Brian Lynch Afro Cuban Jazz Orchestra – Bolero Nights (for Billie Holiday)

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Billie Holiday, Brian Lynch, Flügelhorn, Latin Music, Trumpet

Brian Lynch Afro Cuban Jazz Orchestra | Bolero Nights (for Billie Holiday) – [Venus Records – Japan 2009]

Brian Lynch - Bolero Nights

For a fleeting moment -just one fleeting moment- it appears to be a bit of a stretch putting “bolero” and Billie Holiday together. There appears to be a tad too much “bolero” and not enough “Holiday” on Brian Lynch’s Bolero Nights (Venus Records – Japan 2009). Soon, however, the plaintive wail of Lynch’s trumpet and moan of his flugelhorn and the moody arrangements of “Afinque” start to tie “bolero” and Billie Holiday rather tightly together. Although the music is by no means ponderous and depressing to listen to, there is an elemental sadness to it. This is a masterstroke on the part of Lynch because Billie Holiday embodied something similar as she sang her heart out on so many classics. Mercifully, Lynch also avoids the obvious ones. However, he is masterful in mimicing the voice of the great chanteuse with long “blue” notes -especially in the first chorus of “La Sitiera,” when Lynch draws them out in his inimitable manner with dynamic expression.

Only some of Ellington’s great trumpeters were known to have done this with untouchable effect, and trumpeters such as Larry Cramer and Reynaldo Melian. –Reviewed by Raul de Gamma (Read the full review)

For more info about the incredible Brain Lynch please visit www.BrianLynchJazz.com ….

..:: Source: LatinJazzNet.com ::..

Esbjörn Svensson Trio | Plays Monk

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Esbjorn Svensson Trio, Jazz, Post-bop

Esbjörn Svensson Trio | Plays Monk – [Diesel Music, 2007]

Until the untimely recent death of pianist/namesake Esbjorn Svensson in a scuba diving accident, the Esbjorn Svensson Trio was known to its fans for its imaginative compositions and virtuoso execution. On this remarkable early effort, the Trio tackles the music of legendary jazz man Thelonious Monk with an alacrity that belies the difficulty of the music and manages to imbue it with a touch that makes the music their own.

I lay no claim to being an expert on Monk’s music, but I have heard most of these tunes before and can tell you that you will likely be pleasantly stunned on hearing the Trio’s renditions.