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By Dave Nathan
John Cocuzzi - Mapleshade Recordings
John Cocuzzi is a versatile, talented multi-instrumentalist jazz musician who with some other very talented musicians, stretch out for an entertaining 60 minutes plus of solid, straight ahead jazz music on this very good album, Swingin' and Burnin'. A Washington, D.C. native, Cocuzzi gained an appreciation of jazz at an early age listening to his record collection and to his father who was a percussionist with the U.S. Marine Band. Initially studying piano and then drums, after hearing Lionel Hampton, vibes were added to his instrumental arsenal.
This album revisits the small group swing of the 1930s and 1940s popularized by Benny Goodman, Lionel Hampton, John Kirby and others. Cocuzzi adds his own flavor along with some artful arrangements to those warhorses from the past such as "Slipped Disc" and "You're Nobody Till Somebody Loves You." On the latter, Mr. Cocuzzi shows off his vocal skills along with a boogie woogie piano. "Broadway" spotlights each member of the group during the seven minutes devoted to this Teddy McRae/Bill Bird melody (the liner notes erroneously list Benny Goodman as the composer). New Orleans style is here is with "What Did I Do to Be So Black and Blue?" This tune, a favorite of Louis Armstrong, is done in a New Orleans slow drag featuring muted vibes' mallet by Cocuzzi working with a very soulful clarinet by Allan Vache. Vache is in the vanguard of restoring the clarinet as a vital jazz instrument.
This session is in no way limited to up beat "swinging' and burnin'" pieces. There's some really pretty slow stuff on this CD as well. A dreamy "Ghost of A Chance" features electrically enhanced Cocuzzi vibes, coupled with some imaginative bass by John Previti. "Cheek to Cheek" belongs to long time Washington D.C. guitar player, Steve Abshire. Abshire, who has graced the albums of jazz diva Ronnie Wells, plays in a calm, flowing fashion, bringing out the best this lovely melody has to offer. Vache and Cocuzzi unite on a dazzling "Comes Love" with Vache's impulsive and sometimes wailing clarinet recalling Artie Shaw's 1949 rendition of this tune. Abshire gets in some good licks on this cut. Once again, the rhythm of Maher and John Previti's bass establish and keep the beat. The album's coda brings Cocuzzi's light voice to the mike again in a pretty rendition of "'Tis Autumn," accompanying himself on the piano and showing a romantic touch with the ivories. This is a pleasant ending to an entertaining album.
Tracks:
Benny's Bugle; Broadway; What Did I Do to Be So Black and Blue?; Things Ain't What they Used to Be; Crazy about My Baby; Slipped Disc; Cheek to Cheek; You're Nobody Till Somebody Loves You*; I Don't Stand a Ghost of a Chance with You; Lady Be Good; The Curse of an Aching Heart; Comes Love;` Tis Autumn
Personnel:
John Cocuzzi - Vibes, Piano, Vocal; Allan Vache - Clarinet; Steve Abshire - Guitar; John Previti - Bass; Big Joe Maher - Drums
Style: Mainstream
- AllAboutJazz.com
"For All We Know," John's first solo piano outing, is an exquisite gem of a recording. He wears his heart on his sleeve -- or in this case, on his fingers. You can feel the music breathe. The recording quality itself lets you feel that you are inside the piano. His vocal and piano styles are so personal that I found myself mesmerized by the performance.
Every song on this wonderful CD is a work of art. You could pick any one as your favorite, and I wouldn't argue with you. But put them all together, and the cumulative effect is like spending three days in the Louvre, followed by a week in Florence.
--Ed Polcer, Brooklyn, New York - ED POLCER, NY cornetist and bandleader
Naperville, IL — February 2006
O's Place Review of the Big Three Trio
Performance Ratings:
5 = You can easily listen to all of the selections and over 75% are notable.
4 = You can easily listen to most of the selections and over half are of merit.
The Big Three Trio — "We Got Rhythm"
Performance: 4 / Sound: 5
O's Notes: These three guys, Previti, Cocuzzi, and Maher, are focused on giving us a naturally engaging jazz blues performance. Yes, it is just piano, bass and drums, with some gutsy lyrics thrown in and an insatiable sense of swing. No gimmicks, just a spirit that pulls you in. Among the best: "Ohh Shoo Bee Doo Bee," "Dead Presidents," and "God Bless The Child."
-------------------------------------
D. Oscar Groomes
O's Place Jazz Newsletter
P.O. Box 2437
Naperville, IL 60567-2437
http://www.OsPlaceJazz.com
- O's Place Jazz Newsletter
July 2006 (Page 106)
JOHN COCUZZI, JOHN PREVITI & BIG JOE MAHER:
The Big Three Trio, "WE GOT RHYTHM"
BEEZWAX 2443A.
Surrey with the Fringe on Top / I’ve Got the World on a String / Ooh Shoo Bee Doo Bee / Do Nothing Till You Hear from Me / I Got Rhythm / Marielle / Dead Presidents / Since I Fell for You / Ain’t the Gravy Good? / Blues for Mr. Crab / God Bless the Child / What’ll I Do? / Dr. Jazz. 61:07.
Cocuzzi, p, el p, vcl; Previti, b; Maher, d, vcl.
Oct 2003, Catonsville, MD.
The Big Three Trio plays Straight-Ahead Jazz through its program of originals and standards. Theirs is a session of piano trio delights containing much rhythmic pride. The Blues runs through everything that they interpret. Drummer Big Joe Maher sings and propels with a loose demeanor. His “Dead Presidents” recalls the great times that Joe Williams gave us with Count Basie. As the trio takes “I Got Rhythm” for a ride, Maher’s crisp snare drum breaks into stride with power. His “Blues for Mr. Crab” provides an interesting journey that drives with a “Poinciana” rhythmic undercurrent. There’s no doubt that The Big Three Trio remains grounded in tradition. “Dr. Jazz” explores an earlier era, while “Ooh Shoo Bee Doo Bee” borrows from Dizzy Gillespie.
The trio’s history lesson comes with spontaneity and grit. Each selection finds the three artists inspired. Pianist John Cocuzzi wrote “Marielle,” a timeless Blues vocal that endears the listener intuitively. He interprets “Do Nothing Till You Hear from Me” at the electric piano with the song’s original sentiment, unleashing its Blues overtones. “Ain’t the Gravy Good?” puts both vocalists to work in a humorous escapade, while “God Bless the Child” is rendered with heartfelt passion. With a recommended program of standards and similar musical state-ments, The Big Three Trio makes a lasting impression through its timeless interpretations.
— Jim Santella - CADENCE Magazine — Jim Santella
January 2007 (Page 26)
John Cocuzzi "LIVE! IN CACTUS COUNTRY"
(Arizona Cactus World Jazz ACWJ-012)
The vibrancy and excitement of a live classic jazz festival is certainly captured on this CD. Trad fans and enthusiasts of hot jazz will find much to enjoy, with familiar tunes allowed plenty of time for excellent musicianship to challenge and personalize. This is an album of high-quality classic jazz, recorded live at the Arizona Classic Jazz Festival, featuring the versatile John Cocuzzi with an unusual approach; Cocuzzi is featured with three very popular, top jazz ensembles: High Sierra Jazz Band, Sine Qua Non-5, and Titan Hot 7. Between tunes by each group, Cocuzzi is featured on twin Steinway grand pianos, with Jeff Barnhart. This makes for an unusual presentation and showcase for Cocuzzi's substantial talents and abilities on vibes, piano, and even (two) vocals.
The play list has John Cocuzzi playing with High Sierra: "I've Found a New Baby," "Wabash Blues," and "I'd Do Anything for You"; on twin Steinway grands: "Mean to Me" and "'S Wonderful;" with Sine Qua Non-5: "Jubilee" and "After You've Gone;" on twin Steinway grands: "The Mooch" and "How High the Moon"; and Titan Hot 7: "Dinah," "Got the World on a String," and "Avalon." Some wonderful tunes by some wonderful, hard-driving bands!
My CD was a pre-marketing sample, lacking full identification of most of the splendid musicians in the three ensembles, mentioning only John Sheridan (piano) and the identifiable Allan Vaché (clarinet) in Sine Qua Non-5, and Jeff Barnhart on piano duos with Cocuzzi. However, I've been assured that purchased CDs will include the much-deserved name credits of all the other fine classic jazz musicians in all of the bands. I always want to know to whom I am listening!
This desirable CD was produced for the benefit of the Arizona Classic Jazz Society's youth programs by the amazingly-prolific Barker Hickox, as yet another gesture of gratitude for what classic jazz has meant to his life. It is available on-line from www.azclassicjazz.org or via U.S. mail from Arizona Classic Jazz Society, 10918 E. Michigan Ave., Sun Lakes, AZ 85248. Cost is $16, plus $4 shipping and handling.
— Harvey Barkan
- L.A. JAZZ SCENE — Harvey Barkan
August/September 2000:
I'm not a big fan of pre-modern jazz, but this is a title worth taking seriously, a thoroughly delightful album of tunes like "Benny's Bugle," "What Did I Do To Be so Black and Blue" and "Crazy About My Baby," that smacks a smile on your face and doesn't let it fade for more than a minute. The musicians are top-notch, they cook as a combo, and the sound, even by Mapleshade's standards, is sensational. Cocuzzi plays a Forties-era Deagan vibraphone made of steel bars (rather than the lighter aluminum models that followed), and the thing rings and glows like nothing we've heard on record. When Vaché blows his clarinet in the upper register, it's licorice sweet and, since he seems to be standing in the middle of the room, away from the mike, you sense the waves wafting in the air. Abshire strums a hollow-body Guild plugged into a Fender tube amp, and it gives off the warm glow you might expect. The drums have an explosive presence. Cocuzzi sings on a few songs, in a charming Hoagy Carmichael croon, and as those who know Mapleshades can attest, Sprey captures voices best of all. - The Absolute Sound - Fred Kaplan
Discography
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CD COVERS and LINKS FOR THESE RECORDINGS ARE AT http://www.JohnCocuzziMusic.com/discography.html
For All We Know
(solo CD, piano/vocals)
available at CD Baby with streaming audio
Swing and Other Things
(John on vibes for Arbors Records)
Legends
(John on vibes for Arbors Records)
Movin' Up (ready for release - soon)
(John on piano/vibes/vocals for Arbors Records)
Swingin' and Burnin'
(John on vibes/piano/voc for Mapleshade Records)
Celebrating M. Bailey /Red Norvo
(John leading and on vibes for Audiophile Records)
Shoeless John Jackson
(John on vibes)
Together
(John on piano/vocals)
Fool's Paradise
(John on piano/vocals)
At the Atlanta Jazz Party (John on vibes)
CDs LISTED BELOW feature John on PIANO with the Big 3 TRIO and on PIANO/VIBES with BIG JOE and the DYNAFLOWS ---
We Got Rhythm
(John on piano/vocals)
All Night Long
(John on piano/vocals)
I'm Still Swingin'
(John on piano/vocals)
The Blues You Would Just Hate to Lose, v.2
CDs LISTED BELOW ARE JAZZ RELEASES from the AZ CLASSIC JAZZ SOCIETY featuring John LIVE on PIANO/VIBES/VOCALS.
Proceeds benefit the AZ Classic Jazz Society's "Jazz for Youth" program ---
(AZ) A Jazz Celebration in the Desert LIVE
(John on vibes/piano with John Sheridan's "Sine Qua Non" Quintet)
(AZ) MORE Celebrating Jazz in the Desert LIVE
(John on vibes/piano with John Sheridan's "Sine Qua Non" Quintet)
(AZ) Embraceable You - John Sheridan / John Cocuzzi
(John on piano/vocals)
(AZ) Jazz LIVE Under the Palms
(John on vibes/piano with John Sheridan's "Sine Qua Non" Quintet)
(AZ) MORE Jazz LIVE Under the Palms
(John on vibes/piano with John Sheridan's "Sine Qua Non" Quintet)
(AZ) Stairway to to Paradise
(John on vibes)
(AZ) John Cocuzzi LIVE in Cactus Country
(John on vb / p / voc)
(plus others not listed here)
Photos
Bio
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INFLUENCES - IN THE SPIRIT OF LOUIS
Starting as a jazz drummer had the greatest influence on John's rhythmic versatility on piano and vibes. Cocuzzi's piano work is influenced by Jelly Roll Morton, Thomas "Fats" Waller, Mead "LUX" Lewis, Professor Longhair, Nat "King" Cole, James Booker, and Erroll Garner. One can also hear echoes of Gene Harris and Dave McKenna. On vibraphone, John is most inspired by Lionel Hampton, Red Norvo, and Milt Jackson. His vocal influences are from New Orleans jazz and blues stylists, but John also has his own shy-guy style on ballads. He enjoys making old songs new by creatively introducing fresh rhythms and honoring the rhythms of New Orleans in the spirit of Louis Armstrong.
"FIRE IN THE BELLY"
An intuitive performer, John possesses that musical "fire in the belly," igniting excitement as he "tells his story" through high-energy, spirited solos. First a drummer, then a piano player, John didn't add the vibraphone till his late teens when he was inspired by Lionel Hampton recordings. Since then, he has performed alongside world-class musicians at many domestic jazz festivals and jazz parties, and at prestigious venues in Europe.
ALL IN THE FAMILY
John Cocuzzi was born in the 60s at Andrews Air Force Base, just outside Washington, DC. His father, Frank Cocuzzi, had been a percussionist for the U.S. Marine Band and was a professional jazz drummer. Growing up, John would accompany his dad and sit-in at jam sessions with the older players. As a young man exposed to great jazz, he was able to get acquainted with these players and their music. There was live music everywhere John went; thus began his musical life path. John established himself in the DC area as a dynamic stylist on vibes, drums, piano and vocals.
LEADER & FOLLOWER
For 15 years, John was Music Director for the 219 Restaurant's Basin Street Lounge in Old Town, Alexandria, VA. He was also Music Director for the Crystal City Jazz Celebration, a jazz party in the DC area, where John worked since its inception in 2003 through 2006, presenting the best artists in classic jazz today.
In the DC area, John appeared with his own trio/quartet and performed at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the Smithsonian's IMAX Jazz Cafe, the Corcoran Art Gallery, and Blues Alley, Washington DC's premier jazz club. He has also performed at the Lincoln Center in New York City, the Joseph Meyerhoff Symphony Hall in Baltimore, MD, and at Marian's Jazz Room in Bern, Switzerland.
He has been working with top musicians for over 20 years and continues to attract new fans wherever his music takes him. He tours annually with Ed Polcer's All-Stars, and is fortunate to have performed at every single Atlanta Jazz Party (one of the greatest in the world!) since it began in 1990. In recent years, he has been a featured artist on numerous cruise ships and has relocated to Northern California where he is now furthering his career on the West Coast.
IN GOOD COMPANY
John has been fortunate to perform live with these Jazz / Blues giants: Billy Butterfield, Snooky Young, Steve Jordan, Bob Haggart, Milt Hinton, Keter Betts, Louis Bellson, Barrett Deems, "Weeping"� Tommy Brown, Jimmy "T-99"� Nelson, Floyd Dixon, Earl King, and Jimmy McCracklin.
While on tour, he has shared the stage with world-class artists Joe Wilder, Byron Stripling, Warren Vache, Jackie Coon, Bob Wilber, Kenny Davern, Bobby Gordon, Houston Person, Harry Allen, George Masso, Eddie Locke, Barbara Morrison, Peter Appleyard, Johnny Frigo, Wycliffe Gordon, Red Holloway, Bob Wilber, Bucky & John Pizzarelli, Russell Malone, Howard Alden, boogie-woogie piano great Bob Seeley, Dick Hyman, John Bunch, Eddie Higgins, Jake Hanna, Butch Miles, Bobby Rosengarden, Chuck Redd, and a host of others.
John has also played alongside Tom Saunders, Jon-Erik Kellso, Scott Robinson, Evan Christopher, Jim Galloway, Kim Cusack, Tom Fischer, Eric Schneider, Mike McMullen, Bill Allred, Russ Phillips, Bob Havens, Dan Levinson, Dan Block, Eddie Erickson, Steve Homan, Mark Shane, Vince Giordano, Murray Wall, Andy Cleyndert, Jennifer Leitham, Nicki Parrott, Banu Gibson, Rebecca Kilgore, Terry Blaine and many more (plus those listed below for recordings).
RECORDINGS: John has recorded many compact discs, under his own name and with other classic jazz artists: Dan Barrett, Randy Reinhart, Randy Sandke, Ed Polcer, Ken Peplowski, Allan Vache, John Allred, Andy Stein, Skitch Henderson, Bucky & John Pizzarelli, James Chirillo, John Sheridan, Johnny Varro, Milt Hinton, Paul Keller, Phil Flanigan, Frank Tate, Ed Metz, Jr., Joe Ascione, and Daryl Sherman.
THIS AND THAT
On radio, John recorded a session for NPR's "Riverwalk: Live at The Landing"� with the Jim Cullum Band. It was a tribute to Benny Goodman, "The Swing Shift: Jazz on Late-Night Radio,"� and featured Allan Vache on clarinet with Nicholas Payton on trumpet.
Recent tours with Ed Polcer hav
Links
