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Tom
Grant’s 20th release of his over 30-year career, Nice
Work If You Can Get It, is actually a first. This is
the first straight jazz album he has recorded, and the first
to really feature his singing. Many years and multiple albums
in the Smooth Jazz format have brought much success and several
chart topping songs. But now Tom has answered the request of
his many mainstream jazz fans.
This
album is a blend of American Jazz standards with a touch of Bossa
Nova. Tom has always been drawn to the Bossa Nova style, and
a recent trip to Brazil influenced him to include 2 tracks on Nice
Work If You Can Get It. Featured on one of these songs
is Nancy Curtin, a Portland, OR based vocalist who sings beautifully
in Portuguese.
The
material ranges from delicate solo piano and voice songs like
the Cole Porter classic, “All of You,” to a hard
swinging trio version of the classic “On Green Dolphin
Street.”
Several
of the tracks on Nice Work If You Can Get It were
recorded live in October 2003, at The Backgate Stage, in Portland,
OR. Along with Tom on piano and vocals, he is joined by Phil
Baker on bass, Ron Steen on drums, and Nancy Curtin on one vocal.
Bill Beach takes over piano chores on a couple cuts when Tom
fronts the band with his vocals.
Additional
musicians who add to the depth and layers of this album include
such northwest favorites as Dave Captein and Dennis Caiazza on
bass, Gary Hobbs on drums, Paul Mazzio and Richard Titterington
on flugelhorn.
The
final track on Nice Work If You Can Get It, “I’m
Old Fashioned”, was recorded at the Ron Steen Jam Session
and aired on OPB’s Oregon Art Beat in 2003.
You can buy the CD now! Just click on the PayPal buttton below.
Track
Listing:
1.
Nice Work If You Can Get It Listen
Now (.mp3)
2. You Make Me Feel So Young
3. I Concentrate On You
4. People Will Say We’re In Love Listen
Now (.mp3)
5. All Of You
6. Celia
7. Green Dolphin Street
8. Desafinado Listen
Now (.mp3)
9. Both Sides Now
10. A Felicidade
11.
I’m Old Fashioned |