Richard Rodgers

Established in Miami, on life support in L.A., then finally burnished in New York City, the Konrad Paszkudzki Trio's aesthetic can be summed up in three words: mood, sizzle and swing. Their sound is classic yet timeless in its mode of expression, captivating ardent lovers of the jazz idiom and Tin Pan Alley tradition alike.
The focus is on standards - tunes collectively known as The Great American Song Book. Without imposing trite gimmicks or relying on overt displays of flash and technical wizardry, the trio stays true to the original musical and lyrical content of the material, with an emphasis on melodic elegance and swinging verve. The influence of Nelson Riddle, Oscar Peterson, Erroll Garner and Ahmad Jamal can be felt and heard, but is never blatantly mimicked…

Ralph Sharon - The Magic Of Richard Rogers (1991) {Horatio Nelson Records CD SIV 6130}
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© 1991 Horatio Nelson Records | CD SIV 6130
Jazz / Cool / Standards / Piano

Another set from Ralph Sharon. This one looks to be the original issue from 1991, not the Avid re-issue from 2000. This album is one of my all-time favorites. It is so mellow and smooth. It never fails to surprise me. Each time I hear it, I hear something new. It gives me a feeling of contentment and I think it helps my plants grow too. I highly recommend this as an example of great music played brilliantly by a great trio.

After reworking Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart’s “Blue Moon” last month, New York City jazz ensemble Onyx Collective has released their album titled Manhattan Special via TMWRK Records. Produced by group leader Isaiah Barr of Onyx Collective and Jeremy Yohai of Concord Music Publishing, the album is comprised entirely of the collective’s re-imaginations of legendary songwriting duos Richard Rodgers & Oscar Hammerstein II and Rodgers & Lorenz Hart.

The second of Ella Fitzgerald's famed Songbook series features her singing 34 of the best songs co-written by Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart. The arrangements by Buddy Bregman for the string orchestra and big band only border on jazz but she manages to swing the medium-tempo numbers and give sensitivity to the ballads. With such songs as "You Took Advantage of Me," "The Lady Is a Tramp," "It Never Entered My Mind," "Where or When," "My Funny Valentine," and "Blue Moon," it is not too surprising that these recordings were so popular.

Screen superstar Hugh Jackman (X-Men, Les Misérables) and acclaimed actress Maureen Lipman (The Pianist) head a spirited cast in this visually stunning adaptation of the beloved Broadway favorite from Rodgers & Hammerstein! Some of the greatest songs ever written! Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin', The Surry with the Fringe on Top, People Will Say We're in Love, Oklahoma and more!

This Rosemary Clooney recording differs from all of her previous Concord albums in that she is joined by the L.A. Jazz Choir (a 12-voice group) on half of the dozen selections. The choral backing is a bit of an acquired taste for jazz listeners but Clooney's backup sextet does consist of tenor saxophonist Scott Hamilton, trumpeter Jack Sheldon (who helps out Clooney with his vocal on "People Will Say We're in Love"), trombonist Chauncey Welsch, pianist John Oddo (who is responsible for both the choral and instrumental arrangements), bassist John Clayton and drummer Joe LaBarbera. Clooney interprets the music of Richard Rodgers and lyrics which are split almost evenly between Lorenz Hart and Oscar Hammerstein. Most of the tunes are fairly well-known (including "It Might as Well Be Spring," "I Could Write a Book," "You Took Advantage of Me" and "My Romance") but Rosemary Clooney makes them sound fresh and alive.