Star Eyes: Jazz From Chicago

Star Eyes: Jazz From Chicago

Track Listings

1. Star Eyes

2. Body and Soul

3. Emily

4. Lush Life

5. In Your Own Sweet Way

6. My Foolish Heart

7. Love For Sale

8. Someone To Watch Over Me

9. Stella By Starlight

10. Moonlight in Vermont

11. Sent For You Yesterday

12. Windows

13. Still Life

14. Star Eyes (alternate take)

Editorial Reviews
About the Artist
Pianist John Roothaan has performed at jazz festivals and concerts in the United States and Europe. A Chicago native with a melodic and hard-swinging approach to jazz, John regularly appears at clubs and concerts throughout the Chicago area and surrounding states.

Drummer Rusty Jones has performed and recorded with a who's-who of jazz. Rusty was drummer with pianist George Shearing's legendary quartet in the 1970s, and has been first-call accompanist for English piano icon Marianne McPartland. Originally from Iowa, Rusty has been based in the Chicago area for many years, where he accompanies national touring acts as well as local artists. His playing always goes beyond timekeeping--Rusty is melodic, inventive, and usually surprising.

Vocalist Ron Cooper is a Chicago jazz institution. With musical roots at Dusable High School, where he was influenced by the renowned Walter Dyett, Ron is one of the premier scat singers on the scene today. He performs throughout the midwest, and has recordings on the Delmark and Southport labels. His interpretations of ballads are masterful, and his swing feel is unsurpassed--Ron is acclaimed by musicians and critics, and deserves wider recognition.

Tenor saxophonist Peter Roothaan is currently the featured soloist with the nationally acclaimed Henry Johnson Organ Express. This hard-swinging R&B-tinged jazz group performs nationally, and recently returned from a two-week jazz cruise in the Caribbean. Peter's expressive and melodic style reflects the influence of John Coltrane, Stanley Turrentine, and other tenor masters; he was compared to Joe Henderson by the Washington Post in a recent review.

Brian Sandstrom is one of the busiest and most sought-after bassists in the Chicago area. For several years, he toured and recorded with Hal Russell's NRG Ensemble, performing at jazz festivals and clubs in the United States and Europe. Brian has appeared on numerous recordings as accompanist, and can be heard at clubs such as the Green Mill and the Jazz Showcase.

Bassist Lou Marini, originally from Kenosha, Wisconsin, swings hard and plays from the heart--the essence of jazz. He performs throughout the Chicago region, and can be heard at clubs such as the Underground Wonder Bar, The Boulevard, and the Green Mill.

Drummer Joe Adamik has become an in-demand accompanist among singers and pianists. His playing is always tasteful, hard driving, and group oriented. In addition to playing on the jazz scene, Joe tours and performs with an experimental rock group, with which he recently completed the second of two successful European tours.

Product Description
This CD recording offers hard-swinging, contemporary, mainstream jazz from Chicago. Jazz pianist John Roothaan has brought together several of Chicago's finest jazz performers, including drummer Rusty Jones (alumnus of the George Shearing quartet), vocalist Ron Cooper (recordings on Delmark and Southport labels). saxophonist Peter Roothaan (appearances with Red Holloway, Charles Earland, and Henry Johnson), and bassist Brian Sandstrom (member of Hal Russell's NRG Ensemble). This recording showcases these and other musicians in a variety of groupings--there are several solo-piano tracks, two piano/saxophone duets, two vocal selections, and a handful of trio and quartet settings. The repertoire centers around American songwriters such as Cole Porter, George Gershwin, Johnny Mercer, Dave Brubeck, and Chick Corea. These interpretations, which range from rhapsodic to hard swinging, are melodic, accessable,and contemporary--this is a great party or mood CD, and a won! derful addition for those interested in independently produced, current Chicago jazz.

Star Eyes: Jazz From Chicago,John Roothaan Trio and other artists

Jazz Music: Star Eyes: Jazz From Chicago

Jazz Music: