Based in Las Vegas, TNC Jazz is to that city what Delmark and Southport are to Chicago and Brownstone is to Boston: a label that documents a lot of local jazz talent. TNC isn't dogmatic about its Vegas orientation; the label wouldn't slam the door in an improviser's face simply because he/she didn't live there. But it is safe to say that straight-ahead jazz by Vegas residents is a big part (although not 100 percent) of what TNC does. Recorded in Vegas in 2000, this CD finds pianist Stefan Karlsson paying tribute to Broadway composer Kurt Weill. Karlsson is hardly the first person to provide bop interpretations of Weill's songs; however, No Place to Go But Up is a cut above other bop-oriented tribute albums because Karlsson avoids being totally predictable. To his credit, the acoustic pianist (who is joined by tenor sax man Marc Solis, bassist Tom Warrington, and drummer Ed Soph) does not limit himself to the most obvious and overdone standards. Karlsson, God bless him, actually bothers to do his homework -- and that means unearthing some of Weill's more obscure songs in addition to embracing his better-known melodies. Some of the tunes have been recorded countless times over the years; if you have a large jazz collection, chances are that you have numerous versions of "Speak Low," "Lost in the Stars," and "My Ship." However, it is possible to be a major jazz collector and be unfamiliar with "Moon-Faced, Starry-Eyed," which isn't among Weill's better-known melodies. Nor have "It Never Was You" and the title track been beaten to death. Easily recommended to Weill's admirers, No Place to Go But Up is an enjoyably well-rounded tribute to the German composer. ~ Alex Henderson, All Music Guide
Kurt Weill (Performer), Stefan Karlsson (Main Performer), Stefan Karlsson (Soloist), Curt Miller (Editing), Curt Miller (Mixing), Ed Soph (Soloist), Tom Warrington (Soloist), Ed Boyer (Photography), Marc Solis (Soloist), Jonathan Marcus (Mastering), Timothy Bonenfant (Design), Timothy Bonenfant (Layout Design), Livia Daniels (Design), Livia Daniels (Layout Design), Kenneth Hanlon (Producer), Kenneth Hanlon (Liner Notes), W. Howard Hoffman (Executive Producer)
