The Sunday Jazz Brunch Presents

Hot Off The Press

Air Date: 1/28/2024 on 90.5 WICN 8am-12pm ET

Check out the new material that has come into the WICN studios. You'll hear these artists during Sunday's show. Don't forget, if you miss the show you can still listen from our archives for up to two weeks.

Marshall Gilkes with WDR Big Band 

Marshall Gilkes
He's a composer-arranger-conductor-trombonist. Formerly a member of the renowned WDR Big Band, he is now on his own, recording critically-acclaimed works. 

With this release he is reunited with his former band for the third time since his departure. The two earlier collaborations netted a couple of Grammy nominations. 

Gilkes noticed a commonality across his compositions on this release. 

“I realized that a lot of the themes for these pieces relate directly to life and what’s going on in the world these days,” he says. 

Decide for yourself as we open the show with a track from this fine CD.

Adam Palma with Polish Orchestra

Acoustic guitarist Adam Palma joins The Chamber Orchestra of Polish Radio AMADEUS, led by conductor Agnieszka Duczmal, who received a BBC Music Magazine Award in 2023. 

Adam Palma with the Polish Orchestra
Mr. Palma's life took a serious turn when he became quite ill. He says that “Emerging from Covid and 44 days of induced coma in 2020, I had to rebuild myself both physically and mentally. The doctors said I might not be able to regain the strength in my fingers and muscles after the coma.”  

Listen during the first hour to see how well he has come back!

Sara Caswell

Grammy-nominated violinist and composer Sara Caswell's previous CD was released nineteen years ago. Prior to The Way To You, her two releases include First Song (2000) and But Beautiful (2005).

Sara Caswell, photo by Sherwin Lainez
“I'm drawn to melody,” Caswell states. “I look for songs that have a beautiful lyrical line and harmonies that take you to surprising but organic places. As a group we can find beauty in the  intricacies of a song, but also the freedom and simplicity of a moment. We’re able to dance with the repertoire we choose and freely communicate with each other."

The album’s title is a slight variation on Michel Legrand’s On My Way To You, the ballad performed on this CD. On Sunday's show you'll hear another ballad, an original titled Stillness. 

Peter Erskine with the JAM Music Lab All-Stars

Artists at Vienna’s JAM Music Lab University found inspiration in the music of Leonard Bernstein, as have so many of us!  Drummer Peter Erskine was a visiting artist at the university in 2021, and the school asked him to direct the project that is the basis of the new release, Bernstein in Vienna.  

The mission of JAM is to educate and nurture jazz’s next generation of jazz artists. You may have noticed that there are a ton of great young artists these days - I can name quite a few, including students of Mr. Erskine such as drummer Marcello Carelli, who snagged a spot on my Best of 2022 list.

Jennifer Wharton's Bonegasm

If you dig bass trombone and derive pleasure from listening to jazz that features the instrument, then Bonegasm is for you! 

Leader of the group and bass trombonist Jennifer Wharton had read an article in Forbes magazine that proposed two characteristics women need most to thrive in the business world: “grit and grace.” Hence the title of the new CD.

Jennifer Wharton's Bonegasm by John Abbott
“That Forbes article really resonated with me,” Wharton says. 

“Here I am, a woman playing a ‘man’s instrument’ in jazz, which I started relatively late. I was looking for a way to make music mean more to me, so when I discovered I could have something of my own it changed my whole outlook on music. I just decided to put on my big girl pants and do this.”

Several women composers were commissioned to write for the album: Vanessa Perica, Miho Hazama, Carolina Calvache, Natalie Cressman and Nadje Noordhuis, as well as Wharton herself.

“Dare I say, ‘I'm a feminist’?” asks Wharton. “I didn't have any female role models coming up, so I'm trying to encourage young women. Then I looked at my band and realized it's me and a bunch of dudes – just like most other bands I'm in – so I decided the answer was to commission only female composers for the third album.”

Margo Sergent

Margo Sergent
How often to you come across a bilingual French-born jazz singer who doubles on harp? Well, we have her right here on the Sunday Jazz Brunch!

Earlier in her career, her passion pointed her towards French cabaret after she was asked several times to perform La vie en rose. She came to like the music of Edith Piaf very much, and she looks to bring the energy and attitude of Ms. Piaf into her own music.

For today's treat, Margo Sergent sings in both English and French on Charles Trenet's well known ballad, Que reste-t-il de nos amours (“I Wish You Love”.) She performs it here in a lilting, easy swing style.

If I may use the title of another French song, C'est Si Bon! 

Best,

Marty

 

HOUR ONE: Contemplative Morning

Marshall Gilkes\LifeSongs with WDR Big Band 2024\This Nearly Was Mine
Dave Barber\DB & the Soho Nine-Six 2024\Bella Notte
Stella Bass\Look for the Silver Lining 2024\04 All The Colours Of My Love
Mark Winkler\The Rules Don't Apply 2023\Jazz Swings

Leslie Pintchik-You Eat My Food, You Drink My Wine, You Steal My Girl! 2018-08 A Simpler Time
Sara Caswell\The Way To You 2023\Stillness
Adam Palma with Polish Orchestra\Second Life 2023\Babcia _ Grandma
Alan Pasqua\Day Dream 2020\10 When I Grow Too Old To Dream

Fahir Atakoğlu-For Love 2020-08 Glow With The Flow - Duet
Paul Colombo Group-Rio Crystal 2021-04 Lovesick
Zoe Carter-Fitzgerald-Waterlines 2021-06 These Words
Al Jarreau\Live with Metropole Orchestra 2014\Flame

HOUR TWO: New For You

Peter Erskine\Bernstein in Vienna 2024\Some Other Time
Benny Benack III\Third Time's The Charm 2023\Roylike
Jun Iida\Evergreen 2024\Love Theme from Spartacus
Robin McKelle\Impressions of Ella 2023\Robbin's Nest

Noah Becker\Mode for Noah 2024\Meeting Place
Michael Ragonese-Stracci 2023-07 I'll be Seeing You
Atlantic Road Trip-One 2023-08 White Cart Water (Cathcart - White Cart Water) feat Miro Herak, an acclaimed vibraphonist and composer,indigenous folk music from Scotland, Ireland, and Slovakia
Robin McKelle\Impressions of Ella 2023\My One and Only

John Lang-Earotica 2023-09 Schoolin'  ....bass cellar live Cory Weeds
Sofia Rubina-I am Soul 2023-01 Home
Jennifer Wharton's Bonegasm\Grit and Grace 2023\07 Menina Sozinha

HOUR THREE: Brazil/World

Diego Figueiredo\My World 2023\Regards From Bahia
Mafalda Minnozzi\Natural Impression 2023\13 Só Tinha Que Ser Com Você
Roberto Menescal-Nos Eo Mar 2023-04 Bye Bye Brasil
Antonio Adolfo-Chora Baião 2011-05 A Ostra E O Vento [The Oyster And The Wind]

Gaea Schell\In Your Own Sweet Way 2023\Luna Plateada
Margo Sergent-Douce\France Sweet France 2023 - 04 I Wish You Love
Andrea Bocelli-Amore-05 Somos Novios (It's Impossible) (duet w,Christina Aquilera) 2006
Eliane Elias-Quietude 2022-08 Bolinha De Papel (Little Paper Ball)

Chris Walden-Full-On!-09 Arturo 2014
Arturo Sandoval-Rhythm and Soul 2022-05 View from Corcovado
Arturo Sandoval-Rhythm and Soul 2022-01 gUARACHANDO
Carol Bach-Y-Rita-Minha Casa , My House-11 While My Lady Sleeps 2016

HOUR FOUR: Groove, Baby

Kayla Waters\Presence 2023\Abundance
Kim Waters-That Special Touch 2022-04 That Special Touch
Maysa ,-Motions Of Love-02 Come Dance With Me 2011
Michael Franks-03 Summer in New York (2011)

Lee Ritenour & Larry Carlton-Larry & Lee-02 Low Steppin' 1995
Incognito-Into You 2023-09 Come to Me
Jocelyn Gould-Sonic Bouquet 2023-08 Is That So
Dare to Love-Mercedes Nicole 2023-05 Too Young to Go Steady

Leon Neal-We Dance At Midnight-05 I Can't Help It 2018
Lizz Wright-Salt-02 Salt 2003
Lindsey Webster\Reasons 2022\Wish You Well
Leslie Odom Jr.-Mr-Stronger Magic 2019

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