Dave Stryker with String Quartet

Air Date: 12/12/2021

I'm not sure if I'm noticing a trend or if it is just something about the way I see things, but it seems to me that there is a big crossover trend, with jazz artists incorporating instrumentation that is more typically associated with classical music.

A case in point is the new CD from Dave Stryker, As We Are. As noted in the liner, Mr. Stryker says:

“I always wanted to do something where strings would really be integrated into the music, not a coloring or sweetening that comes in later.” 

What a great quote, and it is exactly the sentiment expressed (in nearly the same words) by Alan Broadbent when we spoke about his recent release Broadbent Plays Brubeck,  the arrangements of which include a full string orchestra.

Another recent release that falls into this bucket would be guitarist Chris Standring's new one, Wonderful World, also featuring a full 19-piece string orchestra.

So, is this a good thing? You bet it is.  

Sara Caswell
Let's take the title track from Mr. Stryker's new CD as an example. We'll hear it early during the first hour. The guitar enters only after a relatively extended intro by the string quartet, led by well-known jazz violinist Sara Caswell. And yes, the two violins, viola, and cello feel perfectly integrated with the standard quartet.

This music fits right in to your Contemplative Morning. 

Arrangements for the string quartet were done by the pianist Julian Shore, who wrote one of the songs. All other songs except one are originals by Mr. Stryker, which is a differentiating factor for this CD. I am always thrilled to find interesting new songs in the new releases that come in every day.

Other Material

I am digging into the new CD from vocalist Carrie Wicks, Reverie. This CD seems to be more emotionally complex than previous ones. Or maybe I'm just starting to hear it for the first time. Either way, I am liking this CD.

Another artist I am sort of discovering is guitarist Graham Dechter. He reminds me a bit of Randy Napoleon. We'll hear his very pretty version of Pure Imagination during the first hour.

I am continuing to explore the new release from Mafalda Minnozzi. This singer has a delicate, very feminine voice, and it is a pleasure to hear songs written by great Italian composers.

Thanks for tuning in.

Marty

 

HOUR ONE: Contemplative Morning

Scott Reeves\The Alchemist 2021\Remembrance
Dave Stryker\As We Are 2021\As We Are
Susan Krebs Chamber Band - Simple Gifts 2015 - 05 Falling Grace
Graham Dechter-Major Influence 2021-06 Pure Imagination
Mafalda Minnozzi-CinemaCity 2021-08 E La Chiamano Estate
Gerry Gibbs-Songs From My Father Disk 2 2021-06 Lonely Dreams
New Stories\Speakin Out 2021\09 My One And Only Love
Carrie Wicks\Reverie 2021\05 Some Other Things
Martin Wind\Astorian Queen 2021\Peace Waltz
Gerry Gibbs-We're Back-11 Brazilian Rhyme 2014

HOUR TWO: New For You

Randy Napoleon\Rust Belt Roots 2021\The Tender Gender
Nicole Henry\TIME TO LOVE AGAIN. 2021\I Didn't Know What Time It Was  -
Steve Million\What I Meant to Say 2021\What I Meant to Say
Steven Feifke Big Band-Kinetic 2021-04 Unti the Real Thing Comes Along
Tanya Dennis-White Sails Blue Skies 2021-02 Till You
Mafalda Minnozzi-CinemaCity 2021-02 Loss of Love
Royce Campbell-Cool School 2021-10 Skyline Silhouette
Dave Stryker\As We Are 2021\Hope
Carrie Wicks\Reverie 2021\Shadow Play
Rosana Eckert\Brasuka - A Vida Com Paixao 2021\Reina's Song

HOUR THREE: Brazil/World

Elena Maque\Feel Again 2021\The Girl From Ipanema
Rosana Eckert\Brasuka - A Vida Com Paixao 2021\Road to Hermeto
Alexander McCabe-Body And Soul 2021-05 Angela
Gemma Sherry-Music to Dream To 2021-02 So Danco Samba
Charlie Byrd-Brazilian Byrd-04 The Girl From Ipanema 1994
Mafalda Minnozzi-CinemaCity 2021-07 Anonimo Veneziano
Tony Bennett-Duets II-13 Stranger in Paradise 2011 feat. Andrea Bocelli
Chiara Civello\Eclipse\01 Come Vanno Le Cose
Carmen Cuesta-Mi Bossa Nova-01 Triste 2010
Rosana Eckert\Brasuka - A Vida Com Paixao 2021\009 Confundido
Mafalda Minnozzi-CinemaCity 2021-12 Se
Antonio Carlos Jobim-Some of the Best -07 Love Theme from the Adventures
Sergio Pereira-Nu Brasil-08 Trem Do Tempo 2018

HOUR FOUR: Groove, Baby

Philip Bailey-Love Will Find A Way-02 You're Everything 2019
Pieces of a Dream\Fired Up 2021\04 - Livin' The Life
Rick Braun-Can You Feel It-05-Get Up and Dance
Rick Braun-Can You Feel It-08-Silk
Vincent Ingala\Fire And Desire 2021\Hypnotic State
Randy Napoleon-Common Tones-03 You've Got to Hang On 2019
Joey DeFrancesco-More Music 2021-09 More Music
Phil Perry-Breathless-10-Moments inthe Houst of Love
Eric Marienthal & Chuck Loeb-Bridges-06 Lucky Southern (2015)
Brian Simpson\All That Matters 2021\A Soft Touch
Chuck Yamek-Feels So Right-03 Groove.com 2003
Euge Groove-Groove On-11 The Healing (cinema) 2017

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