Cellar Live New Releases

[mjzee]

Release date March 10:

Mike's lyrical playing & musical hospitality inspire a bandstand vibe that opens up to vital performances. To A Star combines a studio session & a live date at Frankie's Jazz Club in Vancouver feat. bassist John Lee & drum legend Carl Allen. Allen's specialty is playing in the chordless trio format and arguably no one does it better. A perceptive and spirited outing by a Canadian treasure.

Release date March 24:

Nightcrawlers Get Ready marks a return to the roots of the group: a live recording in the comfort of our local club purely for the joy of playing for our fans and supporters. With the social effects of the pandemic lingering in our communities this recording was a chance for us to celebrate togetherness and the special energizing effect of making music with a live audience.

[mjzee]

Release date April 7:

Twenty-eight years ago, in March 1994, Mike Melito's fellow Rochesterian, Chuck Mangione, presented a traveling festival in upstate New York. He hired Roy McCurdy to play with Nat Adderley - with whom McCurdy had played on 7 leaders, plus another 19 with Cannonball Adderley, between 1966 and 1979 - in a band that included pianist Don Menza and Rochester guitar stalwart Bob Sneider. He assigned Melito to the other act, James Moody, in a unit including then up-and-coming pianist Danilo Pérez. Roy and I hit it off right away, Melito says. I'd obviously been checking him out for years. We played the same set of drums, same cymbals - and I learned a lot about sound. He didn't talk to me about anything. I watched him, and figured out what he was doing that I wasn't. I believe you're a student forever. I work a lot on my sound, on my hands, on my cymbal beat. My goal has always been to sound as authentic as possible as a player and strive for the same sound as my heroes. Melito offered this self-assessment after relating an encounter some thirty years ago with iconic drum conceptualist Max Roach, whom he'd studied closely since age 12, when Melito heard the 1947 Charlie Parker-Miles Davis-Roach classic Dewey Square on the first jazz record I ever bought on my own. Another Rochester friend, trumpeter John Sneider, had played Roach some tapes featuring Melito, and the maestro noticed. I met Max and he gave me one of the greatest compliments I've ever received, Melito recounts. He said, 'You really know how to phrase; the snare drum...' - and gave me a big hug. The 56-year-old master offers a highly personalized refraction of Roach's late 1950s investigations of the possibilities of 3/4 waltz time towards the end of his eighth self-released album, To Swing Is The Thing, a title that efficiently encapsulates the imperatives that have driven him through 40 years as a professional drummer.

[mjzee]

Release date May 26:

Springing forth from the competing impulses that were the isolation of the 2020 COVID lockdowns and the creative burst that many individuals experienced, Patton, a pianist whose personal humility, deftness of touch, and deep understanding of the jazz tradition has earned him frequent company in the bands of Jimmy Heath and Charles McPherson, presents here a fine recording of former miniatures that may have begun life as pianistic exercises aimed at technical self-improvement, but quickly transformed into fulsome and satisfying artistic ensemble creations.

[mjzee]

Release date June 9:

Short Stories, bassist Vicente Archer's debut album is a family affair. Vicente brings together long-time friends and collaborators Gerald Clayton on piano and Bill Stewart on drums to dive into stories and songs from his 25 year career making music with luminaries like Robert Glasper, John Scofield, Nicholas Payton and Norah Jones. More than a musical memory box, however, Short Stories is a look at life, and little moments, in sketches of sound.

Se balader: a french verb meaning to stroll, wander or roam. In other words, a slow and easy movement through time. Musically-speaking, this is what Sienna Dahlen and Bill Coon set out to experience in early January of 2020 under a misty evening sky in Vancouver, BC. There was really no end goal, only the moment to honour, as living in a jazz ballad means remaining open and vulnerable while navigating silence and shaping time. We strive to sink into the soul of the story, reacting in the ways that the music needs us to do so. We listen and we follow through accordingly. Lovers of the music that was made by people like Ed Bickert and Shirley Horn, (both masters of ultra-relaxed, soulful playing and vocalizing), Dahlen and Coon also feel most at home when residing in the realms of spacious spontaneity. The tempos and vibes on this album run the gamut of sometimes unpredictably minimal and quirky, sometimes dirgy, sometimes ballroom dance-ballad, sometimes rubato etc. (with the exception of the last song on the record which was included as a sort of tongue-in-cheek clin d'oeil as if to say yes, we like up-tempos too!) Each of the tunes on the album,(many well-known and others not as much), has resided in Dahlen and Coon's respective repertoires for decades. Balladextrous is a guaranteed mood-setter. It goes down well with a bottle of red shared among loved ones, a hot soak in a bubble bath or, perhaps a long and luxurious drive to the beach to catch the last rays of the sun. Whatever your fancy, we hope you enjoy the ride now as much as we did then.

This exciting amalgamation of five of the most innovative and exciting jazz musicians in Canada; Reg Schwager, Ryan Oliver, Nick Peck, Rene Worst and Ernesto Cervini, was sure to give musical birth to a collection of some of the most inspiring and memorable compositions published in recent years. All these Award-Winning musicians have many, many years experience as independent band leaders, session players and project leaders and capturing them under one roof was sure to make for a very special chemistry. Included as a Bonus track is part of a live recording made two days before the studio recording that will raise the nap on the listener's neck. Immerse yourself in this recording - you will not be disappointed!

Release date June 23:

Open Spaces is the second album by the 17-piece Daniel Hersog Jazz Orchestra. The album features a dynamic collection of classic folk material reimagined by Hersog, as well as his unforgettable original compositions. The exceptional musicianship of the ensemble is showcased throughout the album, which is elevated even further by collaborations with some of the most dynamic and influential musicians in the genre, including Scott Robinson, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Noah Preminger, and Dan Weiss. Hersog's innovative and orchestral approach to the large ensemble is highlighted, making Open Spaces an unforgettable listening experience.

 

 

 

[mjzee]

Release date June 23:

Counterclock refers to looking back and not discounting art you created in your early stages as an artist. Gibson has come to embrace and celebrate his compositions from yesteryear. He's joined by allstar band including Sean Jones - trumpet, Michael Dease - trombone, baritone saxophone (track 7) Pat Bianchi - b3 organ and Lewis Nash - drums who play Gibsons music beautifully.

[mjzee]

Release date July 7:

Rising star Jalen Baker takes the helm for the 6th release in Cellar Music's black artist led series curated by Jeremy Pelt. 'Be Still' is an album about reflection and new beginnings that showcases Baker's exceptional skills as both a vibraphonist and composer. He is joined in this memorable quartet by Paul Cornish on piano, Gabe Godoy on bass and Gavin Moolchan on drums.

[mjzee]

Release date August 11:

Inspired by his late mentors Everette DeVan, Seleno Clarke, and the incomparable Dr. Lonnie Smith, Chris Hazelton's new album invokes the feeling of what jazz organ has always traditionally been: late night music. The album finds him in a focused, subtle setting with a quintet of Kansas City's finest. The selections tell the story of a night out and the enchantment of what can happen after dark!

Release date September 8:

Fifteen years later, but well worth the wait, Joel Haynes is back with his third album 'The Return' on Cellar Music. The Toronto-based drummer laid down the album in Vancouver with an all-star band including Seamus Blake on saxophone, Neil Swainson on bass, and Tilden Webb on piano. Fine original compositions are juxtaposed by some killer covers including 'Tomorrow Never Knows' by The Beatles.

Effervescent pianist Miki Yamanaka and her band bring their unique sound to the fore on their new album 'Shades Of Rainbow'. Recorded in Vancouver, during a memorable tour, the stellar New York based trio of Yamanaka, Tyrone Allen and Jimmy Macbride are fortified by the beautiful and unique saxophone playing of Mark Turner. Yamanaka's eight original compositions showcase her talent, wit and feel.

[Ken Dryden]

On 4/16/2023 at 10:50 PM, mjzee said:

Release date June 9:

Short Stories, bassist Vicente Archer's debut album is a family affair. Vicente brings together long-time friends and collaborators Gerald Clayton on piano and Bill Stewart on drums to dive into stories and songs from his 25 year career making music with luminaries like Robert Glasper, John Scofield, Nicholas Payton and Norah Jones. More than a musical memory box, however, Short Stories is a look at life, and little moments, in sketches of sound.

Se balader: a french verb meaning to stroll, wander or roam. In other words, a slow and easy movement through time. Musically-speaking, this is what Sienna Dahlen and Bill Coon set out to experience in early January of 2020 under a misty evening sky in Vancouver, BC. There was really no end goal, only the moment to honour, as living in a jazz ballad means remaining open and vulnerable while navigating silence and shaping time. We strive to sink into the soul of the story, reacting in the ways that the music needs us to do so. We listen and we follow through accordingly. Lovers of the music that was made by people like Ed Bickert and Shirley Horn, (both masters of ultra-relaxed, soulful playing and vocalizing), Dahlen and Coon also feel most at home when residing in the realms of spacious spontaneity. The tempos and vibes on this album run the gamut of sometimes unpredictably minimal and quirky, sometimes dirgy, sometimes ballroom dance-ballad, sometimes rubato etc. (with the exception of the last song on the record which was included as a sort of tongue-in-cheek clin d'oeil as if to say yes, we like up-tempos too!) Each of the tunes on the album,(many well-known and others not as much), has resided in Dahlen and Coon's respective repertoires for decades. Balladextrous is a guaranteed mood-setter. It goes down well with a bottle of red shared among loved ones, a hot soak in a bubble bath or, perhaps a long and luxurious drive to the beach to catch the last rays of the sun. Whatever your fancy, we hope you enjoy the ride now as much as we did then.

This exciting amalgamation of five of the most innovative and exciting jazz musicians in Canada; Reg Schwager, Ryan Oliver, Nick Peck, Rene Worst and Ernesto Cervini, was sure to give musical birth to a collection of some of the most inspiring and memorable compositions published in recent years. All these Award-Winning musicians have many, many years experience as independent band leaders, session players and project leaders and capturing them under one roof was sure to make for a very special chemistry. Included as a Bonus track is part of a live recording made two days before the studio recording that will raise the nap on the listener's neck. Immerse yourself in this recording - you will not be disappointed!

Release date June 23:

Open Spaces is the second album by the 17-piece Daniel Hersog Jazz Orchestra. The album features a dynamic collection of classic folk material reimagined by Hersog, as well as his unforgettable original compositions. The exceptional musicianship of the ensemble is showcased throughout the album, which is elevated even further by collaborations with some of the most dynamic and influential musicians in the genre, including Scott Robinson, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Noah Preminger, and Dan Weiss. Hersog's innovative and orchestral approach to the large ensemble is highlighted, making Open Spaces an unforgettable listening experience.

 

 

 

I just received the Daniel Hersog today. His debut CD was a masterpiece, so this one should be great.

[mjzee]

Release date September 22:

New York-based Canadian pianist and composer Noah Franche-Nolan is joined by Juno Nominated Jodi Proznick on bass and Nicholas Bracewell on drums for his Cellar Live Debut. The album is a depiction of Franche-Nolan's eclectic interior musical world, filled with lyrical compositions and intricately arranged renditions of carefully picked songs from the jazz/Black American Music canon.

Release date August 11:

A captivating collection of original compositions by indomitable pianist Sharon Minemoto. Her new album for Cellar Music entitled 'Dark Night, Bright Stars' is lyrical, playful and introspective with a wealth of emotional depth. It features a fantastic quartet comprised of Jon Bentley on tenor saxophone, Darren Radtke on bass and Bernie Arai on drums.

Release date September 22:

Rituals is Jefferson's third release as a leader and features nine original compositions, written over a twelve-year period. Juno-award-nominee Jefferson called upon three long-standing connections to bring his music to life - pianist Amanda Tosoff, bassist Jon Maharaj, and drummer Morgan Childs are the perfect support and bring a palpable synergy to the project.

[mjzee]

Release date October 20:

Father and son trumpeter-composers John and David Sneider explore the musical possibilities and potential of the two-trumpet format on their new album for Cellar Live. The Sneiders are joined here by pianist Jeb Patton, bassist Ugonna Okegwo, and drummer Andy Watson, to explore some deeply personal and compelling stories through their music.

[mjzee]

Release date November 3:

Home Cookin' is a continuation of saxophonist Cory Weeds' 1st little big band record. Featuring a line up of all-star Vancouver players captured by award winning engineer Sheldon Zaharko at Vancouver's Warehouse Studios Weeds plays the arrangements of Bill Coon and Jill Townsend magnificently. Highlights include Weeds beautiful ballad Blossoms In May and Weeds' fathers burner Corner Kisses.

Release date September 22:

The incredible Brad Turner returns to Cellar Live with a new album 'Magnificent', comprising nine original compositions, including its title track in homage to Thad Jones. Recorded partly live and partly in studio, Turner plays both piano and trumpet and is joined in this dream quintet by Peter Bernstein on guitar, Neil Swainson on bass, Cory Weeds on saxophone and Quincy Davis on drums.

Release date October 20:

Atley King is Canada's leading young Jazz Vibraphonist. He has studied with some of the greatest living masters of the music, and has a respect for the tradition that runs deep. His latest album for Cellar Music, Unconditional showcases this with eight original compositions presented by some of the finest musicians in the country; Max Huberdeau, Brad Turner, David Caballero and Arvind Ramdas.

NYC trumpeter extraordinaire Antoine Drye & orchestrator Isaac Raz come together with an ensemble over 20 musicians and singers, to create this sumptuous album for Cellar Music. Recorded in the classic style of landmark orchestral recordings in Black American Music, such as Clifford Brown with Strings, 'Retreat to Beauty' delivers both covers and original compositions with a deft modern twist.

Release date October 6:

Premiere bassist John Lang releases his 1st album for Cellar Music entitled 'Earotica'. It features twelve original compositions written especially for a nine-piece band of NYC's finest. The result is the best kind of social music, constructed to engage both the musicians and the listeners. The music traverses many moods: gritty, pensive, lyrical, down-home and always with an emphasis on dancing!

[mjzee]

Release date November 3:

This recording captures two distinct musical moments in time. Separated by some twenty years and showcasing two bands with Senensky at the helm, the album is a testimony to the pianist's ability to band lead across generations and borders with intensity and aplomb. Featuring Eric Alexander on tenor saxophone, Kieran Overs and Dave Young on bass, and Joe Farnsworth and Morgan Childs on drums.

Michael Weiss' new album affords us one of the most intimate and sustained views of his artistry to date. 'Homage' is a collection of compositions and arrangements that his trio have been developing and refining organically on the bandstand over many years. Featuring Weiss on piano, Paul Sikivie on bass and Pete Van Nostrand on drums and showcasing their subtle chemistry and rhythmic precision.

Release date November 17:

Produced by Hellmeier's mentor, drummer Joe Farnsworth, this album features 4 of the greatest jazz musicians on the planet today. Trumpeter Jeremy Pelt, pianist David Hazeltine, bassist Peter Washington & saxophonist Eric Alexander anchored by the young drummer convened at the legendary RVG studios and recorded a few of Hellmeier's thoughtful originals and some unique takes on jazz classics.

[mjzee]

The inimitable and distinctive personal and collective sound of Ray Gallon, Ron Carter and Lewis Nash has transparency and clarity, where every note and gesture mean something. Ray Gallon's music is informed, passionate, and personal. He possesses a unique rhythmic imagination and a wrought iron vocabulary. Grand Company is a milestone. Bill Charlap

[Brad]

I haven’t kept up with this thread for awhile but now orders are made through Bandcamp. 

Edited December 7, 2023 by Brad

[John Tapscott]

Cellar Live releases so many recordings, it's hard to keep up. A bunch more now on the website for release in the near future. I can't quite grasp Cory's business plan. 

[Brad]

56 minutes ago, John Tapscott said:

Cellar Live releases so many recordings, it's hard to keep up. A bunch more now on the website for release in the near future. I can't quite grasp Cory's business plan. 

No Reel to Real this RSD although I suppose he figured he did enough this year. 

[Eric]

1 hour ago, John Tapscott said:

Cellar Live releases so many recordings, it's hard to keep up. A bunch more now on the website for release in the near future. I can't quite grasp Cory's business plan. 

I enjoy their Bandcamp page and buy albums from time to time.  Pretty mainstream stuff, but sound samples make it easy to be choosey.

[ejp626]

4 hours ago, John Tapscott said:

I can't quite grasp Cory's business plan. 

Keep putting out music until he goes broke?

[tranemonk]

On 12/7/2023 at 10:42 PM, ejp626 said:

Keep putting out music until he goes broke?

Hey as mainstream as it is, I appreciate him trying. I just purchased the new Jim Rotondi with Strings. Sounded very good.

[BillF]

16 minutes ago, tranemonk said:

Hey as mainstream as it is

?

[tranemonk]

46 minutes ago, BillF said:

?

I didn't mean anything in particular. I think it was in reference to earlier posts seemingly being lukewarm to all the new releases. I like it as who knows how many of those artists would be getting recorded otherwise. Hope that makes sense.

[mjzee]

Release date January 12:

Generation Y is a band concept that was conceived back in 2019 with the goal promoting the next generation of dynamic talent from the top conservatories in NYC and beyond. Led by Ulysses Owens Jr. who is a Multi Grammy Award-winning Drummer, Producer, Educator and Cultural Entrepreneur. Serving at The Juilliard School in the role of Small Ensemble Director within the Jazz Department for the last 8 years, has given Ulysses a front row seat to this Generation's top talent. The material on this album is a culmination of repertoire from Ulysses' influences and mentors like Mulgrew Miller, Roy Hargrove, George Cables, and of course the great Art Blakey. This Generation Y is an updated model of the Jazz Messengers, and many of these band members also perform in Ulysses' big band, and he met many of them at The Juilliard School. This album also features a few original compositions from Luther Allison who is an emerging talent performing with Samara Joy as her pianist, and the album also features a classic from Louis Armstrong titled Heart Full of Rhythm featuring Milton Suggs. This album is a culmination of repertoire that has been performed by this band around the world over the last 4 years and to add another level of nostalgia; it was recorded at the Legendary Rudy Van Gelder Studios in Englewood, NJ.

Charles, Play! is pianist Chen's debut album. The album represents how Charles approaches play: both very serious and very fun. Listeners will hear catchy compositions, danceable arrangements, & dynamic solos. Charles, Play! showcases the joy of creation and the fun of play. The Stellar band is comprised of Ralph Moore on tenor saxophone, Peter Washington on bass and Kenny Washignton on drums.

 

Release date February 16:

Love is the organic thread that ties the repertoire together. You could say this is a love letter to my wife Margaret and my daughter Mary (pictured on the cover) to whom the title track Wonderful is dedicated. It is also meant to shine a particularly bright light on my daughter Mary, who is multiply disabled and truly Wonderful. I chose the titles for their significance to my life's journey after my daughter Mary made her entrance 19 years ago - a journey that has proven to me, without a doubt, that love is the most powerful force in the universe. I can't even begin to list all the incredible things I've learned from her, but it was my love for her that led me to start the Disability Pride Parade in New York City. The idea was to bring large numbers of the disability community out for a joyous day of celebrating who and what they really are: just another diverse and beautiful aspect of humanity. I hoped that once non-disabled people saw this big party coming down the street, they would want to join it, and that is exactly what happened. Once the hang was on, barriers and divisions fell away, and the word disability began to be redefined. When I started out, I had no idea how to create a parade or a non-profit organization, but through Mary I found strengths in myself that I didn't know I had. When people thank me for my work creating the parade, I always tell them it wasn't me - it was Mary. Mike LeDonne

Trumpeter Jim Rotondi has been a major figure in the world of jazz for over 30 years, both in New York and on the international scene. His sound, soul, and sense of swing have been in demand as leader and sideman all over the world. For his new album for Cellar Music, Rotondi has joined forces with arranger Jakob Helling and the Notes & Tones Orchestra to record some incredible versions of his own compositions with big band and strings.

For NYC based pianist Steve Ash, the trio is the ultimate format for creative expression. On his new album for Cellar Music, Ash partners with bassist Harvie S and drummer Alvester Garnett, two valued musical associates who bring a wealth of experience and vibrancy to the recording. Recorded in Ash's living room, with Harvie S expertly engineering the session, 'You And The Night' eschews studio standards. Yet the music offers a crispness and clarity to rival those productions.

[Rabshakeh]

On 10/31/2022 at 2:44 AM, mjzee said:

Release date November 4:

Jason Marshall returns with an incredibly soulful date featuring some of New York's finest including pianist Marc Cary, bassist Gerald Cannon and drummer Willie Jones III. Recorded at the studios of Rudy Van Gelder in Englewood Cliffs New Jersey and produced by Jeremy Pelt. Jason has developed a style that encompasses the whole of African-American music

Has anyone on the board listened to this one? He's not a name that I recognise.

[mjzee]

Release date March 8:

The chromatic harmonica may look like a simple toy or a novelty but it is actually one of the most difficult of all instruments to play. Stating a bebop melody with the ease of a saxophonist has only been achieved by a small handful of jazz harmonica players, most notably Toots Thielemans and Hendrik Meurkens. For his new project 'The Jazz Meurkengers', Meurkens decided that a new swinging jazz album was long overdue so he contacted pianist Steve Ash, bassist Chris Berger and drummer Andy Watson to help him deliver the hard-bop groove of Winton Kelly, Jimmy Cobb and Wes Montgomery. The album features four standards, five Meurkens originals and special guests Ed Cherry and Nick Hampton.

In February of 2023 close friends, Cory Weeds and Champion Fulton travelled to OCL Studios just outside Calgary to record a new live, duo album in front of a rapt audience. Their special bond was evident as pianist and vocalist Fulton delivered sophisticated, swinging turns across a set of beautiful tunes, in conversation with Weeds at his expressive best. This eight track LP edition is pressed on classic black 180g vinyl and limited to 300 copies worldwide.

Release date April 5:

2019 Down Beat Rising Star of the Tenor Saxophone - Dayna Stephens is also globally recognized as a composer, arranger and educator. His new album 'Closer Than We Think' ruminates on how similar we really are. Stephens has chosen a set of songs that speak to our core as conscious beings regardless of origins. It features a new quartet with Emmanuel Michael, Kanoa Mendenhall and Jongkuk Kim.

 

 

 

 

[mjzee]

Release date May 24:

Although Eric has made several appearances on my label: One For All - Invades Vancouver, Michael Weiss - Persistence, The Heavy Hitters, Xaver Hellmeier - X-Man in New York and my record O Sole Mio, he has never appeared as a leader until now. When I started Cellar Live in 2000, recording a musician the stature of Eric Alexander was a dream--Eric enjoyed long stints with some pretty incredible record labels over the years and I wasn't ready to play in the BIG leagues at that point. But many incredible things have happened at the label since that time. And now that the opportunity to record him has come up, I am able to jump at the chance. Timing Is Everything is an appropriate title for both this recording, but, as Eric explains, for life in general. When you're playing jazz music, he continues, you can play all the right notes, but if you don't time them correctly, it's nothing...and when you do time them correctly, it's everything. Similarly, when talking about life, Eric states, one of the few things that a human being possesses is their time. You don't own your life. You don't own your car. You only own your time. In order to have a fulfilled life, you have to protect your time and your timing. Timing is Everything because you can't get time back.