Afro Blue

Review: One of America's elite Collegiate Vocal Jazz ensembles, 9-strong, mixed-voice Afro Blue, under the direction of Connaitre Miller, has collected six DownBeat Magazine Student Music Awards in their seven years of existence. These included 'Best College Vocal Jazz Ensemble in' in 2003 and 2009. Director Miller has arranged four of the 15 tunes here, which are almost all a cappella. Several favorites are a striking arrangement of 'The Star Spangled Banner,' Marvin Hamlisch & Alan & Marilyn Bergman's 'The Music of Being Free,' Luis Bonfa's lovely 'Gentle Rain,' Henry Warren & Mack Gordon's 'There Will Never Be Another You,' sublimely arranged by The Real Group's Anders Endenroth, a jazzy arrangement of Rodgers & Hammerstein's 'The Surrey with the Fringe on Top,' Billy Taylor's title tune and James & John Johnson's 'Lift Ev'ry Voice And Sing' (The Black National Anthem). Afro Blue is a poised, polished ensemble, with a clean, professional sound, cutting-edge arrangements and excellent song selection. Treat yourself to 'It's a Matter of Pride,' by one of the best Collegiate Vocal Jazz ensembles America has to offer, and enjoy!

Songlist: The Star Spangled Banner (The National Anthem) , Whisper Not, The Music of Being Free (Introduction), The Music of Being Free, Sometimes I'm Happy, Blue In Green, Gentle Rain, There Will Never Be Another You, Nobody Knows The Trouble I've Seen, Autumn Leaves, The Surrey With The Fringe On Top, Lost At Sea, If You Really Are Concerned Then Show It, It's A Matter Of Pride, Lift Ev'ry Voice and Sing (The Black National Anthem)

Review: First formed in the Spring of 2002, Afro Blue, Howard University's premier Vocal Jazz ensemble, under the able direction of Connaitre Miller, has quickly attracted national attention. The group received the 2003 DownBeat Magazine Student Music Award for Best College Jazz Group. Another DownBeat award followed in 2004, and in 2007 Howard University graduate student Quincy Phillips won a DownBeat Award for Best College Jazz Arrangement of 'Alone Together,' which he did for Afro Blue, and which is included in this 2-Disc collection. A total of 30 student Jazz vocalists perform on 'Freedom in Song,' plus 6 student instrumentalists. There are 11 songs on the first CD and 12 on the second, mostly a cappella with some light piano, bass and drums accompaniment on a few tunes. Some favorites on Disc 1 are Curtis Mayfield's powerful 'Keep On Pushin',' Chick Corea's moody 'Crystal Silence,' Oliver Nelson's smooth, bluesy 'Stolen Moments,' the traditional spiritual title tune, Joaquin Rodgrigo & Chick Corea's dynamic hit 'Spain' and Arthur Swartz & Howard Dietz' 'Alone Together,' arranged by grad student Phillips. Disc 2 favorites are Duke Ellington's 'Come Sunday' and his (with Irving Mills) groundbreaking hit 'It Don't Mean a Thing,' Kenny Dorham & Kirby Shaw's bluenote 'Blue Bossa,' The Real Group's Anders Endenroth's 'Chile Con Carne,' a scattish take on Cole Porter's hit 'It's All Right With Me,' Thelonious Monk & Bernie Hanighen's ''Round Midnight' and Antonio Carlos Jobim & Vinicius de Moraes' 'No More Blues.' This generous 2 disc set is a 'best of' of this top-drawer Collegiate Vocal Jazz ensemble's 8 years of existence, and every cut is strong here-don't miss 'Freedom in Song

Songlist: Keep On Pushin', Crystal Silence, Nica's Dream, Stolen Moments, Abide With Me, I Remember You, Oh, Freedom!, Spain, Alone Together, Corcovado (Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars), God Bless The Child, Come Sunday, It Don't Mean A Thing, Blue Bossa, How About You, Chili Con Carne, Revelation, A Quiet Place, It's All Right With Me, 'Round Midnight, No More Blues, His Eye Is On The Sparrow, Howard University Alma Mater