Susana Sheiman & Ignasi Terraza trio

& Damon Brown & Jesse Davis

SWING APPEAL

SWING APPEAL

Susana Sheiman: voice

Ignasi Terraza: piano

Esteve Pi: drums Giorgos Antoniou: bass

Damon Brown: trompet

Jesse Davis: saxo

VIDEO: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbsiKISp7Mg

1. I’m glad there is you (J. Dorsey-P. Mertz) 5:33

2. P.S. I love you (J. Mercer-G. Jenkins) 4:18

3. Spring can really hang you up the most (F. Landesman-T. Wolf) 5:15

4. Just one of those things (C. Porter) 3:01

5. Good morning heartache (D. Fisher-I. Drake-I. Higginbotham) 6:04

6. Where or when (R. Rodgers-L. Hart) 2:54

7. Emotional dance (I. Terraza-S. Sheiman) 4:24

8. Glad to be unhappy (R. Rodgers-L. Hart) 6:12

9. Never let me go (T. Evans-R. Livingston) 3:53

10. Don’t ever leave me (J. Kern-O. Hammerstein) 2:42

11. It don’t mean a thing (If It Ain't Got that Swing) (D. Ellington) 5:05

12. There’ll be another spring (P. Lee-H. Wheeler) 3:33

Intérpretes:  

Susana  Sheiman    

By the time Susana Sheiman (Madrid, January 1973) felt interested in Jazz, she had been singing soul for at least three years with groups such as F. B. I., Moby Dick or Soul Shake. Then, in association with José Mª Sepúlveda and José Luis Pérez-Toledo, they created Susana Sheiman, S. L., a group in which she performed a mixture of funk-soul and jazz repertoire. During that same period, she participated in Alejandro Amenábar’s first short film soundtrack, and composed and performed the jingle played at Bacardi’s advertising campaign.In 2004, after a several years stint living and working in Castelló, and by then completely focused on Jazz, Susana settled in Barcelona. There she met jazzmen Ignasi Terraza and Dani Alonso who almost immediately included her on their projects –The Barcelona Jazz Orchestra; Remembering Ella and Tribute to Duke Ellington-, and together they performed in a good number of venues, both Spanish -Palau de la Música Catalana, Euroforum y Sala Apolo, in Barcelona; Jazz Festivals from Terrassa, Figueres, Vilafranca del Penedès and San Sebastián-, and French -Jazz à Ramatuelle, Festival Jazz à Foix and Jazz in Marciac. All along the way, Susana has sung in the company of first rate international jazzmen, such as U. S. born Jesse Davis, Brad Leali, Nicholas Payton and Donald Brown, or French musicians Alain Guiu and Jean Pierre-Derouard, the same as the Spanish likes of Pedro Iturralde, Santiago de la Muela, Juan Carlos Calderón, David Pastor,

Toni Solà, Pepe Sánchez, Esteve Pi or the aforementioned Alonso and Terraza. Talking about influences, the singer not only confesses the admiration she tributes to Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan, Billie Holiday and Anita O’Day, but also to harder to classify singers, as Judy Garland or Kay Starr, and closer in time vocalists, as Nancy Wilson, Aretha Franklin and Rachelle Ferrell. She also admits she finds inspiration in jazzmen such as Chet Baker and Jim Rotondi. When she’s on stage, from the very starting compasses the listener is caught once and again by Sheiman’s full of warmth timbre spreading in a wide diversity of nuances, the same as by her phrasing and the intensity she projects it to the audience, all in all serving the same purpose: to give musical shape to vital experience and human emotions. Acclaimed as one of the main Jazz voices in the Spanish scene, the artist has taken part in new Barcelona Jazz Orchestra and Toni Solà recordings, and now, full of enthusiasm and a great deal of care, she’s getting ready for her first solo album -in other words: her presentation to the world. http://www.youtube.com/watch?gl=ES&hl=es&v=L9XNzrsDlDI  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ht-H3qNhdk&feature=related  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlYMjn8XlGI  

http://switrecords.com/eng/?page_id=180  

Ignasi  Terraza  

After his first public appearance in 1980, Ignasi Terraza has played an important role in the Barcelona Jazz scene. His personal, swinging style has placed him amongst the most in demand accompanists in Barcelona. He has backed up many American musicians visiting Spain, like Frank Wess, Jesse Davis, Gene Mighty Flea Conners, Teddy Edwards, Ralph Lalama, Lou Donaldson, Brad Leali or Donald Harrison as well as singers like Charmin Michelle, Randy Greer, Michelle McCain, Caroline Lavelle, Dee Daniels, Ann Hampton

Callaway or Stacey Kent. Terraza has also been, since its creation, one of the key members of the Barcelona Jazz Orchestra. But Terraza’s favourite setting is his Trio: regular partners include the likes of bassists Pierre Boussaguet, Darryl Hall, Horacio Fumero and Dimitri Skidanov, and drummers Gregory Hutchinson, Bobby Durham, Jeff Hamilton, Alvin Queen, Jorge Rossy, Leon Parker or Jean-Pierre Derouard. Influenced by Oscar Peterson, Wynton Kelly and Ahmad Jamal, and rooted in the classic jazz tradition, Terraza is featured in more than 15 CDs, four of them in a Trio format: Let Me Tell You Something (1999), Jazz In The Darkness (1999), It’s Coming (2004), and In A Sentimental Groove (2005) (which won the Best Jazz Record of 2006 award given by the Spanish magazine Jaç). During the last ten years Terraza has been kept busy playing around Spain, as well as in festivals and clubs in Switzerland, Portugal and France. Highlights include the Jazz Aux Remparts Festival in Bayonne, the Jazz in Marciac Festival, the Montreux Jazz Festival, Jazz a Ramatuelle, etc. In 2006 The Ignasi Terraza Trio toured Asia for the first time, playing in China and The Philippines. On May 21st, 2009, Ignasi Terraza won the 25th edition of The Great American Jazz Piano Competition, an extremely prestigious event held in Jacksonville, Florida, since 1983. This special award was won on previous occasions by pianists like Marcus Roberts, Lynne Arriale or Kenny Drew Jr. The jury (Marcus Roberts, “Doctor John” and Na’im Talib Rashid) chose Ignasi amongst 46 other pianists because of “his personal musical view” and “his ability to transmit it”. Ignasi performed, in a trio format and to an audience of 650 people, two of his original compositions, Give Me Another and An Emotional Dance, as well as a very personal solo piano version of John Lewis’ classic Django. http://vimeo.com/5785168 http://vimeo.com/5057775 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPNpvBCJH3o

Giorgos  Antoniou  

Born in Athens (Greece),since 1994 resides in Switzerland. Studied at “Hochschule fur Music” in Bern as well as with Prof. Bela Szedlak. As a member of SJS Big band, had the chance to perform in some prestigious festivals (Montreaux,Bern) and clubs like Birdland (NYC) Blues Alley (Washington DC) accompanying legends: Clark Terry, John Lewis, Johnny Griffin and others Freelance work with some notable names of the Swiss jazz scene and a ten years association with the German pianist,composer and band-leader Joe Haider with whom he performed and recorded extensively! Further freelancing activities with important European musicians: Claus Raible, Andrea Pozza, Dado Moroni, Tony Lakatos, Ignasi Terraza, Jan Lundgren, Wolfgang Schlueter… He also shared the stage with a number of American musicians,legends like: Cedar Walton, Johnny Griffin, Benny Golson, Phil Woods, Charles Davis, Ben Dixon, Albert Heath, Alvin Queen, Bucky Pizzarelli, Scott Hamilton, Billy Hart, Kirk Lightsey, and some of the young generations’ aces: Benny Green, Jesse Davis, Doug Rainey, Terell Stafford, Roy Hargrove, Tardo Hammer, Brad Leali, Roberta Gambarini.. He continiously performing and recording with a variety of jazz artists. http://www.youtube.com/user/coreymichaelgale http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rx2z1eY46sc

Esteve  Pi  

Esteve Pi Ventura was born in Falset (Tarragona) in 1977. At age of 10 he started his musical studies and after a while he started playing drums. When he was 19 he moved to Barcelona to study at Taller de Músics, at that time he started to play with some of the most respected musicians of the spanish jazz scene. ���In 2002 and 2003 received a scholarship from the catalonian government for take private lessons in New York with master drummers Joe Fransworth and Kenny Washington. ���He plays around Europe mainly and has played with Johnny Griffin, Phil Woods, Benny Green, Scott Hamilton, Jesse Davies, Grant Stewart, Harry Allen, Joe Magnarelli, Terrell Stafford, Jim Rotondi, Peter Bernstein, Eric Alexander, Reggie Johnson, Gary Smulyan… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8m_rD4YDqgM http://www.youtube.com/switrecords?gl=ES&hl=es

Damon  Brown    

The crossover with dance and pop culture has been an important factor in Damon’s development as a composer. His style blends British and American influences in a highly personalised approach to jazz. While rooted firmly in the blue-note tradition his continued reference to wider musical settings creates complex and emotional music. For his debut album as a leader, Damon brought together some of the most, talented and highly rated players from the British jazz scene. The original quintet was formed to introduce Damon’s work to a wider audience, touring, extensively through out the UK in the spring of 1997. The enthusiastic response of audiences and critics alike led Damon to record the group’s first album ‘A Rhythm Indicative’ (ZZCD 9806). Released in September 1998, it was received with unanimous praise. In 1999, Damon Brown appeared with his band at The Red Sea International Jazz Festival in Israel sharing centre stage billing with Chick Corea and Kenny Garrett groups. That summer, Damon Brown also appeared at The Edinburgh International Jazz Festival (Scotland) and The Islington International Festival (London). In 2000, Damon toured Europe with Italian pianist Antonio Ciacca and performed with Dave Liebman and Gary Smullian. In the spring he toured the UK again with his own quintet and played “The

Jamboree” in Barcelona with his Quartet. In the summer Damon played his first week at “Ronnie Scott’s Club in London. The Quintet has continued to perform at Ronnies every year. The Ronnie Scott’s “Jazz House” label released “Blues On The Run” Damon’s second album in February 2001. It is distributed by New Note Distribution. Following the death of Stanley Turrentine, the Tel-Aviv Festival invited Damon to stand in as that years international jazz guest. Concerts followed in the Tel-Aviv and Haifa Museums of Modern Art . Damon also played the “Camelot Club”, Israel’s premiere jazz venue and the album Good Cop - Bad Cop, co led by pianist Jonathon Gee and featuring Israeli musicians Yaki Levi and Yoron Yorai, was released in 2002. In 2002 Damon released an album featuring Ska legend Rico Rodriguez, A Bigger Picture and toured the far east. 2003 saw performances with Benny Golson and Steve Grossman among others . The Steve Grossman/Damon Brown Quintet have continued to perform in Europe and in the Spring of 2009 toured the UK.

They  also  played  3  nights  to  great  critical  aclaim  at  Ronnie  Scotts  Jazz  Club  In 2005 damon formed the Minimum Trio with two Catalan Musicians ,vocalist Laia Porta and pianist Fransesc Capella They relesed their first CD entitled “Minimum” in 2007 and their second CD is due for release in 2009 . 2007 saw “Killer Shrimp” , the group Damon co leads with saxophonist Ed Jones win the best live Jazz group at the prestigious “All Party Parliamenty Jazz Awards “ . The groups genre defying first CD “Sincerely Whatever “ was also nominated for best CD of the year at the same event . Damon continues to perform with his various groups and is currently living in Paris where he has become popular on the local scene performing at the main Jazz clubs and colaborating with many great French musicians . Damon has 3 New CDs due for release in 2009 .( The Damon Brown Quartet featuring Steve Grossman , and the second CDs by Killer Shrimp and The Minimum Trio .) His last released CD is entitled ‘Harolds Souk ‘ and was released by Spanish record label ‘New Mood Jazz ‘ in 2007. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BPYKArcEjes http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=loELbZ_c754&feature=related

Jesse  Davis  

Alto saxophonist Jesse Davis is one of the new Jazz stars coming out of New Orleans, where he was born in 1965. He follows in the tradition of the Marsalis family and other Jazz musicians from the Crescent City currently attracting so much attention. Not surprisingly, he studied with Ellis Marsalis at the New Orleans Centre for Creative Arts.Jesse showed signs of musical talent at an early age: when he was eleven, his brother Roger (an accomplished tuba player) bought Jesse a saxophone and taught him how to play it. He went on to study with Ellis Marsalis, whose teachings inspired him to become a music student at North-eastern Illinois University on a full scholarship. Eventually, he transferred to William Patterson College in New Jersey and then to the New School in New York City, enrolling in their Jazz and Contemporary Music Program. There he was a student of noted Jazz historian Ira Gitler, who says that “… Jesse stood out in the crowd”. Through his college years, Davis won awards as outstanding soloist at Jazz Festivals, including Notre Dame, Wichita State, New York University, Southern University and Loyola. In 1989 he won the prestigious “Most Outstanding Musician” award at the Down Beat Music Fest in Philadelphia. As a sideman, Jesse gained experience with Jack McDuff, Major Holley, Cecil Payne, Illinois Jacquet, Jay McShann, Chico Hamilton, Junior Mance, Kenny Barron, Tete Montoliu, Cedar Walton, Benny Golson, TanaReid, The Newport All Stars, Roy Hargrove, The Malboro Super-band, Milt Jackson, Hank Jones, Wynton Marsalis and a long list of top Jazz Artists. In 1993 Jesse toured Europe fronting his own quartet. In his more than 50 European appearances the band received the best of reviews from the critics in Spain, France, Italy and the UK. Other european tours followed in 1994 and 1995. In July of 1996 Jesse toured Europe once again with Phil Woods, Charles McPherson and Gary Bartz, as part of the SAX MACHINE package.

Between 1994 and 1997, Jesse enjoyed a fruitful musical co-operation with his homeboy Nicholas Payton: Verve Records’ release “Gumbo nouveau” (1996) features the classic tunes of New Orleans Jazz of the twenties and thirties seen from the scope of modern Jazzmen. Jesse returned to New Orleans in 1996, after being a New York resident for almost a decade. 1996 also saw Jesse’s debut as an actor, playing the role of classic alto saxophonist Earl Warren in the celebrated Robert Altman’s movie “Kansas City”. In the Spring of 1998 Jesse toured Europe again fronting LOUISIANA BE BOP, a quartet of New-Orleans residing musicians. An exclusive Concord Artist, his albums “Horn of passion” (1991), “As we speak” (1992) “Young at Art” (1993) “High standards” (1994) and “From within” (1996), are currently available. Jesse has also recorded for Teelark “Some of my best friends are saxophone players”, with Ray Brown, and “Burning at the Woodhouse” (1997) with Milt Jackson for Qwest. Equally influenced by Charlie Parker, Cannonball Adderley and Sony Stitt, Jesse contributes a flawless technique and a natural feeling for the blues to everyone of his performances. His music has been described as “neo-bop” but, as he says, “… all I wanna do is play beautiful music”. That he does …with a passion. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbsiKISp7Mg

Swing appeal is the first record as a soloist from the singer Susana Sheiman, a big première led by the Ignasi Terraza Trio. Having won the prestigious Jacksonville prize, where his piano-playing astonished such significant members of the American Jazz scene as Dr. John and Marcus Roberts, there can be no doubt that Ignasi Terraza is one of the shining lights of European Jazz. With over twenty recordings under his belt, The Barcelona pianist now surprises us with Swing appeal, a feast for the ears that furthermore serves to showcase the talent of the emerging Madrid singer Susana Sheiman. Known for her collaborations with the Barcelona Jazz Orchestra, here Sheiman confirms her ability as an interpreter of the highest calibre, placing her brilliant and expansive voice at the disposal of a collection of swinging and faultless songs. Beyond the Ellington-like It don’t mean a thing (If it Ain’t Got that swing), a total declaration of the principles of swing above all others within Jazz, the selection avoids the more obvious themes of composers such as Cole Porter and Rodgers and Hart so that we may discover authentic hidden gems within the repertoire of these and other famous composers. Throughout an album of substantial arrangements, Ignasi Terraza chooses a special focus for each theme, in order that they have a differentiated colouring and treatment, until he achieves the maximum relief. Swing appeal contains, moreover, a fantastic version of Emotional dance, an original classic by Terraza who has co-written the lyrics with Sheiman, and which gives us a glimpse of a delightful classic for the future. Directed from the piano by an impressive Terraza, the trio Works like the mechanism of a fine precision watch, with the splendid rhythmic display of the solid Greek double-bass player Giorgos Antoniou and the fine drumming of Priorat Esteve Pi. Among the all-star collaborations, the album includes the excellent melodic contribution of British trumpet player Damon Brown (especially captivating in his rendition of the priceless Emotional Dance), whilst, at the same time the great American saxophonist Jesse Davis lavishes all his expressive wisdom on It don’t mean a thing and I’m glad there is you. With its brilliant execution and its unstoppable communicative strength, Swing Appeal is a CD that, for the same price, can satisfy the most demanding jazz palates, as well as a wide-ranging public thirsty for good music.

KARLES  TORRA  

The Sheiman-Terraza combination produces spectacular results, and this latest record, Swing appeal, is definitely one of the highlights of Spanish Jazz. Susana Sheiman gradually commands our respect and She is, without a shadow of a doubt, the best vocalist we have. In this programme they have specifically chosen lesser known themes by the best composers. They keep away from the more famous “war horses” but when it is all about well known compositions, they are very good indeed, such as I don’t mean a thing, which Susana has transformed into something exceptional. Our singer takes risks and performs high-wire acrobatics, but she always ends up in the right place. Susana is superb. And what can I say about Ignasi? An iron fist in a velvet glove. Alfredo Papo Jazz was born of the voice but the voice grows within jazz. The origin and evolution of jazz is based on this paradox: the starting point is established by an instrument imitating the human voice and is consolidated in song where the voice itself becomes a precise instrument. The first ladies of the genre, from Sarah Vaughan to Ella Fitzgerald, Nina Simone and, of course, Billie Holiday, have been cultivators of this vocal art in its highest expression. And doubtless they would all be proud to adopt as a granddaughter vocalist Susana Sheiman. Her voice demonstrates qualities attributed to each of them: technique, accuracy, versatility, energy and depth. On top of these, she puts her own stamp, making her a woman of her time. The involvement of Ignasi Terraza and the extraordinary musicians who accompany the singing, contribute to the air of seduction, which is, to all intents and purposes, irresistible. The revitalisation of the classics in form and concept, body and soul, is not achievable by the first voice that comes along. It Susana Sheiman then, who with her first album, brings new life to swing and who contains within herself the embryo and the test tube to make jazz music forever.

Pere  Pons  Director Jaç

• información  

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