Vinnie Riccitelli Octet For the Record

Vinnie Riccitelli Octet
For the Record
Self-produced

With a musical performing career stretching from 1941 to 2018, Vinnie Riccitelli led a highly successful freelance career for decades. He did have an album in 1956, "Unique Jazz, Jazz From Westchester," that had eight originals he penned and played by an octet that included tenor saxophonist Carmen Leggio, trombonist Eddie Bert, and trumpeter Joe Shepley. Since then, he freelanced, including being part of Bobby Rosengarden's East Coast Orchestra for the Jerry Lewis Telethon. He was a sideman for such legends as Barbara Streisand, Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Bobby Darin, Lena Horne, and many more. He also was affiliated with some of New York's swing big bands, including Lew Anderson's All American Big Band, which enjoyed a lengthy residence at Birdland. Riccitelli appeared on multiple recordings of this band as the first chair alto sax.

Retiring from playing, he rediscovered his love of piano and became inspired to revisit some of his unrecorded compositions and arrangements. "For the Record," released some sixty-plus years after his first album, features those songs and arrangements, and was recorded between November 2019 and January 2020. Riccitelli, while no longer playing, was present for all the recording sessions. This most recent project again provided him the chance to work with and reward some of his longtime friends, including a former student of his from the late 1940s, tenor saxophonist Joe Stelluti, alongside his talented son Chris, on baritone sax, and Joe's brother Lou on bass. Others on this album include Leo Ursini or Nathan Childers on alto saxophone, Glenn Drewes on trumpet and flugelhorn, Bruce Bonvissuto on trombone, Eddie Monteiro on piano, and accordion, and Tony Tedesco on drums. Four of the seventeen tracks were composed by Riccitelli, and he wrote arrangements for all but one track, which was Tommy Newsom's arrangement for "Maids of Cadiz." Before moving to California to be part of Johnny Carson's Tonight Show Orchestra, Newsom played in Riccitelli's octet.

Aside from Riccitelli's for originals, the compositions include some classic jazz standards and songs from the American songbook. These include "I'm Old Fashioned," "If You Could See Me Now," "Stompin' at the Savoy," "Star Eyes," "Mr. Lucky," "Maids of Cadiz," "Along Came Betty," "Darn the Dream" "Dolphin Dance, "Jordu," and "Round Midnight." The octet swings and displays a clean, measured tone in a manner that suggests a fusion of bebop and West Coast cool. This sound is heard on "Riccitelli's "Minor Seven Heaven," which showcases Joe Stelluti's tenor saxophone. Another fascinating original "Blues Dominant" is another feature for Stelluti as well as trombonist Bonvissuto.

It should be noted that the performances are relatively short, ranging from 3 to 5 minutes. Stelluti is also prominent on "I'm Old Fashioned," which has a couple of solo choruses from pianist Monteiro. There is a gorgeous arrangement for Tadd Dameron's "If You Could See Me Now," with memorable solos from Drewes and Chris Stelluti. Chris Stelluti's robust baritone sax is also featured on the hip interpretation of "Serenata." The arrangement of "Stompin' at the Savoy" is a feature for bassist Lou Stelluti with the horns framing his playing. "Star Eyes" has shifting rhythms, tempos, and moods, along with some fiery trumpet from Drewes. Tommy Newsom's arrangement for "Maid of Cadiz" provides for a mesmerizing interplay by the horns before Bonvissuto's brassy solo.

On "Mr. Lucky," Monteiro plays accordion with an organ-like flavor. Drewes' haunting trumpet evokes Clifford Brown on a rendition of Benny Golson's "Along Came Betty." Bonvissuto's reflective trombone is showcased on "Darn That Dream," an arrangement originally written to showcase Eddie Bert. Riccitelli's arrangements of Duke Jordan's "Jordu" and then Thelonious Monk's "Round Midnight" also merit mention using half-time and double-time on the Monk classic, adding spice with the horns providing atmosphere behind Drewes soaring trumpet.

This album is a splendid recording that allows Vinnie Riccitelli and his well-crafted, handsome arrangements to shine. Add the excellent ensemble sound and terrific, focused solos, and one has a jewel of a jazz recording.

I received my review copy from a publicist.

Ronny Whyte Whyte Witchcraft: Songs of Cy Coleman

Ronny Whyte
Whyte Witchcraft: Songs of Cy Coleman
Audiophile Records

In his liner notes to "Whyte Witchcraft," singer Ronny Whyte writes about his long relationship with the legendary songwriter, and Tony Award-winner, Cy Coleman. This relationship went well beyond merely singing many of Coleman's songs. This album, his eleventh for Audiophile, has him backed by the Cecilia Coleman Big Band, or Eddie Monteiro on accordion and vocalese and Tony Tedesco on drums. On two selections Whyte plays piano and sings with Boots Maleson on bass and David Silliman on drums.

With a career extending six decades, one should not be surprised if there are some notes Ronny Whyte cannot quite reach. He compensates with phrasing and timing. The backing helps showcases his gift for delivering lyrics whether with a big band backing him on "Too Good To Talk About," or when supported by Monteiro's accordion and vocalese on "The Best Is Yet To Come." Monteiro's horn-like, wordless vocalese, also provides an interesting contrast to the delivery of the words. On "Too Good To Talk About," Daniel Glaude contributes a notable alto sax. Monteiro's accordion has a pianistic quality on "I'm Watching You."

Justin Wood contributes a beautiful flute solo on the lovely ballad "Sometimes When You're Lonely," wonderfully sung with a luscious big band backing. Another performance with the big band is "Why Try To Change Me Now," with Whyte's reflective vocal supported by the handsome arrangement. Then there is the hard-swinging big band behind Whyte's Sinatra-sounding vocal on "Don't Ask a Lady." With Monteiro sounding like he is playing a Hammond B3 and an electric piano, Whyte delivers a spirited rendition of "Witchcraft." Also, the duo is heard backing Whyte on the light-hearted "Sweet Talk."

In his liner notes, Whyte relates the story of attending a birthday party for Lynn Richards' at Cy Coleman's home and sang some songs. He requested Cy if he would play piano for him, which he had never done before, and sang "I Got Your Number" with Coleman playing. Here backed by Monteiro and Tedesco, Whyte delivers this song from the show "Little Me." On "You Fascinate Me," Whyte accompanies himself with his trio. He is an adept pianist and self-accompanist on this appealing performance. The swing of "Alright I Love You." Elijah Shiffer takes a meaty tenor sax solo behind the animated vocal by Whyte, that closes this delightful vocal jazz recording.

I received a review copy from a publicist. Here is Ronny Whyte performing with Barry Harris on piano.

Mark Morganelli & the Jazz Forum All Stars Brasil!

Mark Morganelli & the Jazz Forum All Stars
Brasil!
Jazz Forum Records

This double CD album was recorded at the Tarrytown, NY club, The Jazz Forum, that trumpet and flugelhorn master Morganelli has been operating for a couple of years. Morganelli has been listening for 40 odd years to Brazil and its music. On this salute to Brazil and its music, Morganelli is backed by a band that includes Abelita Mateus on acoustic and Fender Rhodes piano and vocals; Eddie Monteiro on Midi-Accordion and vocals; Monika Oliveira on vocals; Nilson Matta on bass; Adriano Santos on drums; Nanny Assis on percussion, guitar and vocals and Carlos Barbosa-Lima on guitar.

The 27 tracks on the two discs contain an hour and 48 minutes of renditions of songs, some familiar and others new to listeners. Among the composers here are Antonio Carlos Jobim, Vinicius Morales, Baden Powell, Ivan Lins, Claudio Roditi, Joao Donato, Luiz Bonfa, and Ary Barroso. Jobim is the most represented composer with 18 of the selections composed in whole or in part by him.

Jobim-Moraes' "Amor Em Paz" opens this marvelous celebration of Brazilian music with a breezy groove and Morganelli's melodious flugelhorn and inspired improvisation that is followed by Monteiro's accordion sounding like a Hammond B-3. Baden Powell's brisk "Deixa" introduces us to vocalist Oliveira whose approach contrasts with the softer approach, whispery style of Astrud Gilberto. After a crisp Morganelli solo, Mateus improvises over several inspired choruses. One of the most familiar compositions here will be "Desafinado." It opens with lovely guitar from Assis before the leader's lyrical improvisation. Morganelli's favorite Jobim tune is "Chovendo Na Roseira," with its jazz waltz feel and another vocal from Oliveira with Monteiro's midi-Accordion evoking the Toots Thielemans' harmonica.

There are so many impressive performances including Monteiro's vocal on Ivan Lins' "Velas Icadas," and Morganelli's take on Claudio Roditi's "Rua Dona Margarida," which he produced years ago. One would have to check the pulse of anyone not moving in some way to "So Danco Samba." Is it Mateus' Fender Rhodes that takes a vibes-sounding solo, while Morganelli quotes "Takes the A Train" during this track. Then there is "A Ra" by Joao Donato and Caetano Buarque with an infectious rhythm and bright solos from the leader and Mateus on Fender Rhodes to accompany Monteiro's vocal (and a sympathetic vocal chorus).

"A Felicidade" by Jobim and Moraes opens the second disc with its samba groove and the leader's bright melodicism. Nanny Assis takes the vocal on Jobim's "Este Seu Olhar," with Morganelli's lyricism and Assis' soft vocal delivery supported by Carlos Barbosa-Lima's charming guitar. "Corcovado" is a jazz standard known in English as "Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars." Morganelli's flugelhorn has a haunting beauty here with Mateus sublime on piano. Then there is the delight of "Samba de Verae" that some may know from organist Walter Wanderly's recording. Morganelli's improvisation here goes beyond melodic embellishments. Oliveira's loveliest vocal may be on her enchanting, wistful rendition of Jobim's "Dindi."

"Mas Que Nada,"  will be familiar from Sergio Mendes and spotlights Oliveira's spirited vocal. It is followed by a medley of a couple of Luis Bonfa compositions from the film "Black Orpheus," Manha de Carnival/ Samba de Orfeu." A wordless chorus is featured in the first number in addition to the leader's mid-range melodicism. It segues into a lively samba with Monteiro again emulating an organ on the Midi-Accordion. Santos solos crisply on this.

An infectious interpretation of "Aquarela do Brasil" (known as "Brazil") may evoke Carmen Miranda and closes this release with a vibrant mood. It concludes a varied, superbly played, and enthralling salute to the music of Brazil by Mark Morganelli and associates.

I received my review copy from a publicist.  This review appeared in the July-August 2019 Jazz & Blues Report (Issue 385) to which I made some stylistic changes for clarity.  Here is a video from this year's CD release party for this recording.