Congratulations to Gerald Clayton for winning 'Rising Star-Pianist'

and Sachal Vasandani for winning 'Rising Star-male vocalist!'

JERSEY JAZZ MAGAZINE

May 2010

CD REVIEW

By Joseph Lang

If you are a fan of the music of Billy Strayhorn, then The Strayhorn Project (Premium Music Solutions) by saxophonist DON BRADEN and trumpeter MARK RAPP is sure to catch your ear.

The group that also includes Gerald Clayton on piano, Rene Hart on bass and Doug Gonzalez on drums brings enjoyable freshness to Strayhorn’s melodies.  The arrangements by Braden, Rapp and Clayton are perfect vehicles for the kind of imaginative blowing that each of these cats provides.  Among the selections are some of Strayhorn’s most memorable creations like “Isfahan,” “A Flower Is a Lovesome Thing,” “Something to Live For” and “Chelsea Bridge.”  Vocalist Sachal Vasandani contributes his talent to “Something to Live For,” “Daydream” and a pairing of “Pretty Girl” with “Star Crossed Lovers.”

Braden, a resident of South Orange, is among the brightest saxophone stars in jazz.  Rapp has a growing reputation as one of the most talented of the younger trumpet players.  The chemistry between them and their affinity for the music of Strayhorn makes for an album that engages the listener from first notes to last.

(www.premiummusicsolutions.com)

Ann Arbor: The University Musical Society presents jazz pianist Danilo Pérez in a tribute to his mentor Dizzy Gillespie Thursday, April 8, 2010, at 8 p.m. in Ann Arbor’s Hill Auditorium (825 North University Avenue).

As the youngest member of Gillespie’s United Nation Orchestra, which featured some of the best and brightest young jazz musicians the world had to offer, Danilo learned first-hand how Gillespie embraced musical and personal collaborations throughout the world. Danilo’s new band performs arrangements of classic Gillespie tunes in addition to original group compositions.