Description
Title: Great Duets
Artist: Jay Leonhart
Label: Chiaroscuro Records
Product Type: COMPACT DISCS
UPC: 091454035328
Genre: Jazz
Release Date: 1999-05-18
Number of Discs: 1
In October and November 1996, Jay Leonhart spent two weeks aboard the SS Norway, where he sailed around different parts of the Caribbean and was a prominent performer for the ship”s “”jazz cruise.”” During those two weeks, the acoustic bassist kept busy playing duets with Dave Frishberg and being part of the group New York Swing. Great Duets, however, doesn”t focus on either of those activities, but rather, documents a series of intimate duets Leonhart performed with various pianists and guitarists. Embracing mostly bop, Leonhart is in good form on duets with guitarists Bucky Pizzarelli and Gene Bertoncini as well as pianists ranging from Mike LeDonne and Bill Charlap to John Bunch, Norman Simmons and Richard Wyands. The only vocal comes when Leonhart teams up with Joe Williams on the blues “”5 O”Clock in the Morning,”” which was recorded when the singer was 77. Sadly, Williams” voice had declined considerably, and it”s painfully obvious that he was way past his prime. But apart from Williams” weak performance, this is an enjoyable CD that Leonhart can be proud of.
Tracks:
1.1 Confirmation (Parker) – Parker/Bill Charlap
1.2 Stella By Starlight – Washington-Young/Gene Bertoncini
1.3 Body and Soul – Heyman-Sour-Eyton-Green/Bill Charlap
1.4 5:00 in the Morning – Leonhart-Williams/Joe Williams
1.5 It”s a Wonderful World – Adamson-Watson-Savit/Junior Mance/Gene Bertoncini
1.6 My Romance – Rodgers-Hart/Mike Ledonne
1.7 Chelsea Bridge – Strayhorn/Bucky Pizzarelli
1.8 Ellington 66 – Ellington/John Bunch
1.9 If Dreams Come True – Mills-Sampson-Goodman/Eddie Higgins
1.10 Everythiing Happens to Me – Adair-Dennis/Norman Simmons
1.11 What Am I Here For? – Ellington/Richard Wyands
1.12 Cruise Blues – Leonhart-Ledonne/Mike Ledonne
Audio Sample:
All soundclips are provided by Tidal and are for illustrative purposes only. For some releases, the tracks listed may not accurately represent the tracks on the physical release.
