Dee Bell releases "Sagacious Grace" with Houston Person, Al Plank, John Stowell, Michael Spiro, Colin Bailey and John Wiitala
Former Concord Jazz Recording Artist Dee Bell Moves to the Laser Label with the new album Sagacious Grace (Cat #0708). Available on CD Baby, Amazon, and ITunes as of 15 August 2011
Featuring Al Plank: piano; Houston Person
Houston Person
b.1934
sax, tenor
: saxophone; John Stowell: guitar; Michael Spiro
Michael Spiro
: percussion; Colin Bailey: drums; John Wiitala: bass.
Praised by critics both abroad and in the United States for her “gorgeous phrasing" and “clear and easy delivery (Stereo Review)" of the lyrics of a song, West Coast diva Dee Bell again delivers her warmth, clarity, and impeccable intonation on Sagacious Grace, her first release for the Laser label. “She knows just how to bring the best out in a song. She does her own thing; lazy, hazy, smoky singing (Jazz Journal, England)." Dee's Concord Jazz recordings with Stan Getz
Stan Getz
1927 - 1991
sax, tenor
, Eddie Duran
Eddie Duran
b.1925
guitar
and Tom Harrell
Tom Harrell
b.1946
trumpet
made the jazz world “sit up and listen (Jesse Hamlin, SF Jazz Critic)" garnering top twenty rotations on the jazz charts.
With this latest release dedicated to the late pianist, Al Plank, there are three songs with Dee's original lyrics and two that she has arranged. The swinging, elegant pianist influenced the balance of the riveting musical adaptations on this CD. Al was a major part of the San Francisco jazz scene for over 40 years, following an earlier musical career with the Mastersounds (the Montgomery brothers: Wes, Monk, and Buddy), as well as time on stage with Woody Herman
Woody Herman
1913 - 1987
band/orchestra
, Chet Baker
Chet Baker
1929 - 1988
trumpet
and Anita O'Day
Anita O'Day
1919 - 2006
vocal
.
Houston Person on saxophone, John Stowell on guitar, and Michael Spiro on percussion round out a stellar roster of the Bay Area's top musicians on this long-awaited CD. Interpreted with heartfelt nuances, this beautiful and diverse collection of songs will provide hours of entertainment for your listening delight.
