Year: 2006
Record Label: BogeyJazz
Style: Straight-Ahead / Classic
Musicians: Bogey Vujkov (piano), Clipper Anderson (Acoustic & 5 string electric bass), Terry Aspiras (keyboards), Jay Douglas (drums) and Dajari Makkena (percussion)
Review: Born in Yugoslavia, Bogey Vujkov has worked his way into the hearts of music
lovers across America since moving here in 1955. Studying with Julliard
instructors, Rudolf Firkusny and Bevridge Webster, Vujkov won the Phoenix
Symphony First Young Performer's Solo Competition in 1962. In 1964, Vujkov won
the Milwaukee Symphony guild Piano Scholarship before entering the famous
Julliard School of Music.
After all these years, Bogey Vujkov is finally releasing his debut CD,
Comin' Up For Air, a 13 track album, mostly composed by Vujkov. A
Steinway Jazz Artist in Residence in the Sherman Clay store in Seattle, Vujkov
teaches the 'power players.'
America is fortunate to have such a gifted pianist finally sharing his skills
with the world via this lively, emotional album.
Rich, deep piano tones --perky, yet strolling, accompanied by upbeat
percussion makes "Comin' Up For Air," a breath of fresh air, with strings in the
background. At times, this is like a march, but not quite. Coming back with
another peppy tune, Vujov shows a long range on piano as the vast string
arrangement displays strong emotional tones for "Blossom Time."
More sentimental, "You Are," shows Vujkov's ability to work the entire
keyboard while letting the mellow percussion stand out in a dance with the
strings that is enticing, expressive of love.
"Strut" is just what is needed to get the listener on his/her feet after the
previous solemn tune. "Strut" is alive with a hot, outstanding percussive rhythm
in front of a racing keyboard. Nothing tame about this tune. Lots of energy in
this track.
"A Tune For Howard” is a keyboard dance-- enchanting, yet brazen, tempo with
a massive percussion and a strong bass solo. A voracious drum solo expands this
tune to a listener's delight. "Autumn In Seattle" allows the strings front
stage, bringing pictures to mind of a rainy season, readying for winter's
forthcoming hibernation. As Vujkov cascades the keyboard, the falling leaves of
autumn bring a settling peace within.
Drawing a picture with "Three Sketches," Vujkov gets soft and gentle on
keyboard, articulating each note as a divine entity.
"Say It" is written by Frank Loesser and Jimmy McHugh. Deep piano chords and
spiritedly leaps on the high end of the keyboard make this rapturous melody an
interesting composition, full of range, texture and emotion.
"A Nightingale Sang In Berkley," composed by Manning Sherwin, is an
appropriate closure to this CD, as a nostalgic, solemn Steinway reminds us of
the former grand tracks featured on Comin' Up For Air.
Tracks: Comin' Up For Air, Blossom Time, You Are, Strut, Atlantis, Samba, Prelude to Howard, A Tune For Howard, Autumn in Seattle, Three Sketches, Say It, Little Flower, A Nightingale Sang In Berkley Square.
Record Label Website: http://www.bogeyjazz.com
Artist's Website: http://www.bogeyjazz.com
Listen or Buy: http://www.CDBaby.com
Reviewed by:
Nina Goodrich
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