Greta Panettieri, at Umbria Jazz Festival

..my dear friend Greta Panettieri, returned home to Umbria with her band Greta's Bakery, to be part of the annual festival...I asked her to give me her feeling, about being back home, she is from Umbria.

It was so good to "hear" the positive words she sent to me and I can tell she is happy!
....I will add nothing to them, except some wonderful photos!  Here is Greta, uncensored!!

Greta, gretapanettieri.com

Greta!!!

My Dear Pete, first of all we want to wish you a very HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Somehow I have a feeling about 2012, on the contrary of what the most catastrophic theories say I think is going to be a great one!!!

Secondly thanks for giving me the chance to express myself again on your blog, I hope we'll keep doing this forever, wouldn't it be fun to be writing on your blog in  20 years from now? maybe I will be in a Democratic China and you in a Bank free America ;)

Anyway yes I was very exited about Umbria Jazz! You might know that I grew up in Umbria and when I was really just a baby my parents took me to see Miles Davis at Umbria Jazz, since than every year you would enjoy the best jazz musician on the summer stages, Sonny Rollins, Charles Mingus, Ornette Coleman ,Herbie Hanckok and the list goes on and on….

So to be part of this event is really a dream come true!

The audience was just amazing , consider that we were the only new 'young' act and the least known ,everybody else had some kind of Italian history if not a huge international name like Michel Camilo or Gonzalo Rubalcaba.Our shows took place in 2 locations 4 were in a pretty big hall called Sala Expo' of 'Palazzo del Popolo around 150 seats( maybe more maybe less…) in a huge castle from the 13th Century.

Our first gig was on a Thursday afternoon and to my surprise the hall was quiet full,nice educated audience they would clap after solos etc..well from there we went to an enthusiastic huge crowd

Before the show on Jan 1° the door man came to me and asked me: hey G are u done with your sound check I need to open the doors cause the line outside gets to the next square…

.

The place was packed there were no more standing places :)

HAPPY GRETA!  result: we played our ( can I say ass off )….

People didn't know us because the record didn't come out here ,same old UMG issues that nobody can really understand…but they started talking about this girl that is Italian but lived in the states etc etc so they were curious and of course to be on the festival's calendar does the rest.

To be part of the staff was also an amazing experience , we would all eat in the same place lunch and dinner ,we had a second floor of a restaurant reserved  with a really amazing catering and artists sound men, managers the entire festival staff would eat there so it was like going to summer camp with Mr. Camilo or Rubalcaba and of course some great old friends, really a great atmosphere.I can tell you again that you would have loved it.

I can say that it's been maybe the best experience we had in a while. Having the chance to play everyday was the key, we grew musically and on stage ,we grew together with the event and felt part of a fantastic music family.

I came back home happy, full of hope and with the feeling that after all,maybe, we are going to make it, and that we are not totally crazy to keep going…

--

Greta

Greta Panettieri, the voice of an Angel, beautiful and one of the nicest people on the Planet!!

...and yes Greta, I told you a long time ago, "you have a friend for life, whether you like it or not!"

 I'm Pete, follow me at:   www.twitter.com/petecarma

Rosita Kess, CD, "Nothern Sky"

"Northern Sky" could be the most eclectic CD I have heard is a while. It's a wonderful mix of jazz, pop, one tune that says "country" a taste of a French Cafe, and some good old New Orleans,
Trombone leadin' the pack, home spun fun.

...all beautifully done by Rosita Kess!   
                                                                               
    The diversity of the album just reflects the background of the artist. Born in Venice, Italy, spending time in Berlin, Paris, Barcelona, London and New York City and now in New Orleans, a more complete exposure to music would be hard to find.

Rosita, Rositakess.com

The opening cut is "The Blind Painter" it grabbed me from the jump. A stone cold lover of  AfroJazz...
...this one hit home with me....terrific rhythm, and percussion and add to that the lyrics that tell the story of a fading love affair, and you have winner #1.

"Tell Me" is a tune that is a blues and I mean some solid, bass leadin melodic line blues, that is just down to where the blues need to be. ..."so tell me baby do you think about me...there's a big blue ocean, in between...and the Moon is wild just like it use to be...so tell me baby do you think about me?"
...a standout tune!!

Then on cut four we visit a small Bistro in Paris, well at least that's what this tune makes you feel. I was waiting for "The Little Sparrow" to enter. The tune is "Leaving Alone"...hard for me to describe this one...A "Piaf like" beautifully done original.  A tune and lyrics that do total justice to the genre!!
I hit replay on this one a few times.

"Waiting For The Show"...is filled with the Barcelona rhythm and I don't know Rosita that well, but I suspect a bit of a self portrait. This poetic lyric set to a Latin rhythm seems to have a bit of personal experience attached.
"you look in her eyes and only see, the lover you imagine her to be...but she don't wanna see the light...
she just wants to feel the night...and you know.....she's getting ready for the show!

"Where Should I Go"....is as country as you can get and Rosita delivers it right on the mark again! The twangin' guitar, the sad but sassy delivery by Rosita, delivered a total surprise to me...a very solid "Country" number....and again done with respect for the genre, it could stand the scrutiny of a country critic.

...every tune on this album deserves a paragraph of it's own, 12 originals, all top shelf!
...Thanks to the "Italian connection" for putting me in touch with Rosita!

Rosita Kess, has range and versatility at her command, what a beautiful music experience this CD is!

I urge you to get a copy:  http://www.rositakess.com/




I'm Pete follow me at...  www.twitter.com/petecarma

Answer #3 of 15...12 more to go...

JJ, from the garden spot of the world, Brooklyn USA, wins this week's $15 gift card from ITunes.

The Question; "Of all the live performances you have seen from the artists you write about, which did you enjoy the most?"

Well, I almost threw this question out, because I did not want to single out one artists and risk making others seem slighted, because I have seen some awesome gigs from these remarkable performers.
But then I remembered I said I would answers and be totally honest. Soooooo...

claralofaro.com

Last Spring I went to Caffe Vivaldi to see Clara Lofaro.

It was a 6 PM gig, the first of the night, and usually the crowd is small. But, the joint was full. Vivaldi seats about 30 people and it was full, full with women, a large group, some kind of event or office party, birthday party something.

I chatted with Clara then she went on, a duo, her and a bass player. She squeezed her petite self behind the Concert Grand Piano they have there, and I thought...this is gonna be a tough gig!!

Thirty or so women chatting, eating, the Vino was flowing, and I though they would be lost in their event and ignore the music.

About halfway through the second number, the audience was lost,
they were lost in the mastery of that Grand Piano, and the captivating lyrics of Clara's compositions, they were completely focused on her.

She then came out from behind the piano and did an Acapella number "Trouble", I though well she will lose them now...NOT.
They seems to love her more and participated in the number.

By the end of the set when Clara finished with "Daddy's Song" I was holding back tears and you could hear a pin drop in that room, that just a short while ago was an arcade of chatter and glasses clanging.

I still remember that night, and think I will always remember it, and Clara, just taking all the people in that room on a wonderful musical ride to peace and love!!

Clara Lofaro

So there it is JJ, last Spring, Caffe Vivaldi, NYC......Clara Lofaro!

Send a question to me at:  jrclemente@hotmail.com

I pick a new Q: every Friday....12 more $15 gift cards to go, one a week!!

Here is "Daddy's Song"...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvT6_xHiPGA

Clara will be at: Vivaldi again Feb 2d, Jones and Bleeker Streets, NYC

Top Ten, Sexiest Piano Players, by Pete Carma #10, Lynne Arriale.

Here we go, Top Ten Sexiest Piano Players...as I see them!

Lynne Arriale

 Since this is the first of the series let me define "sexy"
of course the attraction part of sexy applies, but the composition and presentation weigh in too, as equal parts.

Through the years I have seen many, I have chosen the ones who made me think and have shot a bullet or two through my heart!
              **********

Lynne Arriale, is a Gemini like me, perhaps the attraction? Born in Milwaukee, graduate of the Wisconsin Conservatory of Music, and is now the Professor of Jazz Piano at U. of North Florida.



To say Lynne plays with emotion, is a redundancy, once you see her for an instant your emotions are stirred.
I love her rendition of "Blackbird", she takes a progressive approach and lends it to a feminine interpretation, that makes me wonder how it feels to be that into a performance.
 ...here's 'Blackbird'

As I see it jazz needs more Lynne's. She puts class and a loving touch on the music ahead of complicating it to the point where the artist loses me. Heart in jazz, something to behold!

"Frevo", is a piece where Lynne steps out. Her expression and dexterity dominate this wonderful chart.
....here's "Frevo"...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1wXK8p1B8Q&feature=related

I first saw Lynne live a year ago, and make it a point to catch her whenever she is close.

Lynne Arriale will be at:  Des Moines, Iowa, Feb 3d.
       ...and at the fabulous Half Moon Bay, Ca. March 11 & 12th.

lynnearriale.com

I'm Pete, follow me at:  www.twitter.com/petecarma

Solitaire Miles' Christmas Show at The Jazz Showcase in Chicago.

What do Solitaire Miles and Jen Zias have in common?...They were high school friends in Erie, Pennsylvania, they were both at Chicago's Jazz Showcase last night, and Oh yea, they sing a bit too!

Solitaire Miles solitairemiles.com

 What do Willie Pickens (piano), Robert Shy (drums), Jack Gallagher (baritone trumpet & vocals)Dave Gordon (piano) Brian Gephart (tenor sax), Chris Greene (soprano sax) and Brian Sandstrom (bass) doing what he always does keeping everybody together...have in common?

Jack Gallagher, baritone trumpet & vocal.

 ...they are all musicians, Yes! you got it. But if you were at the Showcase last night you would also know how "straight up " jazz is supposed to be jammed, as they took turns WOWin' their Christmas week audience. 

The event put together by Solitaire, stressed the '"Holiday Spirit" as much as the jazz....
"play it like it should be" attitude. Everything from Coltrane to White Christmas was on the bill.

This wonderful ensemble rotated solos, shared the stage and demonstrated their understanding of swing,
with a touch of progressive as they ran away with a list of the classics and some holiday tunes: "Christmas Time Is Here", "You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To", "Let It Snow", "I Can't Give You Anything But Love", "Santa Baby"...done so sassy and sexy by Solitaire...and "Baby It's Cold Outside" a duet with Solitaire and Jack Gallagher...once again Solitaire putting together a book of just the right tunes for the event.

Brian Gephart b_gephart@northwestern.edu

 Vocalist, Jennifer Zias, took her jamm in set II, with a wonderful, respectful swing version of "White Christmas"it was spirited and her range and wonderful crisp sound was a holiday treat.

So many good things happened at this show musically, it would violate the Cardinal rule of blogging, (to be brief), if I went on and on.
A perfect event for the season, I'm looking forward to more of the same in 2012, what a great show!

BTW, the sugar cookies and cup cakes and gingerbread cookies baked by Solitaire took their solo at the intermission, they were also well received! 

So get out Chicago! ...to see Solitaire's next gig...and make sure you stay for the second set!!

Solitaire will be at:  Andy's...  Hubbard Street, Chicago  -Feb 16th & 17th


I'm Pete, follow me at: www.twitter.com/petecarma

"On"

"My love is a voice, it's a sound, if you hear it then it's yours too. And it's coming to remind you of your own voice"...On.

On...http://www.on0n.com/

 "On" a unique, talented sound brought to my attention by another of New York City's unique personalities Sara Zar * http://www.sarahzar.com/

To get acquainted with "On" I spoke with  Naaran Barzilay.
...and asked him to answer the two question I ask everyone.

If you were leaving the planet and could take only one album with you, which would you take?
Naaran...this album will be an old record that I would find in the street
and pick it up just because of his unusual cover... it will have female voices followed by strings and orchestra of drums and pianos.... it will be so beautiful that right away I will look for the artist name
and surprisingly there will be none, just an underline for the listener to name it himself :)

If you could perform with anyone who would you choose?
Naaran...We would love to preform with great inspiring artists that are unfamiliar to us...
the things we already know are less exiting then what we're about to learn:)

"On's" current album is "A Box of  Costumes" ...here is the current video from it "It's Good You're Here"  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3WUzxzjkzA&feature=youtu.be

 "On" will be at: Rockwood Music Hall, March 16th.


I'm Pete, follow me... www.twitter.com/petecarma

Sinatra '66 12/12

...I met Sinatra on two occasions, briefly, once in Atlantic City and once in Vegas.
On both occasions he went out of his way to stop and chat...but

...the time when I knew history was being made was 1966 in the Copa Room at the Sands.
It was one of my first moves to Vegas from New York City.  Sinatra was there for five days, that meant five shows, he only did one a night, others did two. No dinner show, too much noise for the man!

I was young and dumb but one thing was clear, this was the end of an era. The corporate powers to be would soon turn the town into a get 'em in get 'em out cash machine, and the days of seeing Sinatra, and Basie for a few bucks and two drinks in a cozy venue was on death watch.

I was with strangely enough with a girl from Hoboken! She had never been more then twenty miles from home so for her to be in a room with every mob guy in America, Grace Kelly, Betty Grable, Joe Di Maggio, Liberace, Judy Garland was well, huge!

We did not have reservations for the show, but I caught a monster hand at the crap table and slipped the MaitreD $50 at the door he called a Captain and said G2 for Mister C, as we walked to G2, I slipped the Captain another $50, he went off the floor and came back with two piano like chairs and put them and us right up against the stage, our elbows could rest on stage..Remember this is 1966, $50 was like 200 now.

One of the shows that week was recorded and little did I think I would have it on a disc playing on a desktop or in my car 45 years later. 

To hear the Basie Band, Sinatra, with the Count at the keys, and the great Quincy Jones as a young man conducting and writing the charts...well, I knew this was something to savor, as the Beatles and the bubble gum music was about to fill the airways.

...it was January '66, from the stage Francis announced that he had fallen off the wagon the night before, and this night he was gonna celebrate his 51st, birthday three weeks late.
...he introduced Quincy as a "bright new star" in the music business.
..he explained his bad luck at the tables had spread to his personal life, he said him and Basie went up to see the Grand Canyon, and it was closed!

The band did several tunes alone, and Frank fired five or six classics then the band again, a full show was what they delivered....an ovation as the intro to each number started, and another at it's conclusion!
I've heard the Basie Band of the late 50's early 60's many times live, and the sound is still fresh in my head today, but at this show,  Vegas, The Sands, everyone was at the top of their game, it was "that moment".

If I remember right, excluding the $100 zuk, the total tab was like $23!
So this is my small tribute to the "man" ...The show was billed as "The Man and His Music"

...this is my favorite Sinatra number, when done with Basie....It's an old Don Costa arrangement that was given a "Hip" transplant by Quincy Jones...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SfuMlrSSRpM&feature=related 
...it was the show stopper! (this Vid is not from the show, but the same era)

...this is one of the only videos I could find that is from that show at The Sands...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTrI74EH7X0

 So, for the many, many great memories...Francis, on the day of your birth, 12/12..."cent' anni"

I'm Pete, follow me at...  www.twitter.com/petecarma

"Right On Time"... by Mary C

...to me, a guy weened on R&B back in the day,  
Mary C is like finding an uncut diamond!

 I was in New York City for a week back in November. My time was all accounted for, except for Sunday afternoon. So, as I am always looking to contact new talent to bring to you, I looked on line to see if I could find a set to see. Mary C had a gig at 5 PM.

...as most great things happen purely by chance, I stopped in to see Mary C.

We chatted for a minute and then she hit the stage, for a set without her full band.

From the jump, her stage presents, her beauty, her music and her pipes rocked the room!

Since, Mary has sent me an online preview of her soon to be released CD "Right On Time"


The CD is perfect...what does that mean? I mean I can not recall a Funky, Soulful, R&B CD that I have ever owned in which every tune hits the mark!

"Get Me Through" ...the opening high -energy number will get you movin',  a solid, solid get up and move
piece of funk!

"Love Automatic"...Mary's performance here is the ultimate sassy, soulful, attitude of a "got to have it" woman, in an "Automatic" affair, I really loved this tune!

"Paper Moons"...gets down as deep as soul can get. Mary's range and ability to funkify the phrasing of her terrific lyrics make this tune special. "I just want to be with you... under a paper moon, ...dancin' in the night, while you hold me tight....wish you knew my name."

"Out of My Mind"...another bulls eye! up beat 21st Century neo/soul...this one could be bound for the Dance Charts.

"Changing Spaces"...could be the "ever green" tune of this work. Mary's universal words of a broken heart are lent to a melody of passion. "Hear the sound of my heart break"  "Love or hate" "Gone or hold on"
...she tells it like it can be, and we have all been there.

...Seven tunes in all, on the preview I reviewed, all written by Mary C.

This CD just confirms what I saw live;
Mary C, expresses her emotions and keeps the music as real as it can be. She is able to blast her stage presents out like an explosion and yet maintain an intimacy with her audience!

...for me this work came "Right On Time"!

                                                                      *********

Mary C http://home.marycmusic.com/

Mary C has a great show planned for: Pianos, NYC, December 13th 7PM.


I'm Pete, follow me...www.twitter.com/petecarma