Red, Hot & Blue - Fay Claassen
The music of Cole PorterArrangements by Michael AbeneFay Claassen: vocal | Olaf Polziehn: piano | Ingmar Heller: bass | Hans ... [
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The music of Cole Porter
Arrangements by Michael Abene
Fay Claassen: vocal |
Olaf Polziehn: piano |
Ingmar Heller: bass |
Hans Dekker: drums Bonus Track:
Fay Claassen: vocal |
Michael Abene: piano |
Paul Heller: tenor saxophone.In choosing a composer like Cole Porter you have an extraordinary amount of material to pick from. Beside the more famous Porter melodies there are songs that are not performed as much such as “All Through the Night”, “Ridin´High” and “Too Darn Hot”. In writing for Piano, bass and drums I wanted to create something that was challenging to Fay and the musicians and hopefully I succeded. Fay’s sense of time, pitch and lyric interpertation made me appreciate even more (to say it again) what a wonderful artist she is. I look forward to our next project together. (Michael Abene, from liner notes)
Fay Claassen’s interpretations of the ten timeless songs on this album testify most eloquently to her great affection for the work of Cole Porter, who was arguably the most accomplished, sophisticated and prolific contributor to the Great American Songbook. The combination of innovative and unconventional arrangements by Michael Abene, and a superbly compatible trio, makes this celebration of the enduring music and lyrics of the great Cole Porter an outstanding production.
Throughout, Fay Claassen sings with the impeccable timing and faultless diction for which she is renowned She has a confidence and élan that come from ten years of live performance experience. She negotiates complex melodic lines with great facility and sings the lyrics with great conviction and feeling.
As Michael Abene says, she has a great sense of time, pitch and lyric interpretation. It takes a great deal of assurance and control to sing Love For Sale at the dead slow tempo that is featured on this album, because it is a real challenge to maintain exact pitch on sustained notes – as Fay decidedly does. Most of the tracks feature scat choruses by Fay, sometimes in highly accurate harmony or unison with bassist Ingmar Heller – as on Dream Dancing –and she handles these with tremendous flair and vitality.
In addition to their superbly integrated and sensitive accompaniment, the trio of Olaf Polziehn, Ingmar Heller and Hans Dekker all contribute fine solo choruses. (Mike Hennessey)
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CR 73269 | 0608917326925 | € 17.95
Two Portraits of Chet Baker - Fay Claassen
BMCD 497 | 0742451549720 | € 10.95
Rhythms & Rhymes - Fay Claassen
BMCD 380 | 0742451538021 | € 17.95
Specially arranged for Fay - Fay Claassen
Fay Claassen: vocals | Joan Reinders: conductor, arranger |Willy van Diepen, Gerard Grobben, Gerlo Hesselink, Martin van der Horst, Job ... [
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Fay Claassen: vocals |
Joan Reinders: conductor, arranger |
Willy van Diepen,
Gerard Grobben,
Gerlo Hesselink,
Martin van der Horst, Job Helmers: saxophone, clarinet |
Rini Swinkels, Jan Wessels, Bert Fransen, Erik Hilferink,
Herman Nijkamp: trumpet, flugelhorn | J
eroen Rol, Henri Gerrits, Gert Nijenbanning, Eric Westerink: trombone |
Hans Kwakkernaat: piano |
Bart Tarenskeen: bass |
Niek van Wiggen: drums
“Singing with a big band grabbed my imagination early on. It is difficult for me to put into words how great it is when a big band is “carrying” you, especially when you also feel bound up in an intense exchange. The first time I really experienced that combination of feelings was during a performance with The Millennium Jazz Orchestra. Contact developed with Joan
from that first time and the idea was also conceived to lay down that shared sensation on a CD. I would never have dared dream that his arrangements would turn out to be so special.
He must have been totally able to put himself in my place. In any case, he managed to give me the right musical inspiration, because in all of these arrangements he has given me the freedom to really enjoy myself.”
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BMCD 381 | 0742451538120 | € 17.95
With a song in my heart - Fay Claassen
CHR 70096 | 0608917009620 | € 17.95
In Exile of Dreams - Ivan Paduart Quartet
Ivan Paduart: piano, synthesizer | Fay Claassen: vocals | David Linx: vocals | Toon Roos: tenor & sop. saxophone | ... [
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Ivan Paduart: piano, synthesizer | Fay Claassen: vocals | David Linx: vocals | Toon Roos: tenor & sop. saxophone | Philippe Aerts: double bass | Joost van Schaik: drums
More than 15 years in the meantime I practice the astonishing profession named musician. From the very beginning I was heavily tempted in writing my own compositions and moreover going through the pleasure thereafter of the attraction in performing my own pieces in public.
Originally inspired by classical music I discovered at last that jazz was the most perfect way making my music as valuable as possible. The variety of so many different shapes, rhythms, harmonies and above all things the endlessness offered by improvisation that gave me the belief that everything was possible even playing wrong notes. Preferring to play in a trio setting the strongest satisfaction given to me was writing compositions for musicians chosen by myself as Tom Harrell, Bob Malach, Toots Thielemans, Richard Galliano, Charlie Mariano, Rick Margitza and Toon Roos.
As I met Bob Hagen in 2001, I was touched by his enthusiastic readiness to support musicians provided that he admired their qualities. His support and unshakable belief in my values as a
composer he made several projects and important concerts possible for me. On behalf of this album I invited two special vocalists both so very much admired European male and female singer David Linx and Fay Claassen. (Ivan Paduart, liner notes)
The Jazz Impulse Foundation was founded for the purpose of supporting musicians deserving greater recognition. During the quality selection there is a careful assessment considering opportunities and possibilities for the future success of these musicians. Ivan has the ability to compose in such an unexpected way that he is always recognizable in his work in a way nobody else does. His pieces, never superficial and never dull, are surprisingly lucid.
Every new composition again is an unbelievable experience, and many great and well known jazz musicians are always willing to play with him and of course especially his beautiful compositions. My very firm believe is that sometime in the future Ivan will unmistakably reach the status of a famous composer.
Next to the instrumental quartet pieces in which the marvelous playing Toon Roos on saxophone proves his unbelievable musical and lyrical intelligence there is also a solo piece in which Ivan proves consistently his fresh ideas. But the overtone on this album is dominated by two singers, both together or individually singing: Fay Claassen and David Linx who made individually already many cd’s. Without doubt you are within a few minutes convinced that here are gathered two of the best jazz singers of Europe with highly artistic repertoire. Though they both are qualified improvising soloists on this cd they don’t do that. They will impress you with a vivid blend of their vocal qualities with a number of not easy listening songs. For advanced music inquisitives these singers take their chances to the full extend to lead them to the limits of full admiration.
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Two portraits of Chet Baker Vol. 1 - Fay Claassen
BMCD 487 | 0742451548723
Two Portraits of Chet Baker Vol. 2 - Fay Claassen
BMCD 488 | 0742451548822