The ‘New Orleans Ladies of Jazz’ take to the stage

28th November 2011   ·   0 Comments

By Geraldine Wyckoff
Contributing Writer

In New Orleans a Christmas concert, or for that matter many musical events, often go beyond performers on a stage and an audience in their seats. As the song goes, “We are family…” A show like the upcoming New Orleans Ladies of Jazz Holiday Concert, as witnessed by many who attended the production last year, becomes a warm, cozy, exceptionally musical experience. The celebration, which heralds three of this city’s most outstanding jazz vocalists — Germaine Bazzle, Leah Chase and Stephanie Jordan — returns to the New Orleans Performing Arts Center Recital Hall on the UNO campus on Sunday, December 4, 2011. The singers/swingers will again be backed by producer and violinist Rachel Jordan, another member of the incredibly musical Jordan family, and her string quartet, Music Alive Ensemble (MAE) and a solid jazz sextet.

Because of the response to the 2010 show and the enjoyment shared between the vocalists, band and string ensemble, Rachel Jordan was encouraged to forever capture some of the magic. So the musicians headed to the studio to record the CD, Christmas in New Orleans with the Ladies of Jazz — I Saw Three Ships. It was recently released just in time for the holidays and the repeat live performance.

A rare aspect of the album, which is modest boasting only six tunes, is that we are privileged to hear these three great New Orleans vocalists record together for the first time. The quality of the musicianship becomes immediately apparent on the opening, title cut, “I Saw Three Ships.” Pianist Mike Esneault, one of several producers and arrangers on the album, opens the familiar song with a jazz flair that well suits their styles. Jordan, Chase and then Bazzle each take a verse displaying their unique approach with superb flourishes provided by the piano. By the end, Bazzle gets down to some syncopated scatting before the music fades out.

I Saw Three Ships, as well as the live concert, includes music other than simply Christmas fare. The trio of singer’s approach to “My Favorite Things,” the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic that John Coltrane brought into the jazz sphere, follows a similar pattern with each singer taking their turn at the lyrics. Here, however, they also join together in three-part harmony. Trumpeter Marlon Jordan remembers Trane in his solo on this version that includes both the string ensemble and the jazz group with Esneault, bassist Chris Severin, flautist Kent Jordan, drummer John Jones and percussionist Jonathan Bloom. All but Jones will be in attendance at Sunday’s show with Troy Davis taking over the trap set.

Rachel Jordan, the album’s executive producer, arranged “The Little Drummer Boy” with a stark approach for her sister’s, Stephanie, interpretation of the standard that is heard with simply percussion and strings. Chase gets things swingin’ again on the standard “I’ve Got Your Love to Keep Me Warm.” It’s a good selection for Chase as her own great warmth is always in evidence.

Bazzle, as she’s known to do, stuns with her hauntingly sad, oh so slow, take on “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve.” The rich quality of the strings never interfere with the quiet contemplation of the song. Marlon’s trumpet echos the mood of the song and adds a high note of heartbreak also heard in the warble of Bazzle’s voice. Drama marks the ending of the song.

The album closes as peacefully as a quiet, dark December night with the Music Alive Ensemble plus Esneault’s piano, wistfully performing Astor Piazzolla’s “Obli­vion.”

The material and tunes heard at last year’s triumphant show plus some new additions will be performed by this family of musicians — by both blood, love, friendship and dedication — at Sunday’s free concert from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. To be assured of seats, one can RSVP at racheljordan@earth­link.net.

Welcome Back Maurice

Even if Katrina didn’t drive him out of New Orleans, Maurice Brown’s talent and ambition probably would have aimed the fiery young trumpeter to New York City. While the Chicago native was here however, starting around 2002, he made his mark. Consider that during Brown’s tenure in New Orleans, which began when he bopped down to the city while attending Southern University in Baton Rouge studying under the tutelage of the great Alvin Batiste, the trumpeter held down a weekly gig at Snug Harbor for several years. The only other artists attaining that goal boasted historic names like Neville — vocalist Charmaine on Mondays — and Marsalis — pianist Ellis heading his group on Fridays.

The Maurice Brown Effect, the trumpeter’s exhilarating, straight-ahead jazz group heard locally at the 2010 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival and on his exemplary CD, The Circle of Love, returns to Snug Harbor’s stage on Thursday, December 1, 2011. The quintet includes New Orleans’ own, saxophonist Derek Douget, who following some time spent with Brown in the Big Apple, again brightens the local jazz scene. Also onboard are drummer Joe Blaxx, bassist Solomon Dorsey and pianist Chris Rob.

Brown, an exceptional composer who enlivens jazz with dance-ready beats and blows beautifully on a ballad, has mixed it up with many artists during his stay in New York. He was a member of trumpeter Roy Hargrove’s Big Band and is just off the road with the popular Tedeschi Truck Band and acted as its musical director. You can check that out on the group’s latest CD, Don’t Let Me Slide. Local folks may have caught Brown at the Essence Festival two years ago performing with vocalist Laura Izibor or heard him on records with the likes of Aretha Franklin. Few will forget his always enthusiastic delivery of the material on his debut album, Hip To Bop at his early Snug Harbor gigs. Brown has always been a trumpeter to watch — and to watch out for!

This article was originally published in the November 28, 2011 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper