Springtime brings with it a sense of renewal. Across America, students enjoy a nice long break before gearing up for classes, proms and graduations; gardeners begin tending neglected flower beds; birds reappear after their winter trek south; baseball bats crack; wedding bells ring.
The calendar tells us Spring has sprung here in the United States, and to celebrate there's music in the air, especially jazz music.
According to the Red Garland Trio, "Spring Will Be A Little Late This Year," one of a dozen tracks from a new CD that pays tribute to Spring. Jazz Moods: Sounds of Spring contains classic and contemporary jazz, vocal and instrumental, duos, trios, ballads, Latin jazz and fusion.
Tony Bennett with Ruby Braff and George Barnes offer a selection of vocal jazz on Rodgers and Hart's "Mountain Greenery."
Next is a springtime tune by "Over The Rainbow" composer Yip Harburg, whose "April In Paris," co-written by Vernon Duke, is a favorite among jazz musicians.
Spring, of course, is often associated with romance. Like the leaves and flowers that come alive with the warming rays of the sun, young hearts blossom into true love.
Vocalist Karrin Allyson asks if she's really "Too Young To Go Steady" on another song.
With the release of Sounds of Spring, all four seasons are now represented on Concord's Jazz Moods series. For more titles from the ongoing series visit www.concordrecords.com.
