Patricia Myers
Patricia’s Contributions
May 2000 Albums
Big City Rhythms
Michael Feinstein/Maynard Ferguson Big Band
Feinstein and Ferguson-what an unexpected combination, but it mostly works. Vocalist-pianist Michael Feinstein is known for performing Broadway hits and The Great American Songbook (he was Ira Gershwin's assistant for six years). So this is a new musical...
May 2000 Albums
John Sheridan, Solo Piano: They Can't Take That Away From Me
John Sheridan
Pianist John Sheridan, known for his work with the Jim Cullen Jazz Band of San Antonio, plays solo for the fifth in the Arbors Piano Series. Playing 15 songs by Berlin, Cahn, Ellington, Gershwin, Morton, Waller and others, Sheridan is lithe, lively and extremely...
May 2000 Albums
Dream Band, Make Me Dream Some More
John Sheridan and His Dream Band
For his "Dream Band," Sheridan arranges a swinging sentimental journey of 17 dream-theme songs, inviting both individual and aggregate invention. There's fluent interaction between Randy Reinhart playing cornet, trumpet and trombone, Dan Barrett doubling...
May 2000 Albums
Take Two
Bob Stewart/Hank Jones
Bob Stewart's silky and soothing baritone gives saloon singers a good name-crooner. His approach is straightforward and without distracting gimmicks; he just sings pretty songs so expressively that each lyrical message is well communicated. His vocal warmth...
May 2000 Briefs
Now Is the Time
Barbara Adamson
The debut recording of San Francisco singer Barbara Morrison conveys the passionate intensity of long-experienced vocalists. Backed by pianist Marshall Otwell, bassist Stan Poplin and drummer Steve Robertson, plus guest horn players, she opens with brief...
May 2000 Albums
Soft Lights
Houston Person
The tenor saxophone style of Houston Person is consummately heartfelt and eminently hip, and this collection certainly adds to that image. Often heard in collaboration with vocalist Etta Jones, this is a third instrumental outing, following My Romance and...
May 2000 Albums
Pastels
Stan Hope
Stan Hope combines bold confidence with a polished elegance reminiscent of Erroll Garner, his early influence. In a trio setting with bassist Ray Drummond and drummer Kenny Washington, Hope's renditions of four Garner charts-"Moment's Delight," "That's My...
May 2000 Albums
Stiff Upper Lip
Rick Stepton Sextet
Trombonist Rick Stepton obviously has a droll sense of humor, writing a song called "Stiff Upper Lip" and dedicating it to the plastic surgeon who repaired facial injuries from a 1992 dog attack. The New York musician also has excellent musical taste, selecting...
May 2000 Hearsay
Tom Grant
Since 1983, pianist-composer tom grant has consistently topped NAC/smooth jazz charts with original songs such as “Mango Tango,” “Night Charade,” “In My Wildest Dreams” and “The View from Here.” After releasing 15 albums of mostly original material on various...
April 2000 Hearsay
Fred Forney
I love the spontaneity of jazz. Not only are you the performer, but the composer of this in-the-moment music,” says trumpeter Fred Forney. After decades of classical training, countless symphony performances and years teaching high-school music classes...
April 2000 Albums
A Work of Heart
Harry Skoler
Harry Skoler is a clarinetist who employs this difficult instrument with a gentle and loving touch. The Berklee professor evokes little of Benny Goodman, except for comparable agility and skill. Skoler's sound is elegantly supple and played mostly in a lush...
April 2000 Albums
Mel Torme: The Best of the Concord Years
Mel Torme
This two CD-set revisits the last two decades of Mel Torme's lengthy and memorable career via 28 songs in diverse musical settings. There are duets with pianist George Shearing, tightly meshed ensembles and powerhouse big bands recorded at intimate concerts...
March 2000 Hearsay
Francine Reed
Francine Reed’s voice is velvet-smooth with a gritty edge that can be soothing or sassy, soulful or bawdy. “Music is in me, it is me,” declares the Atlanta resident. “I always say that when I was born, I came out singing ‘Look at me!’” and she croons the...
March 2000 Albums
I Know How to Do it
Barbara Morrison
Seasoned songstress Barbara Morrison knows extremely well how to sing jazz standards and deep-down blues. Her 25 years performing in Los Angeles, as well as touring to open for stars such as Ray Charles, have honed her voice and style to a fine finish for...
January/February 2000 Albums
A Packet of Love Letters
Dakota Staton
Dakota Staton has been heard for nearly four decades on concert stages and albums. Her no-frills, listen-to-the-lyrics delivery re-examines standards such as "More Than You Know," "The Way You Look Tonight" and "Remember." She pours her heart into Billie...
January/February 2000 Albums
I'll Be Easy to Find
Teri Thornton
Teri Thornton, winner of the 1998 Thelonious Monk jazz vocals competition, had shown promise in the early '60s, but went on a 30-year hiatus. During that time, she began writing charts that demonstrate her sassy, spunky style. "Salty Mama," "Feels Good...
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