A set of songs written by jazz musicians were arranged for this project by pianist Carlos Franzetti for piano, sax, bass, flute, clarinet, and a string quartet. The results are pleasing if not overly memorable. While the selections are often challenging, the interpretations are more middle-of-the-road and fairly accessible due to the strings. Franzetti and saxophonist Lawrence Feldman take most of the solos and their improvisations are excellent, although the utilization of strings and woodwinds smoothes over some of the rough edges of the compositions, making the results fairly safe if occasionally unpredictable.

On this tribute to Ray Brown, this stellar trio plays its way through 11 standards in nearly 66 minutes, and the result is as fresh and tasty as you could ever wish. The trio's instrumentation begs comparison with the great Oscar Peterson Trio, of whom Brown was such an important member, but this threesome plays with confidence and gusto, as if to scoff at the folly of such futile mind play. Joy and good fun exude from the disc as if from pores, writes reviewer J. Robert Bragonier.

An even deeper jazz set than Nicole Henry’s first album - recorded with the Eddie Higgins Trio, and done in a style that’s traditional, yet extremely soulful! There’s a sound here that reminds us a lot of Carmen Lundy - as Nicole’s singing jazz, but doing so in a mode that’s never draped with any of the torchy cliches of other singers - and which is as informed by a history of soul music as it is more standard influences from jazz.

Named Most Valuable Bassist in the recording industry three times by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences between 1975 and 1995, Jay Leonhart is a well-rounded musician comfortable in almost any idiom. However he also "belongs to a breed of serious comic songwriter whose marquee names include Tom Lehrer, Dave Frishberg and Loudon Wainwright III". Like Frishberg, Leonhart's voice doesn't sound "serious", but the arrangements, chord structures, and musicianship indicate there is more to this music than first meets the ear. This album is a bit of classic now. Salamander Pie features 17 of Leonhart's crazy songs with the expert accompaniment of Mike Renzi on piano. This release is also notable as it is one of the earliest all-digital recordings, recorded live to two track in 1983 by Tom Jung, who had begun converting the output of every microphone to digital back in 1977 in an effort to alleviate all of the noise associated with analog recordings.

Since arriving in New York City, Tessa Souter has built a dedicated following. She was a relative latecomer to jazz, taking time out to raise a family at a young age and work as a journalist before studying at the Manhattan School of Music and privately with vocal great Mark Murphy, though she has developed into a formidable singer in a relatively short time.

A wonderful gift for jazz fans has arrived from Venus Records! Nobody argues that Bill Charlap is one of the most preeminent jazz pianists of his generation. His encyclopedic knowledge of the American Songbook is second to none, and his beautiful touch, amazing skills and imagination make it a pleasure to listen to him at all times. Ken Peplowski, on the other hand, is without a doubt one of the best clarinet and tenor sax players in the swing tradition.

The New York Trio, consisting of pianist Bill Charlap, bassist Jay Leonhart, and drummer Bill Stewart, have created quite a stir in Japan, as they have entered the studio regularly to record for the Japanese Venus Jazz label at the start of the 21st century. Their sixth CD for the label, Thou Swell draws from the songbook of Richard Rodgers and Lorenz Hart, a composer/lyricist combo who wrote many songs that became standards.

After Bill Charlap was "discovered" by the Japanese independent Venus Records with his wonderful debut album for the label 'S Wonderful, he signed with Blue Note. Because of the contract terms, Charlap's name can no longer apper prominently on albums he records for Venus. Hence the anonymous moniker "New York Trio". But make no mistake. This is Bill Charlap's trio. And what a trio! Veteran Jay Leonhart's bass sounds deep, lyrical and authoritative, and cutting-edge drummer Bill Stewart's surprisingly traditional drumming brings a unique tension to this group. This unusual trio has recorded six albums for Venus Records at the pace of one each year, and this is their first of the celebrated series. One of the best interpreters of the Great American Songbook, Charlap dazzles us with his beautiful touch and tone, faithful rendering of original melodies and subtle addition of modern sensibilities. Selections are mostly medium to slow tempo ballads. As the title suggests, this is clearly music for the night.

Super Standard is an album by pianist Kenny Barron, bassist Jay Leonhart and drummer Al Foster (billed for contractual reasons as the Super Trio) recorded in New York in 2004 and released on the Japanese Venus label.

The New York Trio, consisting of pianist Bill Charlap, bassist Jay Leonhart, and drummer Bill Stewart, have put together a spectacular jazz lineup for this audiophile SACD. Also known as the New York Jazz Trio, the group is known for recording classic standards in a straightforward, post-bop style. Together, they are a successful force, having marked their spot in East Coast jazz scene. But separately, they have also each reached their individual levels of success. In his career, pianist Bill Charlap has played alongside jazz icons Tony Bennett, Benny Carter, and Gerry Mulligan, and has recorded a handful of well-received albums as a bandleader. Jay Leonhart, a bassist for the Trio, has also dabbled in vocals and songwriting and has performed with Marian McPartland, Louie Bellson, Lee Konitz, and many others. And drummer Bill Stewart has rubbed musical elbows on stage with jazz guitarist John Scofield, sax player Maceo Parker and R&B legend James Brown.

The vast Duke Ellington songbook is always ripe for exploration, and the New York Trio, featuring pianist Bill Charlap, bassist Jay Leonhart, and drummer Bill Stewart, is up to the task. The gorgeous ballad “The Star Crossed Lovers” is in good hands, as Charlap gently examines the facets of this gem, accompanied by Leonhart’s spacious basslines and Stewart’s whispering brushes.

Also known as the New York Jazz Trio, this combo is a studio-only group who specialize in recording classic standards in a straightforward, post-bop style. The New York Trio features three gifted musicians who are firmly established on the East Coast jazz scene. Pianist Bill Charlap is a member of the Phil Woods Quintet, has accompanied the likes of Tony Bennett, Benny Carter, and Gerry Mulligan, and has recorded a handful of well-received albums for Blue Note as a bandleader. Bassist Jay Leonhart has recorded as a headliner since 1983, while also making a name for himself as a vocalist and songwriter as well as backing up Marian McPartland, Louie Bellson, Lee Konitz, and many others. And drummer Bill Stewart had handled demanding gigs with a variety of musicians, including jazz guitarist John Scofield, funky sax man Maceo Parker and R&B legend James Brown. They make this record for the Japanese market.

Beat Kaestli turns his attention to the Great American Songbook on Invitation, his auspicious debut for Chesky Records. Recorded at St. Peter's Church in Chelsea, this stirring collection of jazz standards is the perfect showcase for Kaestli's hauntingly beautiful voice, which falls somewhere in the Chet Baker-Kenny Rankin range. His voice is imbued with clarion articulation, naturally relaxed phrasing and uncanny feeling.

Through his numerous releases from Venus Records, Eddie Higgins has firmly established his position as one of the most celebrated jazz pianists in Japan. On If Dreams Come True, Eddie Higgins performs with his trio consisting of Jay Leonhart on bass and Joe Ascione on drums.

Barbara Carroll remains at the top of her game at age 80. This wonderful program of standards shows her at her swinging best. If her voice has lost a little of its bloom (she sings, or rather speaks, on a couple of numbers) her fingers certainly have not. Very few jazz pianists get a truly individual sound from the piano, but Carroll's full, two handed style is unique, and has been for decades. An excellent rhythm section and the usual fine sound from Venus make this a winner. With Jay Leonhart playing bass and Joe Cocuzzo playing drums, the trio performs such classics as "Fly Me To The Moon", "My Funny Valentine" and "Autumn In New York".