ALBUM
‘HEART DANCES’
Born out of a collaboration with pianist John Crawford which revealed a shared mutual passion for Eastern European music, Latin American songs and the music of Duncan Lamont and Avishai Cohen; Daniela’s new album Heart Dances is a project featuring Crawford as the constant force with three different rhythm sections plus soloists, in a mix of jazz and Latin styles and original material.
The tracks range from songs by Ivan Lins, Paul McCartney and Sting to 1930s Eastern European songs given new jazz arrangements; and a Clynes original, a collaboration with jazz singer Anita Wardell, to a piece by bassist Avishai Cohen with original lyrics by Daniela.
Daniela formed a new band in 2010, which became the core group for the album’s jazz material; featuring the great saxophonist Iain Ballamy, with Tom Mason on double bass and renowned jazz drummer Clark Tracey alongside John Crawford on piano.
For the songs by Ivan Lins, the updated Yiddish poem ‘Road Tree’ and the salsa-groove of ‘Blackbird’, Daniela brought in a rhythm section made up of some of the finest Latin American musicians based in London, introduced to her by John.
Daniela’s version of Avishai Cohen’s ‘Etude’ became the catalyst for the formation of the third rhythm section with Mauritian bassist Linley Marthe, (who Daniela had wanted to work with since meeting him at Ronnie Scott’s club in 2004, where he was performing with Joe Zawinul), and longtime friend, Ghanaian / British drummer Frankie Tontoh. They also perform on a lyrical version of Sting's 'When We Dance'.
The finishing touches were added to some of the Latin tracks by the brass arrangements of great trumpeter Noel Langley, with multi-flautist Gareth Lockrane.
ALBUM TRACKS:
Hush Hush
music & lyrics: Daniela Clynes
An Occasional Man
music: Ralph Blane, lyrics: Hugh MartinRoad Tree
"Oyfn Veg Shteyt A Boim"
Yiddish poem: Itzik Manger, music: folk
English lyrics: Daniela Clynes
arr. Liam Noble, D. Clynes, John Crawford, Noel LangleyWhen We Dance
music & lyrics: StingFormigueiro
Ivan Lins / Vitor Martins
arr. John CrawfordEtude
music: Avishai Cohen
lyrics : Daniela Clynes
arr. Frankie Tontoh, Linley Marthe, John Crawford
brass arr. Noel LangleyManhattan In The Rain
music & lyrics: Duncan LamontDesesperar, Jamais
Ivan Lins / Vitor Martins
arr. John CrawfordSpringtime
"Friling" Yiddish song: Shimke Katzerginsky , Avreml Brodna
English lyrics: Daniela Clynes;
arr. Liam Noble, D. ClynesDaisies
"Margaritkelech" Yiddish folk song: Zalman Zhnoer
English lyrics: Daniela ClynesMy Time Of Day / Blackbird
music & lyrics: Frank Loesser / Lennon & McCartney
arr. John CrawfordStill Time
music: Anita Wardell, lyrics: Daniela Clynes
BAND:
Daniela Clynes (voice)
John Crawford (piano)
Tom Mason (double bass)
Clark Tracey (drums)
Iain Ballamy (tenor sax)
Gili Lopes (double bass)
Tristan Banks (drums)
Guillermo Hill (guitars)
Andres Ticino (percussion)
Frankie Tontoh (drums)
Linley Marthe (electric bass)
Noel Langley (trumpet & flugelhorn)
Gareth Lockrane (flutes)
Russell Van Den Berg (soprano sax)
“Heart Dances” album recording sessions..… photos by Allan Titmuss and Curtis Schwartz.