New releases

  • Betty Bryant: Lotta Livin'

    26th January 2024

    At 94 BETTY BRYANT is still going strong. She has lost most of her vision, but like the title of her new album, LOTTA LIVIN’, the beloved pianist, singer, and composer still has a whole lot of living to do. LOTTA LIVIN’ is Bryant’s 14th album. It follows her 2019 release Project 88, which celebrated her 88th birthday. JW Vibesaid, “While Betty’s vocals are pure, charming and warmly inviting throughout, the true coolness comes from her compelling soloing and harmonizing on those 88s.”

    Hipness is Bryant’s métier, and like her other albums and live performances, her piano playing and singing on LOTTA LIVIN’ is effortlessly cool and reflects her blues roots. For this album, and for most of her recordings and performances for the past 10 years, she has brought along her regular band comprising dynamic, swinging drummer KENNY ELLIOT, highly sensitive and musical upright bassist RICHARD SIMON, and her old friend, saxophonist, flutist ROBERT KYLE, who not only played on this recording, but also produced it. She and Kyle have been friends and musical cohorts for over 30 years. Kyle, a mainstay on the Los Angeles jazz scene as well as a touring and recording artist, has played on and either produced or co-produced most of Bryant’s CDs. The two of them also wrote and recorded music that was featured on the soap opera “The Young and the Restless.” Also joining Bryant once again are HUSSAIN JIFFRY on electric bass and guitarist KLEBER JORGE on one number, and trumpeter TONY GUERRERO, who appears on two tracks.

    Bryant has a long and storied career. A child of the Depression, her musical journey began in her hometown of Kansas City, MO, when at the age of four, she began studying piano with Desdemona Davis, who along with her musician husband, had moved in with the Bryants. Although it was a difficult era for most, that turn of events led to a lifelong career in music that is still going strong today. 

    Dubbed “Cool Miss B” by Kyle in a 1997 song, the moniker has stuck with her for 25 years. Bryant was mentored early on by the great Jay McShann. “Betty Bryant Day” was declared in Kansas City in 1987, and she was awarded the key to the city. A famous photograph of Betty with Jay McShann hangs in the lobby of the city’s American Jazz Museum and is included on the back of the CD booklet. 

    Bryant moved to the west coast in 1955 and immediately got a gig at Beverly Hills’ famed Ye Little Club. This was the beginning of mostly solo appearances in Los Angeles. As her reputation grew, she became a popular attraction in the many nightspots that dotted the beach towns from Malibu to Laguna.

    Besides performing regularly around Los Angeles to packed houses, Bryant has performed internationally in the Middle East and Brazil, and for many years was a regular attraction at the upscale Tableaux Lounge in Tokyo, Japan. She had a long-term engagement at Street, celebrity chef Susan Feniger’s restaurant, when it opened in Hollywood in 2009, and in 2012 she was a featured performer at the Boquete Jazz and Blues Festival in Boquete, Panama. The “Betty Bryant Birthday Bash” is a hugely popular annual event at Hollywood’s famed Catalina’s Jazz Club. 

    Bryant wrote four songs for LOTTA LIVIN’. A wordsmith with a predilection for the quirky and humorous, she was an art major in college, and her lyrics also have a strong visual sense. In her song “Put a Lid on It,” she complains about her man, “When my friends come over, you don’t act right / You cop an attitude and you’re impolite / You sit around in your BVDs, guzzling beer/ On and on ad nauseum, that’s all I hear / Put a lid on it. Put a lid on it / Cuz’if you don’t, we’re through / I’m tired of telling you, put a lid on it.”

    “Blues to Get Started” is an upbeat, swinging blues instrumental from her days sitting in with Jay McShann’s band. “Chicken Wings” is a funny duet about Bryant’s love of eating chicken wings. It features a duet with Bryant on vocals and Kyle playing greasy blues harmonica. Bryant was fascinated by the sound of the word katydid, a type of grasshopper, so she wrote the song “Katydid,” which is not at all about the insect. “I wrote the song about someone named Katy who did something, but I never say what it is she did.” The song features Guerrero on trumpet and Ooka on guitar.

    Bryant also covers several standards, putting her own bluesy spin on them. She swings the Harold Arlen-Ted Koehler classic “Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea,” and does a sultry version of Bobby Troup’s “Baby, Baby All the Time.” Her nearly eight-minute version of “Stormy Monday” gives her and Kyle time to stretch out and take their own seductive solos. She gives “The Very Thought of You” a Brazilian twist that features Winard’s percussion, Jorge’s guitar, and Jiffry’s electric bass. Bryant offers a poignant and swinging version of “Got a Lot of Livin’ to Do,” whose message is a perfect closer for the album.

    Making an album and travelling to gigs around Southern California is hard work. When asked why she does it at the age of 94, she says “It’s what I do and have done my whole life. I’m not ready to retire. Music gets me out of bed in the morning.” Despite her age, she hasn’t missed a beat. Rather, her singing and playing show the depth and assurance that comes when inborn talent is enhanced by deep experience.

    LOTTA LIVIN‘ will be available digitally on all platforms on January 26, 2024; physical CDs will be available at Bandcamp.

    Betty Bryant website

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  • Lucia Fodde: Harlem Beats

    26th January 2024

    From January 26th, HARLEM BEATS, the latest album by jazz artist Lucia Fodde, is available on all major music platforms, label Timezone Records. Harlem Beats is a bold sonic exploration, reflecting the experimental vision of artist Lucia Fodde. Embracing the classic repertoire of Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn, Fodde injects a breath of fresh innovation into some of jazz's most celebrated classics.

    The album features six iconic tracks, with a standout reinterpretation of Charles Mingus's "Duke Ellington's Sound of Love" as a tribute to her mentor. Electric arrangements challenge conventions, blurring the lines between traditional jazz and electronic elements, paying homage to the genius of Duke Ellington.

    The distinctive track of HARLEM BEATS is "In a Mellow Tone" by Duke Ellington, the only track entirely produced by Lucia Fodde, showcasing electronic production and experimentation. The collaborative nature of the track is highlighted by the spontaneous magic of Davide Incorvaia's piano/synth, Aidan Lowe's pulsating rhythm on drums, and the evocative melodies of Greg Ambroisine's trumpet, adding a timeless touch of elegance.

    Among the gems of HARLEM BEATS is a moment of pure musical intimacy: Billy Strayhorn's "A Flower is a Lovesome Thing," featuring Lucia's delicate voice accompanied by the ethereal touch of Davide Incorvaia's piano/synth. In the middle of the track, Australian trumpeter Greg Ambroisine joins with a solo, creating a delicate melodic interweaving with the voice and piano/synth played by Davide Incorvaia. It's a moment where the artist reveals herself in her purest and most vulnerable form, capturing the listener's attention with expressiveness and emotional depth. This homage track to the extraordinary composer, considered Duke Ellington's alter ego, demonstrates Lucia Fodde's versatility in exploring new sounds and musical approaches. It's an experience that goes beyond jazz conventions, immersing itself in a world of emotions through the powerful fusion of voice, trumpet, and piano/synth.

    The first track of the album, HARLEM BEATS, celebrates the emotional connection between Charles Mingus and Maestro Duke. Mingus's "Duke Ellington's Sounds of Love" is an affectionate dedication to the great Maestro, a tribute that goes beyond musical notes, crystallizing the depth of affection and respect Mingus had for Duke. This track, along with the rest, "Mood Indigo," "Heaven" by Duke Ellington, and "Chelsea Bridge" by Billy Strayhorn, is performed by the full electric quintet.

    The essence of HARLEM BEATS is an extraordinary creative alchemy with the talented musicians who accompanied Lucia Fodde on this fascinating musical journey. While Lucia brought ideas and arrangements to life, the electric quintet composed of exceptional musicians like Australian Greg Ambroisine on trumpet, Aidan Lowe on drums, and Italians Davide Incorvaia on piano/synth and Francesco Beccaro on bass, not only contributed to the arrangements but also infused these tracks with a unique artistic dimension.

    HARLEM BEATS was recorded at the Ufo Sound Studios in Berlin, under the skilled technical direction of Fabian Knof, the same studio where Lucia recorded her previous album "TRACES OF YOU" in 2022.

    Listen to Harlem Beats on Spotify here

    Tracklist:

    Duke Ellington's Sound of Love (Charles Mingus)

    Mood Indigo (Duke Ellington)

    Heaven (Duke Ellington)

    Chelsea Bridge (Billy Strayhorn)

    In a Mellow Tone (Duke Ellington)

    A Flower is a Lovesome Thing (Billy Strayhorn)

    Lucia Fodde website

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  • Germana Stella La Sorsa: Primary Colours

    26th January 2024

    Singer and Storyteller Germana Stella La Sorsa to release second studio album “Primary Colours” on January 26th 2024. With special guest Australian harpist Tara Minton and featuring Sam Leak, Tom Ollendorff, Jay Davis

    “...powerful and refreshing vocal.” Jazz Journal

    "There is a sort of positive melancholy in Germana’s vocal performance, you hear a link to the tradition yet at the same time it’s fresh and forward facing."  Jazz in Europe

    Two years since her debut album Vapour,  Italian London-based singer and storyteller Germana Stella La Sorsa proudly announces the release of her second studio album, Primary Colours. Supported by Help Musicians, Primary Colours is released by 33 Jazz Records and distributed by The Orchard.

    La Sorsa has released three singles: 'Black' in October 2023, 'Blue' in November 2023 and the title track 'Primary Colours' in December 2023. The album features long-time collaborators Sam Leak on Hammond Organ and Jay Davis on drums, with the addition of guitarist Tom Ollendorff and special guest Australian harpist Tara Minton.

    Primary Colours contains 7 original compositions reflecting La Sorsa's musical influences - such as Gretchen Parlato, Bobby McFerrin and Jeff Buckley - and drawing upon her eclectic background and skilful voice, as well as the band’s versatility, to create something fresh, new and unexpected. The music explores drum’n’bass grooves, latin influences and free improvisation.

    Primary Colours is a concept album that draws parallels between the art of colour and musical narration.

    “With this album I wanted to share something more deep and intimate than my first release. I was galvanised to create something the listener can relate to through the association of colours and feelings – through stories.'Primary Colours' is about how base human feelings and life experiences interconnect and interact with each other - ultimately leading to life changes - just like primary colours and shades combine themselves, creating new tones.” Germana Stella La Sorsa

    Following this idea, each track on the album conceptually flows from the last and into the next, always keeping the listener interested and engaged. The track that opens the album is 'Black' – the first single – with which La Sorsa opens up about her struggle with depression. With this surprisingly cheerful and lively tune, the singer shares about battling her condition with awareness, drawing upon the moments in which she lightheartedly accepted loneliness and dismay.

    It invites the listener to dive into the quartet's synergetic interplay and improvisatory freedom.

    Featuring Australian harpist Tara Minton, 'Blue' – the second single released - is a contemporary bossa-nova influenced ballad inspired by the singer's country of birth, Italy, and in particular her hometown Taranto (Puglia). Composed with the musical contribution of La Sorsa's Italian colleague and friend, guitarist Francesco Bellanova, 'Blue' has Italian lyrics dedicated to motherhood and to the singer's first son - a love lullaby that could remind him that she'll always be his safe harbour, as her hometown is for her.

    “ 'Blue' is about that safe place that you can always come back to; where you'll always belong. For me, that's my homeland and my roots, so inevitably the sea and the sun, which are the things that I've missed the most since moving to the UK. At first, I felt quite self-conscious about writing in Italian. I guess it makes me feel more exposed in some way. Then I got very enthusiastic about sharing my roots in my mother tongue...it just made sense to write something my fellow Italians and my son would easily understand. The song was previewed at the Taranto Jazz Festival last summer, and I was pleased to discover everyone loved my writing in Italian.”

    On special guest Tara Minton, La Sorsa states: “She is an extraordinary artist. From our first encounter it was clear that we were artistically and humanly on the same page. She is from Melbourne, so I knew that she would understand my deep connection with the sea and how to give expression to this.”

     The title track and last single 'Primary Colours' expresses the message of the album. It states how experiences and feelings mix together to change one's perception of things, ultimately leading to one's feeling grounded, aware and self-reliant.  The tune is an invitation to embrace life's events with curiosity and confidence.

     To follow, support, stream and purchase click here

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  • Abbie Finn: Stotties For Three

    15th January 2024

    The new album from Abbie Finn launching January 15th 2024 at Pizza Express! Tickets here

    The ‘Abbie Finn Trio’ are based in the North-East and we are made-up of Harry Keeble on Tenor Sax, Paul Grainger on Double Bass and myself on Drums. We play contemporary, original jazz music focusing on varied rhythmic concepts and heavy improvisation, whilst also nodding to more traditional jazz taking inspiration from artists such as Dexter Gordon, Sonny Rollins, Art Blakey, Tubby Hayes, Joe Henderson, Max Roach and many more.

    Our new album Stotties For Three is an album that for me, highlights the best in life. Friends/family, good music, following your passions and the most basic things, like good bread. Of course, I chose to highlight a traditional northern bread – the stottie. It’s not flashy, it’s not fancy, it’s bread in its most basic form. I know I speak for the trio when I say we love the North-East and we love the food here. The group often share lunch together after a rehearsal and this is a popular choice from local bakeries. For me, good food is what life is all about… as you might have guessed from some of my previous trio tune names! I’m so proud of what we’ve accomplished thus far and I’m excited to see what the future brings for the band.

    This year I had a feature in the Jazzwise April edition and was dubbed the ‘one to watch this month’ and a ‘crucial member of the thriving North-East scene.’

     We have released 3 albums, the 4th is to be released next year and was funded by the Ronnie Scott’s charitable foundation. This year we focused on our release ‘On Pink Lane’. This iconic street in Newcastle housed the old Jazz Café and the renowned jam session where the band first played together. In 2020 we released our debut album ‘Northern Perspective’ which received rave reviews and radio plays across the UK and beyond. The album was dubbed ‘Exceptional British Jazz’ by Chris Philips of Jazz FM and ‘An album I come back to time and again.’ It featured a mix of original music and my arrangements of some favourite tunes. In 2022 we released our 2nd album ‘Live at the 2021 Newcastle Jazz Festival’. This featured a notable performance of Mingus’ ‘Goodbye Pork Pie Hat’ amongst others. The band have performed across the UK at many venues and festivals including Manchester Jazz Festival, Hexham Jazz Festival, The Cockpit in London, Band on the Wall, Jazz at the Lescar in Sheffield, Durham Jazz Festival and more.

    Abbie Finn website here

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  • Vanisha Gould and Chris McCarthy

    12th January 2024

    "Life's a gig, it doesn’t pay much but it costs a lot." I said that at a party one evening, whispered it imitating Miles Davis. We all laughed. Truth is that life has offered me a lot. All I've ever wanted was to sing this beautiful music and make a living from it. I never thought I would also find family. Community. This album is meant to represent exactly that. Just family coming together singing tunes we've sung countless times before. I feel truly blessed to know Chris McCarthy (piano) and Kayla Williams (Viola - Jolene & Fall in Love With Me in Fall). They both carry this music with such integrity and ease. I want to flower my family with love. Arleen Simmons Gould and Hollis Gould are directly responsible for the voice that you hear on this album. Without their support and unending love, well, this gig called "life" would be undesirable, and without swing. My brother Victor Gould, also my favorite musician and composer, handed me my first Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong album - the rest is history. He is not just my confident, but he paved the path for me, as well. From middle school in Simi Valley, California to the New York Jazz scene, his extraordinary expertise and reputation has inspired me. Life's a Gig. A damn good one.

    Our first duo session was September 2016. I had just moved to New York City three weeks prior. One of the tune's we tried that first session was Vanisha's classic "Now That You're Here," and the lyrics represent how I felt then, and still feel about all the possibilities of playing together: "Now that you're here, we should get to know each other. A lifetime of love is something we should both discover. Believe me my dear, if l had known you were here, we would have started this thing long ago." I only wish we had started playing sooner. Seven years and thousands of playing hours later, you're holding our first record. Every gig big or small has deepened our musical connection and led to this collection of our favorite tunes. These songs in Vanisha's voice become stories you can't look away from. Every musical choice I make when we play together is an attempt to complement the genius in every note sung. With Vanisha, the duo format is where I can be most free and myself, with ideals of beauty and swing shared coequally.

    Thank you to Jordi Pujol for believing in this project, to Kayla Williams for her unwavering support and beautiful playing on "Jolene" and "Fall in Love With Me in Fall," to my family for everything, to every venue that ever had us perform so we could hone our craft, and to Vanisha for being a musical partner for the ages. Life's a gig worth playing when you're on!

    Further from Two For The Show Media here

    Vanisha Gould links here

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  • Mary Sho: Woman Rising

    30th November 2023

    Woman Rising is an Album that captures the intricacies of being a woman. In Mary Sho’s case it captures being black woman, a plus size woman and a creative woman navigating life and relationships. Throughout the Album interludes which she has interview her friends from all different walks of life noticeably draw to the sam conclusions when asked the same question which is a comforting common ground.

    Sonically it takes you though late 70's jazz funk to 80's soul groove with elements of rock, pop and afro jazz. She is an amalgamation of all her musical influences growing up.

    Ultimately this Album is empower and comfort all women, young and older and for the music to get anyone bopping their heads. Woman Rising is just the beginning its Mary Sho taking flight, rising from girlhood into womanhood.

    Mary Sho, a singer and songwriter hailing from South London with a worldwide sound which transcends time and space, offering a home to lovers of authentic, live sounds. Sho’s sound drops you into the late 70’s and early 80’s with tinges of contemporary soul infused with funk origins, creating sounds similar to if Lizzo met Solange met Childish Gambino met Sly and The Family Stone with Thundercat on additional bass!

    Armed with live instrumentation and striking, self-directed and self styled  visuals, Sho’s spacey vocals float over bass-heavy, funk-soul sounds. while highlighting the experiences of Black women and owning the power of her identity, mind, body and soul. Mary Sho has been featured on BBC London Radio multiple times and has recently performed at Brixton House (Soho Friends) ans Cafe KOKO. This year she was one of the recipients of Women in Jazz Media 2023 and is Now releasing her debut Album titled ‘WOMAN RISING’ in the world. She will also be performing at The Queen Elizabeth Hall foyer for Southbank ‘Futuretense’ on 30th November

    Mary Sho links click here

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