VA • Blue Note 101 Cocktail Jazz

 

Bill Charlap Trio •Written In The Stars

 

New York Trio • The Things We Did Last Summer

 

Also known as the New York Jazz Trio, this combo is a studio-only group who specialize in recording classic standards in a straightforward, post-bop style. The New York Trio features three gifted musicians who are firmly established on the East Coast jazz scene. Pianist Bill Charlap is a member of the Phil Woods Quintet, has accompanied the likes of Tony Bennett, Benny Carter, and Gerry Mulligan, and has recorded a handful of well-received albums for Blue Note as a bandleader. Bassist Jay Leonhart has recorded as a headliner since 1983, while also making a name for himself as a vocalist and songwriter as well as backing up Marian McPartland, Louie Bellson, Lee Konitz, and many others. And drummer Bill Stewart had handled demanding gigs with a variety of musicians, including jazz guitarist John Scofield, funky sax man Maceo Parker and R&B legend James Brown. In 2001, Charlap, Leonhart, and Stewart teamed up in the studio to cut the album Blues in the Night for the Venus Jazz label; featuring leisurely but heartfelt interpretations of eight classic melodies, the album was well-received by fans of classic jazz. Seven similar collections have been recorded by the trio for Japanese jazz labels. ~ Mark Deming

 

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 También conocido como New York Jazz Trio, este combo es un grupo de estudio especializado en la grabación de estándares clásicos en un estilo directo y post-bop. El New York Trio cuenta con tres músicos de gran talento que están firmemente establecidos en la escena del jazz de la Costa Este. El pianista Bill Charlap es miembro del Phil Woods Quintet, ha acompañado a artistas de la talla de Tony Bennett, Benny Carter y Gerry Mulligan, y ha grabado un puñado de álbumes bien recibidos para Blue Note como director de banda. El bajista Jay Leonhart ha grabado como cabeza de cartel desde 1983, al tiempo que se ha hecho un nombre como vocalista y compositor, además de acompañar a Marian McPartland, Louie Bellson, Lee Konitz y muchos otros. Y el baterista Bill Stewart se encargó de exigentes actuaciones con diversos músicos, como el guitarrista de jazz John Scofield, el saxofonista funky Maceo Parker y la leyenda del R&B James Brown. En 2001, Charlap, Leonhart y Stewart se unieron en el estudio para grabar el álbum Blues in the Night para el sello Venus Jazz; con interpretaciones pausadas pero sentidas de ocho melodías clásicas, el álbum fue bien recibido por los aficionados al jazz clásico. El trío ha grabado siete colecciones similares para sellos japoneses de jazz. ~ Mark Deming

New York Trio • Blues In The Night

Review by Ken Dryden
In the dawn of the 21st century, pianist Bill Charlap took the jazz world by storm with a series of rewarding albums for labels both in the U.S. and abroad. On Blues in the Night, he leads his New York Trio in a recording made for the Japanese label Venus, with veteran bassist Jay Leonhart and fellow young gun Bill Stewart joining him. Right away Charlap signals that he can take an old chestnut into a new direction. His stretched-out, blues-drenched "Blues in the Night" makes effective use of space and showcases his sidemen as well. Leonhart's buoyant bassline brings to mind the late Milt Hinton in the brisk rendition of "I Could Have Danced All Night." Charlap's intense workout of "Blue Skies" is a virtual jazz history lesson, showing the influence of a number of legendary pianists, while achieving a sound distinctly his own. His loping, jaunty approach to "My Funny Valentine" is another winner; equally playful is the snappy waltz treatment of "Tenderly," accented by Stewart's brushwork. One of the most promising pianists of his generation, this Charlap CD is highly recommended.
https://www.allmusic.com/album/tbablues-in-night-mw0000978012

 

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Reseña de Ken Dryden
En los albores del siglo XXI, el pianista Bill Charlap arrasó en el mundo del jazz con una serie de gratificantes álbumes para sellos de Estados Unidos y del extranjero. En Blues in the Night, lidera su New York Trio en una grabación realizada para el sello japonés Venus, al que se unen el veterano bajista Jay Leonhart y el joven Bill Stewart. Desde el principio, Charlap demuestra que puede llevar una vieja historia a una nueva dirección. Su "Blues in the Night", alargada y llena de blues, hace un uso eficaz del espacio y pone en valor a sus acompañantes. La boyante línea de bajo de Leonhart recuerda al difunto Milt Hinton en la enérgica interpretación de "I Could Have Danced All Night". El intenso trabajo de Charlap en "Blue Skies" es una auténtica lección de historia del jazz, que muestra la influencia de varios pianistas legendarios, al tiempo que consigue un sonido claramente propio. Su enfoque alegre de "My Funny Valentine" es otro ganador; igualmente juguetón es el tratamiento de vals rápido de "Tenderly", acentuado por las pinceladas de Stewart. Uno de los pianistas más prometedores de su generación, este CD de Charlap es muy recomendable.
https://www.allmusic.com/album/tbablues-in-night-mw0000978012

New York Trio • Venus Favourites

 

Biography
by Mark Deming
Also known as the New York Jazz Trio, this combo is a studio-only group who specialize in recording classic standards in a straightforward, post-bop style. The New York Trio features three gifted musicians who are firmly established on the East Coast jazz scene. Pianist Bill Charlap is a member of the Phil Woods Quintet, has accompanied the likes of Tony Bennett, Benny Carter, and Gerry Mulligan, and has recorded a handful of well-received albums for Blue Note as a bandleader. Bassist Jay Leonhart has recorded as a headliner since 1983, while also making a name for himself as a vocalist and songwriter as well as backing up Marian McPartland, Louie Bellson, Lee Konitz, and many others. And drummer Bill Stewart had handled demanding gigs with a variety of musicians, including jazz guitarist John Scofield, funky sax man Maceo Parker and R&B legend James Brown. In 2001, Charlap, Leonhart, and Stewart teamed up in the studio to cut the album Blues in the Night for the Venus Jazz label; featuring leisurely but heartfelt interpretations of eight classic melodies, the album was well-received by fans of classic jazz. Seven similar collections have been recorded by the trio for Japanese jazz labels.
https://www.allmusic.com/artist/new-york-trio-mn0000393325/biography

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Biografía
por Mark Deming
También conocido como New York Jazz Trio, este combo es un grupo de estudio que se especializa en la grabación de estándares clásicos en un estilo directo, post-bop. El New York Trio cuenta con tres músicos de gran talento que están firmemente establecidos en la escena del jazz de la Costa Este. El pianista Bill Charlap es miembro del Phil Woods Quintet, ha acompañado a artistas de la talla de Tony Bennett, Benny Carter y Gerry Mulligan, y ha grabado un puñado de álbumes bien recibidos para Blue Note como director de banda. El bajista Jay Leonhart ha grabado como cabeza de cartel desde 1983, al tiempo que se ha hecho un nombre como vocalista y compositor, además de acompañar a Marian McPartland, Louie Bellson, Lee Konitz y muchos otros. Y el baterista Bill Stewart se encargó de exigentes actuaciones con diversos músicos, como el guitarrista de jazz John Scofield, el saxofonista funky Maceo Parker y la leyenda del R&B James Brown. En 2001, Charlap, Leonhart y Stewart se unieron en el estudio para grabar el álbum Blues in the Night para el sello Venus Jazz; con interpretaciones pausadas pero sentidas de ocho melodías clásicas, el álbum fue bien recibido por los aficionados al jazz clásico. El trío ha grabado siete colecciones similares para sellos japoneses de jazz.
https://www.allmusic.com/artist/new-york-trio-mn0000393325/biography

 

New York Trio • Begin the Beguine

Review by Ken Dryden

The New York Trio consists of pianist Bill Charlap, bassist Jay Leonhart, and drummer Bill Stewart, though it exists solely as a studio band for the Japanese label Venus, as Charlap's regular trio includes Peter Washington and Kenny Washington. Even though this band only meets occasionally in the studio to record yet another release in their prolific series for the Japanese jazz market, there is plenty of chemistry between the three veterans, while the nine songs from the vast Cole Porter songbook were likely to have been a part of each musician's repertoire long before these 2005 sessions. Charlap's lyrical piano style is quite effective, capturing the nuances of Porter's humor (even though none of his lyrics are heard), while the rhythm section gels nicely with the pianist. Highlights include a jaunty "My Heart Belongs to Daddy," a dreamy "Begin the Beguine," and a snappy "From This Moment On."

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Reseña por Ken Dryden

The New York Trio está formado por el pianista Bill Charlap, el bajista Jay Leonhart y el baterista Bill Stewart, aunque existe únicamente como banda de estudio para el sello japonés Venus, ya que el trío regular de Charlap incluye a Peter Washington y Kenny Washington. Aunque esta banda solo se encuentra ocasionalmente en el estudio para grabar otro lanzamiento en su prolífica serie para el mercado japonés de jazz, hay mucha química entre los tres veteranos, mientras que las nueve canciones del extenso cancionero Cole Porter probablemente fueron una parte del repertorio de cada músico mucho antes de estas sesiones de 2005. El estilo de piano lírico de Charlap es bastante efectivo, capturando los matices del humor de Porter (aunque no se escuchan ninguna de sus letras), mientras que la sección rítmica se adapta muy bien con el pianista. Entre los puntos destacados se incluyen "My Heart Belongs to Daddy", un soñado "Begin the Beguine" y un divertido "From This Moment On".

Bill Charlap • I'm Old Fashioned

 

Biography by Matt Collar
A strikingly gifted jazz pianist, Bill Charlap is a swinging and lyrical post-bop improvisor and accompanist, as well as a celebrated interpreter of standards. He debuted in the '90s with Gerry Mulligan and has performed with other jazz icons like Benny Carter, Phil Woods, and Clark Terry. Following a string of well-received albums, he gained wider attention with 1998's All through the Night and 2000's Written in the Stars, both of which featured his long-running trio with bassist Peter Washington and drummer Kenny Washington. He has recorded albums with vocalists, including his mother, singer Sandy Stewart, and won a Grammy for his collaboration with singer Tony Bennett, 2015's Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern. Charlap has released a steady stream of trio albums, including 2017's Grammy-nominated Uptown, Downtown, 2021's Street of Dreams, and 2024's And Then Again.

Born in 1966, Charlap grew up in New York City in a musical household, the son of Broadway songwriter Moose Charlap and singer Sandy Stewart. Taking to the piano at a young age, he went on to study at New York's High School of Performing Arts. He then entered college, but rather than finishing, he opted to practice and play on his own. Pianist Bill Mays soon took up Charlap's cause, recommending the young man as his replacement in the Gerry Mulligan Quartet. During this time, Charlap also worked with Benny Carter, Clark Terry, and Frank Wess, and was a sought-after accompanist for singers such as Tony Bennett, Carol Sloane, and Sheila Jordan. In 1995, he secured one of the most coveted piano chairs in jazz with the Phil Woods Quintet.

All the while, Charlap showed steady development as a leader. His debut came in 1994 with Along with Me, followed by Souvenir in 1995 and Distant Star in 1996. His 1997 release, All Through the Night, was the first to feature his trio with the redoubtable (and unrelated) Washingtons, Peter and Kenny, on bass and drums, respectively. In 2000, this lineup had its major-label breakthrough with the highly acclaimed Blue Note album Written in the Stars.

Two albums appeared in 2001: 2Gether with Warren Vaché and Contrasts with Jon Gordon. 'S Wonderful hit the shelves in 2002, as did Stardust, which was the first of a series of albums that focused on a single composer. Stardust featured the music of Hoagy Carmichael, 2004's Somewhere was a Leonard Bernstein affair, and 2005's Plays George Gershwin featured ten songs by the man Charlap considers "the American soul." Also in 2005, he released an album with his mother, vocalist Sandy Stewart, Love Is Here to Stay. The concert album Live at the Village Vanguard appeared in 2007.

In 2010, Charlap joined pianist Renee Rosnes for the duo effort Double Portrait. Two years later, he reunited with his mother, singer Stewart, for Something to Remember. In 2015, he collaborated with legendary vocalist Tony Bennett for Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern, winning a Grammy in the process for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album. He then returned to his longtime trio with bassist Peter Washington and drummer Kenny Washington for 2017's Uptown, Downtown. More trio albums arrived with 2021's Street of Dreams and 2024's And Then Again, the latter of which captured the group during a live performance at the Village Vanguard.
https://www.allmusic.com/artist/bill-charlap-mn0000763670#biography

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Biografía de Matt Collar
Bill Charlap, un pianista de jazz sorprendentemente talentoso, es un improvisador y acompañante oscilante y lírico post-bop, así como un célebre intérprete de estándares. Debutó en los 90 con Gerry Mulligan y ha actuado con otros íconos del jazz como Benny Carter, Phil Woods y Clark Terry. Después de una serie de álbumes bien recibidos, ganó una mayor atención con All through the Night de 1998 y Written in the Stars de 2000, que presentaban su trío de larga duración con el bajista Peter Washington y el baterista Kenny Washington. Ha grabado álbumes con vocalistas, incluida su madre, la cantante Sandy Stewart, y ganó un Grammy por su colaboración con el cantante Tony Bennett, Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern del 2015. Charlap ha lanzado un flujo constante de álbumes de trío, incluidos Uptown, Downtown, nominados al Grammy en 2017, Street of Dreams en 2021 y And Then Again en 2024.

Nacido en 1966, Charlap creció en la ciudad de Nueva York en un hogar musical, hijo del compositor de Broadway Moose Charlap y la cantante Sandy Stewart. Tocando el piano a una edad temprana, estudió en la Escuela Secundaria de Artes Escénicas de Nueva York. Luego ingresó a la universidad, pero en lugar de terminar, optó por practicar y jugar por su cuenta. El pianista Bill Mays pronto asumió la causa de Charlap y recomendó al joven como su reemplazo en el Cuarteto Gerry Mulligan. Durante este tiempo, Charlap también trabajó con Benny Carter, Clark Terry y Frank Wess, y fue un acompañante codiciado para cantantes como Tony Bennett, Carol Sloane y Sheila Jordan. En 1995, consiguió una de las sillas de piano más codiciadas del jazz con el Quinteto Phil Woods.

Mientras tanto, Charlap mostró un desarrollo constante como líder. Su debut llegó en 1994 con Along with Me, seguido de Souvenir en 1995 y Distant Star en 1996. Su lanzamiento de 1997, All Through the Night, fue el primero en presentar a su trío con los temibles (y no relacionados) Washingtons, Peter y Kenny, en el bajo y la batería, respectivamente. En 2000, esta formación tuvo su gran avance en el sello con el aclamado álbum Blue Note Written in the Stars.

En 2001 aparecieron dos álbumes: 2Gether con Warren Vaché y Contrasts con Jon Gordon. Wonderful llegó a los estantes en 2002, al igual que Stardust, que fue el primero de una serie de álbumes centrados en un solo compositor. Stardust presentó la música de Hoagy Carmichael, Somewhere was a Leonard Bernstein affair de 2004 y Plays George Gershwin de 2005 presentó diez canciones del hombre que Charlap considera "el alma estadounidense. También en 2005, lanzó un álbum con su madre, la vocalista Sandy Stewart, Love Is Here to Stay. El álbum de conciertos Live at the Village Vanguard apareció en 2007.

En 2010, Charlap se unió a la pianista Renee Rosnes para el dúo Double Portrait. Dos años después, se reunió con su madre, la cantante Stewart, para Algo para Recordar. En el 2015, colaboró con el legendario vocalista Tony Bennett para Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern, ganando un Grammy en el proceso al Mejor Álbum Vocal Pop Tradicional. Luego regresó a su trío de toda la vida con el bajista Peter Washington y el baterista Kenny Washington para Uptown, Downtown del 2017. Llegaron más álbumes de trío con Street of Dreams de 2021 y And Then Again de 2024, el último de los cuales capturó al grupo durante una presentación en vivo en Village Vanguard.
https://www.allmusic.com/artist/bill-charlap-mn0000763670#biography

www.billcharlap.com ...

Bill Charlap Trio • 'S Wonderful

 

Review by Ken Dryden
Best known for his work with Gerry Mulligan and later Phil Woods during the 1990s, pianist Bill Charlap was clearly developing rapidly on his own record dates. Beginning with a crisp rendition of "Time After Time," Charlap, with a formidable rhythm section of bassist Peter Washington and drummer Kenny Washington, explores a nice mix of standards and jazz classics. His refreshing approach to "Lover" initially adds a Latin rhythm to the sprightly waltz before launching into overdrive. The less familiar material, including a jaunty take of George & Ira Gershwin's "Boy, What Love Has Done to Me" and a breathtaking solo interpretation of Jimmy Van Heusen's dreamy ballad "Only the Lonely," is equally rewarding. The sound on this studio date is so intimate that it sounds as if the listener is sitting right next to the piano. This exquisitely packaged Japanese release is very highly recommended.
https://www.allmusic.com/album/swonderful-mw0000535278


Biography by David R. Adler
Bill Charlap is one of the strongest mainstream jazz pianists on the scene and one of the most gifted interpreters of standards. He grew up in a musical household, as the son of Broadway songwriter Moose Charlap and singer Sandy Stewart. Taking to the piano at a young age, he went on to study at New York's High School of Performing Arts. He then entered college, but rather than finishing, he opted to practice and play on his own. Pianist Bill Mays soon took up Charlap's cause, recommending the young man as his replacement in the Gerry Mulligan Quartet. During this time, Charlap also worked with Benny Carter, Clark Terry, and Frank Wess, and was sought after as an accompanist for singers such as Tony Bennett, Carol Sloane, and Sheila Jordan. In 1995, he secured one of the most coveted piano chairs in jazz with the Phil Woods Quintet.

All the while, Charlap showed steady development as a leader. His debut came in 1994 with Along with Me, followed by Souvenir in 1995 and Distant Star in 1996. His 1997 release, All Through the Night, was the first to feature his trio with the redoubtable (and unrelated) Washingtons, Peter and Kenny, on bass and drums respectively. In 2000, this lineup had its major-label breakthrough with the highly acclaimed Blue Note disc Written in the Stars. Two albums appeared in 2001: 2Gether with Warren Vaché and Contrasts with Jon Gordon. 'S Wonderful hit the shelves in 2002, as did Stardust, which began a series of albums that focused on a single composer. Stardust featured the music of Hoagy Carmichael, 2004's Somewhere was an all-Leonard Bernstein affair, and 2005's Plays George Gershwin featured ten songs by the man Charlap considers "the American soul." Also in 2005, he released an album with vocalist Sandy Stewart, Love Is Here to Stay. The concert album Live at the Village Vanguard appeared in 2007.

In 2010, Charlap joined pianist Renee Rosnes for the duo effort Double Portrait. Two years later, he reunited with Stewart for Something to Remember. In 2015, he collaborated with legendary vocalist Tony Bennett for Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern, and in 2017 he released Uptown, Downtown with his trio.
https://www.allmusic.com/artist/bill-charlap-mn0000763670/biography

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Reseña de Ken Dryden
Más conocido por su trabajo con Gerry Mulligan y más tarde con Phil Woods durante la década de los 90, el pianista Bill Charlap se desarrolló claramente con rapidez en sus propias fechas de grabación. Comenzando con una nítida interpretación de "Time After Time", Charlap, con una formidable sección rítmica formada por el bajista Peter Washington y el batería Kenny Washington, explora una buena mezcla de estándares y clásicos del jazz. Su refrescante enfoque de "Lover" añade inicialmente un ritmo latino al ágil vals antes de lanzarse a la acción. El material menos conocido, incluyendo una alegre versión de "Boy, What Love Has Done to Me" de George & Ira Gershwin y una impresionante interpretación en solitario de la balada de ensueño "Only the Lonely" de Jimmy Van Heusen, es igualmente gratificante. El sonido en esta fecha de estudio es tan íntimo que parece que el oyente está sentado justo al lado del piano. Esta edición japonesa exquisitamente empaquetada es muy recomendable.
https://www.allmusic.com/album/swonderful-mw0000535278


Biografía de David R. Adler
Bill Charlap es uno de los pianistas de jazz más sólidos de la escena y uno de los más dotados intérpretes de estándares. Creció en un hogar musical, como hijo del compositor de Broadway Moose Charlap y la cantante Sandy Stewart. Se aficionó al piano desde muy joven y estudió en la High School of Performing Arts de Nueva York. Después entró en la universidad, pero en lugar de terminar, optó por practicar y tocar por su cuenta. El pianista Bill Mays no tardó en apoyar la causa de Charlap, recomendando al joven como su sustituto en el Gerry Mulligan Quartet. Durante esta época, Charlap también trabajó con Benny Carter, Clark Terry y Frank Wess, y fue solicitado como acompañante de cantantes como Tony Bennett, Carol Sloane y Sheila Jordan. En 1995, consiguió una de las sillas de piano más codiciadas del jazz con el Phil Woods Quintet.

Al mismo tiempo, Charlap mostró un desarrollo constante como líder. Su debut se produjo en 1994 con Along with Me, seguido de Souvenir en 1995 y Distant Star en 1996. Su álbum de 1997, All Through the Night, fue el primero en el que apareció su trío, con los inestimables (y no relacionados) Washington, Peter y Kenny, al bajo y a la batería respectivamente. En el año 2000, esta formación dio su salto a los grandes sellos con el aclamado disco de Blue Note Written in the Stars. En 2001 aparecieron dos álbumes: 2Gether con Warren Vaché y Contrasts con Jon Gordon. 'S Wonderful llegó a las estanterías en 2002, al igual que Stardust, que inició una serie de álbumes centrados en un solo compositor. Stardust presentaba la música de Hoagy Carmichael, Somewhere, de 2004, era un asunto totalmente de Leonard Bernstein, y Plays George Gershwin, de 2005, presentaba diez canciones del hombre que Charlap considera "el alma americana". También en 2005, publicó un álbum con la vocalista Sandy Stewart, Love Is Here to Stay. El álbum de conciertos Live at the Village Vanguard apareció en 2007.

En 2010, Charlap se unió a la pianista Renee Rosnes para el dúo Double Portrait. Dos años después, se reunió con Stewart para Something to Remember. En 2015, colaboró con el legendario vocalista Tony Bennett para Silver Lining: The Songs of Jerome Kern, y en 2017 publicó Uptown, Downtown con su trío.
https://www.allmusic.com/artist/bill-charlap-mn0000763670/biography


www.billcharlap.com ...

Phil Woods • Ballads & Blues

 

www.philwoods.com ...

Phil Woods • Chasin' The Bird

 

www.philwoods.com ...

 

VA • The Very Best Of Piano Jazz

 

Bill Evans,McCoy Tyner,Herbie Hancock,Ahmad Jamal,Thelonious Monk,Horace Silver,Bud Powell,Oscar Peterson,Cannonball Adderley,Chick Corea,Bill Charlap,Vince Guaraldi,Wynton Kelly ...

Scott Hamilton • Back In New York

Review by Matt Collar

Journeyman tenor saxophonist Scott Hamilton keeps things light and swinging on Back in New York. Bringing to mind a mix of Dexter Gordon and Ben Webster, Hamilton has always displayed an unerring classicist aesthetic, and this album is no exception. Featuring the deft rhythm section of pianist Bill Charlap, bassist Peter Washington, and drummer Kenny Washington, Back in New York is a template for what solid modern mainstream jazz should sound like. To these ends, Hamilton kicks things into gear with a sprightly take on "What Is This Thing Called Love," nudges his way through a tasty samba version of "Love Letters," and keeps thing warm and fuzzy on "This Is Always." https://www.allmusic.com/album/back-in-new-york-mw0000672219

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Traducción Automática:
Revisión por Matt Collar

El saxofonista tenor Scott Hamilton mantiene las cosas ligeras y en movimiento en Back in New York. Recordando una mezcla de Dexter Gordon y Ben Webster, Hamilton siempre ha mostrado una estética clasicista infalible, y este álbum no es una excepción. Con la sección de ritmo hábil del pianista Bill Charlap, el bajista Peter Washington y el baterista Kenny Washington, Back in New York es una plantilla de cómo debe sonar el sólido mainstream de jazz moderno. Para estos fines, Hamilton se inicia cosas en marcha con una toma alegre en "¿Qué es esta cosa llamada Love", codazos su camino a través de una versión de samba sabrosa de "Cartas de Amor", y mantiene cosa cálida y difusa en "Esto es siempre." https://www.allmusic.com/album/back-in-new-york-mw0000672219

www.scotthamiltonsax.com ...