New Album Release Concert, The Tania Grubbs Quintet The Sound of Love, Monday, November 18, 2024

THE SOUND OF LOVE by the TANIA GRUBBS QUINTET, their second offering after 2020’s Live at Maureen’s, is a carefully curated selection of songs including standards, lesser-heard jazz tunes, and some original material –all presented in a manner that sounds like a live performance. Contemporary Fusion Reviews said about Live at Maureen’s,“I can tell you right now, you haven’t heard jazz vocals this exciting in a long, LONG time.”

The Tania Grubbs Quintet is comprised of Jeff Grubbs bass,  David Budway  piano, Ron Affif guitar,  James Johnson III drums.

The stellar quintet seemingly reads each other’s intent in building sounds. This is songcraft at its finest –recorded in Pittsburgh, Pa., even more impressive is that the entire album was recorded in a day. The band, who all have ties to Pittsburgh, includes pianist DAVID BUDWAY (Branford Marsalis, Michael Brecker, Hubert Laws), bassist JEFF GRUBBS (Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Kenny Burrell, Joe Williams), guitarist RON AFFIF (Kenny Kirkland, Roy Hargrove, Jeff “Tain” Watts), and drummer JAMES JOHNSON III (Kenny Garrett, Benny Golson, Ahmad Jamal). Both David Budway and Ron Affif will be traveling in from NY for the album release concert.

Tania Grubbs Quintet The Sound of Love (self released)
Radio add date October 7, 2024
1. But Not for Me (3:35) George & Ira Gershwin
2. Slow Hot Wind (5:00) Norman Gimbel/Henry Mancini
3. (A Rhyme) This Time (4:34) Earl Klugh/Al Jarreau
4. Duke Ellington’s Sound of Love (5:57) Charles Mingus
5. Strange Meadowlark (4:51) Dave & Iola Brubeck
6. The Sculptor’s Hands (3:59) Tania Grubbs
7. Something to Live For (3:27) Billy Strayhorn
8. Blackbird (3:40) John Lennon/Paul McCartney
9. Sunshine on My Shoulders (5:22)
    John Denver/Dick Kniss/Mike Taylor
10. I Can Tell You Are Always There (6:13)
      David G Budway/Lou Tracey
11. Four (3:51) Miles Davis/Jon Hendricks
12. Dreamsville (3:59)  
      Henry Mancini/Jay Livingston/Raymond Evans
13. If You Could See Me Now (4:58) Tadd Dameron
14. Two For the Road (4:07) Leslie Bricusse/Henry Mancini

This carefully curated selection of songs includes some standards, a few jazz tunes you may have not heard in a minute, and some original material-“I Can Tell You Are Always There” composed by David Budway/Pittsburgh lyricist Lou Tracy, “The Sculptor’s Hands” music and lyrics by Tania Grubbs which was inspired by world renowned Pittsburgh based wood sculptor,  Thaddeus Mosley- all songs are presented in a manner that sounds like a gig tailored to the listener. All are invited and embraced.

“The Sound of Love is an intimate and fulfilling journey into Tania’s sensibility and versatility as a storyteller. Every song draws you deeper into the story, delivered with engaging arrangements. Each member of the band displays a subtle virtuosity where you feel each phrase and every note has a purpose.”
~Marty Ashby (MCG JAZZ/Manchester Craftsman’s Guild)

“Intimate, darkly soulful yet amazingly adventurous, the grand instrument that is Tania Grubbs’ voice is breathtaking to behold and a charming, supple vehicle for otherworldly journeys to beckon us listeners forth. Her choice of material and the quintet’s clever arrangements offer a non-stop array of delights.”
~ JW Vibe by Jonathan Widran

Tania has been a four-time recipient of the Ready for Life Grants, founded by the Heinz Foundation. She has also been a featured vocalist with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Civic LightOpera, Chamber Music Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Pittsburgh Jazz Society, Westmoreland Jazz Society, West Virginia Jazz Society, WD Packard Big Band and Concert Band, and Pittsburgh Bass Symposium. She was featured as a guest soloist with the Boca Raton Philharmonic Symphonia and acted as Co-Music Director at the Fairmont Pittsburgh Hotel, overseeing Jazz at Andy’s for over 10 years. Tania’s voice has an effortless quality that plumbs the emotional depth of the lyrics with an appealing honesty.