Jazz grooves from the frozen north.

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10885543_664298643682852_7686765536487565737_nLast night DF and I went out to listen to live music from sax artist Rick Zelinsky and Melissa “Jazzmom” Fischer. Sadly, some people were once again yammering through jazz night but they sat far enough away that we could enjoy the evening.

The two performers just released a new CD called “Alone Together.” During intermission I bought a copy and had both of them sign it so that I can give it away this week.

Here’s what the Alaska Dispatch News arts section has to say about the CD:

“Jazz pianist and singer Melissa Bledsoe Fischer and saxophonist Rick Zelinsky have each produced good albums over the years. But their newly released ‘Alone Together’ may be the best by either of them. In fact, it may be the best produced-in-Alaska commercial studio album (ever).

“A couple of the cuts are instrumental keepers: Gerry Mulligan’s dreamy ‘Song for Strayhorn’ and Bud Powell’s swinging ‘Celia.’ But most incorporate Fischer’s vocals in well-known standards, like her smoky take on ‘I’ve Got You Under My Skin’ and a deliciously snarky ‘Cruella de Vil.’

“The titles are largely familiar, but the results are unexpected, as in the gorgeous ‘What a Wonderful World’ and a breathtakingly edgy ‘Nature Boy.’ The piece I keep going back to is ‘Alone Together,’ a duet built exclusively on Fischer’s soulfully sung long notes delivered against fabulous, almost hallucinogenic, counterpoint from Zelinsky’s sax.”

Even if you’ve never considered yourself a jazz fan, or even listened to much of the genre, “Alone Together” may convert you. Zelinsky has put up samples on his website, Icy Grooves. You can also buy the CD there if you don’t win it this week.

Fun fact: Zelinsky, aka “Mr. Z,” teaches music at the middle school my nephew attends and is encouraging him in his own study of the sax. Anchorage is the biggest small town I’ve ever lived in.

To enter:

If you do any (or all!) of these things, please leave separate, additional comments to get credit for each entry.

The deadline is 7 p.m. PDT Tuesday, Feb. 10. If I don’t hear back from the winner by 7 p.m. PDT Wednesday, Feb. 11, I’ll pull another name.

Note: Due to the high cost of international shipping, a winner from outside the United States will receive an e-gift card.

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28 thoughts on “Jazz grooves from the frozen north.”

  7. I want this! I played sax (not all that well) in high school and What a Wonderful World was our first dance at our wedding (Louie Armstrong’s version). If I don’t win, I’ll have buy the CD.

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  17. If memory serves, you’ve mentioned the rudeness of chatty folks at Jazz concerts every year. Wonder if there is any polite way to put a stop to that behavior at music and other venues? I frequently run into it here in Fort Worth. Maybe it’s just the way people are raised now-a-days.

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  19. I would love to win this! The sax is my DH’s favorite instrument and he is a huge jazz fan. Thanks for another great giveaway!

    Reply

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