Album release: Live (Cannonball)

From the media release

Melbourne based jazz group Cannonball proudly announces the release of its new CD ‘Live’ featuring Chantal Mitvalsky on vocals. The album was recorded live over two nights at Bennetts Lane Jazz Club so as to capture all the excitement, raw energy and ‘dirt’ of a live performance.

The ensemble is inspired by the jazz/groove/soul music of the late saxophone giant Julian ‘Cannonball’ Adderley. It is not the intention of the group to replicate Cannonball Adderley’s work (couldn’t even if we wanted too (-:), but rather, to pay its respects to Cannonball and his music, and harness his infectious groove and joy-filled approach to music making.

‘Live’ includes a collection of 10 songs from varying sources. Some are rearrangements from the classic albums that Cannonball recorded with Ernie Andrews and Nancy Wilson, whilst others are drawn from the great American songbook. The groups’ live performances also feature originals and some lessor know jazz standards.

The members of the ensemble (chantal mitvalsky – voice, tim wilson – saxophone, paul williamson – trumpet, darrin archer – piano, sam bates – drums, tom lee – bass) boast a broad range of performance credits including Ray Charles, Jerry Lewis, Hugh Jackman, Michael Buble, Natalie Cole, James Morrison, The Australian Art Orchestra, Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Mike Nock, and Bobby Shew.

The group performs regularly at Paris Cat Jazz Club, Uptown Jazz Café and Bennetts Lane Jazz Club as well as at various festivals and events including the Melbourne International Jazz Festival and the Bell Awards (Australia Jazz Awards).