When the Sun Goes Down

Uptown Vocal Jazz Quartet | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 23, 2002)
• Original Release Date: August 23, 2002
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: House Kat
• ASIN: B00006JK23
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #355,361 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

About the Artist

A rising star on the jazz horizon, Uptown Vocal Jazz Quartet has been captivating audiences internationally with its creative, lush vocal arrangements sung against a blazing jazz rhythm section. They have put their mark on group vocal jazz with their own tightly harmonized arrangements, inventive lyrics and swinging renditions of classic and original jazz.

An interview and sampling of the group’s musical excerpts on NPR’s broadcast of "Weekend Edition" with Susan Stamberg made the group’s first release, "Half-Past Swing", a top-selling jazz CD on Amazon.com in 2000.

The group has appeared at the Ford Detroit International Jazz Festival and Ottawa International Jazz Festival, sharing the main stage with such jazz greats as Nancy Wilson, Tony Bennett, Abbey Lincoln, Mingus Big Band, and Sonny Rollins. They have teamed in concert with the Four Freshmen, been profiled by PRI’s Jazz Smithsonian in the documentary series "The Jazz Singers", hosted by Al Jarreau, been profiled on Radio Jazz Copenhagen, and played extensively on jazz and public radio across the US, Canada and Europe. In 2002 they will appear as symphony orchestra guest artists, adding another dimension to their growing resume of live performances in jazz festival, concert, club, and educational venues.

Instrumental straight-ahead jazz bands, fusion ensembles, and single vocalists fronting mainstream combos crowd the CD store racks and the live jazz performance venues, while the fascinating art of group vocal jazz pioneered by such greats as Lambert/Hendricks/Ross and their contemporary progeny remains today a rare find. The exciting sound of four or more voices together phrasing fat jazz chord harmonies, sculpting melodies against countermelodies, and swinging and popping syncopated rhythms against a blazing instrumental section evokes the precision and drive of a big band horn section while delivering the distinctly human element of storytelling through inventive (often original) lyrics. The result is an artistic package that is uniquely accessible, exciting and entertaining to jazz audiences and beyond. It is also an exact science that demands countless hours of behind-the-scenes group rehearsal. The required spirit of perseverence, discipline, teamwork, and creativity, including well-honed jazz composition and arranging skills, is a reality that explains the small numbers of jazz musicians involved in the craft of group vocal jazz.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Uptown Jazz Vocal Quartet's Usual Excellence, September 4, 2002

By 

Donna Thurber (Alexandria, VA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: When the Sun Goes Down (Audio CD)

I was fortunate enough to listen to a final recorded pre-release of this CD. I own the first 2, but shall definitely purchase this either at the IceHouse Cafe in Herndon, Virginia or at their CD release party at Blues Alley in Washington, D.C.

It is different than their other CDs, yet each CD's music, arrangements, singing, and harmony each have their unique style, which makes Uptown Jazz Vocal Quartet one of my favorite jazz genre.

The entire time I listened to the CD I closed my eyes, tapped my feet slowly as was warranted, but smiled the entire time. It is a heart stomping heart smiling BEAT of BEAUTIFUL HARMONY and FUN jazz. If you don't buy it, you'll be missing out on what those of us who own shall share. I give it at least 5 STARS!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars No Sophomore Slump Here!, October 26, 2002

By 

A Customer - See all my reviews

This review is from: When the Sun Goes Down (Audio CD)

Uptown's second album is even better than the first! Awesome arrangements, great harmonies, and primo musical quality. A great group of musicians who prove that you don't need a contract with a major label to produce a quality CD. Let's hear it for the independents! I hope they will go far.

Their live shows are even better. Check them out when you're in DC.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Uptown Jazz Vocal Quartet's Usual Excellence, September 4, 2002

By 

Donna Thurber (Alexandria, VA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: When the Sun Goes Down (Audio CD)

I was fortunate enough to listen to a final recorded pre-release of this CD. I own the first 2, but shall definitely purchase this either at the IceHouse Cafe in Herndon, Virginia or at their CD release party at Blues Alley in Washington, D.C.

It is different than their other CDs, yet each CD's music, arrangements, singing, and harmony have their unique style, which makes Uptown Jazz Vocal Quartet one of my favorite jazz genre.

The entire time I listened to the CD I closed my eyes, tapped my feet, slowly tapped, but smiled the entire time. It is a heart stomping heart smiling BEAT of BEAUTIFUL HARMONY and FUN jazz. If you don't buy it, you'll be missing out on what those of us who own shall share and shine. I give it at least 5 STARRS!!!!!!