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John Ambrosini: Songs for You

By Richard J Salvucci
October 5, 2024
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John Ambrosini

piano and vocals

" data-original-title="" title="">John Ambrosini is a New York City-based pianist, composer and arranger. He has a number of recordings to his credit and this one, strictly speaking, is a bit of a departure. Ambrosini's band is populated by a number of well-known jazz professionals in and around the city. So the music swings and the solos—including piano—are all worth hearing.

It may be that Ambrosini is a stronger player than singer, something not unusual among instrumentalists who sing. The tunes here are pop and even a smattering of rock ("The Long and Winding Road").

Steely Dan

band / ensemble / orchestra
b.1972

" data-original-title="" title="">Steely Dan's "Pretzel Logic" (from Pretzel Logic, ABC Records, 1974) is probably as close as it comes to being generational anthem, if one were to name one. When Ambrosini sings "these days are gone forever, a long time ago" a listener might nod in agreement, even though Ambrosini's version is quite different from

Donald Fagen

piano and vocals
b.1948

" data-original-title="" title="">Donald Fagen and

Walter Becker

guitar
1950 - 2017

" data-original-title="" title="">Walter Becker's. "New York State of Mind" is another good one, and if Ambosini is not

Billy Joel

piano
b.1949

" data-original-title="" title="">Billy Joel, well, who is? Same for

Jackson Browne

guitar
b.1948

" data-original-title="" title="">Jackson Browne and "Doctor My Eyes." A performer who covers it sets the bar pretty high. Ambrosini includes two originals as well, "Lover" and "Maybe I'm Crazy."

Fans of Ambrosini will no doubt enjoy the recording a great deal, especially those looking for something other than the straight jazz canon. Ambrosini takes one there very capably.

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Track Listing

The Horses; Maybe I'm Crazy; High & Dry; Midnight Rider; Rocket Man; Pretzel Logic; Sweet Baby James; Lover; Doctor, My Eyes; New York State of Mind; 4 + 20; The Long and Winding Road.

Personnel

John Ambrosini

piano and vocals

Steve Finkelstein

percussion

Matt Miller

drums

David Phelps

guitar

Zachary Swanson

vocals

Christine Ambrosini

vocals

Amanda Bloom

vocals

David Binney

saxophone, alto

Randy Brecker

trumpet

Joel Frahm

saxophone, tenor

William Gallson

harmonica

Brian King

vibraphone

Ada Rovatti

saxophone, tenor

Album information

Title: Songs for You | Year Released: 2024 | Record Label: Self Produced

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