Featured Artist: Chris Cortez
CD Title: Hold It Right There
Year: 2003
Record Label: Blue Bamboo
Style: Straight-Ahead / Classic
Musicians: Chris Cortez (guitar, vocals), Tommy Sciple (bass), Jay Webb (trumpet), Dean Fransen (piano), Larry Panella (sax, clarinet), Sam Bruton (piano), Reggie Murray (saxophone)
Review:
For this release, guitarist Chris Cortez turns from the smooth jazz style of his last outing, Groovopolis , for a set of standards, featuring his working band. It also features Cortez' vocals, and his supple, relaxed voice is as much a treat as his impeccable instrumental work.
This is the kind of jazz that I love to walk into a lounge and find on the bill of fare - straight ahead music played by solid pros, music that you can tap a toe to, snap your fingers along with, and, if the moment inspires and the company is congenial, get up and dance to.
It's also great to listen to. In addition to Cortez, I'm particularly taken with the contributions of pianist Dean Fransen, but, again, these guys are all top drawer professionals, accustomed to delivering the goods night after night for demanding New Orleans audiences. They deliver here, as well, with a baker's dozen of the most enjoyable jazz tracks you'll find.
Tracks: Hold It Right There, Lullaby Of Birdland, Ain't Misbehavin', All Right, OK, You Win, Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight, Jordu, Tico Tico, Stormy Weather, Cloudburst, Benny's From Heaven, Way Down Yonder In New Orleans, Red Top, The Best Is Yet To Come
Record Label Website: http://www.bluebamboo.com
Reviewed by: Shaun Dale