Do You Know Harvie S?

Harvie S (Harvie Swartz), is an accomplished bassist with a long and distinguished career as a leader and accompanist, dating back to the early 1980s. As Harvie Swartz he began his career as leader with a 1982 recording on the Muse label, "Old Time Feeling", a duo with Sheila Jordan, with whom he went on to have a great deal of success. In fact, last year High Note released a 1990 duo recording of the two called "Yesterdays" which I didn't write about but is pure magic. Through 2001, when he shortened his name to Harvie S he recorded almost a dozen sets as leader and was an accompanist playing with, among others, Toots Theilemans, Mark Soskin, John Abercrombie, Joe Locke, and Art Farmer.

As Harvie S, beginning in 2001 he has recorded another half dozen or so CDs for Zoho, Savant and other labels. Highlights include the first duo with Kenny Barron, "Now Was the Time" (Savant 2008) and his first recording on Zoho "New Beginning" (Zoho 2001) a distinctly individualistic melding of bop and Afro-cuban beats.   

The latest CD to feature Harvie S as leader is his second duo with Kenny Barron, "Witchcraft"  (Savant 2013), and given the players how can it be anything by elegant, tuneful, and terrific? This will be a pretty short post since there is not much to say other than the two are marvelous together, Barron displays all of those skills he has learned over his 50 years as a professional musician, and Harvie S shows his skills as an accompanist/colorist as well as stepping out on the lead on many occasions and playing a beautifully bowed "Juan's Theme" with some elegant backing by Barron.

Some of the tunes may surprise, like Stevie Wonder's "Creepin' "or Eumir Deodato's "Juan's Theme" but in the hands of these veterans they are as mellow as the rest, which include songs like "Wig Wise" by Duke Ellington, and the title tune "Witchcraft" by Cy Coleman. Barron's tribute to "Sonia Braga" and "Until Tomorrow" by Harvie S feel right at home with the rest.

What a treat.

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My Favorite Historic CDs of 2012.

Here are eight outstanding historic releases. [Note: As of December 8 (see post) you can make this a top ten with the addition of another great Ben Webster - Stan Tracey set, on two CDs).

The releases herein are those that are from "found materials" and not new releases of previously released recordings that have passed into the public domain and appear regularly at low prices in boxed sets.

• Ben Webster - Stan Tracey, "Soho Nights Vol. 2": Great follow-up to last year's Volume 1, featuring Webster's beautiful tone and Tracey's rather advanced piano play. 
• Stan Getz Quartet, "Swiss Radio Days": Another rsax master at the top of his game, and an appearance by Jan Johansoon, a legendary Scandanavian pianist who idea tragically at a very young age but left behind some great music. Well recorded from 1960, includes a wonderful "I Remember Clifford" among the six tunes. 
• Dexter Gordon, "Night Ballads Montreal 1977" Another special find from Uptown REcords. Dexter with George Cables, Rufus Reid and Eddie Gladden. Songs like "Lover Man", "You've Changed" and "Polka Dots and Moonbeams" played by masters. I like Dexter quoting the lyrics, some don't, but it strengthens the intimacy of the recording. 
• Cannonball Adderley Quintet, "Legends Live: Liederhalle Stuttgart, March 20, 1969": A new series from Jazzhaus label of recently uncovered live recordings in Germany. this one has Adderley with his brother Nat and Joe Zawinul. Nine cuts including three Zawinul originals. Gerry Mulligan had a CD as well this year from the same series which I could have included as well. 
• Louis Armstrong and The All Stars, "Satchmo at Symphony Hall":  Nicely presented 65th anniversary copy with liner notes and the two complete sets that night. Louis the trumpeter, Louis the singer, Louis the entertainer are all in the house for this memorable event. 
• Bill Evans, "Live at the Top of the Gate": Immaculately recorded trio with Eddie Gomez and Marty Morrell from 1968. Notes by Nat Hentoff. Enough said -- it is just marvelous. 
• Sheila Jordan and Harvie S, "Yesterdays": A 1990 concert just released from High Note, the simple work of Harvie S serves 2012 Jazz Masters recipient Jordan well, giving her lots of room to demonstrate heer strong voice and expressive command of the lyrics. This is a love fest of standards like "I Concentrate on You", "The Very Thought of You", and " Blue Skies", plus 9 more. 
• Jazz on Film Volume 2, "Beat, Square & Cool": Just blogged on this the other day. Check it out --- 8 scores from the movies from composers like Mingus, Ellington, Previn....and great players as well. Box includes a terrific history on each score. 

Enjoy.