Joe Magnarelli- Persistence
Trumpeter Joe Magnarelli chose an all star supporting cast for his debut as a leader on Reservoir Music.

His front line cohort is baritone saxophonist Gary Smulyan who featured Joe on his debut Reservoir CD, The Real Deal (RSR CD 172), and the rhythm section is comprised of pianist David Hazeltine (who is making his first appearance on the label), along with bassist Peter Washington, and drummer Kenny Washington.

Magnarelli is featured with the rhythm section in a quartet rendition of I Had The Craziest Dream. The two Dietz and Schwartz classics: Haunted Heart, and a hard charging You And The Night And The Music showcase both Magnarelli’s and Smulyan’s extraordinary soloing abilities. The trumpeter’s five originals include Ballad For Barretto which is his poignant tribute to his former boss, a bit of funk and soul with D Train Boogaloo, Soul Sister (Body and Soul disguised as a waltz), and most of all, Persist which is what these great players do so very well.

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Rob Schneiderman- Glass Enclosure
The impressionistic Bud Powell composition Glass Enclosure is the point of departure for pianist Rob Schneiderman’s exciting new release. Schneiderman is joined by the legendary alto saxophonist Charles McPherson, bassist Todd Coolman and drummer Leroy Williams.

McPherson is featured on six of the selections which include two Schneiderman originals, Reunion and Ready Or Not, Bud Powell’s Buster Rides Again, Fine & Dandy, Cocktails For Two (a reminder of McPherson’s past association with Charles Mingus), and an exquisite duo rendition of Embraceable You. Schneiderman and the rhythm section explore the complexities of the title tune along with the pianist’s original blues Bluegenes, Gigi Gryce’s Social Call, and Charlie Parker’s Yardbird Suite.

Rob Schneiderman’s association with Reservoir Music dates back to 1988 with the release of his first CD, New Outlook (RSR CD 106). Glass Enclosure is his tenth release for the label. It documents his maturity as an established artist who has deep roots in the tradition of the music, and who strives to bring a fresh viewpoint with each new project.

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Pete Malinverni- Invisible Cities
The major cities of the world are frequently the inspiration for jazz
compositions. For Pete Malinverni’s Invisible Cities, he used melodies that already existed, and composed his own for other places that inspired him in his travels. Featured with pianist Malinverni, are the superb soloists, trumpeter Tim Hagans, and tenor saxophonist Rich Perry, and the excellent rhythm support of bassist Ugonna Okegwo, and drummer Tom Melito.

Malinverni’s arrangements of I Love Paris, Chicago, Bernstein’s Lonely Town, There’s A Boat Dat’s Leavin’ Soon For New York, and his own six original compositions provide a palette for soloing and group interplay that gives the impression that the players have been performing together for a long time rather than having been in the recording studio for just one afternoon.

This is unquestionably one of the finest recordings in the Reservoir catalog.

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Jon Mayer - So Many Stars
For his fourth Reservoir CD, pianist Jon Mayer is accompanied by the
incomparable bassist Rufus Reid, and the legendary Roy McCurdy who has been Mayer’s regular drummer for many years in Los Angeles.

Cedar Walton’s Holy Land sets the tone for this well-balanced sixty three minute program with the trio digging in on the innate grooves of Duke Pearson’s Jeannine, Horace Silver’s Nica’s Dream, Miles Davis’ Blues By Five, You’re My Everything, All Of You, and two Mayer originals. Mayer continues to display his trademark soulful ballad artistry on Spring Can Really Hang You Up The Most, the title track So Many Stars, and a poignant solo version of Never Never Land.

As with his other CDs on Reservoir, Mayer changes keys and tempos, explores nuances and contrasts, and continues his ongoing brilliant legacy of great piano jazz.

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Gary Smulyan - more treasures
Gary Smulyan has arrived at the summit of baritone saxophone playing. His rich sound, fluid phrasing, virtuosity, and ebullient personality are instantly recognizable. Following-up on his recent highly acclaimed Reservoir outing, 'Hidden Treasures' (RSR CD 185), he is off again in search of 'More Treasures' from the vast jazz repertoire.

In the company of pianist Mike LeDonne, bassist Dennis Irwin, and drummer Steve Johns, Smulyan explores a full spectrum of harmonies and tempos from the pens of Hank Mobley, Horace Silver, Chick Corea, Thelonious Monk, Sonny Rollins, Tadd Dameron, Sal Nistico, and Gigi Gryce.

It's hard to beat these sixty two minutes of hard swinging jazz improvisation as a source of pure inspiration for great listening pleasure.

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Martin Bejerano evolution/revolution
For the past five years, pianist Martin Bejerano has been a regular member of the high profile ensembles of Roy Haynes and Russell Malone. These days a new pianist with monster chops is not news. What is special about Bejerano is not how fast he plays, but how he thinks. In the company of bassist Edward Perez and drummer Ludwig Afonso, this tight intuitive trio sails through Bud Powell’s Bouncing With Bud, Miles’ Solar, elegant renderings of Lover Man and You Don’t Know What Love Is, and four energized originals. Bejerano’s piano virtuosity is highlighted on a solo take of Monk’s Dream.

When asked about Bejerano, Roy Haynes commented that “It is a treat to have Martin in my band. I loved him from the beginning.“

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John Fedchock New York Big Band - Up & Running
With their fourth CD on Reservoir Music, Up & Running, the John Fedchock New York Big Band continues with most of the same personnel as when it was first assembled in 1989 by this accomplished trombonist-arranger-composer.

At that time, the band’s players were all relatively unknown, and have since become some of the finest names on the New York jazz scene. In addition to trombonist Fedchock, the band features such outstanding soloists as saxophonists Rich Perry, Rick Margitza, Mark Vinci, Charles Pillow, and Gary Smulyan, trumpeters Scott Wendholt and Barry Ries, trombonist Steve Davis, pianist Allen Farnham, and drummer Dave Rataczak.

Fedchock’s finely crafted arrangements create an innovative framework that keeps the music swinging and relaxed throughout the sixty eight minute program of ten selections that pay homage to some of the greats who have influenced and inspired Fedchock such as John Coltrane (Momentís Notice), J. J. Johnson (J Birds), Sonny Rollins (Alfie’s Theme), and Elvin Jones (Elvin’s Empire)..

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Hod O’Brien Live at Blues Alley - Third Set
Put pianist Hod O’Brien, bassist Ray Drummond, and drummer Kenny Washington in a club, record them for two evenings, and you are pretty much guaranteed to get at least one CD’s worth of excellent music. Two CDs? Possible. Three CDs without prior rehearsals, and only five hours maximum of recording time? Pretty much impossible!

Live At Blues Alley – Third Set is fifty nine minutes of music “rejected” by Hod when we were selecting the material for the first two CDs. “But to my surprise, I found the music highly inspired,” Hod explains. From the opening Howard McGhee’s Double Talk, there is a level of excitement sustained on all of the selections, which also include It Could Happen To You, Easy Living, and five of Tadd Dameron’s classics: Our Delight, The Squirrel, If You Could See Me Now, Dameronia, and On A Misty Night.

As for the question about a third CD, here is the answer. It can only happen with three great musicians, an equally great recording engineer, Jim Anderson, and a receptive and appreciative audience.

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Valery Ponomarev Beyond The Obvious
What’s obvious about Valery Ponomarev’s musical persona is that there are no hidden agendas. He plays trumpet and composes music that tells his personal story, and clearly reflects his love of jazz, and the ability to explore all of its possible creative pathways.

Beyond The Obvious gives Ponomarev the opportunity to explore the space and freedom in a format without piano. He has created arrangements with spontaneous interplay between himself and tenor saxophonist Don Braden with crafty interludes which take advantage of Martin Zenker’s beautiful deep bass sound. This is the recording debut of drummer Jerome Jennings (who is “the next Art Blakey” according to Ponomarev.)

Ponomarev contributes four original compositions including a 15 minute performance of Sale On Love which exhibits his writing skills with interludes, countermelodies, vamps, and lots of improvising. Lee Morgan’s Party Time, Ornette Coleman’s The Blessing, Strayhorn’s Chelsea Bridge, and Close Your Eyes are given fresh and vibrant interpretations.

Beyond The Obvious is Ponomarev’s seventh CD for Reservoir Music, and possibly his best in many respects. His great talents as a player, composer, and arranger, are matched by his ability to be a leader who is able to get the best performances out of anybody who plays with him.

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Gary Smulyan hidden treasures
For his second Reservoir CD, baritone saxophonist Gary Smulyan gives us music to discover and explore. In the company of bassist Christian McBride and drummer Billy Drummond, Smulyan explores 10 obscure tunes written by well known musicians which are based on the chord changes of standards and jazz classics. Anchored by Smulyan’s distinctive sound, the trio brings forth a fountain of textures and a flow of ideas which bear the impact of a larger ensemble, but which carry a refreshing small group vitality and spontaneity.

Hidden Treasures clearly presents the depth of Gary Smulyan’s state-of-the-art saxophone playing with his fluid technique, his harmonic sophistication, and most important, his serious swing. As Christian McBride exclaims at the end of one of the selections: “New York Jazz, Baby!”

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Pete Malinverni theme & variations
Best known for his trio recordings, Pete Malinverni has received universal acclaim for his unique and creative approach to piano jazz. His five previous Reservoir recordings stand as testament to his accomplishments.
Theme & Variations is Malinverni’s first solo recording with the centerpiece being a theme and 13 improvised variations resulting in a very personal musical statement without artifice. The musical program is also highlighted with Malinverni’s explorations of the spiritual Standin’ In The Need Of Prayer, Ornette Coleman’s Blues Connotations, Sly Stone’s Everybody Is A Star, two distinct versions of It Was Just One Of Those Things, I’ve Grown Accustomed To Her Face, and These Foolish Things.
The superb sound quality which captures the vibrant intimacy of the music is a result of Jim Anderson’s engineering, and Allan Tucker’s mastering. This 65 minute recital represents a musical tour de force that is destined to become a classic.

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Jon Mayer My Romance
Pianist Jon Mayer focuses on ten under-performed gems of the American Songbook, approaching them from his unique perspective. Mayer’s formative years go back to the New York jazz scene of the 1950s playing and recording with Jackie McLean, John Coltrane, Kenny Dorham, and Tony Scott (replacing Bill Evans). The 1960s and 1970s found him playing with the Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra, and accompanying the Manhattan Transfer, Sarah Vaughan, Ernestine Anderson, and Dionne Warwick. Now based in Los Angeles, Mayer performs regularly with his own trio and quartet with Ernie Watts, and often accompanies touring jazz greats.

For his third Reservoir CD, Mayer has a rock-solid rhythm section with master bassist Rufus Reid (who played on his two previous CDs), and the ever-swinging drummer Dick Berk (who is no stranger to the Reservoir label with 3 CDs as a leader, and appearing on 4 CDs with Nick Brignola).

The selections include Cole Porter’s Dream Dancing and Everything I Love, Yours Is My Heart Alone, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s I Have Dreamed, But Beautiful, Be My Love, Cy Coleman’s I’m Gonna Laugh You Out Of My Life, Yesterdays, Jobim’s If You Never Come To Me, and a heart- felt solo performance of My Romance.
Mayer states “There is a thread that runs through all of these tunes. Each has an irresistible melodic magnetism and presence, and each is done in my very personal way of presenting the melody."

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