The vocalist Catherine Russell has a fresh, vibrant sound formulated in the blues and jazz tradition that has become an enticement to her ever-growing fan base.
She appears at Birdland (315 W. 44th St.) Dec. 15 to 19 with two sets each night at 8:30 p.m. and 11 p.m.
Her fans marvel over the way she turns those off-the-beaten-path songs into her own memorable interpretations. She brings a special presence, a soulful, in-the-moment glow to her selection of 1920s and 1930s gems, as well as present-day standards. Her competent sextet is always heard but never overpowering.
Russell’s most recent CD, “Bring It Back” (Jazz Village Music), is so delectable it’s difficult to pick a favorite tune from the 13 selections—though her rendition of Al Hibbler’s “After the Lights Go Down Low” is hard to beat.
Her performance raises memories of Pearl Bailey’s humorous wit and the sassiness of Bessie Smith. She is a member of that exceptional team of jazz singers that never disappoint.
For reservations, call 212-581-3080 or visit birdlandjazz.com.
The Christmas celebration is on with Aurora Flores y Zon del Barrio’s Asalto Navideno. The hot, salsa-infused jazz band will perform Dec. 12 at Leandra’s Garden in the Fulton Houses on West 17th Street, between Ninth and 10th avenues, in Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood. Singer, songwriter and pianist Valerie Ghent will appear at this free holiday concert, taking place from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.
When discussing straight-ahead jazz, Miles Davis’ quintet (1965-1968) of Ron Carter, Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter and Tony Williams comes to mind. If West Coast cool jazz becomes a matter of discourse, let’s talk Dave Brubeck and Paul Desmond. Fast-forward to the 1970s, when smooth jazz sailed over the airways into bars and music halls, then we are talking about the pianist, arranger and composer Bob James.
In 1990, having already earned recognition as a marquee headliner and producer James joined forces with an elite group of musicians to form Fourplay, the only smooth jazz group worth discussing. Fourplay is a stellar group of musicians who became household names within the smooth jazz arena while playing in a variety of genre configurations. They are: the drummer Harvey Mason (Herbie Hancock, Barbra Streisand and Notorious BIG), the bassist-vocalist Nathan East (Barry White, Eric Clapton, Toto and Phil Collins) and guitarist Chuck Loeb for the last five years (Hubert Laws, Chico Hamilton, Stan Getz and Joe Farrell) following guitarist Lee Ritenour’s exit in the mid-1990s.
James is best known for his classics “Westchester Lady” (off the album “Three,” CBS Records) and “Angela,” the 1978 theme from the TV sitcom “Taxi.” Individually they are vibrant musicians who have influenced generations of young artists. Together as Fourplay they have turned the genre of smooth jazz into their own kettle of home-brewed gumbo whose spiced ingredients include pop, funk and jazz.
Their recent 25th anniversary celebration at the West Village’s Blue Note jazz club was an intensified fusion of improvisation. Such a term is rarely used to describe a smooth or contemporary jazz group, but these aren’t your regular type of smooth cats, this is Fourplay, the leaders of the pack.
Their repertoire comprised a string of hits plus tunes from the current CD “Silver,” celebrating of their 25th anniversary. “Quick Silver,” a James original, was spinning with Loeb’s guitar harmony, jumping bass lines, East’s enticing vocals and bass undertones, piano vamps and Mason’s drumming shadow. The CD features Fourplay alum guitarists Lee Ritenour and Larry Carlton. This is the group’s 15th album.
Another James original, “Silverado,” was a high-energy tune with a kicking piano interacting with Loeb’s guitar riffs, as East stretches out with a little scatting. Mason’s thunderous drums are linked with his stormy cymbals and James’ hard floating piano chords. This was the most swinging tune of the set.
As they broke into “Westchester Lady,” pandemonium hit, inspiring everyone to sing the melody. It was a long improvised version with the musicians going all out past the border into the land of hipness.
It’s the absence of horns that separate Fourplay from the maddening competition. Their combination of bass, guitar, piano and drums offers a very different tonal interaction that this crew has perfected.
A. Robert Brown Sr., advisor to Rep. Ed Towns of New York, presented Fourplay with a Congressional Record from the House of Representatives recognizing them as distinguished members of the music industry.
“It doesn’t seem like 25 years,” said Mason. “It’s not work, it’s Fourplay.”
