Bob Rockwell Quartet • Shades Of Blue

 

Bob Rockwell (born May 1945, Miami, Oklahoma, USA) is an American jazz saxophonist who emigrated to Denmark in 1983 and has lived ever since.
https://www.discogs.com/artist/323602-Bob-Rockwell

Rockwell was raised in Minneapolis, and in his early career he toured the U.S. in various rock and rhythm and blues bands. He worked in Las Vegas in the late 1960s and early 1970s, then moved to New York City, where he played with The Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra, Tito Puente, Ben Sidran, Freddie Hubbard, Ray Drummond, Billy Hart, Rufus Reid, Victor Lewis, Ron McClure, Tom Harrell, Chuck Israels, John Hicks, Al Foster, Anthony Cox, Bill Dobbins, Keith Copeland, Clint Houston, and Richie Beirach.

After settling in Copenhagen, Rockwell released a large number of albums for SteepleChase Records. He has worked in Europe with Ernie Wilkins, Kenny Drew, Alex Riel, Marilyn Mazur, Kenny Wheeler, Jan Kasperson, and Jesper Lungaard.
https://bobrockwellsax.com/

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Bob Rockwell (nacido en mayo de 1945, Miami, Oklahoma, EE.UU.) es un saxofonista de jazz estadounidense que emigró a Dinamarca en 1983 y vive desde entonces.
https://www.discogs.com/artist/323602-Bob-Rockwell

Rockwell se crió en Minneapolis y al principio de su carrera recorrió Estados Unidos en varias bandas de rock y rhythm and blues. Trabajó en Las Vegas a finales de los 60 y principios de los 70, y luego se trasladó a Nueva York, donde tocó con The Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra, Tito Puente, Ben Sidran, Freddie Hubbard, Ray Drummond, Billy Hart, Rufus Reid, Victor Lewis, Ron McClure, Tom Harrell, Chuck Israels, John Hicks, Al Foster, Anthony Cox, Bill Dobbins, Keith Copeland, Clint Houston y Richie Beirach.

Tras establecerse en Copenhague, Rockwell publicó un gran número de álbumes para SteepleChase Records. Ha trabajado en Europa con Ernie Wilkins, Kenny Drew, Alex Riel, Marilyn Mazur, Kenny Wheeler, Jan Kasperson y Jesper Lungaard.
https://bobrockwellsax.com/


bobrockwellsax.com ...

Andy Laverne's One Of A Kind • At The Kitano Vol. 1

 

Andy LaVerne has had success on previous sessions with organist Gary Versace, but this time around the pianist chose to record the trio live at the Kitano in New York City. Because Versace started as a pianist (and still plays the instrument occasionally), he provides a good sense of balance with the leader while keeping a fluid bassline going on the pedals, backed by drummer Anthony Pinciotti. LaVerne's six originals are varied in texture. "Note Worthy" is an excellent opener, being a brisk bop cooker. "J. J." opens with a chant-like vamp, with a dark edge in a very deliberate setting, showcasing Versace at length as LaVerne frees himself from the vamp. "In a Turquoise Mood" is a bit unusual, beginning as a free-form piece with odd special effects on the organ and muted, vibrating piano strings, though once LaVerne takes the spotlight, it settles into a lyrical ballad format. "Joyous Lake" has a soulful edge, mixing in gospel in a relaxed setting. Adding a familiar song or two might have helped draw those unfamiliar with Andy LaVerne's work, but his longtime fans will be delighted with this remarkable live recording. 

Andy Laverne • Rhapsody

 

Andy LaVerne, a veteran of over five decades in performing, composing and educating often teaches master classes at the famed Jamey Aebersold Summer Jazz Workshop. At this workshop in 2019 Andy LaVerne met and performed with Zak Brock for the first time. The Grammy Award Winning violinist Zak Brock left huge impression on the pianist. Andy invited Zak to record together three months later. The collaboration between LaVerne the master of reharmonization and contrafacts and Zak the star member of the crossover group Snarky Puppy turned out to be a true Rhapsody with an intriguing program.
https://www.jazzmessengers.com/es/84693/andy-laverne/rhapsody


Biography
by Scott Yanow
A fine keyboardist who has ranged in styles from Bill Evans to Chick Corea and fusion, Andy LaVerne has managed to avoid predictability throughout his career. He began studying as a classical piano student at Juilliard when he was eight. After discovering jazz, LaVerne had some important lessons from Bill Evans. He toured with Woody Herman's big band (1973-1975), played with John Abercrombie, and Miroslav Vitous, and was with Stan Getz's group during 1977-1980, often playing electric piano. In the 1980s, he performed with the Brubeck-LaVerne Trio (which also featured Chris and Dan Brubeck), recorded a tribute to Chick Corea for DMP, and became a busy jazz educator. In the 1990s, LaVerne has concentrated on acoustic piano, recording a solo concert at Maybeck Recital Hall. Through the years, Andy LaVerne has recorded as a leader for Storyville (1977), Jazzline, SteepleChase, DMP, Triloka, Concord, and some smaller labels.
https://www.allmusic.com/artist/andy-laverne-mn0000032715/biography

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Andy LaVerne, un veterano de más de cinco décadas actuando, componiendo y educando a menudo imparte clases magistrales en el famoso Taller de Jazz de Verano Jamey Aebersold. En este taller en 2019 Andy LaVerne conoció y actuó con Zak Brock por primera vez. El violinista Zak Brock, ganador de un Grammy, dejó una gran impresión en el pianista. Andy invitó a Zak a grabar juntos tres meses después. La colaboración entre LaVerne el maestro de la rearmonización y los contrafactos y Zak el miembro estrella del grupo crossover Snarky Puppy resultó ser una verdadera Rapsodia con un programa intrigante.
https://www.jazzmessengers.com/es/84693/andy-laverne/rhapsody


Biografía
por Scott Yanow
Andy LaVerne, un excelente teclista que ha abarcado estilos que van desde Bill Evans hasta Chick Corea y la fusión, ha conseguido evitar la previsibilidad a lo largo de su carrera. Comenzó a estudiar piano clásico en Juilliard cuando tenía ocho años. Tras descubrir el jazz, LaVerne recibió importantes lecciones de Bill Evans. Realizó giras con la big band de Woody Herman (1973-1975), tocó con John Abercrombie y Miroslav Vitous, y estuvo con el grupo de Stan Getz durante 1977-1980, a menudo tocando el piano eléctrico. En la década de 1980, actuó con el Brubeck-LaVerne Trio (en el que también participaban Chris y Dan Brubeck), grabó un homenaje a Chick Corea para DMP y se convirtió en un activo educador de jazz. En la década de 1990, LaVerne se ha concentrado en el piano acústico, grabando un concierto en solitario en el Maybeck Recital Hall. A lo largo de los años, Andy LaVerne ha grabado como líder para Storyville (1977), Jazzline, SteepleChase, DMP, Triloka, Concord y algunos sellos más pequeños.
https://www.allmusic.com/artist/andy-laverne-mn0000032715/biography

 

www.andylaverne.com ...
 

Andy Laverne • Intelligent Design

 

Review
by Ken Dryden  
Andy LaVerne's long relationship withSteeplechase has been a fruitful one, with many great recordings and opportunities to showcase his writing as well as experiment with different musical settings - This trio session is a bit unusual as he is joined by organist Gary Versace and drummer Danny Gottlieb, hardly a typical choice of instrumentation for a record date - But Versace was initially a pianist before making the switch to organ, so he never overplays his hand when backing the leader while also proving himself a thoughtful, inventive soloist, too - They work well together and have an instinctive ability to easily exchange the lead seamlessly throughout the date - With Gottlieb providing just the right rhythmic support, the two keyboardists explore nine originals by the prolific LaVerne - "Noteworthy" is an upbeat hard bop vehicle that seems like a throwback to the '60s - The sauntering "Upside" quickly develops into an infectious groove, while "Tsunami" is not the expected turbulent up-tempo piece but instead a dramatic, deliberate composition which keeps a tense mood without providing a release - Finally, "Can Your Glue Do This?" is a post-bop masterpiece that builds to a feverish pitch - A follow-up meeting to this rewarding date seems inevitable.
https://www.allmusic.com/album/intelligent-design-mw0001091849

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Reseña
por Ken Dryden  
La larga relación de Andy LaVerne conSteeplechase ha sido fructífera, con muchas grabaciones excelentes y oportunidades para mostrar su escritura, así como experimentar con diferentes configuraciones musicales - Esta sesión de trío es un poco inusual, ya que se le unen el organista Gary Versace y el batería Danny Gottlieb, una elección de instrumentación poco típica para una cita discográfica - Pero Versace fue inicialmente pianista antes de pasarse al órgano, por lo que nunca se excede cuando acompaña al líder, al tiempo que demuestra ser un solista reflexivo e inventivo - Trabajan bien juntos y tienen una habilidad instintiva para intercambiar el liderazgo sin problemas a lo largo de la cita - Con Gottlieb proporcionando el apoyo rítmico adecuado, los dos teclistas exploran nueve originales del prolífico LaVerne - "Noteworthy" es una pieza de hard bop optimista que parece un retroceso a los años sesenta - La tranquila "Upside" se convierte rápidamente en un groove contagioso, mientras que "Tsunami" no es la turbulenta pieza up-tempo esperada, sino una composición dramática y deliberada que mantiene un ambiente tenso sin proporcionar una liberación - Por último, "Can Your Glue Do This?" es una obra maestra post-bop que alcanza un tono febril - Una reunión de seguimiento de esta gratificante cita parece inevitable.
https://www.allmusic.com/album/intelligent-design-mw0001091849

www.andylaverne.com ...
 

Abercrombie-Nussbaum-Mraz-Laverne • Farewell

 

Review
by Ken Dryden
This 1993 recording is a follow-up to an earlier duo session by Andy LaVerne and John Abercrombie, although they add bassist George Mraz and drummer Adam Nussbaum for this date. Following a rather upbeat, introspective arrangement of the standard "Beautiful Love," they stick to originals by either the pianist or the guitarist. LaVerne's "Mother of Pearl" is a shimmering post-bop work that is full of surprises, while "Opal" is a treasure of a different sort, prominently featuring Abercrombie's brittle-sounding electric guitar. Abercrombie's "Monk Like" has a quirky line much like its namesake might employ, and the unpredictable ballad "Farewell" serves as an appropriate conclusion to this enjoyable CD.
https://www.allmusic.com/album/farewell-mw0000060546

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Reseña
por Ken Dryden
Esta grabación de 1993 es la continuación de una sesión a dúo anterior de Andy LaVerne y John Abercrombie, aunque en esta ocasión añaden al bajista George Mraz y al batería Adam Nussbaum. Tras un arreglo bastante optimista e introspectivo del estándar "Beautiful Love", se centran en temas originales del pianista o del guitarrista. Mother of Pearl" de LaVerne es una brillante obra post-bop llena de sorpresas, mientras que "Opal" es un tesoro de otro tipo, en el que destaca la frágil guitarra eléctrica de Abercrombie. Monk Like" de Abercrombie tiene una línea extravagante muy parecida a la que podría emplear su tocayo, y la impredecible balada "Farewell" sirve de conclusión apropiada a este agradable CD.
https://www.allmusic.com/album/farewell-mw0000060546

John Abercrombie & Andy LaVerne • A Nice Idea

 

 
www.ecmrecords.com/john-abercrombie ...

www.andylaverne.com ...

John Abercrombie & Andy LaVerne • Where We Were [correct link]

 

www.ecmrecords.com/john-abercrombie ...
www.andylaverne.com ...

John Abercrombie-Andy LaVerne-George Mraz-Adam Nussbaum • Farewell

 

Review by Ken Dryden
This 1993 recording is a follow-up to an earlier duo session by Andy LaVerne and John Abercrombie, although they add bassist George Mraz and drummer Adam Nussbaum for this date. Following a rather upbeat, introspective arrangement of the standard "Beautiful Love," they stick to originals by either the pianist or the guitarist. LaVerne's "Mother of Pearl" is a shimmering post-bop work that is full of surprises, while "Opal" is a treasure of a different sort, prominently featuring Abercrombie's brittle-sounding electric guitar. Abercrombie's "Monk Like" has a quirky line much like its namesake might employ, and the unpredictable ballad "Farewell" serves as an appropriate conclusion to this enjoyable CD. https://www.allmusic.com/album/farewell-mw0000060546

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Reseña de Ken Dryden
Esta grabación de 1993 es la continuación de una sesión a dúo anterior de Andy LaVerne y John Abercrombie, aunque en esta ocasión añaden al bajista George Mraz y al batería Adam Nussbaum. Tras un arreglo bastante optimista e introspectivo del estándar «Beautiful Love», se centran en temas originales del pianista o del guitarrista. Mother of Pearl» de LaVerne es una brillante obra post-bop llena de sorpresas, mientras que “Opal” es un tesoro de otro tipo, en el que destaca la frágil guitarra eléctrica de Abercrombie. Monk Like» de Abercrombie tiene una línea extravagante muy parecida a la que podría emplear su tocayo, y la impredecible balada “Farewell” sirve de conclusión apropiada a este agradable CD. https://www.allmusic.com/album/farewell-mw0000060546

John Abercrombie & Andy LaVerne • Timeline

 

www.ecmrecords.com/john-abercrombie ...
www.andylaverne.com ...

Andy Laverne • Pleasure Seekers

 

Review by Scott Yanow
On this CD, keyboardist Andy Laverne performs eight of his own compositions, one song co-written with guitarist Chuck Loeb, and Bud Powell's "Parisian Thoroughfare." Laverne's arrangements for the quartet (which also includes Bob Sheppard on tenor and various reeds, bassist John Patitucci and drummer Dave Weckl) use light funky rhythms and put an emphasis on melodic improvising. With the exception of "Chestnuts" (based on "All the Things You Are"), the chord changes are all new. Somehow the quartet (which had only first come together just a few days earlier) sounds like a regularly working band. Overall, this is a pleasing session of accessible yet reasonably explorative jazz.
https://www.allmusic.com/album/pleasure-seekers-mw0000265528

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Reseña de Scott Yanow
En este CD, el tecladista Andy Laverne interpreta ocho de sus propias composiciones, una canción coescrita con el guitarrista Chuck Loeb y "Parisian Thoroughfare" de Bud Powell."Los arreglos de Laverne para el cuarteto (que también incluyen a Bob Sheppard al tenor y varias cañas, el bajista John Patitucci y el baterista Dave Weckl) usan ritmos funky ligeros y ponen énfasis en la improvisación melódica. Con la excepción de" Chestnuts "(basada en" All the Things You Are"), los cambios de acordes son todos nuevos. De alguna manera, el cuarteto (que solo se había reunido por primera vez unos días antes) suena como una banda que trabaja regularmente. En general, esta es una sesión agradable de jazz accesible pero razonablemente exploratorio.
https://www.allmusic.com/album/pleasure-seekers-mw0000265528

 

www.andylaverne.com ...