Mark Winkler - The Company I Keep (2017)

The Company I Keep comprises an eclectic mix of 12 tunes, with songs by Prince, Donald Fagan, the Gershwins, and six new originals by Winkler. Winkler has worked with some of the finest jazz musicians on the planet, and the singers and accompanists who join him on this project are nothing short of stellar. His duets with Jackie Ryan, Cheryl Bentyne, Steve Tyrell, Claire Martin, and Sara Gazarek are by turns romantic, nostalgic, witty, and hip, but always swinging and fun.

Winkler is known as a gifted interpreter of songs and a highly accomplished lyricist. Over 250 of his songs have been sung or recorded by such artists as Dianne Reeves, Jane Monheit. Bob Dorough, Liza Minnelli, and many more. His last CD, Jazz and Other Four Letter Words, received four stars in Downbeat and made it into the top 20 on the JazzWeek chart. He was also named a “Rising Jazz Star” in both the 2015 and 2016 Downbeat Annual Critics Polls.

TRACKLIST

01. Walk Between The Raindrops (With Jackie Ryan)
02. Strollin' (With Cheryl Bentyne)
03. Midnight In Paris
04. But It Still Ain't So (With Steve Tyrell)
05. That Afternoon In Harlem
06. They Can't Take That Away From Me
07. Stolen Moments (With Claire Martin)
08. Love Comes Quietly
09. Rainproof (With Sara Gazarek)
10. The Sum
11. Lucky To Be Me
12. Here's To Life

Personnel:

Jackie Ryan: vocals
Jamieson Trotter: piano, Hammond B-3
Lyman Medeiros: bass
Mike Shapiro: drums
Bob McChesney: trombone
Ron Blake: trumpet
Brian Swartz: trumpet
Bob Sheppard: saxophone, clarinet
Cheryl Bentyne: vocals
Larry Koonse: guitar
Rich Eames: piano
John Clayton: bass
Jeff Hamilton: drums
Don Shelton: clarinet
Paul Cartwright: violin
Bob Mann: guitars
Kevin Winard: drums, percussion
Eric Reed: piano; John Beasley: piano
David Benoit: piano