Kenny Kotwitz & the LA Jazz Quintet When Lights Are Low

Kenny Kotwitz & the LA Jazz Quintet
When Lights Are Low
PM Records, LLC

In his liner notes to "When Lights Are Low," Scott Yanow writes that "It is a superior mood album, a revival of the classic sound of the Art Van Damme Quintet, an opportunity for one to hear five masterful musicians blending together, and a very good excuse to listen to some wonderful music." Art Van Damme was one of the few prominent jazz accordionists who was a member of a big band, on the staff of NBC performing on countless radio and television shows, as well as led a quintet of accordion, vibes guitar, bass, and drums. He made his first recordings as a leader in 1945 and led his quintet by 1947. He recorded at least 42 albums as a leader and 100 as a sideman. At different times, guitarists Johnny Smith and Joe Pass were in his quintet. Other recordings included Harry James and Jo Stafford.

Kenny Kotwitz is one of Van Damme's few students, and one of the few accordionists to record with Van Damme. He leads a quintet of guitarist John Chiodini, vibraphonist Nick Mancini, bassist Chuck Berghofer, and drummer Kendall Kay. It is quite a distinguished group, and the music here is more in the vein of elegant, sophisticated ensemble playing with short melodic solos. There are very attractive renditions of "Skylark," "Harlem Nocturne," "Mood Indigo," and "Polka Dots and Moonbeams." At the same time, it would be hard to call any of these performances, all well played, to be compelling. They are relaxing, tuneful, and soothing performances that are easy on the ears.

I received my review copy from a publicist. Here they perform Jobim's "Estate."

Diane Schuur Running on Faith

Diane Schuur
Running on Faith
Jazzheads

Grammy-Award winning vocalist and Diane Schuur has her first album in six years. She co-produced this recording with saxophonist Ernie Watts. Besides Schurr and Watts, the backing band includes Key Palmer on trumpet and flugelhorn, Thom Rotella on guitar, Bruce Lett on bass and Kendall Kay on drums. In her album notes, Schuur observes that she elected the tunes, which "offered the opportunity to reflect on this place in time, my place in time." And the songs selected include some of her musical heroes from "Miles Davis to Carole King to Paul Simon to Percy Mayfield."

There is a sophisticated, understated approach to two Percy Mayfield songs that open this album, "Walking on a Tightrope" and "The Danger Zone." Guitarist Rotella provides an organ-like accompaniment on the former number while Palmer lays down a middle-range trumpet solo. On the latter song, Rotella lays down a stinging guitar solo, followed by Watts' robust tenor sax. There is charm into Schuur's mix of spoken and sung vocals. However, her performances don't reach the level of those by Mayfield or the late Johnny Adams, arguably the greatest Mayfield interpreter. Schuur's horn-like phrasing provides authority to her rendition of Miles Davis' "All Blues," which includes a stunning trumpet solo by Palmer.

There are deft interpretations of Paul Simon's "Something So Right" and the Beatles' ''Let It Be." Both receive light, sympathetic backing. With Watts' rousing tenor sax opening and some boisterous piano, Schuur sings with spirit on Paul Thorn's "Everybody Looks Good at the Starting Line." Her vocal brings to the fore the lyrics of the Doc Pomus-Kenny Hirsch song "There Is Always One More Time." Then she pays tribute to Jaco Pastorious with her horn-like scatting on Pee Wee Ellis' "Chicken." This tune also showcases Palmer's fiery trumpet, Watts gutbucket tenor sax, and drummer Kay.

The closing performance is the traditional spiritual, 'Swing Low, Swing Chariot," where Schuur is accompanied solely by her piano. "Running on Faith" may not overpower a listener as much as entice one with its intimate, charming performances.

I received my review copy from a publicist. here is a performance of Diane singing "Everyday I Have the Blues."