Search - The Jazz Expressions :: Yoyogi

Legendary jazz singer Jimmy Scott's trio, The Jazz Expressions, continue to dazzle audiences all over the world with their spectacular performances and startling originality. For Yoyogi, their second CD for Bluejay, Musical Director Hill Greene has put together a hot new collection of tunes which include some impressive originals contributed by all the band members along with unique arrangements of two great jazz standards. There is much to discover here and many rewards for everyone from the casual listener to the Jazz aficionado who will listen many times over. This exciting band of New York's finest jazz musicians consists of bassist and musical director Hilliard "Hill" Greene, pianist Mike Kanan, and drummer Dwayne "Cook" Broadnax. The opening song, Dwayne "Cook" Broadnax's Blues for Siboney is a classic blues written for Dwayne?s sister Siboney. The melody reminds him of her essence, the way she walks. Hill Greene?s The Mayor is dedicated to Ellen Finn, who inspired Hill to use something from the past and put it in a new context. The song?s opening phrase is reminiscent of a melody commonly heard prior to 1930. Greene?s B,B,B,and B is a curious title. The obvious meaning is that the note B is the pivotal tone and most important pitch for the structure of the music. Mike Kanan?s The Strand is dedicated to a busy London street where he got the initial idea for the melody. Mal Waldron?s Soul Eyes is given a very unique treatment here in a hard swinging arrangement by Dwayne "Cook" Broadnax. Moonlight In Vermont, is arranged here by Mike Kanan who plays a lovely reharmonized chord melody over a solid pedaltone vamp. Yoyogi is named after a lovely park Hill came upon while performing in Japan. It begins with a strong arco bass statement thenevolves into a lilting oriental strain. Mike Kanan?s subterfuge is aptly named because it?s deceptively simple melody is actually tricky to play. Kanan?s song The Ring is about the happy-go-lucky feeling of buying a ring for your true love. Mike?s Waltz At Dawn describes the beautiful and peaceful light and atmosphere that he observed one Brooklyn morning. The closing number Jazzy Mary reflects the persona of one of the biggest jazz fans in New York.