Marvin Stamm: Mistery Man (1993)

Marvin Stamm (born May 23, 1939, Memphis, Tennessee) is an American bebop trumpeter.

Stamm began on trumpet at age 12, and attended college at North Texas State University where he was a member of the world renowned One O'Clock Lab Band. Following this he played with Stan Kenton's Mellophonium Orchestra from 1961 to 1963, and with Woody Herman from 1965 to 1966. Following this he was in the Thad Jones and Mel Lewis Orchestra from 1966 to 1972, and with Benny Goodman from 1974 to 1975. In the 1970s he also began a decades-long career as a prolific studio and session musician. In the studio he has recorded with Average White Band, Bill Evans, Quincy Jones, Donald Fagen, Oliver Nelson, Duke Pearson, Wes Montgomery, Freddie Hubbard, Stanley Turrentine, Grover Washington, Jr., Patrick Williams, Michel Legrand, Lena Horne, Frank Foster, Paul Desmond, and George Benson.

In the 1980s he played with John Lewis' American Jazz Orchestra, the Bob Mintzer Band, the George Gruntz Concert Jazz Band (1987), Louie Bellson's Big Band and the band of composer Maria Schneider.

Tracklist
01. Mark Time
02. Influence
03. Marionette
04. Man With the Cucumber
05. Re-Re
06. Giuseppe
07. Old Ballad
08. The Mystery Man
09. A Method to the Madness
10. My Funny Valentine
Mystery Man
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Billy Cobham: Drum 'n' Voice 3 (2009)

Chaka Khan and Gino Vannelli are amongst the super guests of the long awaited album "Drum'n'Voice Volume 3" by world-class jazz/fusion drummer Billy Cobham. Produced between Milan and legendary Capitol Studios in Los Angeles by Nicolosi Productions, (also known as the breakthru group "Novecento"), this new album contains stunning performances from legendary artists such as George Duke, Alex Acuna, John Scofield, Brian Auger, Bob Mintzer and Novecento itself. Once more Cobham delivers an amazing creativity and listening experience that unveils its unique style in playing drums and percussions. at the beginning of 2010 "Drum'n'Voice Live Tour" will see the light with part of the artists performing. The album will be available soon for digital downloads across all the main online retailers.

Tracklist:
01 - Electric Man (Feat. Brian Auger)
02 - Alive (Feat. Chaka Khan)
03 - Roller (George Duke, Bob Mintzer)
04 - We The People (Feat. Gino Vannelli, Alex Acuna)
05 - Destiny (John Scofield, Brian Auger, Alex Acuma)
06 - I'd Like To Change (Feat. Novecento)
07 - Dreamer (Feat. Bob Mintzer)
08 - Route (Feat. Novecento)
09 - Stratus (Feat. Bob Mintzer, Novecento)
Drum n Voice vol. 3
Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 (RS)

Bob Mintzer Big Band: Latin from Manhattan (1998)

Bob Mintzer has a wonderful sense of a big band as a living, breathing entity. He knows how to make it feel good, how to arouse, to tickle, and when to let it go. All of this and more comes through in this set focused on the leader's gleanings from 25 years of working in and around the Latin music scene in New York. Plenty picante, no heartburn: a highly satisfying musical meal.

Tracklist:

1. Oye Como Va

2. Caborojeno

3. Acha
4. Ellis Island
5. Carla
6. New Rochelle
7. Chant
8. San Juan Shuffle
9. New Mambo
10. Mambone
Latin from Manhattan
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Bob Mintzer Big Band: Swing Out (2008)

As well as being part of the contemporary jazz band The Yellowjackets, Bob Mintzer has led big band recording sessions for at least six CDs. Bob plays tenor sax and flute on his new Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild (who donate a portion of their sales to preserve, present and promote jazz) CD, Swing Out. Bob also wrote all but three of the compositions on this CD and did all the arrangements. Solos are spread out liberally, with Mintzer and pianist Phil Markowitz, however, getting the lions' share.

Mintzer has firm command of the tenor as evidenced on the title track. Jim Rotondi, from One for All, also has a warm solo on this track, and Phil Markowitz shines during his choruses. Scott Wendholt, a vastly underrated trumpeter, is the featured soloist on Something Else, Swangalang, and Freedom Song.

Each Day provides Bob Malach room to swing, and Keith O’Quinn (a new name to me), blows a mean trombone here as well. Minuano, written by Pat Metheny, Lyle Mays, and Kurt Elling, is the one vocal track, and Elling makes the most of his big band moment.

The other non-Mintzer compositions are the Arlen/Mercer standard My Shining Hour, where the ensemble horns back trombonist Michael Davis, and Someday My Prince Will Come, which was made most famous by Miles Davis. Bob Milikan gets trumpet duties on this track, and Mintzer again shows he is in charge with his tenor solo.

Swing Out breaks no new ground, but in this tight economic market with few new big band releases, Mintzer’s CD is pleasant listening, with good arrangements and a well- prepared big band.

Tracklist: Swing Out, Each Day, Something Else, Swangalang, Beyond the Limit, Minuano, My Shining Hour, Freedom Song, Someday My Prince Will Come

Personnel: Bob Mintzer, tenor sax & flute; Peter Yellin, alto sax & flute; Bob Malach, tenor sax & clarinet; Scott Wendholt, trumpet; Frank Greene, trumpet; Jim Rotondi, trumpet; Phil Markowitz, piano; Jay Anderson, bass; John Riley, drums

Buy at Amazon Swing Out
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Yellowjackets: Blue Hats (1997)

As they continue to evolve, the Yellowjackets have gradually gone from being an R&B-oriented fusion band to a more acoustic group that emphasizes fairly straight-ahead improvisations. Although this CD has nine originals by bandmembers and some electronics are utilized (primarily by keyboardist Russell Ferrante for color), much of the music would satisfy even hard bop listeners. Bob Mintzer's many solos on tenor, soprano, bass clarinet and EWI are excellent, but it is the tightness of the rhythm section (which also includes bassist Jimmy Haslip and drummer William Kennedy) that continues to give the Yellowjackets their own original sound. -- AMG

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Blue Hats (RS) / Blue Hats (HF) / Blue Hats (DF) @ 320K

Yellowjackets: Lifecycle (2008)

"Lifecycle" is, in some respects, two albums in one. Seven of the ten tracks are quintet pieces featuring guitarist Mike Stern and the Jackets, while the remaining three are quartet pieces that showcase the individual and collective talents of the current Yellowjackets lineup: keyboardist Russell Ferrante, saxophonist Bob Mintzer, bassist Jimmy Haslip and drummer Marcus Baylor. Whatever the combinations and permutations, it's all good. Mintzer contributes three tracks: the energetic opener, "Falken's Maze," the rhythmically complex "Yahoo," and the easygoing "I Wonder."

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Lifecycle (RS) / Lifecycle (DF) @ 320K

Don Grolnick: Weaver of Dreams (1990)

Don Grolnick was a busy session pianist/keyboardist who played on many kinds of dates, including jazz fusion and pop. But for a brief period in the late 1980s and early '90s, he detoured into playing post-bop. Weaver of Dreams was the first of his two CDs for Blue Note, featuring an all-star septet including the Brecker Brothers, Bob Mintzer, Dave Holland, Peter Erskine, and Barry Rogers. His intricate opener, "Nothing Personal," suggests the influence of George Russell, with its rapid-fire lines and unpredictable accents on trumpet and bass clarinet, along with the composer's tasty solo. There's a bit of reverb added to the unified trumpet and tenor sax in his "Or Come Fog," which touches briefly on its source, "Come Rain or Come Shine." Mintzer's wild bass clarinet is a highlight of the brisk setting of the standard "I Want to Be Happy," while the foot-patting treatment of "Weaver of Dreams" is a feature for the rhythm section alone. Weaver of Dreams lapsed from print, only to briefly reappear in a short-lived two-CD reissue. This is easily the finest recording led by Don Grolnick, who passed away in 1996.

Musicians:

Don Grolnick : piano

Michael Brecker : tenor saxophone

Randy Brecker : trumpet
Bob Mintzer : bass clarinet
Barry Rogers : trombone
Dave Holland : bass
Peter Erskine : drums
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Weaver of Dreams