With David Grisman
With Murasaki Ensemble
MURASAKI ENSEMBLE Birds and Drums
Another stunning recording from Murasaki Ensemble including some Jazz standard renditions as well as original compositions by members of the ensemble. Murasaki Ensemble mambers are Shirley Muramoto Wong on Koto, Matt Eakle on flute, Jeff Massanari on guitar, Alex Baum on acoustic Bass, and Vince Delgado on hand percussion.
MURASAKI ENSEMBLE Magenta
Murasaki is a jazz ensemble flavored with the sounds of the Japanese Koto, a horizontal harp. With the exception of one traditional Japanese piece, all of the tunes are original compositions by members of the band, including two by Vince Delgado. This CD features Shirley Muramoto Wong on Koto, Matt Eakle on flute, Jeff Massanari on guitar, Alex Baum on acoustic Bass, and Vince Delgado on hand percussion.
With Vince Delgado Quintet
VINCE DELGADO QUINTET
Beginning Percussionist Vince Delgado’s newest CD “Beginnings” has no beginners playing on it. These are first class musicians who know how to play together and they have something to say and they take you out to the cosmos when the say it. You won’t be able to pigeon hole this music with adjectives like eclectic, dynamic, fusion, energetic, creative. Instead call it what it is – great new music made with care and innovation, call it Jazz. Rhythm drives every original tune and every tune is beautifully evocative whether it’s driving in eleven beats or a sensuous ballad. Tom Shader, string bass, is solid and plays with total commitment to the beat, the tune and to his own great take on melody making his bass lines a pleasure to listen to. Joey Edelman on keyboards, and Matt Eakle on flute, make every melody sing with fire whether it’s modal, chordal or just plain sweet and catchy. Susu Pampanin and Vince Delgado never let the poly-rhythms dissipate into aimless wanderings – they have a path and it is with commitment and passion that they lay it down. This recording is as vibrant and alive as it’s cover. If you can only listen to one new and original recording this Holiday season, “Beginnings” is the place to start, you’ll want to hear it again. CPCD1008
With Suzanne Ciani
