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| John Stein and Ron Gill presents a double CD release party. What a night of music! Released on January 12 "Raising the Roof" has already climbed to #2 on Jazz Radio Chart and it's on the move. The second release "Turn Up the Quiet" due out in May features the duo with pianist Gilad Barkan who will join them onstage at Scullers in a piano/bass/vocal trio. Later in the evening John's quartet consisting of Gilad on piano, Keala Kaumeheiwa on bass and Luther Gray on drums will take the stage to play selections from John's quartet recording. One of the hallmarks of a great jazz artist is versatility. Guitarist and bandleader John Stein is as agile and colorful as it gets, and he simply outdoes himself with each passing effort. Raising The Roof, his latest, is without a doubt, Stein's most vibrant effort yet, boasting passion, intensity, and a lot of exhilarating musicianship. It features the same band members that worked with Stein on Encounterpoint, his successful and acclaimed 2008 release, including Koichi Sato on piano and keyboards from Japan; John Lockwood on bass from South Africa; and Zé Eduardo Nazario on drums from Brasil. This internationalism has been another of Stein's distinctive signatures. Sato's sensitive accompaniment and virtuosic soloing adds richness and texture to Stein's compositions. His development, from recent Berklee grad to seasoned jazzer, has been one of the keys to Stein's success. The same can be said of experienced bassist Lockwood, who demonstrates terrific versatility on the record as both a soloist and a member of the rhythm section with drummer Nazario. We heartily agree with liner note writer Ed Hazell who says Nazario "is a virtuoso, of course, but he's never just about technique, there's a real depth of feeling in his playing." Passion and credibility suffuses the work on Raising The Roof. From the opening notes on Horace Silver's "Nica's Dream" to the closing whistle, "Falling in Love with Love, " the recording features nine substantial musical statements - two of them originals - all evidence that Stein is one of the premier jazz artists. Other highlights include Antonio Carlos Jobim's intoxicating "Vivo Sonhando, " an inspired choice, but logical considering Stein's love of Brazilian jazz, and Bobby Timmons' "Moanin', " featuring Nazario's unique and powerful rhythm arrangement. Nazario truly shines on Stein's original, "Elvin!", dedicated to Elvin Jones. Sato blazes unbelievable and unique paths for himself on "Elvin, " and lovingly introduces "A Child Is Born, " while Lockwood digs into incredibly melodic note choices and invents a bass part for "Invitation" that is one of the album's highlights . Stein, an internationally renowned jazz guitarist born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri, is evolving nicely as a player and Raising The Roof is Exhibit A attesting to his growth. His talent and love for music ultimately led him to a faculty position at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, where he continues to inspire new musicians and perfect his own style. Over the years, John has performed as a leader or a sideman with some of America's finest jazz acts, and his compositions and performances have covered a wide array of musical styles, from blues to bebop, and from bossa nova to swing. He has toured nationally, and internationally in South America and in Europe. Taking a brief break from his acclaimed international quartet, jazz guitarist John Stein has chosen to spend a little quality time with the wonderful jazz vocalist and well-known jazz radio host, Ron Gill. This inspired partnership, enhanced by the presence of pianist Gilad Barkan, plays the material on their new recording Turn Up The Quiet, and all three will be on hand at Scullers on April 7. Recorded mixed and mastered by Antonio Oliart at WGBH Radio Studios in Boston, Turn Up The Quiet, illuminates the inspiration behind their longtime musical friendship while also emphasizing each musician's strengths. Stein's exquisite taste and sensitivity really shines in the spare instrumental context of voice and guitar, and his accompaniment brims with subtlety and nuance. In addition, Stein proves to be a fine acoustic bassist, with a warm flexible sound and rock solid rhythm - able to swing the music without the aid of a drummer on the songs on which talented pianist Gilad Barkan's presence makes the group a trio. For his part, Gill adapts beautifully to Stein's subtlety with a sensitivity of his own. His hushed, vocal romanticism makes a brilliant couplet to Stein's accompaniment, especially on album highlights like Ellington's ethereal love song "In a Sentimental Mood, " the dark and haunting "My Flaming Heart, " the wry irony of "Detour Ahead, " and the closing Sammy Cahn-composition "Wonder Why." The repertoire here is lovely, but challenging, with technical dexterity combined with lofty chord changes, colorful word play, and enduring melody. Some of the songs are nearly forgotten gems, unearthed by Ron's lifetime study of jazz vocal material. Even the more familiar tunes radiate a quiet power through the intimate and sincere treatment John and Ron have fashioned for them. "There are things I've learned to expect when I collaborate with Ron Gill, " writes Stein in the liners to Turn Up The Quiet. "First, the repertoire will be challenging and distinctive ... Second, his concept for each song will be different and utterly personal. When you listen to Ron he's right there: he looks you in the face, and sings to you directly from the heart." Though the concept of the album came from Stein, the project is a genuine, down-the-middle collaboration. Their arrangements are balanced and substantive; as both artists search for ways to accommodate the other. In this way, Turn Up The Quiet, is like Gill's own voice and Stein's stellar guitar, music that comes straight from the heart. Don't miss it. write your comments about the article :: © 2010 Jazz News :: home page |