Since their birth over 100 years ago, these legendary composers have produced some of the greatest American songs ever written. Their musical prolificacy is evident by the enduring legacy that flourished even today.&... more »#160; Pianist Beegie Adair, a jazz legend in her own right, pays homage to the great American composers who have reached the centennial celebration of their of their life and their music in this treasury of song. Respected music journalist, Will Friedwald adds interesting insights into the composers, the songs and the artist who pays tribute to them with extensive liner notes, biographies and commentary. « less
Since their birth over 100 years ago, these legendary composers have produced some of the greatest American songs ever written. Their musical prolificacy is evident by the enduring legacy that flourished even today. Pianist Beegie Adair, a jazz legend in her own right, pays homage to the great American composers who have reached the centennial celebration of their of their life and their music in this treasury of song. Respected music journalist, Will Friedwald adds interesting insights into the composers, the songs and the artist who pays tribute to them with extensive liner notes, biographies and commentary.
CD Reviews
You're going to love this!
Richard Grenier | Chicago, Illinois United States | 04/28/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"If you have not heard Beegie and her trio play, you are in for a treat. This lady plays great standards with an easy swing and excellent arrangements. I have 99% of Beegie's recordings, and every cut is tastefully performed. If you can't afford the whole collection, then you might want to introduce yourself to her music by purchasing the Sinatra or Nat Cole albums. You can't go wrong with any of Beegie's recordings. Enjoy!"
Beegie Adair is one sophisticated lady.
Miles D. Moore | Alexandria, VA USA | 08/16/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The understated elegance of Beegie Adair's pianism belies the ambition of her "Centennial Composers" project. Artur Schnabel, the great Austrian interpreter of Beethoven, Mozart, Schubert, Schumann and Brahms, once said he specialized in "music that is greater than it can ever be played." Listening to these discs, it's obvious that Ms. Adair feels exactly the same way about the songs of Ellington, Gershwin, Porter, Berlin and Rodgers. Her interpretations of their songs show impeccable taste and enormous harmonic invention; yet her improvisations always underscore the beauty of the original melodies, rather than indulging in the "Hey, Look at Me!" riffing of so many other jazz pianists. These CDs are a perfect example of music you can listen to when you don't know what you want to listen to; they make great background music, but also amply repay close repeat listenings."
This cd demonstrates the musicality of the trio
Philip Scott | U.S.A. | 09/12/2002
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I am more than proud to say that I own all the B.A. catalog from Springhill Records. She has surely developed a strong following from these performances.For this outing Beegie and her crew offered a vey nice set of tunes. Beegie and her boys really measured up to our expectations. They gave a very memorable set of performances that will last for many many happy returns.The only dark side to these performances was that some of the songs performed were not my favorite songs. I counted eleven songs that I could have lived without. I know it is almost impossible to choose every song that everyone will like.The only reason for me not giving this cd set a higher rating is becasue of the repertoire. To me the repertoire is a very big piece of the puzzle and should have a sizeable weighing in our rating system.I think it is more than fair to recommend this set of cds."
Love That Beegie Adair !
Philip Scott | 04/16/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"If you want an easy-going, smooth, relaxing jazz piano...this is it!!Altogether, delightful and I highly recommend Beegie Adaor's
Cenntenial Composers Collection!"
Beegie Adair's Centennial Composers Collection
Frances Billeaud | 09/12/2009
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I love Beegie Adair's style and own many of her albums. I'd like to have known that some of the discs included in the Centennial Collection had been released under other titles, because I already owned about half the collection without realizing it. The liner "notes on the composers", presented as a booklet for the entire collection, were great. It would have been helpful to have had a list of the cuts on each disc before opting to purchase the collection."
Track Listings (12) - Disc #1