http://www.thedailywhiteplains.com/neighbors/white-plains-pianist-release-
live-jazz-album
http://www.theexaminernews.com/archives/whiteplains/WhitePlainsExaminer1
2-27-11.pdf
CD Reviews: Dennis Bell 'I Myself & Me' GJE0007
Posted by: Adminon Saturday, August 13, 2005 - 08:23 AM
Reviews Jazz pianist Dennis Bell admits right away the Bill Evans minspiration
from Evans's CD project ''Conversations With Myself'' as the underpinning for
his new project! I must say however, that this is quite the '' dialogue'' as it were
with us his devoted listeners. Dennis can cite quite a laundry list of credentials
& luminaries he's played with as his backdrop of journeyman experience.....But,
that said, this work still stands alone in it's raw beauty & depth! His
improvisations seem to dominate, yes even pervade our sensibilities with a
profound & broad melodic interest.....Indeed, deep musical vision as well. This
intriguing individualistic jazz artist proffers us a well stirred mix of viable horn
lines, grace, suppleness, & certainly virtuosity. Ergo, I think we'll keep him!
George W. Carroll/The Musicians' Ombudsman
Label: GuavaJamm Entertainment Inc
CD Available through the following outlets:
www. guavajammm.net
store.yahoo.com/guavajammstore
www.apple.com/itunes/store
www.orchard.com (Orchard Network of Digital Distributors)
cdbaby.com, amazon.com
CD Reviews: Dennis Bell ''Then & Now'' GJE0008
Posted by: Adminon Monday, October 25, 2004 - 09:39 PM
Reviews George W. Carroll
Jazz Pianist Dennis Bell documents his musical efforts through his body of
work.........And, his present project ''Then & Now'' is superbly presented &
notated............As well as ably held up by his consummately gifted sidemen.
The group creates a coherent pulse, giving their music a human face.''Then &
Now'' is more ''now'' than ''then.''
George W. Carroll/The Musicians' Ombudsman
CD Reviews: Lynette Washington ''Smoky Dawn'' & ''Live'' w/Dennis bell
Posted by: Adminon Friday, September 19, 2003 - 10:15 AM
Reviews By George W. Carroll
What an immaculate personification of our kindred 'Black Culture' as I perused
and reviewed the (2) very animated CD projects that were sent to me, intoned
by jazz chanteuse, Lynette Washington. I am an unapologetic Ellington-phile.
So, I must bring attention to the impeccable rendition Lynette & her sideman
proffered, reinventing the eternal jazz ballad, ''In A Sentimental Mood.''
Bellisimo!!
Washington's search for purity in her craft is exemplified in her vocalise. She
Offers her listenership the very essence of a cool, laid back style. She possesses
a vocal quality of the rarest sort, Namely: Control of her instrument, a sensuous
vibrato, command of her ideas, and a highly developed musical feeling. This
project shows us that there's always something 'different' that has that capacity
to fascinate, which is also divergent & 180 degrees away from the norm. Good
work baby!!
Available here:
www.guavajamm.net
store.yahoo.com/guavajammstore
cdbaby.com
amazon.com
George W. Carroll/The Musicians' Ombudsman
315 Reads
CD Reviews: Lynette Washington ''Long, Long Ago''
Posted by: Adminon Wednesday, November 05, 2003 - 12:03 AM
Reviews By George W. Carroll
One of the more prolific & poignant attributes of our human nature is our ability
to create change. Our adaptability to take a stolid, & stoic genre, & mold into
something we of the jazz genre can understand.
I proclaim that jazz chanteuse Lynette Washington & her stalwart sidemen have
succeeded thus, in their musical celebration of the combined religious
festivities of
Christmas, Chanukah, & Kwanzaa. Lynette's vocals are a perfect marriage
to the wonderful (I'll assume) originals to immortalize these specific holidays.
Reedman Gerry Niewood is flawless in his reflective & moving renderings
for the whole project........Giving Lynette the perfect vocal platform to ply her
fine vocalise. All in all, a very solid CD project indeed! Hey baby! You can stuff
my
stocking anytime!! CDS avail. @: www.guavajamm.net
George W. Carroll/the Musicians' Ombudsman
CD Title: Smoky Dawn
Year: 2004
Record Label: Guavajamm Entertainment
Style: Jazz Vocals
Musicians: Lynette Washington, vocals. Dennis Bell, piano.
Review: The husky-sweet voice of Lynette Washington lights up the night with a
collection of American Standards that is sure to please the jazz listening
audience. Direct, warm, imaginative, the vocals and piano work are superb.
There are fourteen songs on the CD. Among the lovely songs are found "In A
Sentimental Mood," "All The Things You Are," "Cry Me A River," "Here's That
Rainy Day," "Someone To Watch Over Me," and "When I Fall In Love."
The emotional highs touch the audience in a sensitive way, each song telling a
story that lingers in the mind. A fine collection in all ways.
Record Label Website: http://www.guavajamm.net
Reviewed by: Lee Prosser
CD Title: Long, Long Ago
Year: 2002
Record Label: GuavaJamm Entertainment
Style: Holiday Jazz
Musicians: Lynette Washington (vocals); Gerry Niewood (saxophones); Dennis
Bell (piano); Cameron Brown (bass); Darryl Pellegrini (drums).
Review: The holiday season never fails to yield some refreshing jazz themes.
While this “jazz celebration of Christmas, Chanukah and Kwanzaa” has been
around for a few years, it’s still fresh and interesting.
Native New Yorker, Lynette Washington gathered some of Gotham’s finest
session players for her holiday suite. The former lead singer with The Voices Of
Freedom has toured the world and is capable of delivering her message in
several languages. Her second solo project, Smoky Dawn turned heads in 2003.
A powerful and compelling singer, Washington also contributed two of the
compositions. Eight Bright Candles is a fine ode to Chanukah while her What’s
Become Of Christmas? poses just that very question.
The fine hand of pianist, Dennis Bell is evident in all other compositions. Bell
has performed with a myriad of jazz stars including Marcus Miller, Nick Brignola
and Sal Salvador. He was the musical director/conductor with the international
touring unit of Jesus Christ Superstar.
Bassist Cameron Brown studied with Ron Carter & Dave Holland and performed
with Sheila Jordan, Don Cherry, Art Blakey and Archie Shepp to name a few.
Drummer Darryl Pellegrini is a veteran of the bands of Chuck & Gap Mangione.
The rhythm section really shines throughout this session.
Ms. Washington’s gospel tinged voice mates perfectly with the exciting tones of
reedman Gerry Niewood. Niewood appears on no less than 75 albums with a
diverse group of star quality performers from jazz through rock. The
saxophonist is one of the highlights of this Christmas offering and is
showcased on several tunes. African-American celebrants of Kwanzaa are not
forgotten. The final track on the CD is dedicated to them. Kwanzaa is a
rhythmic showpiece and a fitting end to a nice holiday album.
Tracks: Always Christmas; Long, Long Ago; Eight Bright Candles; What’s Become
Of Christmas; A Visit From St. Nicholas (Jazz Suite); Kwanzaa.
Record Label Website: http://www.guavajamm.net
Reviewed by: Richard Bourcier
Then & Now
Dennis Bell Jazz NY | GuavaJamm Entertainment (2002)
By Michael P. Gladstone
comments print email license
This album is subtitled A Jazz Retrospect of New York City's High School of
Music & Art. Every member of this quartet graduated from these two schools in
the late 1950s or mid 1990s, having since individually pursued careers in music
and education. The collective resume for these players is enough to raise a few
musical eyebrows per names and venues (e.g. Peter Chivily was the Stan Kenton
bassist during the period when he recorded West Side Story in the early '60s).
This 73 minute album gives plenty of space to compositions by leader Dennis
Bell, who contributes seven of the nine tunes as well as ample solo
opportunities for all. The medium tempo blues “Skully!!!!” is an attractive classic
Blue Note-type line which serves as a platform for Casey Benjamin to deliver a
Jackie McLean-ish alto solo. After introspective solos by Bell and Chivily on the
ballad “Dance Michele, Dance,” Benjamin gets a chance to repeat with a soulful
statement. On the lengthy “Pop Goes Chris,” Benjamin channels a no-nonsense
Joe Henderson mode through his tenor sax. The standard “Stompin' at the
Savoy” features an interesting moment when the sax man suspends time for a
minute when he solos unaccompanied. Throughout, Bell, Chivily and Roberson
provide fine rhythm section support, with Bell comping well.
My one suggestion for the future would be to substitute a few standards and
jazz compositions by other musicians in lieu of so many original tunes.
Otherwise, it's a nice listen.
Track listing: Lil d's Cakewalk, Skully!!!!, Dance Michele Dance, Pop Goes Chris,
Stompin' at the Savoy, Theme for Bobby, Lover Man, Firewater, Sidra's Dream
Personnel: Dennis Bell, piano; Casey Benjamin, saxophones; Peter Chivily, bass;
Stephen Roberson,drums
Lynette Washington
Long, Long Ago
(Guava Jamm, 2003)
Something Old, Something New, It's Christmastime, What's Wrong With You!
Published: December 4, 2003 Allaboutjazz.com
By C. Michael Bailey
Long, Long Ago is a weird little bird that takes advantage of addressing all
of the holiday observances: Christmas, Chanukah, and Kwanza. Lynette
Washington's voice is durable and full-bodied as is her band. The disc is short
(35:25) and consists of only six songs. However, this is not the standard fare
and thus is justly interesting. The way to look at this recording is to pretend
that Elvin Jones assembled a jazz band to play holiday music and the singer was
a deft combination of Sarah Vaughan, Betty Carter, and Neena Freelon.
Produced by Ms. Washington, Long, Long Ago can (and should) be obtained
from Guava Jamm Entertainment .
JAZZ News
Lynette Washington's Jazz Holiday CD
Lynette Washington's Long, Long Ago (A Jazz Celebration of Christmas,
Chanukah and Kwanzaa) is an obscure release that ought to be in the collection
of any jazz fan celebrating any of the season's holidays. It ist one of the finest
modern mainstream performances in recent years.
Nothing about this album is familiar, yet every one of the six songs provides
more immediate gratification to someone who's really listening than comfort
food fare ever can. “Always Christmas” is a post-bop barn-burner, “Long, Long
Ago” a ballad in need of an extinguisher and “Kwanzaa” an African- jazz hybrid
that'll get people to observe the holiday just so they can play this song.
All About Jazz.com
Hacking The Holidays: Obscure and Unusual Albums from Online Stores
by Mark Sabbatini
Lynette Washington
Long, Long Ago (A Jazz Celebration of Christmas, Chanukah and Kwanzaa)
GuavaJamm
To put it simply, this is as good as online holiday music gets.
Lynette Washington's Long, Long Ago (A Jazz Celebration of Christmas,
Chanukah and Kwanzaa) is an obscure release that ought to be in the collection
of any jazz fan celebrating any of the season's holidays. Not only is it one of the
finest modern mainstream performances in recent years, it's also available as a
$6 bargain download from audiolunchbox.com.
Washington's singing is deep, husky, adventurous and so full of soul I hit the
"purchase" option on my Web browser before the first 30-second preview was
complete. Considering I've been listening to several dozen holiday albums
nonstop during the past few weeks, that speaks volumes about its impact. Her
acoustic quartet is first-rate all the way, with saxophonist Gerry Niewood in
particular competing for the listener''s ear with a lyricism that compliments
Washington in Velcro-like fashion.
Nothing about this album is familiar, yet every one of the six songs provides
more immediate gratification to someone who''s really listening than comfort
food fare ever can. "Always Christmas" is a post-bop barn-burner, "Long, Long
Ago" a ballad in need of an extinguisher and "Kwanzaa" an African- jazz hybrid
that'll get people to observe the holiday just so they can play this song.
Need more convincing? "Always Christmas," is available as a free download from
amazon.com - just consider yourself warned if your wallet is getting a bit thin
from shopping.
Featured Artist: Lynette Washington
Something Old, Something New, It's Christmastime, What's Wrong With You!
Published: December 4, 2003 Allaboutjazz.com
By C. Michael Bailey
Long, Long Ago is a weird little bird that takes advantage of addressing all
of the holiday observances: Christmas, Chanukah, and Kwanza. Lynette
Washington's voice is durable and full-bodied as is her band. The disc is short
(35:25) and consists of only six songs. However, this is not the standard fare
and thus is justly interesting. The way to look at this recording is to pretend
that Elvin Jones assembled a jazz band to play holiday music and the singer was
a deft combination of Sarah Vaughan, Betty Carter, and Neena Freelon.
Produced by Ms. Washington, Long, Long Ago can (and should) be obtained
from Guava Jamm Entertainment .
JAZZ News
Lynette Washington's Jazz Holiday CD
Lynette Washington's Long, Long Ago (A Jazz Celebration of Christmas,
Chanukah and Kwanzaa) is an obscure release that ought to be in the collection
of any jazz fan celebrating any of the season's holidays. It ist one of the finest
modern mainstream performances in recent years.
Nothing about this album is familiar, yet every one of the six songs provides
more immediate gratification to someone who's really listening than comfort
food fare ever can. “Always Christmas” is a post-bop barn-burner, “Long, Long
Ago” a ballad in need of an extinguisher and “Kwanzaa” an African- jazz hybrid
that'll get people to observe the holiday just so they can play this song.
All About Jazz.com
Hacking The Holidays: Obscure and Unusual Albums from Online Stores
by Mark Sabbatini
Lynette Washington
Long, Long Ago (A Jazz Celebration of Christmas, Chanukah and Kwanzaa)
GuavaJamm
To put it simply, this is as good as online holiday music gets.
Lynette Washington's Long, Long Ago (A Jazz Celebration of Christmas,
Chanukah and Kwanzaa) is an obscure release that ought to be in the collection
of any jazz fan celebrating any of the season's holidays. Not only is it one of the
finest modern mainstream performances in recent years, it's also available as a
$6 bargain download from audiolunchbox.com.
Washington's singing is deep, husky, adventurous and so full of soul I hit the
"purchase" option on my Web browser before the first 30-second preview was
complete. Considering I've been listening to several dozen holiday albums
nonstop during the past few weeks, that speaks volumes about its impact. Her
acoustic quartet is first-rate all the way, with saxophonist Gerry Niewood in
particular competing for the listener''s ear with a lyricism that compliments
Washington in Velcro-like fashion.
Nothing about this album is familiar, yet every one of the six songs provides
more immediate gratification to someone who''s really listening than comfort
food fare ever can. "Always Christmas" is a post-bop barn-burner, "Long, Long
Ago" a ballad in need of an extinguisher and "Kwanzaa" an African- jazz hybrid
that'll get people to observe the holiday just so they can play this song.
Need more convincing? "Always Christmas," is available as a free download from
amazon.com - just consider yourself warned if your wallet is getting a bit thin
from shopping.
Featured Artist: Lynette Washington
source :: jazz press service
© 2005 jazz news :: home page
Holiday tunes that strike right note for all
MSNBC.com
Purists who want their holiday music straight down the middle from a middle-
of-the-road crooner can enjoy “White Christmas” by Bing Crosby, “The
Christmas Song” by Nat King Cole, “Merry Christmas” by Johnny Mathis and
“Christmas Portrait” by the Carpenters.
Obviously, not everybody celebrates Christmas. But fortunately, just about every
entertainer of every faith and ethnic background has a holiday CD. Some of the
more noteworthy releases for Chanukah include “Adam Sandler’s Eight Crazy
Nights” for the adventurous, and “Vol. 2 — Festival of Light” for more
conservative tastes. For Kwanzaa there is “Kwanzaa For Young People (And
Everyone Else!)” as well as “Kwanzaa Party: A Celebration of Black Cultures in
Song.” To cover all, or at least most, of your bases, think about Lynette
Washington’s “Long, Long Ago (A Jazz Celebration of Christmas, Chanukah &
Kwanza).”
Country and western aficionados may want to sit back and tap their boot toes to
“Magic of Christmas: Call Me Claus” by Garth Brooks; “Country Christmas” by
Johnny Cash; “It Won’t Be Christmas Without You” by Brooks & Dunn; and
“Secret of Giving” by Reba McEntire.”
http://fun.familyeducation.com/winter/holiday-parties/35864.html?page=2
Multicultural Winter Party
Page 2 of 2
Décor and Favors
Because so many resources are available for December decorating—web, books,
and magazines—I won't attempt pointers in this brief section. However, I will
offer a few culturally specific icons upon which you might want to focus:
* Christmas—Santa Claus, nativity scenes, Christmas trees, stockings, stars,
bells, candles, snowflakes, reindeer, mistletoe, Yule log, snowmen, and gifts;
the colors red and green.
* Hanukah—The menorah (candle holder with eight regular tapers and one
long one), gold coins (or chocolate-filled gold coins), dreidels, and gifts; the
colors blue, white, and gold.
* Kwanza—Mkeka (straw placemat), Mazao (fruits and vegetables),
Vibunzi/Muhindi (ears of corn), Kikombe cha umoja (communal unity cup),
Kinara and Mishumaa saba (candle holder with seven candles, one black, three
red, and three green), and Zawadi (gifts that are enriching); the colors red,
black, and green.
* Winter Solstice—Yule log; boughs of laurel, evergreen, and holly; good-luck
gifts of fruit, cakes, candles, dolls, jewelry, and incense; mistletoe; and colored
lights; the colors green, brown, and white.
If you enjoy having a Christmas tree, consider adding ornaments that reflect
each holiday tradition.
The best holiday parties are those at which the hostess has a gift for every
guest, even the unexpected. For your close friends, purchase gifts as you
normally would. For more casual friends, significant others, co-workers, or
neighbors, pick up inexpensive ($5 to $15) gifts you wouldn't mind receiving
yourself, such as bath products, coffee, coffee cups, fruit, nuts, candy, CDs,
DVDs, books, candles, incense, photo frames or small albums, kitchen gadgets,
socks, slippers, note paper, cards, journals, or food items. Select gender-
neutral gifts and eschew holiday-themed gifts, as you don't want to guess at
your guests' religious beliefs. Also, remember to pick up and wrap about five
extra gifts for unexpected guests.
To save a great deal of time and money, shop for your holiday gifts all year
around. As you browse in discount stores, keep your eyes out for inexpensive,
gender-neutral, quality gifts, such as those listed previously. In addition to
keeping a well-stocked gift closet, you'll have quite a few gifts amassed by
December.
Music and Entertainment
Choose multicultural holiday music. Although Christmas CDs are everywhere,
you might have a more difficult time finding party music to represent Hanukah,
Kwanza, and Winter Solstice. Here are a few ideas:
* A Winter's Night, Ensemble Galilei
* Happy Hanukah, Judy Rubenstein
* Africa, Putumayo
* A Jazz Celebration of Christmas, Chanukah & Kwanza, Lynette Washington,
Long, Long Ago
Try to alternate CDs to play an assortment of songs from different albums; if
you have a random-play feature on your CD player, use it. If your guests begin
to tire of holiday music, throw on some classical, jazz, modern rock, bluegrass,
or dance music.
JazzImprov Magazine Feb 2006
http://danadler.com/jazzres/ji_nyc_V01N08.pdf
Everything Must Change; You Don’t Know What Love Is; Lush Life; In A
Sentimental Mood; My Fool- ish Hear; All The Things You Are; Cry Me A River;
Here’s That Rainy Day; My One and Only Love; Someone To Watch Over Me;
When I Fall In Love; Round Midnight; The Closer I Get To You; A Song For You.
PERSONNEL: Lynette Washington, vocals; Dennis Bell, piano.

By Marshall Zucker
Lynette Washington sings fourteen songs on her CD Smoky Dawn. (Dawn is her
middle name). For one hour and eleven minutes, Ms. Washington’s powerful
voice (with sensitive piano backing by her brother-in-law Dennis Bell and
musical ar- ranger with Ms. Washington, is heard on songs all sung as ballads.
Despite the variance of tempo or dynamics, the CD is eminently listenable in
one session. This is due to the excellent quality of Ms. Washington’s voice, and
the superb selection of outstanding melodies. Three selections, “Everything
Must Change,” “The Closer I Get To You,” and “A Song For You” are from the
1970s. All of the others are considered standards. Every melody is of high
quality, and has earned its status as a standard. Even those few that have had
far more minimal lives as vocal selections than as instrumental selections, such
as “Lush Life” and “Round Mid- night,” are highly successful.
Ms. Washington’s vocal qualities are on par with the great singers. This has
sparked my curiosity and interest to hear her explore other settings. By the way,
a number of the selections are associated with specific performers, or
numerous performers: Julie London and “Cry Me A River,” Bill Evans and “My
Foolish Heart,” Nat Cole and “Lush Life.” Gertrude Lawrence introduced
“Someone to Watch Over Me” singing to a little doll. Few would guess that “You
Don’t Know What Love Is” was introduced in the Abbott and Costello film Keep
‘em Flying. Ms. Washington’s versions of all the songs stand successful on their
own.
Live at the X is not just a celebration of Jazz but a documentary from an era that
defined a time in American music that could not be ignored but embraced.
Dennis Bell captures the soul of Miles Davis with his arrangements, solos and a
group of musicians who's intensity, music vocabulary and excellence would
make Miles proud. Lynette Washington's vocal style paints the picture of this
musical canvas by giving reverence to Sarah Vaughn, Carmen McRae & Shirley
Horn with style, elegance and grace. This two album set is a must have for your
Jazz collection to be shared for generations.
Hank Howe
CEO and Founder
Globatone Radio
Lynette Washington & Dennis Bell – LIVE AT THE X: I first encountered Lynette’s
fantastic & lively vocal jazz back in issue # 103; I was impressed on that CD &
am (even) moreso on this superb live set (2 CD’s, basically) that features Lynette
with producer/pianist Dennis & a whole cast of other players that give you some
music that will stay UP on your playlists. Scope out their rendition (6:44) of one
of my favorite tunes, “Walkin‘” to get a taste for just how lively it can get!
Lynette’s vocal just shines on “The Best Is Yet To Come“, & the band is at full-
tilt behind her! On Shirley Horne’s “Return To Paradise“, Lynette’s full-throated
voice makes you realize why live performance is so key to really understanding
jazz – it’s my favorite tune on the double-CD set. You get 19 tunes that will
spin over & over again on your playlists. I give Lynette & Dennis another MOST
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, with an “EQ” (energy quotient) rating of 4.97. Get
more information at the Dennis Bell Jazz NY and Lynette Washington page on
FB. Rotcod Zzaj
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