#dameronia

ALBUM REVIEW Ferit Odman Delivers Spectacular Tribute to Composer Tadd Dameron Ferit Odman - Dameronia With Strings BY STACEY ZERING JANUARY 15, 2016 The fervid affection drummer/band leader Ferit Odman reveals for the late composer Tadd Dameron is infectious and absolutely mesmerizing on his latest album, Dameronia With Strings. Backed by a tremendously gifted group of musicians, Odman revives an indelible collection of Dameron’s work, fueling new life into them with stellar musicianship and breathtaking energy. There is not a single wasted moment, and each member of Odman’s ensemble is given the opportunity to shine like stars. Trumpeter Terell Stafford, in particular, delivers one spectacular performance after another. In “On a Misty Night,” Stafford’s soothing trumpet captures the nocturnal beauty of an evening stroll. The calming textures of his playing caresses the ears like the finest silk. Similarly, Danny Grisett’s piano is gorgeously melodic. Peter Washington’s propulsive bass gives the track an added kick as Odman’s robust drumming provides a punchy undertow. One of the best examples of the group’s scorching chemistry is on “Just Plain Talkin’.” Stafford’s trumpet evolves from soulful romanticism to fiery passion; the buildup is hypnotic. Odman’s crashing, powerful drums add to the swagger and youthful exuberance. The lovely “Smooth as the Wind” delights with swirling violins and Stafford’s soaring trumpet. Odman is a renowned jazz figure in his homeland of Turkey, and this spectacular, dazzling LP will only solidify his solidify his status as a stellar global talent.

Drummer Ferit Odman Releases 'Dameronia With Strings' on New Equinox Music CD [REVIEW] By Mike Greenblatt [email protected] | Dec 30, 2015 07:50 PM EST Tadd Dameron [1917-1965] came out of Cleveland a piano-playing teenager and was soon writing and arranging in New York City for Count Basie. It's his "Hot House" that helped make Charlie Parker famous, and he also greatly helped and inspired Dizzy Gillespie. He co-led a 1949 band with Miles Davis in Paris. In 1956, he recorded "Mating Call" and gave an unknown sax player named John Coltrane his big break. Dameronia With Strings (Equinox Music & Entertainment) is the brainchild of drummer Ferit Odman, from Istanbul, Turkey. Besides legend-in-the-making Terell Stafford on trumpet, Dameronia With Strings has a gorgeously arranged string sextet by David O'Rourke augmenting drums/bass/trumpet/piano to add flavor, color and oomph to eight of Dameron's creations. "Smooth As The Wind," a tune Tadd did in 1961 with Blue Mitchell, is the highlight but all seven other tracks swoon with tempestuous delight. Its syncopated bebop/sultry swing shares time with string section charts that cloud the coffee with recurring dreaminess. It's different. It is unique. Tadd's 1946 arrangement on his own "If You Could See Me Now" was one of Sarah Vaughan's very first recordings under her own name. Here, it's lovingly resurrected to the point where the originally rather austere style has been stretched out into an almost classical zone with harmonics and zesty kinetic movement. An overabundance of strings usually brings a saccharine element. String-drenched sides have ruined many a great singer's records; Ray Charles, Jackie Wilson and Dean Martin come to mind. To hear six strings compete for attention here, in a fresh, vital and totally new way is a delight however. As song after song slides sensuously by, one is reminded of the abject genius of Tadd Dameron. One is then saddened by the stark reality that this sensitive soul, who never achieved mainstream popularity, had his run ended prematurely in 1958 when incarcerated for drug possession. After his 1961 release, he settled into a comfortable niche writing for TV and arranging for Milt Jackson, Sonny Stitt and Brook Benton. He died in 1965 from cancer. But, much like Billy Strayhorn, who toiled in obscurity when the world should have recognized his genius, Dameron is getting his props posthumously. Surely though, we will be hearing more from the supremely talented Ferit Odman while he's still with us.