Our Discovery Download puts the focus on a different genre each week, offering up a free track we think is worth your attention. Fabian Almazan is a Cuban-born, Miami-raised, and New York–educated pianist. On his debut album, Personalities, the gifted musician draws upon life experiences to tell stories; the stirring tale he shares on “The Vicarious Life” is tremendously evocative. Accompanied by bassist Linda Oh and drummer Henry Cole (whose brushed drumming is punctuated by crashes carrying a tumultuous, stormy element), the pianist’s fingers dance around to create a hint of gorgeous tension; the track conveys the complex emotions of overbearing parents watching their children’s piano recital.
IMPORTANT: Downloads are only free on iTunes for approximately 1 week from this post date.
Our Discovery Download puts the focus on a different genre each week, offering up a free track we think is worth your attention. From saxophonist Joshua Redman to pianist Marcus Roberts to vocalist Gretchen Parlato, Thelonious Monk International Competition winners have risen to the vanguard of the modern jazz scene. On his debut album, State of Art, double bassist and 2009 winner Ben Williams presents an exciting musical concept that breathes in the present while being firmly rooted in tradition. “Home,” its opening track, rolls out skillfully chunky layers of soulful jazz via buoyant drumming, interlocking electric piano and guitar lines, effortless saxophone, and the D.C. native’s nimble yet assured bass lines.
IMPORTANT: Downloads are only free on iTunes for approximately 1 week from this post date.
Southern Illinois native Jaimee Paul grew up singing in church, where she wowed congregations with her spins on classic hymns. On her newest album, Paul reinterprets jazz standards, including “Cry Me a River,” originally popularized by Julie London. Close your eyes and listen to Paul’s timeless, smoky vocals mingle with tranquil string orchestration and Beegie Adair’s delicate piano playing. If you like the track, check out the album.
IMPORTANT: Downloads are only free on iTunes for approximately 1 week from this post date.
On this original composition, James Carter lays down a subtle understated groove driven by elegant arrangements, carefully pared down to the essentials. Says Carter: “I’m dealing with more lyricism on this album, and I’m making more concise statements in the music versus playing out for 10 or 11 minutes.” This creates the perfect setting for Carter’s solowork – and work it is, as he leaps large intervals in single bounds that would make any superhero blanch. Little wonder then, that the Detroit native recently topped Downbeat’s annual Critics Poll in the Baritone Saxophone category for the third year in a row.
IMPORTANT: Downloads are only free on iTunes for approximately 1 week from this post date.
“Worrisome Heart” is the title track to the debut from the young vocalist Melody Gardot. Gardot’s debut is out on Verve Records and the sound she conjures here is a good fit with that label’s classic recordings. This is smoky vocal jazz with Gardot providing plenty of mystery and guile in the composition and vocal style. She unfolds the song like a blues tune, focusing on repitition, but tells more with each line of the song.
IMPORTANT: Downloads are only free on iTunes for approximately 1 week from this post date.
