1) A Song a Robin Sings: John Benitez: Bass, Steve Davis: Drums,
Bob Albanese Piano
2) Waiting For Louis: Bob Albanese: pianist/composer, Tom Kennedy: Bass, Willard Dyson: Drums
3) Election Day: Soloists: Bob Albanese: Melodeon/Conductor,
Kristjan Randalu: Piano;Vito Cherovuso: flute; Chris Shane: Sop. Sax;, Jacob Rodriquez:
Bari Sax;, Greg Paulus: Trp;, Mike Boscarino: Trombone (plunger);,
Patrick Cornelius: Tenor Sax: Joe Nero: Drums; Josh Paris: Bass;,
Norman Edwards: Vibe, Gred Evans: Percussion
4) Samba Esperanca: Cincinnatti Conservatory Philharmonia
Rick Van Matre Conductor
5) Funiculi Funicula: Bob Albanese, piano, Rayn Beau Eyesly, Hammond B3, Bruce Hamada, elec. bass, Jesse Gopin, drums,vocal, Wayne deSilva Tenor Sax, Tom Artwick, Tenor Sax,Richie Flores, perc.
Recorded in Haula, Hawaii 1996
6) Glad To Be Unhappy (Rogers and Hart) Featured vocalist: Charenee Wade, Bob Albanese: pianist/arranger/melodeon solo, John Benitez: bass, Obed Calavare: drums, Kurt Bacher: all saxaphones and woodwinds, Ben Griffin: all tenor trombones, Max Stein; Bass bone, John Cherdoba: All trumpets.
Influences
The Beatles, 60's 70's r&r, r&b, Stevie Wonder, Bill Evans, Herbie Hancock, Louis Armstrong, Charlie Parker, Chick Corea, Clare Fischer, Egberto Gismonti, Jobim, Hermeto Pasqual, Lord Buckley, Thelonius Monk, Jimmy Durante, Freddie Hubbard, Bud Powell, Baden Powell, Victor Borga, Vince Gauraldi, Lennie Tristano, John Coltrane, Miles "Dexter called him Dave" Davis, Dexter Gordon, Ken Nordine, Dave Brubeck, Uncle Hal, Thad, Hank & Elvin Jones, Duke Ellington, Jimmy Smith, George Shearing, Jesus, Buddah, Ram Dass, Charles Ives, Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, Paul Theroix, Aldous Huxley, Carl Jung, Superman, Ayn Rand, Anne Rilke, Mother Teresa, My Dinner with André, Jame Joyce, Zen and the Art of Archery, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, Djavan, Hebrews 11 No-Age music.
“Bob Albanese is a rhymer, a poetic soul whether he is thinking and talking or composing and playing. He has all the requisites—harmonic acumen, melodicism and swing. With all that, he has nuance, that certain something that gives him distinction. He’s not radical, or fanatical but artistically he is never on sabbatical.” Ira Gitler, former editor of DownBeat magazine.
“In a phrase - -a monster jazz pianist, the real deal. Where’s he’s been until now, I don’t know… he’s got it all.” Jazz Society of Oregon
“Albanese proves himself a consummate mainstream/modern improviser who’s absorbed the lessons of such post-bop masters as Herbie Hancock and Keith Jarrett. Albanese possesses a variable touch and lissome manner of phrasing, and he’s a remarkably sensitive and creative accompanist.” Jazz.com
“A fine, energetic performance by a first-rate collection of musicians.” Jazz.com
Albanese is described as “The kind of cat that restores a positive light to terms like ‘mainstream jazz’, it hits, it hits hard and your ears will dig everything that’s going on. Hot stuff.” Midwest Records Review 3/6/09
“In fact, the lyrical but swinging Albanese shines as the trio pianist on four selections that don’t include Sullivan: “Major Minority”, “Joyful Noise”, “Waiting for Louis”, and the title song.” All music.com
Though the album is streamlined for a straight-ahead jazz format, the group exhibit’s a breadth of freedom that is inspiring and makes people want to re-think any prejudices they may have about straight-ahead forms.” Jazzreview.com
“Pianist Bob Albanese would be considered whiz kid in his prime, but he’s no longer a kid or young man, but very much playing in his prime, if One Way/Detour is any indication.” Thisisbooksmusic.com
“These guys can do no wrongs even if they tried…There’s not one bad song on here, you want to listen and see if Albanese of any of these musicians are playing live. With luck, they’ll be playing near you soon and you may find yourself wanting to hear extended jaunts of each of the ten tracks featured here.” thisisbooksmusic.com
The Kansas City Star wrote of Albanese in performance with the Buddy Rich band, “the light fluid touch of pianist Bob Albanese, who deserved more solo space, was outstanding and notable”.
As the lengendary multi instrumentalist, Ira Sullivan put it, "Bob's a natural".
"Bob Albanese marshalled some of Hawaii's top jazz talents behind his keyboards on this collection of songs (The Love Within) he wrote or arranged. The interplay between Albanese and his guests makes several of the instrumentals notable.
Albanse isn't a regular vocalist but the fanciful 'Senor Bear' suits him". -John Berger, Honolulu Star Bulletin
"Bob is a wonderfully creative pianist and his CD -One Way/Detour- proves it. He not only has a firm grasp on standards, his compositions are most interesting and he is someone who is not a traditionalist but knows the tradition which is a compliment I do not use very often. Bob was a Composition student of mine at Manhattan School of Music and is also a very creative orchestrator and arranger. More people should know about Bob Albanese.:
-Michael Abene, Grammy winning Composer, Arranger, Producer and currently the Musical Director (Chefdirigent) of the WDR Big Band of Cologne, Germany, 15h Nov. 2008
"Albanese is not necessarily a newcomer. He has been Ben Vereen's musical director. But he is not that widely known as the talented jazz pianist that he is - something which people will soon be hearing, and hearing more about."
-Ira Gitler, American jazz historian and journalist
Jazz Improv Magazine, November 2008
"Nice work! Fine playing by all, thoughtful originals, and a few non-hackneyed others. Nice to again hear Ira, whom I haven't heard or seen in a number of years." (about "One Way Detour")-Bill Kirchner, WBGO - The World's Premier Jazz Radio Station, NYC and NJ, USA
"With special guests Tony nominated Loretta Ables Sayre (playing the role of "Bloody Mary" in Bway's present production of "South Pacific"), Grammy nominated Karrin Allyson and Paul Meyers (guitar), Ugonna Okegwo (bass), David Meade (drums) at Bemelmans Bar @ The Carlyle in August 2009:
"One Way/Detour" CD release party at Smalls 2nd June, 2009 with Ira Sullivan, Tom Kennedy and Willard Dyson:
Photo's of the Russia Tour 2007 with Datevik Hovanesian, including stage sharing Avishai Cohen Trio:
With Datevik Hovanesian at the Yerevan Philharmonic Hall in Fall '08:
Thank you for your friendship. Please check out the my flyer for the great lineup of musicians I’m going to be working with at the Iridium Jazz Club on June 16th. I am so excited! Peace and love, Pat Holley
Bob, I was just stopping by to view your profile and wanted to say, "hello". Hope that all is well and best wishes for all of your future endeavors. Respectfully Yours, ~John
Each new jazz "friend" is important to us so, we appreciate your add very much.
If you are interested in a FREE listing on our Jazz Blog just send your MySpace URL to the e-mail address below. We will let you know when and where your listing will run.
hi Bob, Tony Cimorosi here, just listening to your CD on myspace... You're one of the baddest cats... really enjoying your writing, arranging and playing. congratulations on a beautiful CD
Thanks so much for the Add. We have found such wonderful new expressions of many musical idioms here on MySpace and yours is a beautiful addition to it all. Of course, we hope you and your friends enjoy our music, too. Onward and Upward with Music! Thom & Lorry Gambino New York, New York
Dear my myspace friend Hello I want to let you know that I have released my album. I play guitar, George Garzone plays saxophone, John Lockwood plays bass, and Jeff Hirshfield plays drums. Please take a look, if you are interested. Thank you. link is here http://cdbaby. com/cd/jeanoh
"Can We Go Back Where We Began?" CD Release Extravaganza! We cordially invite you. Freddy's Bar and Back Room 485 Dean St. @ 6th Ave., Brooklyn 8:45 PM Thursday, October 23, 2008
I am actually not that familiar with Freddie Hubbard. I noticed he has played on several of my fav. recordings such as Speak No Evil, Ole, Free for all and the Sidewinder. And I am unfamiliar with his lead recordings. What albums do you think are best to hear his incredible trumpet playing? What made him special?
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