California Stage

California Stage
One of two things happens when I listen to Jazz. At times I feel like peaceful feeling and just listening to the music and other times I feel like getting up and dancing. Many artists have been influenced by jazz music; from paintings to other forms of music. This time, I picked up a jazz album called California Stage, by Vince Di Mura with help of the famed Basie bassist, JamesLeary and LA session drummer, Fritz Wise, to explore Vince’s perspective on different composers. Vince Di Mura a jazz pianist, composer arranger and musical director; has been performing on different stages throughout North America, Canada, and Latin America for many years. Vince is well-known for his arrangements of “My way: A Tribute to the Music of Frank Sinatra, and I Left My Heart; A Tributeto Tony Bennett. Di Mura has released four jazz CDs: the 2000 release, "Imperfect Balance," the 2007 release, "A Darker Shade of Romance," the 2008 release, “For Lost Words”, and 2010 release, "California Sage". Each of the songs tells a story with many feelings. Moreover, how he took those songs and gives them a piece of his personality is remarkable. I’m going to give brief review and mypersonal opinion of each song.
Ay Luna Que Reluzes by Valente begins with a classical tone; classical music, it has many arpeggios on the bass complemented with the melody of the right (treble) side of the piano. I felt like there were two sides in the song; a good (white) side and evil (dark) side. At the end the melody and the bass end up peacefully. Goodbye Pork Pie Hat by Charles Mingus was in hisalbum “Mingus Ah Um”, and it was recorded in 1959. It is one of Mingus' best known compositions and has been recorded by many jazz and jazz fusion artists. The song has a lot of mystery, but also it has a sexy touch. Without knowing the date that was recorded, I felt transported to the 50’s, walking along very quietly watching the chaos around me. At the minute 2:35, the piano let the bass toexpress itself, and the song end up with suspense. The Glory of Love by Billy Hill is a perfect transition in California Stage. Billy Hill (July 14, 1899 – December 24, 1940) was an American songwriter, violinist, and pianist who found fame writing Western songs such as "They Cut Down the Old Pine Tree", "The Last Roundup", "Wagon Wheels", and "Empty Saddles". Hill's most popular song was "The Gloryof Love". It brings calm and happiness; a young feeling that kept me entertained. The Bass combined with the great sound of the Hi-hats and fills of the drums is fantastic; it makes this tune enjoyable to listen. It has a call and response (music terms) kind of feeling.
Autumn Leaves by Joseph Kosma and lyrics by poet Jacques Prevert. It was something more mature than previous song, but it has atouch of sexiness. From minute 4:10, I could appreciate great drums beats follow with awesome drums fills. Straight No Chaser is a jazz standard composed by Thelonious Monk. It was first recorded on Monk's Blue Note Sessions in 1951, but also Straight No Chaser is the title of a 1988 film biography of Monk which combines concert and off-stage footage by Christian Blackwood taken in 1967-68. Thistune has energy and fun to listen; it was a fast tempo track. I felt like a rebel with total freedom to do whatever I want to do. The piano is awesome. Moreover, the combination of cymbals and toms make the drums shine in this track. The tune end up with mystery; it was like if the composer wanted to raise a question to his audience. How High the Moon by Morgan Lewis. It was a romantic tune.However, I felt a little bit of confusion; like a couple arguments. The tune end up with the understanding of the two things or a relationship that were fighting at the begin of the song.
Going in Two Directions At Once by Vince Di Mura is playful song with a bluesy feeling. The bass continue with the same idea; bluesy mood while the piano is playing jazz. The fast tempo and the fusion of the two...