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| Smalls Records Announces Three New Releases Sasha Dobson and the Chris Byars Octet / The Darkling Thrush / SRCD-0005 In a time when the art of the jazz singer has been all but given over to pop and cabaret singers recast to fit a stereotype, Sasha Dobson is a refreshing change. As the daughter of the late great pianist Smith Dobson, and singer Gail Dobson, Sasha has been performing since age five. She knows chord changes like a horn player knows chord changes, and when she takes a melody, she turns the heads of every musician in the room. She's one of only four singers ever to emerge from Smalls, along with Nellie McKay, Claudia Acuna, and Kimberley Gordon. This disk documents her work with the Chris Byars Octet, and features some of the most stunning arrangements to be heard in recent times by prolific rising-star arranger/composer/saxophonist Chris Byars. Recorded at Avatar Studio A by the late David Baker with no multitracking, no punch-ins, and no vocal re-takes, this is as real as it gets. William Ash / The Phoenix / SRCD-0006 When guitarist William Ash first began on the NY scene at age twelve, he was quickly taken under the wings of the great bop masters. In 1989-90 at age sixteen, he played weekly in the band of underground legend Clarence “C” Sharpe. During Smalls tenure, he was featured weekly over a period of years, also appearing in Frank Hewitt's legendary weekly Saturday night quintet. With supernatural chops, a deep knowledge of bebop, and a heavy groove, William easily earns a place in the core of the Smalls Records catalog. This record features William with Smalls cohorts Dwayne Burno and Mark Taylor, who swing up a tempest. Frank Hewitt Trio / Not Afraid To Live / SRCD-0007 The posthumous release of the late master pianist Frank Hewitt's debut was met with widespread critical acclaim, according Hewitt a permanent place in history. Due to the large number of critics and fans who wrote asking for more of Frank's recordings, we decided to release the second volume ahead of schedule. Frank Hewitt played with a poignancy and sophistication that surpassed all but a very few, and in this latest release, he is featured to great advantage with brilliant bassist Ari Roland, and legendary drummer Louis Hayes. The energy feeds from all sides on this date. This is an historic collector's item--the ultimate jazz insider's record. write your comments about the article :: © 2004 Jazz News :: home page |