Simone Kopmajer Christmas

Simone Kopmajer
Christmas
Lucky Mojo Records

Austrian-born vocalist Simone Kopmajer impressed this listener with her 2019 engaging and charming recording, "Spotlight On Jazz." Her latest release focuses on the Christmas season and includes some seasonal favorites and some favorites from her homeland. Backing her on this project are pianist John di Martino, bassist Bob Kozlow, drummer Reinhardt Winkler, saxophonist and clarinetist Aaron Heick, and tenor saxophonist Terry Myers. Also present on several tracks are keyboardist Geri Schuller (who also plays Jews harp), bassist Beat Wiesinger, trumpeter Dominik Fuss, saxophonist Florian Fuss, bassoonist Georg Stepanek, dulcimer player Lukas Ganster, and diatonic accordionist Heinz Steinbauer.

Reviewing "Spotlight On Jazz," I was much impressed by "the clarity of her singing, her musicality, the purity of her sound, her phrasing and her diction." These same qualities are evident in this program of holiday music that spans jazz and folk traditions. Her singing also receives top-flight backing by the groups led by Mr. di Martino and the Austrian musicians starting from her playful, flirty rendition of "Santa Baby" and concluding with a bilingual "Silent Night/ Stille Nacht."

In addition to her exquisite singing, there is plenty of pleasures from the backing musicians. Mr. di Martino provides an elegant piano solo on "Santa Baby," along with a marvelous horn arrangement. Then there is a swinging "Jingle Bells," with some superb scatting and interplay with Heick's alto sax. Then there are Austrian hymns such "Leise Rieselt Der Schnee," with the Schick Singers adding their lovely harmony along with Heick's bluesy alto sax. Viktor Garnot joins in the understated duet vocal of "Baby, It's Cold Outside," with choice piano from di Martino and velvety clarinet by Heick.

Among the Christmas favorites included, Ms. Kopmajer composed a delightful original "The Most Wonderful Time," with Anna Catherina adding harmony. Other holiday favorites include "Have Yourself a Merry Christmas, "Feliz Navidad," "White Christmas," and the Austrian Carole "Es Wird Scho Glei Dumpa." Allen Harris adds his warmth to an engaging treatment of Mel Torme classic, "The Christmas Song." None of these performances are copies of more familiar renditions,

Three Austrian tunes (including "Silent Night/ Stille Nacht") close out this album of Christmas music magic. The delight of her singing, the varied program (including the fresh arrangements), and first-rate backing, result in an exceptional recording. Simone Kopmajer"s "Christmas" is a recording that will bring listeners considerable holiday cheer.

I received my review copy from a publicist. Here is "Baby, It's Cold Outside," from this album.

Freddy Cole's Singing the Blues

There is an appealing weariness in Freddy Cole’s treatment of a Bobby Bland recording “This Time I’m Gone For Good,” that is on  his new High Note album, “Singing the Blues,” On this release, Cole handles classic blues themes and some originals that also include mournful ballads. Simply singing here, he is accompanied by John Di Martino on piano, Harry Allen on tenor sax, Randy Napoleon on guitar Elias Bailey on bass and Curtis Boyd on drums with Theresa Hightower sharing vocals on two of the eleven songs.

Derrick Lucas’ liner notes note that the music on this recording reflects the era in which Cole grew up that was “the final generation of African-Americans to view the blues as their own popular music and culture,” and the renditions contained “reflect the elegance of the blues represented by Charles Brown, Percy Mayfield, Amos Milburn and Ivory Joe Hunter and of course, Freddy’s brother Nat.”

It is 50 years ago when Freddy Cole recorded his first album that contained a rendition of Freddie Spruell’s “Muddy Water Blues.” His current rendition begins this CD in a very appealing manner. A real highlight is the rendition of “Goin’ Down Slow,” which reflects the Oliver Nelson-Stanley Turrentine rendition of the song that is set to the groove of Percy Mayfield’s “River’s Invitation.” Allen’s marvelous tenor sax and Napoleon’s fleet guitar evokes memories of Charles Brown’s terrific 1990s group with the late Clifford Solomon and Danny Caron. Another song that captures this ambiance is brother Nat’s “My Mother Told Me” with terrific short solos from Allen and Napoleon.

Cole’s relaxed vocal is matched with Theresa Hightower’s vivacious one of “All We Need Is a Place” about getting it on to snuggle and more. Cole penned the original blues that lends the album its title as he warns this girl she will be singing the blues one of these mornings, she will be miserable and while he won’t be happy, Freddy will feel great. “The Ballad of the Sad Young Men” is a moody lament about sad young men drifting through their lives while growing. Allen’s tenor adds to the melancholy of the performance.

Steve Allen’s “An Old Piano Plays the Blues” closes this album with Allen’s tenor again complementing Cole’s mournful vocal along with a deftly played solo from Di Martino. Freddy Cole’s “Singing the Blues” indeed captures the sophisticated eloquence of the blues of late forties and early fifties. Not simply Freddy Cole’s fans, but fans of the late Charles Brown and his contemporaries should enjoy this recording of late night blues and ballads.

I received my review copy from High Note Records.  Here Freddy Cole is performing Muddy Water Blues.