RAMSEY LEWIS will be performing October 14th in Los Angeles at the Disney Concert Hall along with the exquisitely talented, Ann Hampton Calloway. Lewis, an iconic pianist/composer/arranger, has just released his Concord Records Jazz CD entitled Songs From the Heart: Ramsey Plays Ramsey. This is his first trio recording in five years, featuring bassist Larry Gray and drummer Leon Joyce. This project will once again showcase Ramsey’s prowess as an accomplished composer. Every song is an original composition. The three-time-Grammy winner currently has over 80 album releases to his credit; seven that escalated to gold record status. Speaking of music masters, GERALD WILSON with his ORCHESTRA, has released a CD in tribute to Wilson’s hometown of Detroit. “Blues on Belle Isle” opens this recording briskly to celebrate the multi-recreational island located off the shores of Detroit, Michigan. For years folks have spent enjoyable hours swimming, boating, ice skating, picnicking, car cruising, feeding wild deer in the thick forests and throwing peanuts at the elephants on exhibit. Entire families have enjoyed the Children’s Zoo and there is a huge fountain, located centrally, that changes colors with water spewing from the mouths of sculpted sea figures. Wilson captures this energy and excitement in the opening cut. “Cass Tech” is an amazing magnet High School that has turned out a long list of Jazz Icons over the years. To name just a few Cass Tech Alumni, we have Donald Byrd, Geri Allen, Dorothy Ashby, Kenny Burrell, James Carter, Ron Carter, Paul Chambers, Regina Carter, Kenny Garret, Curtis Fuller, Sir Roland Hanna, and of course, the icon himself, Gerald Wilson. In Wilson’s composition “Cass Tech”, the repeating melodic theme sticks to your musical taste buds like your favorite food. It’s beautiful. You can’t help coming back for more. More means all of the songs on this Cd that reflect Wilson’s deep love for a city famous as the birthplace of Motor Cars and Berry Gordy’s Motown. The song,“Detroit,” is a sweet, sexy ballad, tinged with a breath of blues. It pulls at the heartstrings. Wilson claims it’s his love song to Detroit. The two notes of the theme actually sing De-troit. This excellent Cd on the Mack Avenue jazz label, (a Detroit based record company) is a strong, vibrant masterpiece. I plan on getting a few for stocking stuffers. Speaking of the holidays, pianist MONIKA HERZIG’S new Cd is entitled “Peace on Earth.” It offers a mix of Christmas compositions as a Smooth Jazz/Pop anthology. Her Boogie-Woogie take on “Go Tell It On The Mountain” is unique and features her husband, Peter Kienle on guitar. Herzig’s arrangement of this traditional gospel song is refreshing. The Coventry Carol is another traditional number nicely wrapped in an updated Jazzy arrangement. The violin introduction on “Children Sleep Softly” is as lovely as the title of this tune. The melody is beautiful and haunting. I would have preferred this song as an instrumental featuring violin. I didn’t recognize This Little Light of Mine (traditional). However, Tom Clark on saxophone made it memorable. The Ono/Lennon classic, “Happy Xmas (War is Over)” adds a sweet, if slightly off-key choir of children on the fade. The production idea was good, but perhaps without the fripperies at the end. Carolyn Dutton is back with her violin on “Give Peace Every Chance,” another Herzig original composition. Dutton tenderly embellishes this piece and sells the song. Silent Night becomes an additional tribute to Herzig’s outstanding arranging capabilities. All in all, this is an Easy Listening production full of holiday hope with songs dressed warmly in Herzig’s ear-catching arrangements.

DeeDee McNeil
10-07-09

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