Jazz Play

Carol Robbins

Jazzcats -- JCTS-105

Jazzplay is a collection of seven Carol Robbins originals and six jazz standards played by one of the worlds best jazz harpists along with a group of outstanding musicians. Jazzplay expands on Robbins’ previous CDs by adding the world-class talents of guitarist Larry Koonse and trumpeter Steve Huffsteter. She brings back reknowned saxophonist Bob Sheppard and plays with a new rhythm section, which consists of Darek Oles on bass and Tim Pleasant on drums.

The tracks on the CD offer various combinations of these musicians. All players are given a chance to showcase their individual voices through solos, counter melodies and interplay. Collectively, these gifted musicians have performed with such artists as Chick Corea, Billy Childs, Michael Brecker, Natalie Cole and Joni Mitchell. Producer Buddy Halligan has worked with musical greats Ray Charles, Anita baker, Freddy Hubbard, Hubert Laws, Barry White and Johnny Cash.

Product Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 5.5 x 0.25 inches; 2.5 ounces
Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ CD Baby
Original Release Date ‏ : ‎ 2005
Date First Available ‏ : ‎ January 20, 2007
Label ‏ : ‎ CD Baby
ASIN ‏ : ‎ B000BKP5O0
Country of Origin ‏ : ‎ USA
Number of discs ‏ : ‎ 1

Tunes:

(30-second samples)

Performers:

Carol Robbins - harp
Larry Koonse - guitar
Bob Sheppard - tenor/soprano sax
Steve Huffsteter - trumpet/flugel horn
Darek Oles - bass
Tim Pleasant - drums

About the Artist

Carol Robbins grew up in Los Angeles, where piano lessons at an early age inspired her to experiment with jazz improvisation. By age ten she was studying harp and eventually became one of the handful of students ever accepted by the late pioneering harpist Dorothy Ashby. One of the world’s few jazz harpists, Ms. Robbins has recorded and performed with an eclectic variety of artists including Billy Childs, Linda Ronstadt, Teddy Edwards and Frank Sinatra. Her memorable television credits include Cheers, Frazier and The Tonight Show. Highlight appearances in 2004 included a live radio broadcast on KCRW with Australian singer Sia, a duo with Bea Arthur at the Hollywood Bowl in A Tribute to Peggy Lee, and an engagement as performer and instructor at the Lyon Healy International Harp Conference in Salt Lake City. Several of her jazz arrangements for harp have been published by Vanderbilt Editions, and her three independently-produced jazz CDs, Three and Four, Chords In Blue and Jazzplay are available on Amazon.com

Reviews:

The harp makes one of its rare appearances in jazz in the hands of Carol Robbins on Jazz Play. She also wrote several of the tunes on this recording and included some standards. And where does that place the music? Right in the mainstream, with some softer shades of what is known as contemporary jazz. The introduction of the latter causes no damage; the soothing waft it brings in is pleasant enough, without detracting from the core. Jazz Play is just right for a relaxed evening.

– Jerry D’Souza, All About Jazz (read full review)

"Buddy's Bite," Still Light," "Darcy's Waltz," "Tangier," "Emilia," The Cribbler," and "Sollevare" written by Carol Robbins (Carol Robbins Music, ASCAP).
"O Grande Amor" written by Antonio Carlos Jobim.
"The Meaning of the Blues" written by Bobby Troup.
"Don't Look Back" written by Johnny Mandel.
"Skating in Central Park" written by John lewis.
"I'm Old Fashioned" written by Jerome Kern.
"Sambolero" written by Luis Bonfa.

Produced by Buddy Halligan.
Recorded at Castle Oaks Recording Studios in Calabasas, CA, by Buddy Halligan.
Assistant engineers: Ryan Moore and Jeff Wakolbinger.
Mixed and mastered at Bell Sound Studios in Hollywood, CA, by Buddy Halligan.
Graphic design by Nick Piesiewicz.
Cover photography by Emanuel Spector and Nick Piesiewicz.