Rick Stone Samba De Novembro CD

Like many musicians, guitarist Rick Stone's opportunities to record as a leader are sporadic, but he makes the most of them when he gets into the studio. Joined by pianist Tardo Hammer and drummer Matt Wilson (who are both fine leaders in their own right) and bassist Yosuke Inoue, the quartet gels like a band that has regularly worked together. Stone mixes up his program with standards and jazz works by others, along with his own delightful originals, especially the perky opener, "Samba de Novembro." Stone's approach to the guitar is consistently swinging, though he obviously believes in leaving room for his bandmates while also letting the music breathe, such as in his spacious and lovely solo introduction to "My Romance." His subtle "Duck, Duck, Blues!" would have fit right in during the height of the hard bop era. His arrangements of Kenny Werner's tricky "Autumn in Three" and Bill Evans' "Song for Helen" are masterful. Inoue contributed the exotic "West Side Waltz," which opens with a superb bass solo before transforming into a swinging waltz. Hopefully, Rick Stone will not have to wait another decade before recording his next release as a leader. Recommended. ~ Ken Dryden

"One of the finest straight-ahead jazz guitarists on the current NYC scene" 20th Century Guitar Magazine"Guitarist Rick Stone's warm, swinging tone and impeccable taste in standards (Monk, Evans, Rodgers & Hart) as well as the consistently high quality of his own compositions make this quartet date a pure pleasure from start to finish . . . Recommended to all jazz collections." Rick Anderson, CD Hotlist "Stone's playing combines the economy of Hall with some of the soul of Wes Montgomery, a little of Pat Metheny's lyricism and a deeper, darker-hued tone that brings to mind Pat Martino but with an approach that is more sparing. . . He clearly deserves broader recognition." John Kelman, All About JazzFrom fresh interpretations of jazz standards, to lyrically evocative originals, New York City based guitarist Rick Stone is an artist with a clear musical vision. His fluid, full-bodied sound pays homage to the great jazz guitar masters of the past while maintaining a deeply personal style with a contemporary edge. Rick's latest release "Samba de Novembro" showcases his guitar in a variety of solo, duo, trio and quartet settings along with long-time associates Tardo Hammer (piano) and Yosuke Inoue (bass), and special guest Matt Wilson (drums). Writes Jim Carlton in Just Jazz Guitar "His lyrical lines and imaginative ideas on a mix of originals and hip standards reflect his maturity as an interpreter of great tunes and his mastery as an artistically adept player. His tone is bright and crisp, some would say traditional, and his ideas are fresh."The up-beat title cut "Samba de Novembro" and the pensive "Rain Forest" were inspired by Rick's 1996 South American tour. Richard Rodgers' "My Romance," Vernon Duke's "I Can't Get Started" and Thelonious Monk's "Played Twice" are each given personal interpretations by the trio. Rick's minor key original "Duck, Duck, Blues!" gets its title from the march-like rhythm of its opening solo choruses. On Kenny Werner's "Autumn in Three" the guitar and piano weave a tapestry of sinuous lines in a duo interpretation inspired by a Jackson Pollack painting. Bill Evans' "Song for Helen" is presented here as a solo guitar vignette. The traditional folk tune "Careless Love" gets a new twist in this calypso-like rendition punctuated with interludes of New Orleans-style parade drum. Yosuke Inoue's bass is featured in the trio's arrangement of his own composition "West Side Waltz." The CD finishes with two Stone originals; the upbeat "Blues Enough" and the reflective "In Loving Memory," a ballad dedicated to Ted Dunbar and Attila Zoller and performed as a guitar/piano duet.ABOUT THE MUSICIANS:Rick Stone came to national attention with his CD "The Rick Stone Quartet: Far East with Kenny Barron." Since then