ARKADIA JAZZ ALL-STARS: The Stars of Jazz #2

In this album, “Arkadia Jazz All-Stars: The Stars Of Jazz Volume 2”, Arkadia and Postcards Records strive to show the evolution of the Jazz standard, but also add in some new additions as well to showcase the depth and range of the Jazz repertoire. Assembled from original recordings by Arkadia Jazz’s most preeminent artists, who have all helped to create and expand the Jazz repertoire, this collection of songs serve as an introduction to our artist’s unique musical visions and legacy.

““…A most savory and consumer-friendly clutch of fresh compilations. …a top-of-the-ladder cast… …rewarding jazz without compromise.” – Dr. Herb Wong, Jazz Educators Journal

Although the repertoire of Jazz may ostensibly seem to stay the same, in reality it is constantly evolving. The original recordings of Jazz standards sound very different then recent versions, as the Jazz narrative continues to expand while musical and cultural influences leave their enduring mark on the it’s sound.

Musical Selections:

1. Benny Golson and friends, including the late Nat Adderley, show their funky side in a greasy version of “Moanin”.
2. The lush “I Want To Talk About You” features the rich saxophone of Gary Bartz.
3. “My Favorite Things” is pulled into standard 4/5 time by Dave Liebman in a Grammy Nominated performance.
4. New additions to the jazz jazz heritage can be seen in the recent focus of Joni Mitchell, with the cool neon buzz of Lew Tabackin’s tenor sax in “Blue Motel Room”.
5. Joanne Brackeen’s version of “Tico Tico” goes a step further, from standard time into 5/4. Try dancing to that.
6. The pathos of “My Funny Valentine” is magnified by Randy Brecker’s heartbreaking solo, which earned a Grammy Nomination as well.
7. “Joy Spring” is reworked into a solo piano masterpiece by the incomparable Billy Taylor.
8. Alan Pasqua and Bob Mintzer. Contribute two bop originals, the rollicking “The Law of Diminishing Returns” and “Six Gun”.
9. And of course, “Out of Nowhere” features the legendary Coleman Hawkins and Benny Carter with the gypsy master Django Reinhardt, recorded over 80 years ago.

The “Arkadia Jazz All-Stars: The Stars Of Jazz Volume 2”, is an extraordinary musical experience, proving that while Jazz often remembers the Standards, it is truly a living, evolving art form today.

Song Selection:

1. Moanin’	Bobby Timmons	Benny Golson: Tenor sax; Nat Adderley: Trumpet; Monty Alexander: Piano; Ray Drummond: Bass; Marvin “Smitty” Smith: Drums	7:59
2. I Want To Talk About You	Billy Eckstine	Chip White: Drums; Gary Bartz: Alto sax; Steve Nelson: Vibes; Buster Williams: Bass	7:21
3. My Favorite Things*	Rodgers and Hammerstein	David Liebman: Soprano sax; Vic Juris: Guitar; Tony Marino: Bass; Jamey Haddad: Drums	5:14
4. Blue Motel Room	Joni Mitchell	Lew Tabackin: Tenor sax; David Lahm: Piano; William Galison: Harmonica; Kenny Washington: Drums	7:19
5. Tico Tico	Arreu/Marcotte	Joanne Brackeen: Piano; John Patitucci: Bass; Moracio “El Negro” Hernandez: Drums	5:15
6. My Funny Valentine*	Rodgers and Hart	Randy Brecker: Trumpet; Ted Rosenthal: Piano; Dean Johnson: Bass; Ron Vincent: Drums	8:37
7. Joy Spring	Clifford Brown	Billy Taylor: Piano	5:30
8. Six Gun	Bob Mintzer	Steve Kuhn: Piano; Bob Mintzer: Tenor sax; George Mraz: Bass; Al Foster: Drums	4:57
9. The Law of Diminishing Returns	Alan Pasqua	Alan Pasqua: Piano; Michael Brecker: Tenor sax; Jack DeJohnette: Drums; Dave Holland: Bass	5:55
10. Out of Nowhere	J. Green and E. Heyman	Django Reinhardt: Guitar; Coleman Hawkins: Tenor sax; Benny Carter: Alto sax; Stephane Grapelli: Piano	3:18

* Grammy nominated.

Produced by: Bob Karcy
Total Time: 62 minutes

About The Arkadia Jazz All-Stars:

The Arkadia Jazz All-Stars is a group established in 1996 as the brainchild of Bob Karcy, Producer, musician, Founder and CEO of Arkadia Records. Karcy’s original goal was to harness the creative brilliance of the Artists who recorded on its Arkadia Records labels, along with select guest musicians representing some of Jazz’s biggest stars, to create an unparalleled series of newly recorded, thematically unified studio albums. So far, ten albums have been recorded and three more are in production.

These Arkadia Jazz All-Stars releases have been honored with three Grammy Award Nominations.

---

The “Thank You” Series – Tributes to the most revered artists in the history of Jazz:

The first “Thank You” Series was created to honor the memory and the lasting legacy of many of the greatest and most esteemed artists in the history of Jazz.

The initial album in the “Thank You” series is entitled “Arkadia Jazz All-Stars: Thank You, John! – Our Tribute to John Coltrane” (Grammy Nominated for “My Favorite Things” by David Liebman).

This was followed by “Arkadia Jazz All-Stars: Thank you. Duke! – Our tribute to Duke Ellington”.

The Lead All-Star Members of these two albums are: Benny Golson, Billy Taylor, T.K. Blue, Joanne Brackeen, Nova Bossa Nova, and Joris Teepe.

The Supporting Members performing with them are: Mulgrew Miller, Buster Williams, Carl Allen, Eric Reed, Rodney Whitaker, Mike LeDonne, Vic Juris, Steve Nelson, Terrell Stafford, Ira Coleman, and Horacio “El Negro” Hernandez.

Appearing as Special Guests are: Randy Weston, Don Braden, Chris Potter, Claudio Roditi, Bob Mintzer, David Hazeltine, Bruce Cox, and Harold Land.

Next on the agenda were new tribute albums to Joe Henderson (“Thank You, Joe! – Our Tribute to Joe Henderson”) and Gerry Mulligan (“Thank You, Gerry! – Our Tribute to Gerry Mulligan”). For “Thank You Joe!”, Karcy and Musical Directors Eric Reed and Carl Allen put together an ensemble including Randy Brecker, Terrell Stafford, Steve Nelson, Rodney Whitaker with special guest, Joanne Brackeen.

For “Thank You, Gerry!” (Grammy Nominated for “My Funny Valentine” by Randy Brecker), Karcy and Musical Director, Ted Rosenthal enlisted jazz legends Lee Konitz, Bob Brookmeyer, Randy Brecker, with Javon Jackson, Dean Johnson and Ron Vincent, all of whom performed with Gerry Mulligan’s band.

---

Thematic Albums:

The next series of albums were conceived as thematically-driven group collections of outstanding singles, representing the best-of-our-best.

The first two albums, “Arkadia Jazz All-Stars: The Stars of Jazz #1” (Grammy Nominated for “Body and Soul” by Branford Marsalis) and “Arkadia Jazz All-Stars: The Stars of Jazz #2” (Grammy Nominated for “My Favorite Things” by David Liebman), present the most highly recognized artists, including Joanne Brackeen, Michael Brecker, Randy Brecker, Benny Golson, Lee Konitz, Branford Marsalis, Billy Taylor, Randy Weston, Gary Bartz, and Nat Adderley.

The “Arkadia Jazz All-Stars: The New Young Lions of Jazz” showcases the next generation of rising stars on the Jazz horizon, including James Carter, Don Braden, Chris Potter, Javon Jackson, Ravi Coltrane, Eric Reed, Stefon Harris, Nicholas Payton, Steve Turre, and Kurt Elling.

The “Arkadia Jazz All-Stars: Out and Out Jazz” captures inventive performances on the cutting edge of modern and free jazz, both fully composed and improvised. This album showcases John Abercrombie, Paul Bley, Joanne Brackeen, John Clark, Andrew Hill, David Liebman, Pat Metheny, Nicholas Payton, Gary Peacock, Sam Rivers, and Reggie Workman.

Everyone has known love, and that emotion is beautifully expressed in “Arkadia Jazz All-Stars: It’s About Love”, a new album of heartfelt romantic ballads, performed by Benny Golson, Nigel Clark, Joanne Brackeen, T.K. Blue, Mary Pearson, Billy Taylor, Kenny Drew, Jr., Eric Reed. It includes the stunning Grammy Nominated “My Funny Valentine” by Randy Brecker.

---

Arkadia Records continues to create new releases from the Arkadia Jazz All-Stars. Albums currently in production are tributes to Thelonious Monk (“Thank You, Thelonious!”) and Miles Davis (“Thank You, Miles!”), as well a suite of lively standards and compelling original songs for the holiday season.

---

Bob Karcy’s ultimate aim is that the Arkadia Jazz All-Stars will emerge as an artistically successful recording group in its own right. In addition to creating new, exciting and stellar music, the All-Stars will showcase the Artists on Arkadia Records, creating greater awareness and recognition of their talent, and helping them reach a new generation of listeners far beyond their core fans.