing that can be faulted" (Harvey Bard - Crescendo)

Something of a miniature epiphany this. A vocal album sufficiently musicianly, substantial and in the instrumental tradition that it could equally well be filed under mainstream. Think vocal jazz automatically equals jazz-lite? Think again. Cloudburst is London-based Australian Kerr's fifth album and follows her fine '02 homage to Chet Baker, My Old Flame. This time she puts the Great American Songbook aside and offers fourteen hardcore jazz instrumentals, to which lyrics and/or vocalese have later been added, either by her or by earlier writers.

Geoff Gascoyne is known for his immaculate bass playing but this CD shows him to be a highly original composer too. Working with some of the best among the rising generation of British Jazz, he has come up with a set of pieces, some all his own and some recast standards, that are tuneful, evocative and, at times, quite moving. Featuring  Ben Castle - sax, Anthony Kerr - vibes, Gareth Williams - piano, Malcolm MacFarlane - guitar, Seb de Krom - drums plus Jamie Cullum.

 Paul Booth is one of the most exciting and in demand musicians on the scene today. Although a very prominent figure on the jazz scene, his versatility has seen him play in many musical genres. He studied at the Royal Academy of Music in London from the age of 16 and graduated with honours at the age 20.

The new CD, The Best is yet to Come, from Bobby Wellins has been worth the wait.  It has been 5 years since the Satin Album was released and it comes as no surprise that this is, yet again, a musical masterpiece.The music for this album was inspired by Tony Bennett.  Tunes that came alive with Tony Bennett vocals now come alive with British great Bobby Wellins. Bobby Wellins - tenor saxophone, Liam Noble - piano, Simon Thorpe - bass, Dave Wickens - drums

(This Album is currently not available  but can be downloaded from www.smashdigital.co.uk)

Live at "The Stables" Milton Keynes, the award-winning Sax Appeal were captured at full throttle, featuring full-length and unedited performances of classic material and brand new tracks, unavailable anywhere else.  Special guest was USA Sax and Flute Master,  Nelson Rangell.   THE LINE UP: Derek Nash - Alto/Soprano Sax; Scott Garland - Alto/Soprano Sax;  Nelson Rangell - Alto/Soprano Sax and Flute; Gary Plumley - Tenor Sax; Mornington Lockett - Tenor Sax; Bob McKay - Baritone Sax, Flute, Bass Clarinet; Graham Harvey - Piano, Fender Rhodes; Phil Mulford - Bass; Chris Dagley -Drums; Steve Hamilton - Piano, Keyboards; Mike Bradley - Drums.

Award-winning sax star, Derek Nash, in acoustic setting with the Rolls Royce of British rhythm sections. He didn't record standards but compositions in the style of classic songwriters (Jobim, Mancini, Basie, etc) written by Derek and his father, Pat Nash, who arranged for the BBC Northern Dance Orchestra for over 30 years).  WIth Alec Dankworth - bass, Graham Harvey - piano, Clark Tracey/Ian Thomas - drums 

This very fine Australian singer came to the UK some years ago and worked for Acker Bilk. It's good to see a favour returned as Acker joins Trudy on this CD. Arrangements and keyboards by Nick Weldon and Phil Peskett and this super CD features fine bass playing by Andy Hamill with Mark Fletcher on drums and Mornington Lockett on tenor sax. Trudy is well established at Ronnie Scott's and Pizza on the Park and completed a world tour in 1999.

This wonderful CD took its inspiration (and running order) from the marvellous Billy Holiday recording Lady in Satin.  This suberbly engineered CD recreates the Rudy van Gelder sessions and it's a regular feature on Jazz FM's Dinner Jazz.

Bobby Wellins - tenor saxophone, Colin Purbrook - piano, Dave Green - bass, Clark Tracey - drums

This is the debut CD of singer Trudy Kerr.  It's an eclectic mix of tunes displaying Trudy's musical style at that early stage of her career.  With standards such as Takin a Chance on Love, the title track is a beautiful Blossom Dearie tune, to a track from Aussie rock great John Farnham.  The band on the outing are Phil Peskett - piano, Andy Hamill - bass, Mark Fletcher - drums and Dave O'Higgins - sax.
 
 

The 1995 debut album from UK star bass player who has worked with Jamie Cullum, Georgie Fame and many others. Features all star musicians including Jim Mullen - guitar, Ian Shaw - vocal, Clare Martin - vocal, Tim Garland - sax, Gerard Presencer - flugelhorn, Jeremy Stacey - drums, Gareth Williams - piano, Andy Panayii - sax and flute

"This album was a real treat to make", says Tony. "With this line up of international musicians, I had to play at my very best!" All the compositions are by Tony Smith - Superb Canadian Guitarist. Tony's group are Geoff Gascoyne on bass and Ian Thomas on drums with Mike McEvoy and Jody Linscott backing up on keys and percussion respectively. Guest appearences are by Derek Nash - Sax and Flute; the amazing Tower of Power saxophonist Brandon Fields and the most gifted of international pianists, Niels Lan Doky! THE LINE UP: Tony - Smith Guitar, Geoff Gascoyne - Bass, Ian Thomas - Drums, Mike McEvoy - Keys, Jody Linscott - Percussion, Niels Lan Doky - Piano, Brandon Fields - Sax, Derek Nash Sax and Flute 

At last, the debut album from the one of the most dynamic and versatile singers in the UK. This is an exciting and uplifting collection of songs that extends the range of the vocal jazz repertoire. As well as paying tribute to the jazz greats such as Mercer, Noble & Trenet, this album also includes unexpected reworkings of songs from the likes of Carole King, Smokey Robinson and the Moody Blues. With a "tasteful & senstitive rhythm section" this album sets a new standard. THE LINE UP: Sheena Davis - Vocals, Tom Cawley - Piano, Rob Rickenberg - Bass, Pete Cater - Drums, Jim Mullen - Guitar.  "She's the finest new talent to come around for many years" JAZZ FM 

Canadian Guitarist Tony has been on the British scene for almost 10 years. He is 'first call' for many visiting musicians such as Roy Ayers, as well as being part of Ray Gaskin, and is always part of the foundation of OLA's band. This, his first recording, has many top flight jazzman on it. THE LINE UP: Julian Crampton - Bass, Andy Gangadeen - Drums, Mornington Lockett - Soprano Sax, Dave O'Higgins - Soprano Sax, Neal Wilkinson - Drums, Volker Janssen -  Keys

This is often a delightful album, superbly played by Speake and guitar start Mike Outram and with imaginative bass-and-drums support from Simon Thorpe and Dave Wickins. Instead of opening with the usual headlong Parkeresque double-time, the album begins with almost abstract guitar strumming and floating drumming to underpin Don’t Blame Me. Donna Lee turns in to a bristling improvised counterpoint for Speake and Outram and Speake’s restrained style brings the wispy subtleties of Parker’s 1950’s Cool School disciples back to the original material.  

This is the first CD by the Pete Cater Big Band and it has met with critical acclaim all over Europe. From well known standards to original tunes, the opening track "Youbetchalife" is composed and arranged by Matt Wates and was featured recently on Radio 3 Jazz Notes. This band really swings and features the cream of British jazz. 

THE LINE UP Scott Garland, Ben Castle, Andy Cuss, and Carl Orr. 3rd British Jazz award winner for Jazzizit in one year!

From their days together working as part of NYJO, Phil Mulford and Malcolm Macfarlane have always had a close association, as proved by their work together on this excellent CD. Mulford is known for playing bass with Nelson Rangell, Elkie Brooks, West End. Macfarlane for Paraphinalia & Shakatak. Vocals are supplied by Jackie Hicks, drums by Chris Dagley and Mike Bradley (all ex NYJO) and includes saxes by Adrian Revell from Jamiroqui. THE LINE UP: Malcolm MacFarlane -  Guitars, Phil Mulford - Overwater Basses, Simon Carter - Keyboards, Adrian Revell - Saxes, Jacqui Hicks - Vocals, Keith Fairbairn - Percussion. Chris Dagley - Drums, Mike Bradley - Drums.