Thursday, February 18, 2016 |
Sacramento, CA
Guitarist Henry Robinett and saxophonist Darius Babazadeh are longtime Sacramento area residents. Pianist Dave Bass is a transplant, by way of L.A., San Francisco, Maui and the East Coast. All are highly-regarded jazz musicians with new or recent recordings. CapRadio's jazz music director Gary Vercelli provides commentary on selected tracks, some biographical notes and links to upcoming gigs.
Darius Babazadeh"Inside a Silent Tear"
from Endless Stars
One of the most versatile tenor saxophonists around, Babazadeh has performed and toured with a wide variety of artists including Paul Anka, Natalie Cole, Jessica Williams and the Temptations. He's also built up a solid local following and his band Dbaba Project regularly performs around town. Darius has a beautiful tone reminiscent of fellow tenor saxophonists Joe Henderson and Stan Getz. After his solo we hear the engaging voice of Melissa Collard, who also plays guitar on this bossa nova-inspired reading of Blossom Dearie’s composition.
Babazadeh will perform with his current quartet (Dbaba Project) including Scott Collard on keyboards, Sunday, February 28, 5-8 p.m. at Shine Café (1400 E St.).
Henry Robinett"Passing Open Windows"
from I Have Known Mountains
Back in the late’ 80’s and early ‘90’s the Henry Robinett Group was packing the house every Tuesday night at Sacramento's popular On Broadway jazz club. While Robinett has produced and recorded many albums by other musicians over the years, this is his first CD as a leader in over a decade and a half.
In 1978, Robinett had a life changing experience. He lived in NYC with his father’s cousin, the legendary jazz bassist Charles Mingus. A parade of jazz greats passed through the Mingus household. So did Joni Mitchell, who recorded a famous tribute to the jazz iconoclast. Henry was inspired by watching her create music and credits Mitchell as a major influence on his compositional approach.
Dave Bass
"Lost Mambo"
from NYC Session
Down Beat magazine recognized this disc as one of the top recordings of 2015. Bass (who has appeared on Insight) started out in the jazz avant-garde, then transitioned into the mainstream, backing some notable vocalists, including Brenda Lee and Jackie Ryan. After a fall in which he fractured his wrist, he turned to a career in law. This eventually led him to Sacramento as California Deputy Attorney General. Now rededicated to piano, Dave is a prolific composer with a keen feeling for straight ahead jazz and the Latin idiom. This recording features the late Phil Woods on alto and Ignacio Berroa, one of the best drummers on the planet.
Bass will perform with a trio, including Harvie S on bass and Carlos Caro on percussion, this Friday (Feb. 19 at 7:30 p.m.) at the William J. Geery Theatre, 2130 L St.
Bonus Material
Check out Darius Babazadeh featured with another group, the Sacramento Classic Jazz Messengers, during a recent visit to Capital Public Radio.
