# CD review: Joey DeFrancesco featuring Jack Jones – ArtWork – 2023: Video, CD cover

- Link: https://jazzblues.eu/2023/09/24/cd-review-joey-defrancesco-featuring-jack-jones-artwork-2023-video-cd-cover/
- Published: 2023-09-24T00:04:04+01:00
- Author: https://JazzBlues.EU

**Jack Jones’ latest album, ARTWORK, featuring Joey DeFrancesco. Long regarded as
the singer’s-singer, the two-time Grammy award winner entered United Recording Studios
in Los Angeles, CA with the A-team of jazz players in 2022, just prior to the untimely
passing of Joey DeFrancesco (August 25, 2022). **

ARTWORK will be released on July 14tth spotlighting the initial singles, “Here’s
to Life,” “One Day” and “Empty Chairs” on Cavalry Productions/BFE Entertainment 
and available worldwide at all major music outlets.

John Clayton arranged and conducted the 53-piece orchestra. Jack Jones, Joey DeFrancesco
and John Clayton are Co-Producers with Tom Scott serving as Associate Producer. 
Jazz legends Tamir Hendelman, Jeff Hamilton and Graham Dechter all made significant
contributions to ARTWORK.

Joey DeFrancesco’s emergence in the 1980s marked the onset of a musical renaissance.
Organ jazz had all but gone into hibernation from the mid-’70s to the mid-’80s until
DeFrancesco reignited the flame with his vintage Hammond organ and Leslie speaker
cabinet. The son of “Papa” John DeFrancesco, an organist himself, the younger DeFrancesco
remembers playing as early as four-years-old. Soon after, his father began bringing
him to gigs in Philadelphia, sitting in with legendary players like Hank Mobley 
and Philly Joe Jones, who quickly recognized his talent and enthusiasm. With a natural
gift for music, DeFrancesco also swiftly picked up on the trumpet after a touring
stint with Miles Davis as one of the two youngest players ever recruited for any
of Davis’ ensembles.

DeFrancesco has recorded and/or toured with his own groups as well as numerous renowned
artists that include Ray Charles, Van Morrison, Diana Krall, Nancy Wilson, George
Benson, James Moody, John Scofield, Bobby Hutcherson, Jimmy Cobb, John McLaughlin,
Larry Coryell, David Sanborn and many more. The five time Grammy® Award-nominee,
with more than 30 recordings as a leader under his belt, has received countless 
Jazz Journalist Association awards and other accolades worldwide, including being
inducted into the inaugural Hammond Organ Hall of Fame in 2014, the Philadelphia
Music Walk of Fame in 2016 as well as topping the Critics Polls in _DownBeat Magazine_
eleven times over the past fifteen years and the Readers Polls every year since 
2005. DeFrancesco also hosts a weekly program on SiriusXM Radio’s Real Jazz channel
titled “Organized.”

_More Music_, via Mack Avenue Records, is “more” in every conceivable way. It offers
up ten new DeFrancesco originals, brought to life by a scintillating new trio. And
the master organist, who has long supplemented his keyboard virtuoso with his skilled
trumpet playing, here brings out his full arsenal: organ, keyboard, piano, trumpet,
and, for the first time on record, tenor saxophone.

Jack Jones is one of the greatest singers of all time. A true Singers’ Singer and
luminary. A double Grammy winner, Jack performs around the globe to sold-out audiences
in venues ranging from Jazz clubs to the London Palladium. Jack Jones is the very
definition of a complete and total entertainer. The New York Times raves, “he is
arguably the most technically accomplished male pop singer…”. There is only one 
Jack Jones.

Born in Hollywood, California, on the night his singer/movie star father, Allan 
Jones, recorded his hit, “Donkey Serenade”. Jack would make his famous parents (
his mother was the elegant ’30’s actress Irene Hervey) especially proud of their
award-winning son for the diversity and breadth of his talent. Jones attended University
High School in West Los Angeles, while also studying drama and singing with private
teachers chosen by his father. A young athlete, he gave up his track and football
team sports to devote himself to serious study of the arts. Uni High was a school
attended by teenagers from all economic walks of life. Ever conscious of his privileged
life as the son of a famous show business family, he went out of his way to play
down this part of his life with his friends, not knowing that after his graduation
and parents’ divorce, he would be financially strapped and have to start from scratch
like most of the other students.

One of his most memorable experiences while in high school was when one of his friends,
Nancy Sinatra, invited her father to sing in the school auditorium. It left an indelible
mark that helped shape Jones’ career choice.

Jones’ professional debut was a brief stint as part of his father’s act at the Thunderbird
Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas when he was just 19 years old. He went out on his 
own three weeks later, working odd jobs including as a gas station attendant, to
support himself while pursuing his singing career.

His first break came when a demo he recorded for songwriter Don Raye found its way
to Capitol Records. While with the label he recorded a few singles and an album,
which he admits was mediocre.

Although he eventually left Capitol. One gem from his album, “This Could Be The 
Start Of Something Big”, caught the attention of a San Francisco club owner who 
booked him for a three week run at Facks. While performing there, he was discovered
by Pete King, a producer and artist for Kapp Records who quickly signed him to the
label.

Still working at his “day job” as a gas station attendant when his first album on
Kapp was released Jones, while washing a customer’s windshield, was surprised to
hear one of his cuts playing on the car radio. He could now legitimately hope that
his “day job” days would soon be over.

As his career gained momentum, Jones developed a deep appreciation for well constructed
songs that also have emotional appeal. His respect for songs that tell stories with
meaning and beauty led him to record works by the greatest balladeers of all time:
Sammy Cahn, Jimmy Van Heusen, Cole Porter, the Gershwin’s, Harold Arlen, Michel 
Legrand and Alan & Marilyn Bergman. He was inspired by great Jazz instrumentalists
he discovered during his teen years such as Gerry Mulligan, Clark Terry, Buddy Rich,
Bob Brookmeyer, Dave Pell Octet, Marty Paiche Dectet, Shorty Rogers and the Giants,
and Count Basie. Jones’ talent and commitment to his art earned him two Grammy’s
for “Best Pop Male Vocal Performance” with his singles “Lollipops and Roses” by 
Anthony Velona and Bacharach/ David’s “Wives and Lovers”. His release, Jack Jones
Paints A Tribute To Tony Bennett, was nominated for “Best Traditional Pop Vocal 
Performance”. He was also nominated for “The Impossible Dream” and his recording
of “Wives and Lovers” was nominated for “Record of the Year”. His hit records include“
The Race Is On”, “Lady”, “Call Me Irresponsible”,and “What I Did For Love”. On April
13, 1989, he was honored with his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, close 
to where his father’s star is located.

He is also renowned as a leading interpreter of musical theater -with acclaimed 
performances in “Guys and Dolls”, “South Pacific”, “She Loves Me”, and “Pajama Game”.
Over the years he has guest-starred on countless episodic and/or comedy television
series. Most recently he starred as Don Quixote in Man Of La Mancha in the national
tour. Most recently, Jack has completed a guest-starring role in the British comedy
film: Cruise Of The Gods.

Admirers of Jones’ talent include artists who influenced him as a young singer: 
Sinatra who said, “Jack is one of the major singers of our time,” Mel Torme called
him “the greatest ‘pure’ singer in the world” and legendary composers Sammy Cahn
and Michel Legrand.

In 1971, Jones honored Michel Legrand by recording the first complete vocal album
in English of the French composer’s songs. Released by RCA, Jack Jones Sings Michel
Legrand is an album which exquisitely showcases the vocalists art and a recording
that Jones counts as one of his favorites. In 1997 he recorded New Jack Swing for
Honest Entertainment, which introduced Jones to a new generation of fans with hip,
swing renditions of “Every Breath You Take”, “Have You Ever Loved A Woman”, Keb 
Mo’s “Dangerous Mood”, “All Or Nothing At All” and the classic “Mack The Knife”.

With over 50 recorded albums (17 of them chanting Billboard’s Top 20) and consistently
sold-out world tours, Jack Jones continues to charm audiences with his wit, sensitivity
and vocal power. In addition to a successful recording career, Jones’ impressive
credits include film and television roles; an internationally syndicated TV variety
show; performances at Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center, and the White House. He
has also performed and later recorded popular theme songs for film and TV (“Love
with a Proper Stranger”, “The Love Boat”).

On his second release for Honest Entertainment, Jack Jones Paints A Tribute To Tony
Bennett, Jones pays homage to a friend and an American icon. He counts Bennett among
those vocalists who most influenced his style (a small but elite group that includes
Mel Torme, Sammy Davis Jr., Billy Eckstien, and Frank Sinatra). Professional relationship
aside, Jones and Bennett have been friends since their meeting at Chicago’s Palmer
House Hotel in the late 60’s when Jones attended the last show of Bennett’s engagement
at the Empire Room, before opening in the same room the following night.

Of his tribute album, which features some of Bennett’s signature songs, Jones says,“
This album is my way of saying thanks to a dear friend.” In selecting songs for 
this album, he chose three of his personal Bennett favorites, “Skylark”, “Shadow
Of Your Smile” and “You Must Believe In Spring”.

2008 marks his 50th anniversary in show business! In the early summer of 2008 the
world’s most recognized hotel brand, Holiday Inn Hotels and Resorts, launched their“
M.B.A.” (Master in Business Accommodations) marketing campaign bringing the timeless
voice of Jack Jones singing a new recording of “The Love Boat Theme”. Jones also
recently shared his voice with a whole new generation when he sang “Boat of Romance”
as part of an episode on the Emmy-nominated Disney Channel animated musical television
series Phineas and Ferb.

Jack Jones released the next chapter in his long history of making hits, Love Makes
the Changes: The Lyrics of Alan and Marilyn Bergman. A tribute to the lives and 
shared love of Jack’s good friends and celebrated songwriters, Alan and Marilyn 
Bergman. During their distinguished career, their songs have been nominated for 
sixteen Academy Awards, for which they have won three: “The Windmills of Your Mind”
in 1968, “The Way We Were”: in 1973, and the score for “Yentl” in 1984.

Jack explains the motivation behind the release, “After years of looking for material
to record I have finally found it. My dear friends Alan and Marilyn Bergman have
had the ideal loving and pure relationship, truly sharing almost every ounce of 
life. I call them: “THE MASTERS AND JOHNSON OF ROMANCE.” So I wondered, ‘How could
they possibly perceive what it feels like when the music doesn’t keep playing?’ 
Well, on this CD we pay tribute to the most perceptive and creative couple I know.
They have inspired me to put many of their wonderful creations into one of my story
lines… Each of these song tells part of the story, most of which you and I have 
lived through. You write your own story as you follow the songs, and even if it 
doesn’t turn out to be much of a book, it will be one hell of a score.”
 This CD
is available in iTunes for digital downloads and jackjonesmusic.com for traditional
CD media.

Today, Jack can be found performing concerts to sold-out audiences around the globe
at performing arts centers, casinos, symphony halls and even intimate cabarets. 
Jones’ musical perfection and vocal passion unfailingly illustrate why he stands
with the luminaries.

01. Fever (EDDIE J. COOLEY / OTIS BLACKWELL)
 02. Hello (LIONEL B RICHIE) 03. At
Last (HARRY WARREN / MACK GORDON) 04. If Love Is Overrated (GREGORY PORTER) 05. 
Not While I’m Around (STEPHEN SONDHEIM) 06. She’s Funny That Way (NEIL MORET / RICHARD
A. WHITING) 07. This Masquerade (LEON RUSSELL) 09. If You Go Away (JACQUES BREL /
ROD MC KUEN) 10. Empty Chairs (DON MCLEAN) 11. Lush Life (BILLY STRAYHORN) 12. Free
Again (ARMAND FERDINAND ANTOIN CANFORA / JOSEPH OCTAVE BASILE / MICHEL EUGENE JOURDAN)
13. Is That All There Is (JERRY LEIBER / MIKE STOLLER) 14. Here’s To Life (PHYLLIS
MOLINARY / ARTIE BUTLER) 15. This Is All I Ask (GORDON JENKINS) 16. One Day (ALAN
BERGMAN / MARILYN BERGMAN / MICHEL JEAN LEGRAND)

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