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This is Topic: Reviews
Following are the News Items published under this Topic.
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Autumn: In Moving Pictures from Billy Childs
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Posted by: ArtistShare on Wednesday, September 01, 2010 - 09:23 AM |
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Billy Childs has been capturing the attention of music lovers for quite some time. His excursions with musicians ranging such as Freddie Hubbard, Joe Henderson, J.J. Johnson, Chris Botti and Sting among others have kept him in the public eye and ear as a strong pianist, composer and improviser.
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CD Reviews: Suresh Singaratnam – Lost in New York (2010 Suresong)
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Posted by: editor on Monday, August 30, 2010 - 08:01 AM |
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By Mark E Hayes (www.markehayes.net)
Meet Suresh Singaratnam . Like Wynton Marsalis, to whom he will often very likely be compared, Singaratnam is trained in both the classical and jazz traditions. His first two records offered classical music -- 2009’s Two Hundred Sixty-One, Volume 1 -- and jazz -- 2010’s Lost in New York, the subject of this review. To have a career begin in impressive musical presence of Marsalis is a bit much, so let us give Singaratnam enough space to let him be his own man. He’s not lost at all. He finds his way pretty well, no matter what music he’s playing.
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Miles Davis-Bitches Brew Legacy Edition (2 CD/1 DVD)
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Posted by: muzikman on Sunday, August 29, 2010 - 04:58 PM |
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So where do you start with a recording that created a genre? Bitches Brew and its legendary and iconic status has not waned one iota since the celebrated release of the set in 1970. Miles Davis changed jazz forever more than once from the 50s all the way up to this marvelous concoction of jazz-rock fusion genius.
To honor the 40th anniversary of Bitches Brew Sony Legacy has completely outdone everyone else with a remasters series by releasing three different exceedingly tempting configurations. This is the Legacy Edition then there will be the Legacy Collector’s Edition and to follow that, if that wasn’t enough for you jazz enthusiasts, the Super Deluxe 40th Anniversary Collector’s Edition, which has a previously unissued performance from Tanglewood in August 1970. I happen to have the advance copy of that Tanglewood performance however this edition includes a live performance from Copenhagen in 1969. Confused yet? I guess it depends how much of a Davis fan you are and how many dollars you are willing to drop for these sets. You can snag up this gem for $18.99 at Amazon right now.
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CD Reviews: Bob Mamet Trio, “Impromptu”
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, August 29, 2010 - 04:57 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Bob Mamet is an internationally recognized pianist and composer from Chicago with several albums to his credit and with Impromptu, celebrates his very first release using a standard piano trio format. Mamet calls upon Polish-born Darek Oles, one of the most in-demand players in L.A. and once voted “Best Acoustic Bassist” in Europe, to anchor the trio with jazz luminary and drumming sensation Joe La Barbera guiding the steady beat to complete the Bob Mamet Trio.
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CD Reviews: Chris Washburne and the Syotos Band, “Fields of Moons”
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, August 29, 2010 - 04:56 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
There are few jazz bands that have been together for long periods of time and you'll find most of them as house bands in the various jazz venues around the country. Keeping a Latin jazz band is even more challenging and quite an accomplishment for trombonist Chris Washburne who is the leader of the Syotos band founded over twenty years ago. Known as a “Latin Jazz Institution” with the longest running jazz gig in the history of New York, Fields of Moons celebrates the anniversary with music that represents the group's quieter side.
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CD Reviews: Patty Cronheim, “Days Like These”
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, August 29, 2010 - 04:56 PM |
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By Edward Blanco
When Tony Branker, conductor of Jazz Studies at Princeton University, first heard Patty Cronheim sing, he immediately included her in several concerts at the university. Branker knew she was something special and as a result Days Like These was born, produced by Branker, the album is Cronheim's professional entrance into the realm of recorded jazz. Singing since she was ten years old, Cronheim has since honed her skills doing the wedding/Bar Mitzva circuit then when on to a larger stage by opening up for the late Ray Charles and has appeared on NBC's Jane Pauley show. Except for covers like “Summertime,” Stevie Wonder's 'Superstition,” and the jazz standard “Bye Bye Blackbird,” Cronheim offers seven new and delightful original compositions on this debut release—all supported by wonderful instrumentals making this first effort a pleasure to spin often.
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Rajiv Halim Quintet - Live at the Velvet Lounge - Chicago
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Posted by: emenari3 on Friday, August 27, 2010 - 02:03 PM |
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Rajiv Halim Quintet/ Live @ the Velvet Lounge
When considering Charlie Parker would have been 90 years old in August 2010 it puts life's blessings into perspective. The 1950s after-all seem more than many lifetimes ago when Bird sunk into eternal slumber. With the median average life expectancy for African American men today being 73 Bird's early demise at 35 was unusual for any era.
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CD Reviews: The Rockit 88 Band - Sweet Sugar Cane - 7 Arts 0020
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, August 24, 2010 - 09:49 AM |
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Lenny Stoute
Cashbox Magazine
This is a great album to have on in the background when folks come over. The
sound is at once so unique and familiar that the guessing games as to whose
album it is and the provenance of the songs is bound to break out. Maybe
it's just my living room, but not a one of my pals who came by called it the
music of a local band right off.
Welcome to Sweet Sugar Cane, only the second album from T.Dot blues/roots
rock band Rockit88 and it's linked to the same pedigree as the music of The
Band and early Van Morrison. Fronted by dual singing songwriters Neil
Chapman and Bill King, Sweet Sugar Cane is the game changer for the band and
the In Door to a whole new identity as an original act.
As such, the stakes are high but on most tracks, the band raises the bar
then easily soars over it.
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Bob Corritore and Friends-Harmonica Blues
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Posted by: muzikman on Monday, August 16, 2010 - 09:16 AM |
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Buying a good harmonica Blues album is like buying a cow that provides you with fresh sweet milk every morning. Buying a great harmonica blues album like Bob Corritore and Friends, Harmonica Blues, is like buying a cow that not only provides you with fresh sweet milk but also comes with a deed to a South African diamond mine. Harmonica Blues is priceless. The line-up of talent that has been put together here is like an all-star team of Blues legends. From the opening song with Koko Taylor singing like only Koko can on “What Kind of Man is This?” to Pinetop Perkins talking about a “Big Fat Mama” to Little Milton singing “6 Bits in Your Dollar”, this album offers you a history of the blues tutorial in only one hour.
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CD Reviews: Harvie S, “Cocolamus Bridge”
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, August 11, 2010 - 09:30 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Harvie S has long been a major force in jazz and an instrumental figure in bringing the voice of the bass from the background to the front line of the music. With “Cocolamus Bridge,” his latest release, Harvie continues his mission of educating jazz audiences on the wonders of the bass as a lead instrument. He dose so through the vibrant music of this new album of dicey contemporary jazz infused with lively Afro-Cuban rhythms. The album is a portrait of eight original compositions performed with his “Texas Band,” a collection of seasoned musicians among them, guitarist Chris Cortez, saxophonist Woody Witt, Jose Miguel Yamal on piano, Joel Fulgham on drums and percussionist James Metcalf.
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CD Reviews: Matt Garrison, “Familiar Places” featuring Claudio Roditi
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, August 11, 2010 - 09:29 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Matt Garrison is a 30-year-old saxophonist from Yonkers, New York who for years—has been preparing the music, waiting for the opportunity and thinking about the players he would choose for his very first album. Familiar Places is Garrison's stunning debut recording containing seven of the many songs he's penned over the years, finally recorded and released after encouragement from friend and producer Michael Dease. The opportunity was right, the music selected and the cast of personnel, simply superb. The album features Brazilian jazz trumpet luminary Claudio Roditi as special guest as part of an eleven-man ensemble that includes among the cast, Dease on the trombone, Sharel Cassity on flute, Mark Whitfield on guitar and saxophonist Don Braden on alto flute just to name a few.
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CD Reviews: Jeff Berlin “High Standards” CD-2010 M.A.J. Records
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Posted by: editor on Friday, July 30, 2010 - 11:24 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
Pioneering electric bassist Jeff Berlin set “high standards” back in the 1970s during his arrival on the progressive-rock and jazz-fusion scenes. His work with fellow living legends, drummer Bill Bruford, guitarist Allan Holdsworth and others of note, subsequently led to clinical and educational ambitions. In the 70s and 80s, Berlin, Jaco Pastorius and Stanley Clarke set the bar by establishing new paradigms for a future generation of bassists. Here, Berlin delves into unadulterated jazz landscapes via these standards, recorded live in the studio.
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CD Reviews: Carlos Villoslada, “Tabanqueando en la Plaza Nina”
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, July 25, 2010 - 09:08 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Carlos Villoslada may not be well known to American jazz audiences but he is recognized as an important jazz artist in Europe. Born in Huelva, Spain, Villoslada is a master reed man playing the tenor, baritone, alto and the flute. A composer and educator, Villoslada has performed with various groups among them, the Sonora Big Band de Cadiz, The Rubem Dantas Flamenco Big Band and the Gypsy folk group Saguiba Band. He has several recordings to his credit the latest of which is “Tabanqueando en la Plaza Nina” combining traditional Flamenco with elements of jazz and a touch of classical.
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CD Reviews: Beavin Lawrence, “Infinite Possibilities”
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, July 25, 2010 - 09:07 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
The New York area is full of aspiring young musicians eager to break out from the pack and saxophonist Beavin Lawrence is the latest to state his case with his “Infinite Possibilities” debut.
A gifted musician performing through out the tri-State area, Lawrence seems to find inspiration from his family for this recording dedicating the album to his parents and the title track to his wife. The music is post-bop contemporary and jazzy to the core with all new original material except for the humble interpretation of Thelonious Monk's “Monk's Mood.”
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CD Reviews: Julian Waterfall Pollack, “Infinite Playground”
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, July 20, 2010 - 09:14 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
At the young tender age of 22 years old, jazz pianist Julian Waterfall Pollack is already a veteran artist releasing his third album (his debut album was recorded while in high school) since 2006. A classically-trained pianist, this “Outstanding Soloist” at the Monterey Jazz festival from 2004-2006, takes another step towards stardom in the jazz world with a magnificent performance on “Infinite Playground.” Pollack is not only a fine pianist but a dynamic composer contributing five original tunes among the ten-piece repertoire that features exciting new renditions of some old standards.
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CD Reviews: The Stryker/Slagle Band, “Keeper”
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, July 20, 2010 - 09:13 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Dave Stryker and Steve Slagle are the dynamic duo behind the unique blending of guitar and sax in today's moder jazz scene and “Keeper” is their fifth outing together proving the that the mix is working better than ever. The two co-leaders alone does not a band make and to complete the quartet, they bring back versatile bassist Jay Anderson and drummer Victor Lewis rounding out one of the finest rhythm sections in the business. The group opens the music with Stryker's title piece in a lively hard bop number featuring Slagle on the alto propelling the music with guitarist Stryker laying down supportive lines. The hard-driving stuff follows on the saxophonist's “Bailout” where the duo trade salvos showcasing the best of the guitar/sax combo.
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CD Reviews: Jacam Manricks Trigonometry CD-2010 Posi-Tone Records
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Posted by: editor on Monday, July 19, 2010 - 07:00 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
Saxophonist/composer Jacam Manricks’ 2009 release “Labyrinth,” looms as a captivating artistic statement. Composed for jazz quintet and chamber orchestra, Manricks conveyed great depth and enveloped quite a few jazz-tinged frameworks into the grand schema. Similar attributes emerge on this 2010 follow-up, featuring some modern-day jazz titans amid an aggregation of cunning developments that reveal additional insights on repeated listens.
Manricks has taught at estimable music institutions while honing his crafty with other notables, including the late Ray Charles.
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CD Reviews: Nobu Stowe “Confusion Bleue” CD-2010 Soul Note
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, July 18, 2010 - 11:59 AM |
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Glenn Astarita
The gap between free-form or semi-structured song forms and the art of melody making are generally two distinct entities, drawing upon numerous contrasts. Many artists merely hint at harmonically appealing theme-building motifs while incorporating dissonance, expansion and expressionism as vehicles for improvisation. Consequently, saxophonist Albert Ayler came up with a nouveau spin on free-jazz by morphing John Phillip Sousa like marching band motifs into a cloud of hot and heavy festivities. Yet, the avant-garde often signifies a region that is brimming with elusive implications. However, Baltimore, MD., based keyboardist Nobu Stowe sets himself apart from most of his peers within the avant strata by using melody as an adjunct or underlying premise for his compositional and improvisational ideology.
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CD Reviews: James Blood Ulmer In And Out CD-2010 In + Out Records
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Posted by: editor on Monday, July 12, 2010 - 09:10 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
This is guitarist/vocalist James Blood Ulmer’s third outing for Germany-based In + Out Records, and emerges as one of the artist’s strongest record dates in years. Here, Ulmer fuses Hendrix-like guitar breakouts with fractured choruses and harmolodic voicings. More importantly, his compositions sustain gobs of interest to complement a highly-entertaining aura amid the hearty group-centric vibe. Ulmer can swing hard, yet purveys a capacious mindset, where he affords the listener time to digest underlying themes, while reworking primary melodies into improvisational forums. And acoustic and electric bassist Mark Peterson and drummer Aubrey Dale provide sympathetic support during the varied track mix, featuring blues-rock, progressive-jazz and tender frameworks.
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CD Reviews: Eric Felten, “Seize The Night”
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, July 07, 2010 - 09:11 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Trombonist and vocalist Eric Felten unveils his latest album of old fashioned love songs with the very tender “Seize The Night” containing six original compositions and a handful of standards from the likes of Duke Ellington, Howard Dietz and Irving Berlin to name a few. Originally recorded in 2007 with a quintet comprised of piano master Kenny Barron, drummer Jimmy Cobb, tenor man Don Braden and bassist Dennis Irwin, Seize The Night packs quite a punch with ballads and elements of swing throughout. Felten not only sings, but is heard playing the trombone with gusto.
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CD Review: Anne Florence Schneider - Donaflor
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Posted by: jazznbossa on Monday, July 05, 2010 - 02:44 PM |
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Featured Artist: Anne Florence Schneider
CD Title: Donaflor
Year: 2010
Record Label: Independent
Style: Jazz Vocals
Musicians: Anne-Florence Schneider (vocals), Dudu Penz (bass, guitar, percussion, vocals), Chris Wiesendanger (piano), Floriano Inácio (piano), Claude Schneider (guitar), Ademir Candido (guitar), Eduardo Costa (drums), Mauro Martins (drums), Alejandro Panetta (percussion), Rodrigo Botter Maio (flutes), Thomas Silvestri (piano), Daniel Pezzotti (cellos), Jonathan Allen (violin)
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CD Reviews: Jim Altamore, “License To Swing”
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, June 19, 2010 - 03:28 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Vocalist Jim Altamore grew up listening to Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole and Bobby Darin among others and was introduced to the music of Count Basie at the age of ten. Well, it's no surprise that he fashioned his singing style to reflect the swing of that golden era of jazz. Possessing fine deep baritone vocals, Altamore's singing style has earned him the nickname “Mr. Smooth”and on this first effort, proceeds to affirm that title with a strong easy laid back approach to the lyrics. With his debut album “License To Swing,” Altamore sings up a storm lending his own interpretation to a host of standards from the Great American Songbook. Borrowing music from Cole Porter, Bob Troup, Johnny Hodges, Duke Ellington, Jimmy Van Heusen and Sammy Cahn among others, the music is light traditional vocal jazz that will appeal to anyone who likes the music of Sinatra, Bennett and the like.
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CD Reviews: Luciano Troja, “At Home with Zindars”
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, June 19, 2010 - 03:27 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Luciano Troja is a jazz pianist from Messina, Italy who spent five years researching the life of legendary composer Earl Zindars and now presents a unique solo piano project with “At Home with Zindars”containing 14 of the composer's songs, some (“Z Waltz,” “Nice Place” and “Joy”) of which have never been released until now. Adding to the unique aspect of this album is the accompanying 40-page booklet developed with information and pictures provided by Zindars' wife Anne after Troja's personal visit with the Zindars family in San Francisco. Known as a composer of classical and jazz music, Earl Zindars is also associated with the legendary jazz pianist Bill Evans with whom Zindars collaborated on various musical productions for Evans and others.
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CD Reviews: Stanton Moore “Groove Alchemy” CD 2010 Telarc Records
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, June 17, 2010 - 10:38 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
New Orleans-reared drummer Stanton Moore made a splash back in the 1990s with his super-funk unit, Galactic. Since then he has emerged as one of the premier groove drummers, along the lines of Zigaboo Modeliste (The Meters) and other regional legends. Again, Moore delves into the historical aspects of New Orleans’ shaded funk, integrated with jazz, soul and the overall aura that accentuates the Big Easy’s carefree and good-timey disposition. Here, the drummer surges forward with longtime band-mates, guitarist Will Bernard and organist/pianist Robert Walker.
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Elvin Bishop-Red Dog Speaks
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Posted by: muzikman on Thursday, June 17, 2010 - 09:14 AM |
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These days, true blues-men are in short supply. The music that was so influential in spawning rock and roll has left the limelight, but Elvin Bishop’s latest release Red Dog Speaks proves that the blues is alive. After his critically acclaimed 2008 album, The Blues Roles On, Bishop and his Gibson 6-string are at it again, highlighting Bishop’s unique story-telling style and ballsy slide playing. Red Dog Speaks features a ferocious blend of blues, rock, boogie, do-wop, and gospel with a pocket as deep as the Grand Canyon.
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CD Reviews: Alex Machacek featuring Marco Minnemann “24 Tales” CD-2010 Abstract Logix
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Posted by: editor on Monday, June 14, 2010 - 09:07 AM |
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Glenn Astarita
Amazingly enough, guitar hero Alex Machacek based these 24 tracks on drummer Marco Minnemann’s fifty-one minute drum solo. Here, two spiraling superstars of jazz-rock, fusion and prog-rock forge an alliance that is a whirlwind of sonic splendor, coupled with the exactitude of a symphonic orchestra. On this release, Machacek doubles on keys and everything else to coincide with guest vocalist Sumitra, appearing on one piece and trombonist Martin Ptak who augments the program on three tracks.
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CD Reviews: Stephen Guerra Big Band, “Namesake”
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, June 01, 2010 - 08:34 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Saxophonist Stephen James Guerra, Jr. has shared the stage with the likes of Clark Terry, Phil Woods, Jim McNeely and Branford Marsalis to name a few, however it's not his skills as a performer that leads him to release his first album in “Namesake,” but rather his talents as a composer and arranger that makes this debut so impressive. Hailing from Londonderry, NH, Guerra is currently Director of the University of Miami's Studio Jazz band and is well on his way to a Doctorate in jazz composition at the university's Frost School of Music. This album, dedicated to his dad and grandfather, is essentially a compilation of Guerra's finest compositions and arrangements produces over the last ten years.
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CD Reviews: Trisha O'Brien, “Out of a Dream”
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, June 01, 2010 - 08:33 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Vocalist Trisha O'Brien takes a page from the Great American Songbook and provides refreshing new reads on oft recorded classics from musical giants like Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, Frank Loesser, Johny Burk and Jimmy Van Heusen to name a few. “Out of a Dream” is a collection of fourteen love songs arranged by pianist and educator Shelly Berg who anchors a core quartet of jazz luminaries in support of O'Brien. The crew consist of bassist Peter Washington, Lewis Nash on the drums and Ken Peplowski on tenor. O'Brien is a gifted singer possessing cool crisp vocals and a natural at interpreting light love songs designed to to tug at your heart strings and “Out of a Dream is a perfect example.
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CD Review: Nu-Drop
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Posted by: jazznbossa on Tuesday, May 25, 2010 - 11:16 AM |
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CD Review: Nu-Drop
Featured Artist: Nu Drop
Jazz
CD Title: Nu Drop
Year: 2010
Record Label: Music Center
Style: Various Jazz Styles
Musicians: Lia Invernizzi (vocals), Piera Quirico (guitar), Silvia Cucchi (piano), Claudia Natili (bass), Barbara D'Alessio (drums), Max De Aloe (harmonica), Alfredo Ponissi (flute, tenor sax), Claudi Allifranchini (soprano sax, alto sax)
Review: The history of Jazz music is full of great female musicians. But rarely you will have the opportunity to listen to an all female jazz band.
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CD Reviews: Kat Walker' Jazz Skat Gumbo'
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, May 22, 2010 - 02:55 PM |
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By Geannine Reid
Jazz Skat Gumbo is heaping with generous portions of the jazz tradition from the mother city of New Orleans. Vocalist Kat Walker is the extraordinary spice within this spicy gumbo. Kat Walker’s new CD, Jazz Skat Gumbo, is a collection of 14 traditional standards performed with some of the best New Orleans jazz musicians on the jazz scene today.
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CD Review: Giampaolo Ascolese - Le it Be...atles
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Posted by: jazznbossa on Saturday, May 22, 2010 - 07:54 AM |
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CD Review: Giampaolo Ascolese - Le it Be...atles
Featured Artist: Giampaolo Ascolese
CD Title: Le it Be...atles
Year: 2009
Record Label: Lake Racords
Style: Various Jazz Styles
Musicians: Giampaolo Ascolese (drums, vibraphone, marimba, percussion, vibes, xylophone, glockenspiel), Gerardo Iacoucci (piano, accordion), Elio Tatti (bass), Filiberto Palermini (alto sax, soprano sax), Rodolfo Rossi (marimba, glockenspiel, xylophone, steel drums, tubular bells, percussion), Vittorio Iue (piano), Roberto Forlini (drums), Rino Vernizzi (bassoon), Michele Ascolese (guitar)
Review: Let it Be...atles is an interesting CD and DVD homage to the legendary British group The Beatles. Part of what makes this project different to other homages is the reproduction through paintings by artist Marie Reine Levrat of some of the classic Beatles songs. These paintings are included in the booklet and the DVD. For some of the songs, there are a number of drawings that describe each verse. The DVD also includes interviews and live performances.
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CD Review: Lissy Walker - Life is Sweet
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Posted by: jazznbossa on Saturday, May 22, 2010 - 07:54 AM |
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CD Review: Lissy Walker - Life is Sweet
Featured Artist: Lissy Walker
CD Title: Life is Sweet
Year: 2010
Record Label: Strawberry Canyon Records
Style: Jazz Vocals
Musicians: Lissy Walker (vocals), John R. Burr (piano), Scott Nygaard (guitar), Jon Evans (bass), Scott Amendola (drums), Steven Bernstein (trumpet, Philip Worman (cello), Dave Ellis (sax)
Review: Is Lissy Walker a jazz singer with folk influences? Or is she a folk singer with jazz influences? Who cares, as long as she is good. And Lissy Walker is really good.
Jazz, folk and country music are fused beautifully on Lissy Walker debut album, Life is Sweet. Lissy moves convincingly among these music genres with her sweet voice and deeply emotional interpretations.
Life is Sweet starts with the classy arrangement of the Johnny Mercer I Remember You. Lissy shows her jazzy side on this one, singing behind the beat, a phrasing style used by Billie Holiday and other great jazz singers.
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CD Review: Antonio Adolfo & Carol Saboya - Lá e cá
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Posted by: jazznbossa on Saturday, May 22, 2010 - 07:53 AM |
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CD Review: Antonio Adolfo & Carol Saboya - Lá e cá
Featured Artist: Antonio Adolfo & Carol Saboya
CD Title: Here and There
Year: 2010
Record Label: Antonio Adolfo Music
Style: Brazilian Jazz / Brazilian Pop Jazz
Musicians: Antonio Adolfo (piano), Carol Saboya (vocals), Leo Amuedo (guitar), Jorge Helder (bass), Rafael Barata (drums), Sergio Trombone (trombone)
Review: The interaction of Brazilian music and Jazz was a perfect marriage since the beginning. The jazz influence was essential on the musicians that created Bossa Nova in the late 50’s. And when jazz musicians first heard Bossa Nova, they fell in love instantly. Brazilian pianist Antonio Adolfo was one of those young musicians deeply influenced by both, jazz and of course the music from his native Brasil.
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Brenda Hopkins Miranda - Memoirs from Granada
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Posted by: jazznbossa on Saturday, May 22, 2010 - 07:53 AM |
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Brenda Hopkins Miranda - Memoirs from Granada
Featured Artist: Brenda Hopkins Miranda
CD Title: Memoirs from Granada
Year: 2009
Record Label: Zona Boricua Records
Style: Folk Jazz
Musicians: Brenda Hopkins Miranda (piano, palmas), Samuel Morales (bass), Aldemar Valentin (bass), Hector Matos (drums), Efrain Martinez (drums), Enrique Chavez (percussion, palmas), Carlos Sanchez (trumpet), Jeanne d'Arc S. Casas Panouze (dancing steps)
Review: Every once in a while one comes across a CD of such quality and beauty that restore your faith in music. Brenda Hopkins Miranda’s Memoirs from Granada is that kind of CD. A music jewel from beginning to end, in Memoirs from Granada, Brenda captivates the listener with an exquisite fusion of Jazz, music from Spain and of course, music from her country, Puerto Rico.
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CD Review: Brigitte Zarie - Make Room For Me
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Posted by: jazznbossa on Saturday, May 22, 2010 - 07:52 AM |
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CD Review: Brigitte Zarie - Make Room For Me
Featured Artist: Brigitte Zarie
CD Title: Make Room For Me
Year: 2010
Record Label: Brigitte Zarie
Style: Jazz Vocals
Musicians: Zack Danzinger (drums, tracks 1-4, 6-9, 11),Brian Floody (drums, tracks 5, 10), Peter Zak (piano), Tim Lefebvre (bass), Larry Saltzman (guitar tracks 1,11), Jeff Golub (guitar tracks 4,6), Bobby Sanabria (percussion), John Sneider (trumpet tracks 3,6,7,9), Al Chez (trumpet), Randy Brecker (trumpet track 1), Chris Byars (trumpet tracks 3,5 10), Lawrence Feldman (trumpet solo on track 2), Bruce Kapler, Frank Beisle (sax), Jeff Bush and Brian Bonvissuto(trombones), Tom Malone (all horns on tracks 8 and 11)
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CD Reviews: Sunny Jain 'Taboo' CD-2010 Brooklyn Jazz Underground Records
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, May 20, 2010 - 02:50 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
Drummer Sunny Jain imparts a festive Indo-jazz-world music endeavor on his new release titled “Taboo,” which shines as yet another fascinating East Indian hued jazz gala to complement his budding discography. On this studio set, Jain derives inspiration from East Indian “ghazals,” which is an ancient poetic form of tackling social justice matters. Here, Jain incorporates buoyant and linear Eastern dance mechanisms. Although one of the many redeeming factors of this album, pertains to the sparkling alignment of electric guitarist Nir Felder and acoustic pianist Marc Cary. In effect, the lead instruments render a delightful electro-organic aura.
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CD Reviews: Glafkos Kontemeniotis, “Progress”
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Posted by: editor on Monday, May 17, 2010 - 09:29 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Glafkos Kontemeniotis is a classically-trained pianist and composer—originally from Cyprus but living and playing professionally in the New York area since 1988—makes his recording debut as leader with a command performance on the new finely crafted “Progress” album. This starter disc features eleven creative originals and fresh interpretations of four standards employing Greek bassist Apostolos Sideris and the versatile New York drummer and educator Scott Neumann in a standard piano trio format. The pianist opens the program in a technically assertive fashion on “Anthrozyte” playing hard yet stylish and sharing the piece with Neumann's solo.
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CD Reviews: Brian Landrus “Forward” CD 2010 Cadence Jazz Records
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Posted by: editor on Friday, May 14, 2010 - 08:58 AM |
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Glenn Astarita
Multi-reedman Brian Landrus launched this session while finishing music school, and in the album liners, cites his studies with various members of the band. With legendary jazz heavyweights, saxophonist George Garzone and drummer Bob Moses augmenting the support structure, Landrus seamlessly fuses modern mainstream with subtle nods to the outside. It equates to an entertaining session, brimming with numerous contrasts and the band-members’ cunning injection of counterpoint amid the often-flourishing thematic buildups. Landrus enjoys the support of a modern all-star aggregation, and the dividends pay off, since the respective musicians’ distinctive voices help separate this engagement from an autopilot or safe-mode gala.
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CD Reviews: Joe De Rose and Amici, “Sounds for the Soul”
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, May 09, 2010 - 02:02 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
The late great drumming icon Louie Bellson was obviously so taken with the skill level of young San Jose drummer Joe De Rose that he did not hesitate to provide an unquestionable endorsement when he once stated that De Rose was “A wonderful talent...” One spin of “Sounds for the Soul,” is all it takes to convince any discerning jazz listener that Joe De Rose is indeed a “wonderful talent” and exceptional drummer. With his own band of “friends”(amici), De Rose ventures out for the very first time as leader with a remarkably good album of modern jazz-fusion. A regular member of The Hristo Vitchev Quartet, De Rose borrows its members for this effort enlisting guitarist Hristo Vitchev, pianist Weber Lago and bassist Dan Robbins for this debut augmenting the group by adding veteran Bay Area saxophonist Dann Zinn.
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CD Reviews: and you linger…/Sonya Perkins (Good Time City Records 2008)
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, May 06, 2010 - 08:04 AM |
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The Flip Side
-Karl Stober
Dreams become reality when the artistic passion is at its highest degree of desire. The dream exhumes itself from the soul and saturates the artists’ act of implementation. Thus creativity is given birth; reality then exists, thus the craft is complete. This could be the very story of vocalist Sonya Perkins. Years of desire, mental preparation, and churning possibilities has come to head with completion of a goal. and you linger… is her dream and the spin …her reality!
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CD Reviews: Satoko Fuji Ma-Do “Desert Ship” CD-2010 Not Two Records
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, May 06, 2010 - 08:03 AM |
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Glenn Astarita
Released by progressive-jazz/improvisation and Poland-based Not Two Records, this quartet date by eminent Japanese pianist, composer Satoko Fuji, signifies one of several recent releases to extend her impressive discography. Sharing the lead with husband and frequent collaborator, trumpeter Natsuki Tamura, this quartet date lucidly transmits Fuji’s broad skills within melodic structural and expansive improvisational metrics. The sky’s the limit as they say, since Fuji’s proven track record and comfort zone shines forth when piloting small ensemble to large scale orchestral undertakings. On this album, she fuses complex rhythmic motifs into largely memorable storylines, underscored with harmonious theme-building endeavors.
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CD Reviews: Gia Notte, “Shades”
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, April 28, 2010 - 07:43 AM |
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By Edward Blanco
Margie “Gia” Notte burst on to the jazz scene just a short while ago with an impressive 2009 debut, “Just You, Just Me & Friends—Live at Cecil's,” delivering another album of warm standards. Now she follows up with an even better sophomore effort on “Shades” where the repertoire again lists a select set of familiar standards except that this time, Gia does it a bit differently using a light ensemble as backup support, fresh new arrangements and her dynamic lush vocals—all together result in a dazzling session of jazzy music that audiences will appreciate. The Juan Tizol/Duke Ellington classic “Caravan” opens up the program in typical down-tempo fashion diced with a tasteful flute solo from saxophone great Don Braden matched by Freddie Hendrix on the trumpet before the lady weighs in to close out the tune in style.
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CD Reviews: Nearer Awakening: John Donaldson’s Unity play the music of Bheki Mseleku (Laughing Lettuce)
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Posted by: editor on Friday, April 23, 2010 - 07:27 AM |
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Review By John Stevenson
The passing of jazz luminary Bheki Mseleku (1955-2008) was one of the more tragic recent events to have taken place in UK artistic circles.
South African born Bheki was a pianist, composer, guitarist and tenor saxophonist of rare cultivation. At once deeply spiritual, intense and free flowing, Mseleku operated in John Coltrane-influenced post-bop harmonic territory as adeptly as he enlarged upon the tradition of South African folk music and Erik Satie-inflected post-Romanticism.
John Donaldson’s tribute to Bheki’s joyful sound is undoubtedly one of the most winning of this year’s UK jazz releases. Donaldson, a greatly understated pianist (some may say badly neglected by the jazz cognoscenti of the British Isles) fronts a first-class quartet to celebrate Mseleku’s considerable artistry.
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CD Reviews: Mike LeDonne “The Groover” CD-2010 Savant Records
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, April 22, 2010 - 09:35 AM |
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Glenn Astarita
No frills or new age gimmickry here, as Hammond B-3 ace Mike LeDonne and his laudable band-mates’ lay down a fertile groove quotient throughout this winning studio date. The quartet transmits a glistening aura via its upbeat gait and fluent sense of swing within the classic jazz organ-combo format. LeDonne is an energizer as he comps, and prods the band into climactic opuses with his silvery chord clusters and blazing right-hand lead phrasings.
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CD Reviews: James Zollar, “Zollar Systems”
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, April 17, 2010 - 04:44 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Trumpeter James Delano Zollar releases his long-awaited sophomore effort since his 1998 debut album “Soaring With Bird.” A true Kansas City musician, Zollar's professional career has evolved from studies with the great Woody Shaw to recording as a sideman with Tom Harrel and Sam Rivers, and featured soloist with Jon Faddis and the Carnegie Hall Jazz Orchestra as well as a performing with Wynton Marsalis and his Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra. These days Zollar resides in New York City and performs with the Duke Ellington Orchestra and as a member of Don Byron's many bands (Don also appears here on clarinet on one piece).
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CD Reviews: Kristine Mills, “Bossanovafied”
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, April 17, 2010 - 04:43 PM |
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By Edward Blanco
Kristine Mills is an award-winning jazz vocalist from the Houston area who indulges her passion for the bossa nova after an artful collaboration with Brazilian pianist Paulo Midosi in producing an impressive collection of original bossa-styled songs on “Bossanovafied,” her third vocal project. Recorded in Rio de Janeiro with an entirely Brazilian cast, the album follows her 2007 appearance with the Duke Ellington Orchestra at the Brazilian International Jazz Festival in Sao Paolo as well as her August 2009 three-city tour of the same festival with the Rio-based ensemble. This beautiful blond songbird seduces the listener with her inviting lyrical approach embracing each song with her innocent-like tender vocals that's anything but innocent—sultry and sassy—is more befitting.
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Tango di Periferia
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Posted by: dore on Thursday, April 15, 2010 - 09:30 AM |
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Lunedì 19 aprile ore 21, Luino Teatro Sociale
Teatro blu Centro di sperimentazione teatrale presenta
TANGO DI PERIFERIA
Spettacolo di teatro tango
con Silvia Priori e Roberto Carlos Gerbolès
Angela Quacquarella e Mauro Rossi ballerini
TĂ mas Major violino
Ciro Radice pianoforte, fisarmonica e bandoneĂłn
Virgilio Monti contrabbasso
Norberto Cutillo percussioni
Francesca Galante voce
Testo e regia di Silvia Priori e Roberto Carlos Gerbolès
Direzione musicale e arrangiamenti di Ciro Radice
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DVD Reviews: Music DVD Review: Beautiful Noise by Jeff Healey and the Jazz Wizards
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Posted by: editor on Monday, April 12, 2010 - 09:33 AM |
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By FCETIER
BLOGCRITICS.ORG
Like Ray Charles, he became blind as a child. Like Dave Thomas, he was adopted. Like many kids, he learned to play guitar at a young age (3). Later, he would tour with, or sit in with, such notable stars as Jerry Lee Lewis, George Harrison, Eric Clapton, B.B. King, Stevie Ray Vaughn, and Buddy Guy. Then, sadly, he died young (41, of cancer). Beautiful Noise was a television series produced in Canada that ran for three seasons from 2006-08. The series featured profiles, biographies, and performances including this one filmed in Toronto in January of 2006. MDV Visual released this DVD in March of this year for the second anniversary of Jeff Healey's death. Those of us who really enjoy music and consider ourselves enthusiasts (notice how I stopped short of saying "aficionado") might not have been familiar with Healey as a jazz musician. Indeed, he got his start as a blues-rock performer. It is some consolation to me that several rock-blues fans I've spoken with were not familiar with Healey's interests in classical jazz. And his is not the same jazz as that of George Benson, Lee Ritenour, Zachary Breaux, Dave Brubeck, or Dave Grusin.
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Reviews for Migration by Hamilton Sterling & Jimmy Haslip
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Posted by: helikonsound.com on Sunday, April 11, 2010 - 09:08 AM |
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By Mark Tucker (Folk and Acoustic Music Exchange) www.acousticmusic.com
Well, I have to tell you that you only think you know Jimmy Haslip, bassist for the Yellowjackets. In his partnership with Hamilton Sterling, the daunting musician reveals a side no one quite suspected, co-writing and co-playing a highly engaging, wildly pastiched, very three-dimensional opus cohering multiple modes and styles into one segmented narrative that's vanguard progressive—in fact a continuo on what the electronic pioneers (Subotnick et al) and musique concrete and other wizards (Xenakis, Crumb, etc.) were sallying towards in their own times.
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CD Reviews: Clifford Lamb, “One”
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, April 06, 2010 - 09:08 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Piano man Clifford Lamb from Oakland, CA began his professional career by touring with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra and after twenty plus years in the business, emerges with his debut jazz album simply titled “One.” Though inspired by the music of Herbie Hancock, McCoy Tyner and the great Thelonius Monk, Lamb borrows music from such legends as Wayne Shorter, Miles Davis and classic compositions from Comden/Green and Jule Styne in make his first impressions on the piano and quite an impression he does make. The album features a combination of solo works as well as performing in a trio setting accompanied by Oakland native drummer Darell Green, currently one of the most in-demand drummers in New York and in Europe and bassist Ron Belcher a “Who's Who” of the San Francisco Jazz scene with flautist Kenny Hawkins appearing on a couple of tracks.
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CD Reviews: Champian Fulton, “The Breeze and I”
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, April 06, 2010 - 09:07 AM |
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By Edward Blanco
Unleashing her third jazz album of her young career, New York-based pianist and vocalist Champian Fulton takes the jazz world by storm with a very breezy new recording that celebrates the lady's obvious talents as an artist. The daughter of trumpeter/educator Stephen Fulton, lady Fulton's jazz pedigree comes shinning through on this effort as her crisp honey-textured vocals and superb piano chops, serve to elevate the music here and separate this impressive project from the rest of the pack. Using the standard piano trio approach, Fulton draws on New York's vibrant jazz scene for her musical support enlisting the talents of first-call musicians, bassist Neal Miner and drummer Fukishi Tainaka for this session.
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CD Reviews: Make Room for Me/Brigitte Zarie: Self (2010)
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Posted by: editor on Monday, April 05, 2010 - 08:00 AM |
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The Flip Side
by Karl Stober
From time to time, the texture of a vocal impact draws one into a state of “lyrical seduction” free from commercial compromise. Vocalist, composer, and lyricist Brigitte Zarie is an undefined and natural eclectic performer who has that nudge-wink sway to her performance. Current spin Make Room for Me is blanketed with original works that contain restless and provocative emotions, laced with a vibrant romantic flair.
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The Mannish Boys-Shake For Me
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Posted by: muzikman on Saturday, March 27, 2010 - 03:35 PM |
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The Mannish Boys are less of a band and more of a royal jam session. Every big name around today in blues is (or has been) involved with the band, and their latest release, Shake For Me, shows their combined talents off even more impressively than their previous four albums together.
Blues legends litter the lineup for Shake For Me, including: Finis Tasby, Bobby Jones, Randy Chortkoff, Kirk Fletcher, Frank Goldwasser, Willie J. Campbell, and Jimi Bott, but special guests add even more: Rod Piazza, Kid Ramos, Mitch Kashmar, Nick Curran, Mike Zito, Arthur Admas, Johnny Dyer, Lynwood Slim, Rob Rio, Fred Kaplan, Andy Kaulkin, and “Big Pete” van der Pluijm.
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CD Reviews: Dar Cho/Mark Moultrup: Self (2009)
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, March 27, 2010 - 03:34 PM |
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The Flip Side
By Karl Stober
Unfolding this spin is addressed as it were a tale of two cities and the script is very distinctive, at the intersection of the city limits.
Mark Moultrup’s current release Dar Cho is a fine piece of musicianship and his exploitation of the ivories is precise and fluid. Mr. Moultrup’s groove is original designed with sculptured technique and bonds with the other gifted sounds on stage extremely well. Notice too that the music sheets allow for the casting out of different personalities within the same arrangement.
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CD Reviews: Invisible/Luis Munoz: Pelin Music (2010)
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, March 27, 2010 - 03:33 PM |
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The Flip Side
by Karl Stober
One afternoon I sat listening to a cut called “Hymn” for the first time. I was taken in by a very rare musical moment for me. I was at a loss for explanation and comprehension of the beauty this piece afforded me. I listen to so many pieces of music this rarely occurs, this time it did! By the passion, heart, and gentle feel of musician Luis Munoz, he has what I would call a “heavy with promise execution of sound,” stimulated from the heart and escorted by the soul…Bravo Sir!
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CD Reviews: Jordyn Jackson, “September in the Garden”
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, March 25, 2010 - 09:31 AM |
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By Edward Blanco
Based in Jacksonville, Fl and primarily a pop and blues singer, Jordyn Jackson applies her appreciable vocal talents in a new album designed for the jazz genre. September in the Garden is Jackson's fifth album but her debut in the jazz world . Gifted with great looks and sensual vocals, the lady can definitely sing though her style seems more suited for the pop or even country genre than jazz. Not a criticism of her vocal range, which is superb, just an honest observation.
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CD Reviews: Doug Munro, “Alone But Not Alone, Volume 1 Spirituals”
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, March 24, 2010 - 11:07 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
After a twenty year career in the mainstream jazz genre, two-time Grammy-nominee and jazz guitarist Doug Munro releases his very first solo album “Alone But Not Alone.” A sideman on over 300 recordings and with eleven previous albums as a leader to his credit, Munro takes on a concept project employing a combination of pure improvisation and a bit of technology on a repertoire of spiritual music. As stated in the brief liner notes “This is a recording of spiritual songs from the spirit for the spirit.” Except for the traditional “Amazing Grace,” “Down By the Riverside” and Curtis Mayfield's “People Get Ready,” Munro provides original music inspired by brief biblical verses.
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CD Reviews: The Ullmann/Swell 4 “News? No News!” CD-2010 Jazzwerkstatt (Germany)
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, March 24, 2010 - 05:35 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
Multi-reedman Gebhard Ullmann and trombonist Steve Swell bestow some good news with the quartet’s second release. And the musical headline translates into an energized storyline. The respective band members have been at the forefront of progressive-jazz and improvisation-based idioms for many years, and their synergy is resplendently conveyed here. With unconventional rhythmic etudes and boisterous horns parts, the musicians generate gobs of hustle and bustle. Essentially, they skirt an opaque line between structure and improvisation.
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DRUM! Continues Its Diversity Of Coverage: From Dave Lombardo to Chad Butler
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Posted by: drummer40 on Wednesday, March 17, 2010 - 05:37 PM |
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San Jose, Calif., -- Last month, Enter Music Publishing, publishers of hip/drum percussion magazines worldwide, featured the new loud and aggressive playing techniques of Slayer's Dave Lombardo. Continuing its diversity of coverage, the March Issue explores Switchfoot's Chad Butler straightforward approach and faith to drumming.
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CD Reviews: John Pizzarelli, "Rockin' In Rhythm"‏
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, March 09, 2010 - 09:27 PM |
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By Bill Donaldson
His father invariably and fondly receives billing as the “great” or the “legendary” Bucky Pizzarelli, but son John has developed his own style, even while incorporating some of the musical Pizzarelli-isms that he heard all of his life through three generations. Apparently more extroverted than his father, John Pizzarelli, teaming with his brother Martin on bass in his trio, not only has absorbed and personalized the family’s talent for string instruments, but also developed a vocal style recognized as his own. In between his theme-based albums like Bossa Nova and Let There Be Love, Pizzarelli has paid tribute to his influences like Nat Cole, Frank Sinatra, Richard Rodgers and even The Beatles. The one influence whom John Pizzarelli hadn’t yet acknowledged through a tribute album is Duke Ellington, whose music Bucky always performed when his son was young. Still does. Through much planning and some serendipity, John Pizzarelli finally has released his Ellington album, which includes some horn arrangements by occasional collaborator Don Sebesky, some spur-of-the-moment addition of guest artists, some recognizable John Pizzarelli guitar-and-voice unison improvisation and some original perspectives of Ellington’s music. More so than in past albums, Pizzarelli appears to adhere more closely to the arrangements than letting fly his off-the-cuff witticisms and musical thoughts.
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CD Reviews: Me Quedo/Nancy Ruth: Home of Jazz (2008)
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Posted by: editor on Monday, March 08, 2010 - 09:53 AM |
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Karl Stober
What Latin Jazz instills in the listener, or I should say is expected, is to define the core of a romantic texture. When the Latin beat extends itself over the air waves, the blood boils a little hotter, the movements become more fluid, and the passion is exhumed much deeper from within the soul. This is the encounter one will feel with Me Quedo and vocalist Nancy Ruth. Her tones allow the heartbeat to race faster with every pulse of the composition.
Ms. Ruth is a Canadian with a fiery “heavy with appeal” compassion for the Latin expression. Her music instills that vibrant tone with a sultry execution. An animated performer, Ms Ruth not only vocalizes the culture, she escorts it in with her eyes and a reactive demeanor, to the audience.
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CD Reviews: Tobias Gebb & Unit 7, “Free At Last”
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, March 04, 2010 - 10:26 AM |
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By Edward Blanco
Leader of the acclaimed Trio West piano trio, drummer/composer and producer Tobias Gebb crafts a propulsive and swinging new album with his Unit 7 ensemble, that screams in various rhythmic flavors, “free at last, free at last, thank God almighty we are “Free At Last.” This unusual title was inspired by Gebb's admiration for President Barrack Obama's 2008 election, dedicating the title track to the President. Politics aside, this is one very good album and part of the reason has to be the personnel assembled for this purpose. Gracing this recording are some of New York's top first-call musicians such as trumpeter Joe Magnarelli, alto saxophonists Bobby Watson and Mark Gross as well as tenor men Stacy Dillard, Ron Blake and Joel Frahm to name a few.
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CD Reviews: Carl Fischer & Organic Groove Ensemble, “Adverse Times”
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, March 04, 2010 - 10:25 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Trumpeter Carl Fischer often displays an affinity for the high notes, a taste he probably acquired as a lead trumpeter with Maynard Ferguson's Big Bop Nouveau Ensemble—where Ferguson himself overindulged the high-note passion. The similarities between Fischer and Ferguson however may end there as this trumpet ventures into more modern and funky jazz territory where the late icon only skimmed the surface. With the release of “Adverse Times,” Fischer and his eclectic septet Organ Groove Ensemble, offer their second album of hard-driving new material packaged with a bit of pop, a measure of funk, a taste of Brazil and small slice of the Miles Davis jazz style—all in one vibrant session of music.
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CD Reviews: Eberhard Weber “Colours” 3-CD 2010 ECM Records
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, March 03, 2010 - 05:39 PM |
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Glen Astarita
ECM Records presence within jazz, improvisation, neo-classical, world music and other jazz-related genres/hybrids, captured the ears and minds of music adventure seekers, hearkening back to the early 1970’s. The now famous recording aesthetic imparts a resonating foundation, often resembling superbly engineered classical music albums. From 1975 to 1981, German bassist Eberhard Weber emerged as a prominent voice with his Colours band, due to his atypical line of attack and massive sound. His swerving tones and liquefying bass lines, countered many of the era’s slaphappy bass denizens, and others who tried besting the speed of light. Regardless, Weber’s prolific LPs are reproduced here on this three-CD box, complete with an informative booklet authored by Michael Tucker.
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CD Reviews: Rufus Reid “Out Front” CD-2010 Motema Music
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, March 02, 2010 - 09:53 AM |
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Glenn Astarita
First-call session bassist and solo artist Rufus Reid rarely sounded better then he does here, on this exceptional trio date with pianist Steve Allee and drummer Duduka Da Fonseca. Aided by the crystalline audio engineering, Reid’s prominent bass lines are “out front.” Essentially, the musicians attain equal ground during this democratic engagement. They swing hard, vary the dynamic, and impart a radiant twinkle throughout the program.
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CD Reviews: Daniel Ori, “So It Goes”
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, February 24, 2010 - 02:21 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Blending an exciting modern jazz sound with elements of World music and sprinkle of the Jewish influence, Israeli-born New York-based bassist and composer Daniel Ori releases his first solo album containing fresh new material with eight vibrant pieces on the impressive “So It Goes.” This is actually Ori's second recording date with the first coming as a member of the Israeli quartet FOURWORD with their debut disc in 2005. For this solo debut, Ori culls an A-list of musicians—all seasoned players in their own right—forming a sextet combo featuring alto saxophonist Uri Gurvich, pianist Gabriel Guerrero, Jeff Miles on guitar, Eric Doob on the drums and percussionist Marcelo Woloski rounding out the rhythm section.
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CD Reviews: Kobi Arad Band, “Innovations!!!”
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, February 18, 2010 - 11:17 PM |
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By Edward Blanco
Kobi Arad is the first musician to earn a Doctorate Degree from the historic New England Conservatory in Third Stream (a term coined by Gunther Schuller in 1957 describing a musical genre blending classical and jazz music). Israeli-born Arad is a prolific pianist and composer residing in New York where his group performs a wide range of musical genres from jazz, pop to World and classical music. With fellow band mates Tucker Yaro (bass) and Ray 'Rayzoray' Richards (drums), Dr. Arad's traditional piano trio has produced an exciting new album with “Innovations!!!” performing a unique brand of ambient jazz combining elements of smooth and classical music in one gem of a recording.
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CD Reviews: Jeremy Pelt “Men Of Honor” CD-2010 High Note Records
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, February 16, 2010 - 02:55 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
Trumpeter Jeremy Pelt is a young man who is making a big splash within modern jazz circles with fans and critics alike. Voted a “Rising Star” in Down Beat magazine, the artist bridges the gap between 1960’s style progressive-mainstream while pursuing the outside strata within various movements. Pelt enjoys a fruitful working relationship with the frontline and rhythm section throughout the program, where they mix it up rather poignantly amid glowing choruses and brazen exchanges.
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CD Reviews: Best of 1st International Jazz Solo Piano Festival 2009”
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Posted by: editor on Monday, February 15, 2010 - 06:04 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
The International Jazz Solo Piano Festival of 2009 comprised a three-part concert series held in March 2009 in three German cities. The first two concerts were held at the Steinway-Haus concert halls in Hamburg and Munich. This recording represents the culmination of the series where three piano virtuosos perform three pieces each in the last concert at the Small Hall of Konzerthaus Berlin. Prior to the series, Mathias Claus from Braunschweig, Bob Albanese of New Jersey and Ayako Shirasaki from Tokyo, had never met before but all shared a common bond in their mastery of the instrument and their sparkling interpretations of a classical repertoire—the primary focus of this first international jazz solo piano festival.
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CD Reviews: Carras Paton Quartet, “Fortune”
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Posted by: editor on Friday, February 12, 2010 - 12:03 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Originally from Southern California, Carras Paton now resides in New York where his assault on the city's jazz scene has culminated in the production of an impressive debut that should draw critical attention. Ever the multi-instrumentalist—who plays the bass, keyboards and drums among other instruments—is more widely recognized as a reed player who chose to feature his skills on the tenor and soprano saxophones for this new release. The balance of the Paton quartet is comprised of bassist Ryan Berg, drummer Shinnosuke Takahashi and West Coast pianist and friend Max 'Wild Man' Haymer (not really known as 'Wild Man' just a reference to his playing style by yours truly in a review of his audacious debut a while ago).
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CD Reviews: Kelley Suttenfield..Where Is Love?..Rhombus Records 2009
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, February 09, 2010 - 08:55 AM |
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By John Gilbert
Kelley Suttenfield - vocals
Michael Cabe - piano, Fender Rhodes
Jesse Lewis - electric guitar
Tony Romano - acoustic guitar
Matt Aronoff - bass
Brian Adler - drums, tablas
Kelley Suttenfield has a very cool and sensual vocal style. The opening
number "Sugar" displays her talents to the max. She treats the lyrics as
though she owns them. A swinging quality is apparent in this number as
Suttenfield takes the circuitous journey from tender to strong ideation.
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George Winston-Love Will Come: The Music of Vince Guaraldi, Volume 2
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Posted by: muzikman on Sunday, February 07, 2010 - 09:13 AM |
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Grammy Award Winning Pianist George Winston has released a new CD of solo piano music in a tribute to Vince Guaraldi: Love Will Come: The Music of Vince Guaraldi, Volume 2. Vince Guaraldi will always be associated with the “Charlie Brown” television specials and the “Peanuts” characters conceived by Charles M. Schulz. He created the sounds of “Charlie Brown” that remain indelible in our minds. But, Guaraldi was also a successful jazz musician. He was part of the early Cal Tjader Trio and also had a hit of his own with “Cast Your Fate to the Wind.” Winston honors both facets of Vince Guaraldi with this new CD which is the follow-on to his first Guaraldi tribute recording in 1996, Linus & Lucy: The Music of Vince Guaraldi.
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CD Reviews: Wadada Leo Smith “Spiritual Dimensions” 2-CD 2009 Cuneiform Records
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, February 03, 2010 - 02:38 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
Trumpet legend Wadada Leo Smith offers an array of persuasive contrasts with his largely acoustic Golden Quintet (Live at Vision XIII, 2008, New York City) and electrified Organic band (Live at Firehouse, 2009, New Haven, CT). On disc-one, the Golden Quintet generates a sliding-scale view of song-forms and improvisational jaunts. With acoustic pianist Vijay Iyer’s, clustering chords and intermittent synth treatments, the musicians delve into broad soundscapes and climatically-oriented motifs. Smith’s resonating and often, yearning lines spearhead a free-form and thoroughly expressionistic gala, subdivided by highs, lows and power-packed movements.
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CD Reviews: Harry Allen, “New York State of Mind”
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, January 30, 2010 - 09:21 AM |
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By Edward Blanco
It's often been stated that New York City is the capital of the world—obviously an overstatement—but in terms of jazz, the big Apple seems to be the center of the action. Inspired by the city he now calls home, tenor saxophonist Harry Allen uses the city as the theme for his latest release selecting a repertoire of music written with New York in mind. Borrowing the title from Billy Joel's signature tune “New York State of Mind,” Allen attempts to capture a slice and the essence of the great city with a straightforward approach to the music using his appreciable talents with fresh new treatments to oft recored standards. The result of course is one classic session of light and tasteful contemporary jazz with a measure of swing and a touch of elegance.
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CD Reviews: Kyoko Oyobe Trio, “Cookin' at Smalls”
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, January 30, 2010 - 09:21 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Pianist Kyoko Oyobe from Okayama, Japan is a young lady whose love for jazz brought her to New York in 2006 for the opportunity to learn, develop and become a part of the jazz-rich environment in the Big Apple. This Oyobe has done by performing at various venues in New York while establishing her jazz credentials. Cookin' at Smalls is Oyobe's sensational debut album—recorded live in December 2008 at Smalls jazz club—a subterranean hot spot for jazz in New York's West Village—founded by Mitch Borden(Smalls and Fat Cat Clubs) who coincidently also provides the liner notes for the CD.
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CD Reviews: Wayne Escoffery “Uptown” CD-2009 Posi-Tone Records
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, January 30, 2010 - 09:19 AM |
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Glenn Astarita
Saxophonist Wayne Escoffery transmits maturity beyond his years, and has been in the thick of things within modern jazz since the early 2000’s. He’s an impressive solo artist who has recorded and performed with trumpeter Tom Harrell, vibist Joe Locke and Ben Riley’s Monk Legacy Septet among other jazz luminaries. Here, Escoffery conveys assertive leadership via the democratic group-centric format. And he possesses a fluent mode of attack, which is abetted by his near-flawless phraseology and authoritative presence.
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CD Reviews: Charles Evans – Neil Shah “Live at Saint Stephens” CD-2009 Hot Cup Records
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, January 28, 2010 - 12:20 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
Teenage friends who were reared in the Pennsylvania countryside evolves into a fruitful musical relationship that shines luminously, especially here on this duo effort recorded at Saint Stephens Episcopal Church in Wilkes-Barre, PA. Baritone saxophonist Charles Evans, on the wings of his highly-acclaimed 2009 solo outing “The King of All Instruments,” snagged 5 stars in Downbeat magazine, for example. And pianist Neil Shah has performed with a top echelon roster of jazz legends, such as trombonist/arranger Bob Brookmeyer and bassist Eddie Gomez. On this exceptional duo outing, the artists integrate chromatic intervals, emotive improvisation and nuance into a comprehensive musical vista, teeming with bluesy passages, stoic musings and more.
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CD Reviews: Betty Bryant..No Regrets..Bry Mar Music 2009
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Posted by: editor on Monday, January 25, 2010 - 08:12 PM |
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By John Gilbert
Betty Bryant (piano, vocals) Robert Kyle (tenor, flute) Tomas Gargano
(bass) Kenny Elliott (drums)
Betty Bryant plays the piano like she invented it. This is an album that
all the cognoscenti will enjoy.
"Easy Street" Some blues make you swing and sway (not Sammy Kaye) Bryant
comps and sings her song with a bit of magic. The piano solo is both hip
and filled with ideas that only a skilled and well 'versed' singer/
pianist can employ. Robert Kyle is clearly inspired in his sax soliloquy
by Bryant's infectious influence.
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CD Reviews: Trio Reenactment, “What Once Was ...”
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, January 20, 2010 - 09:22 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Coming off their self-titled debut of a couple of years ago offering a slice of Afro-Cuban, Brazilian and contemporary jazz, Trio Reenactment present their second album, “What Once Was...,”this time melding straight-ahead jazz with a touch of soul and rock rhythms in an intimate studio session that demonstrates the group's versatility. Led by bassist John Barron, this traditional piano trio--featuring Sven Anderson on piano/keyboards and veteran drummer Rob Emanuel—together have been a a fixture in Detroit's rich musical community for some time. This friendly outing covers eight originals and the Smokey Robinson cover tune “Get Ready,” popularized by the pop group The Temptations.
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CD Reviews: Charlie Apicella& Iron City, “Sparks”
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, January 20, 2010 - 09:21 AM |
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By Edward Blanco
Jazz guitarist Charlie Apicella and his Iron City combo follow up their recent debut “Put The Flavor On It” with “Sparks,” an energetic collection of soulful, R&B and jazz music inspired by the many organ groups that pioneered the sound. Apicella—who studied with organ legend Dr. Lonnie Smith and guitarist Dave Stryker—a leader of his organ trio—revives the classic organ trio sound made famous by Jimmy Smith and promoted by saxophonist Lou Donaldson and Dr. Lonnie Smith among others. With his core trio comprised of organist Dave Mattock and drummer Alan Korzin, Iron City explores a new sound by adding Stephen Riely on tenor saxophone and violinists John Blake, Jr. and Amy Bateman to the mix.
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CD Reviews: Holland/Rubalcaba/Potter/Harland “The Monterey Quartet: Live At the 2007 Monterey Jazz Festival
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, January 19, 2010 - 08:53 AM |
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Glen Astarita
CD-2009 Monterey Jazz Festival Records
Many historic performances were captured at the Monterey Jazz Festival. Surely, this meeting among modern day jazz champions should be considered a crowning achievement within MJF’s ongoing legacy. Other than pianist Gonzalo Rubalcaba, saxophonist Chris Potter and drummer Eric Harland have performed with legendary bassist Dave Holland’s small group ensembles, where each musician brings a distinct stylistic component to the forefront. Placing technique aside, the musicians spawn a near flawless mix of harmonically attractive works that are thoughtfully balanced at various levels.
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New CD Reviews and music samples at JazzworldQuest.com
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Posted by: jazzworldquest on Monday, January 18, 2010 - 12:27 PM |
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JazzWorldQuest.com just added new CD Reviews:
- Roberto Magris Trio: Kansas City Outbound
- Anthony Ocaña: Solo
- Bruskers : Guitar Sketch
- George Koufogiannakis : Generations
- Haftor Medbøe Group: A Box of Monkeys
You can read the reviews and listen to samples at
http://www.jazzworldquest.com
comments? 
970 Reads |
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DRUM! Demos Diversity For NAMM 2010
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Posted by: burroughs40 on Wednesday, January 13, 2010 - 04:44 AM |
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San Jose, Calif., -- Enter Music Publishing, publishers of hip/drum percussion magazines worldwide, has published, maybe, its most diverse, insightful issue to date. And how apropos that Issue 168 is being displayed at NAMM (National Association of Music Merchandisers trade show) 2010.
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CD Reviews: Lew Woodall..Simply Cooking..2009
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Posted by: admin on Wednesday, January 13, 2010 - 04:44 AM |
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By John Gilbert
Lew Woodall (guitar) Tom Harbeck (bass) Joel Lubliner (drums) Hod
O'Brien (piano)
Simply swinging is the byword. This quartet has the Old Dominion driving
in the fast lane. Lew Woodall's soliloquy on "Softly As In The Morning
Sunrise" is a study in real jazz, his ideation and O'Brien's solo are a
joy to listen to.
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CD Reviews: RG Royal Sound Orchestra, “Impact”
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Posted by: editor on Friday, January 08, 2010 - 05:29 PM |
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By Edward Blanco
Miami-based Cuban-born music producer Recaredo Gutierrez combines his obvious cultural affiliation with Latin music and his love for the big band sound into one musical project of big band swing with a decidedly Latin twist. The new album “Impact,” is the debut recording of Gutierrez's 20-piece RG Royal Sound Orchestra presenting several familiar tunes from the Great American Songbook of the 60s and 70s and, with new and creative arrangements, transforms these popular oft recorded standards into a dazzling and brassy session of Afro-Cuban rhythms fused with a Spanish flamenco foundation. The fusion of a traditional jazz band sound with the flamenco influence is accomplished in part with the addition of eight musicians from Spain essentially augmenting the personnel to create a twenty-eight-piece ensemble on selected pieces.
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CD Reviews: Masters of American Music Celebrating Bird: The Triumph of Charlie Parker
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Posted by: editor on Friday, January 08, 2010 - 09:31 AM |
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Glenn Astarita
DVD 2009 Medici Arts: Distributed by NAXOS
It is well-documented that alto saxophonist Charlie Parker’s tragic addiction to heroin served as a prominent and unfortunate sidebar to his musical brilliance. This fifty-nine minute DVD originally issued in VHS format, was written and co-produced by award-winning jazz journalist and author, Gary Giddins. The film chronicles Parkers upbringing in Kansas City and obsession with music at an early age. Hence, Parker asked his mother to buy him an alto sax when he was twelve, yet at the time, music schools didn’t allow blacks. And he grew up admiring early tenor sax giants such as Leon “Chu” Berry, Lester Young, trumpeter Louis Armstrong and big band leader/alto saxophonist Jimmy Dorsey.
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CD Reviews: Stefano Bollani “Stone In The Water” CD-2009 ECM Records
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Posted by: editor on Monday, January 04, 2010 - 09:54 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
Recorded in New York, this 2009 album by Italian pianist Stefano Bollani is the first ECM Records date featuring his Danish Trio. With original compositions to complement Jobim’s “Bringas Nunca Mais,” and classical composer Francis Poulenc’s “Improvisation 12 en la Mineur,” the band transmits a distinct musical aura throughout. Essentially, Bollani generates levitation-like theme building motifs, where ascension and meditative melodies reside as core factors.
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CD Reviews: Katie Eagleson..On The Other Hand..Walking Path Records 2009
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, January 02, 2010 - 09:14 PM |
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By John Gilbert
Katie Eagleson with a 10 piece band and 16 tunes demonstrates her
absolute pitch and the ability swing. The tunes are well thought out and
the arrangements are apropos to the singing style of Eagleson.
"I Concentrate On You" is a song that touches the heart with lyrics that
are an example of the poetry of the American love song. Katie Eagleson
pays homage to this superb work of Cole Porter in fine fashion.
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CD Reviews: Tony Foster “In Between Moods”
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Posted by: editor on Monday, December 28, 2009 - 09:34 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Originally from North Vancouver and currently based in the Seattle, Washington, Canadian pianist Tony Foster offers his debut trio recording with an ambitious repertoire of tunes that includes music from George and Ira Gershwin, John Clayton and Oscar Peterson among the mix of light jazz that features four sparkling originals. Along with bassist Russel Botten and drummer Joe Poole, the trio tackles Billy Strayhorn's classic “Take the A Train” in the opening track, inspired by the Ahmad Jamal arrangement of the tune, provides an upbeat perky rendition in contrast to the slow laid back style adopted by the Ellington band. Speaking of “perky,” wait till you sample Oscar Peterson's “Cakewalk” another lively piece of music that Foster admits was “CERTAINLY NOT a cakewalk to play!
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CD Reviews: Beppe Crovella “What’s Rattlin’ On The Moon? – A Personal Vision of the Music of Mike Ratledge”
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, December 23, 2009 - 05:14 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
CD-2009 Moonjune Records
Beppe Crovella’s hallmark of ingenuity becomes prominent during this prismatic endeavor, where he covers the works of influential Soft Machine keyboardist Mike Ratledge. Decades have passed, yet Soft Machine’s legacy is irrefutably impressive amid various personnel changes and resurgent bands such as Soft Machine Legacy, to complement a consortium of vital reissues. Here, Crovella personalizes his approach while imparting a semi-retrospective spin, mainly due to his choice of ancient, yet beloved analog keys such as, Farfisa organ, mellotron and the Wurlitzer electric piano. The artist also emulates Ratledge’s signature, fuzzed-out Lowrey organ sound and integrates the acoustic component as well. Crovella does not use analog or digital synths on the album, which seems rather remarkable, due to the polytonal frameworks he conjures up throughout the program
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CD Reviews: Seamus Blake “Bellwether”
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, December 20, 2009 - 08:00 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
In 2008 Seamus Blake toured Europe with his quartet and came back with his first live recording as a leader with the a dynamite double CD set titled, “Live in Italy” released by the Italian label, Jazz Eyes. Blake returns to the Criss Cross Label, where he has produced the majority of his recordings, releasing a scintillating post-bop album of primarily original compositions. On “Bellwether,” the saxophonist features his creative improvisational skills and his knack for hard-driving solos presenting seven lively and challenging pieces that touch on styles from bop, Brazilian to the classical genre. With the exception of the Ivan Lins inspired Blake original, “A Beleza Que Vem” (The Beauty That Comes), where Blake takes on the soprano, and the ten-minute plus classical-tinged “String Quartet in G Minor, Opus 10,” from French Impressionist music pioneer Claude Debussy—the remaining repertoire is essentially all sizzling hard bop.
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CD Reviews: Noel Webb, “Give It All”
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, December 17, 2009 - 10:05 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Considered one of the most popular pop violinist on mainstream radio today, Noel Webb has been praised by Jazz Times magazine as a “Violin prodigy [who} brings a unique voice to smooth jazz” and a sampling of “Give It All” certainly affirms that assertion. Though he is billed as “An innovative Rock violinist” on his credits,Webb graces jazz music with his five-string electric violin providing a modern fusion-like take to the smooth jazz music one is accustomed to hearing. Keeping it simple, Webb limits the music on this new recording to five carefully chosen songs preferring, as he put it to “create something that was easily accessible for fans, yet reflected the intensity of my live performances.” Unfortunately for those who may like the music, as this appraiser humbly endorses, “five easy pieces” falls woefully short of a full album session serving as perhaps the only detraction from the project.
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CD Reviews: The Bill McBirnie Duo/Quartet “Mercy”
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, December 17, 2009 - 10:04 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Toronto-based flautist Bill McBirnie is recognized as one of Canada's premier jazz musicians performing straight-ahead and Latin jazz and comes out swinging on this mixed duo and quartet
format featuring the unique talents of jazz pianist Robi Botos of Hungarian Roma descent—who together with McBirnie—craft a diverse selection of sparkling contemporary jazz commanding serious attention. Showcasing a repertoire of several jazz standards presented in entirely new light, Mercy contains the music from legendary artists such as Thelonious Monk, Sonny Rollins, Charlie “Yardbird”Parker, John Coltrane and Dizzy Gillespie just to name a few.
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The Flip Side
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, December 13, 2009 - 10:22 PM |
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Karl Stober
Jazz Skat Gumbo/Kat Walker (2009)
Jazz Skat Gumbo is a blend of the “feel” that only New Orleans can deliver. Vocalist Kat Walker is the guide through the French Quarter back streets of sound. Ms. Walker’s new CD, Jazz Skat Gumbo, is a collection of select traditional compliments, if you will, performed with gifted New Orleans jazz musicians that grace this honored stage we call New Orleans.
Kat’s gritty vocals are unique and very inviting and when she adds her attitude by scatting, it brings each track to its true vibrancy.
Saxophonist, Dominick Grillo respects Kat’s adventurous vocal style. Pianist, Bart Ramsey bonds the mix with a yesteryear stride piano movement and its relevant overtone throughout the CD. You can sample the flavor on “I Got Rhythm.”
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Jackie Ryan-Doozy
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Posted by: muzikman on Tuesday, December 08, 2009 - 10:20 AM |
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As with many words in the English language Doozy has a dual meaning. In the case of the new Jackie Ryan release with the same name it is without a doubt a positive connotation.
The one factor that I found amazing about this two disc set is that it was all recorded in just two days during three recording sessions at Tony Bennett’s studio! That is a phenomenal pace in any day and age. What is probably most important is that even though it seems like it was a “rush job” it does not sound that way. The final results are incredibly good in both production and by and large presentation.
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CD Reviews: The Flip Side
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, December 08, 2009 - 10:19 AM |
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By Karl Stober
Its Christmas Time/Sylvia Bennett Release: Out of Sight Music (2009)
Ms. Bennett drops a blizzard of holiday comfort with this package of vocal tinsel this season. Her voice is coated with that fireplace appeal on a winters evening. As for the impact on the listener, you just want to celebrate the Yule tide with her resonance.
Produced by Hal Batt, he affords Ms. Bennett the room to extend her range and focus, thus stirring the season’s energy, capturing for the listeners that “chestnuts and eggnog” effect.
Sylvia Bennett gift wraps this exceptional and rhythmically vocal jazz appeal throughout each cut, never compromising that traditional balance of heart and hope. Many encores spin with this gift of joy!
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John Mayall With Eric Clapton-Blues Breakers-24 Karat Gold Review
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Posted by: muzikman on Friday, December 04, 2009 - 10:50 AM |
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The Blues Breakers was Eric Clapton’s first step to his soon to be iconic status. People were writing “Clapton Is God” on walls already and he was just getting started. This album will help you understand why he ascended to this lofty status.
The John Mayall With Eric Clapton release finds itself remastered on the Audio Fidelity 24 karat gold disc in its original mono sound. I am certain blues enthusiast and Clapton fans will be gaga over this one. The gold disc version itself earmarks it as a collectable however with the addition of the mono tracks makes it an instant sought after item and soon to be rarity.
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CD Reviews: Eishin Nose, “Inside Out Dream”
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, November 24, 2009 - 10:09 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
New York-based jazz pianist Eishin Nose continues his affinity for the free form style of jazz on his third album, “Inside Out Dream” where he delves further into the free style genre painting a musical canvas of intricate lines and sophisticated grooves. Somewhat of a free spirit in the jazz world, Nose's bent for pure improvisational music is evident from the two brief pieces simply titled “Nobody's in Particular” parts one and two, where perhaps only true aficionados of the genre will appreciate the unstructured sounds. This however, dose not define the entire work on this album for Nose does have a gift for composition and delivers several note worthy scores.
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CD Reviews: David MacKenzie/ Josh Johnston, “Notes Home”
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, November 22, 2009 - 09:20 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Hailing from Ireland, violinist David MacKenzie and pianist Josh Johnston release “Notes Home,”their second album together and follow up to their 2004 recording of “A Minor Happiness,” essentially a concept album and duet of violin and piano. Unlike their first meeting, the duo enlist help from fellow countrymen guitarist Stephen McFarlane, bassist Andrew Csibi and percussionist Robbie Harris adding a bit more texture to the music. There are thirteen originals of light mellow and ballad-like pieces some drawing inspiration from the music Frenchman Stephane Grapelli and Joe Venuti, considered the father of the jazz violin.
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CD Reviews: Dave Rivello Ensemble, “Facing The Mirror”
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, November 22, 2009 - 09:19 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
An educator at the Eastman School of Music and former student of legendary composer and arranger Bob Brookmeyer, Rivello's large ensemble has been playing regularly for the past eight years at the renowned Village Vanguard. Pared down from a 17-piece orchestra to a 12-piece light ensemble, The Dave Rivello Ensemble makes its recording debut performing eight original compositions and arrangements on the sparkling new CD “Facing The Mirror.” Not your typical big band sound, Rivello's music is modern mainstream material layered with sophisticated harmonies a-typical of traditional swing or classical big band music.
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CD Reviews: Timucin Sahin Quartet “Bafa”
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Posted by: editor on Friday, November 20, 2009 - 10:32 AM |
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Glenn Astarita
CD-2009 Between The Lines
Turkish jazz guitarist Timucin Sahin relocated to Holland in 1992, then sought higher education in Hilversum and Amsterdam, followed by studies at New York City’s Manhattan School of Music. But it’s not all about his clinical approach, and more about the unique technical and compositional style he brings to the forefront. Sahin performs on six and seven string electric guitars while incorporating live electronics to round out a superfine band, featuring alto saxophonist John O’Gallagher.
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VERTIGO THEATRE ANNOUNCES 2010 ACTORS’ FUND BENEFIT PERFORMANCE
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Posted by: editor on Friday, November 13, 2009 - 05:42 PM |
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CALGARY – Vertigo Theatre has announced that its 2009-2010 season benefit for the Actors’ Fund of Canada will be a benefit performance of Evelyn Strange on March 14th, 2009. The play, a film noiresque tale of a beautiful amnesiac who discovers a troubling secret, is by Alberta playwright Stewart Lemoine and has been performed across Canada to rave reviews since its creation in 1995.
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CD Reviews: Roni Ben-Hur “Fortuna” CD-2009 Motema
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Posted by: editor on Monday, November 02, 2009 - 10:50 AM |
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Glenn Astarita
History will dictate that you can count on guitarist, educator, and author Roni Ben-Hur to produce a quality product. A much-admired technician and idea-man, his seventh release as a leader presents a modern mainstream outlook, spiced with Steve Kroon’s buoyant and textural world-groove percussion treatments. Ben-Hur’s band signifies a jazz superstar conglomeration, including pianist Ronnie Mathews, who sadly, died of pancreatic cancer on June 28, 2008.
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CD Reviews: Lisa Hilton Twilight & Blues
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, October 29, 2009 - 12:42 PM |
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WaxTrenzz
Artists: Lisa Hilton (piano), Lewis Nash (drums), Larry Grenadier (bass), Jeremy Pelt (trumpet) and J.D. Allen (tenor sax)
Tracks: Pandemonium, Woodstock, What's Going On/Extended, City Streets, Turbulent Blue, Twilight, Kozmic Blues, Blue for You, Moon River, What's Going On
Review: The music is an attachment of her soul. The arrangements are an extension of her vision. The performance is her heart injected into ours, and this is the legacy of pianist Lisa Hilton, as she again employs the ivories in 2009. Ruby Slippers Production surpasses its other projects with Hilton, offering Twilight & Blues, a new angelic instrumental articulation, chiseled by compassion, which escalates her degree of prominence in the global jazz hemisphere once again.
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CD Reviews: Eyal Maoz’s Edom “Hope and Destruction” CD-2009 Tzadik Records
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, October 28, 2009 - 02:23 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
Israel-born guitarist Eyal Maoz pulls many tricks out of his bag for his second release on Tzadik Records. With traditional Jewish music underpinnings here and there, the artist morphs a wild concoction of avant-garde expressionism with retro hard-rock and apocalyptic type opuses. And in spots, the quartet renders what might be considered new-wave psychedelic music, featuring bone-shattering bass and guitar lines amid pulsating straight-four rockers.
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CD Reviews: Edmar Castaneda, “Entre Cuerdas” (Between the Strings)
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, October 27, 2009 - 08:56 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
When it comes to jazz music, the first instruments that come to mind are the saxophone, trumpet, clarinet, the piano and drums, but never the harps! Well,Columbian-born harpist Edmar Castaneda has successfully forged a place in the jazz world by fusing traditional Latin jazz with Columbian folk music using the harp as the lead instrument in producing an enchanting genre-bending sound. With “Entre Cuerdas,” the harpist continues his exploration of jazz and his audacious transformation of the “jazz harp,” into one of the most exciting, innovative and unique sounds in jazz today. A technician on the instrument, Castaneda provides a remarkable performance at times sounding like a classical flamenco guitarist and at other times plucking bass lines and melodies with feverish passion.
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CD Reviews: Graham Dechter, “Right On Time,”
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, October 27, 2009 - 08:53 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
The youngest member of the renowned Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, 23 year old guitarist Graham Dechter makes a elegant entrance in the jazz world with one of the most impressive new releases from CAPRI Records this year. Essentially a session of delicate soft jazz, Right On Time is a timely and beautiful collection of lesser-known originals and classic jazz standards bathed in new light featuring the crisp guitar work of Dechter in the lead role. Dechter, who wasn't even alive when Joe Cocker sang it, takes a cue from the singer's major hit “A Little Help From My Friends,” and smartly enlists the help of his fellow band mates in the orchestra by employing bassist John Clayton, drummer Jeff Hamilton and pianist Tamir Hendelman to record a gem of an album making this debut far more than a showcase for the leader, but a masterful group effort that shines all over.
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CD Reviews: Slivovitz “Hubris” CD-2009 Moonjune
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, October 27, 2009 - 09:41 AM |
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Glenn Astarita
This Naples, Italy based septet derives its group moniker from a popular Slavic brandy, that perhaps corresponds to its exquisite fusion of jazz-rock, prog-rock, Middle Eastern modalities and Mediterranean folk derivations. But it’s not an unruly or wanton morphing of disparate styles. The band does indeed carve out a fluent and colorful program, featuring strings, horns, brash guitar parts and polyrhythmic fury on its second album.
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CD Reviews: Eddie Harris/Ellis Marsalis, “Homecoming,” The Reissue
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, October 22, 2009 - 09:42 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Late saxophonist great Eddie Harris and Ellis Marsalis had a history of performing together in various different configurations, after a duo performance at the now defunct Tyler's Beer Garden in New Orleans, pianist and producer David Torkanowsky encouraged them to go into the studio. In 1985 the two went to Dallas, Texas and recorded three covers and four original tunes on the original and now out of print album, “Homecoming.” The youngest of the Marsalis clan, drummer Jason Marsalis recovered the original master tapes and encouraged his father to record five new tracks and add them to the 2009 re-issue of that original classic.
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CD Reviews: Ted Kooshian, “Underdog and Other Stories...”
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, October 22, 2009 - 09:41 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Jazz pianist Ted Kooshian follows up his well received self-titled “Ted Kooshian's Standard Orbit Quartet” (Summit Records 2008), with another unique recording inspired by Kooshian's love for movies and television program theme songs. As the press clippings accurately states, Underdog and Other Stories... “takes the listener on a 'jazzy-trip' down memory lane” turning theme songs from cartoon shows like “Underdog,” and “Popeye” into striking motifs of contemporary jazz with stellar play from such players like saxophonist Jeff Lederer who wields the tenor and soprano with assertiveness, drummer Scott Neumann and bassist Tom Hubbard with Warren Odze sharing duties with Neumann on several tracks.
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CD Reviews: Ramsey Lewis - Songs From the Heart - Rmasey Plays Ramsey
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Posted by: editor on Friday, October 16, 2009 - 12:21 PM |
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By Bill Donaldson
When The Ohio State University Marching Band plays Ramsey Lewis’ “Hang On Sloopy,” the entire stadium reverberates as it’s sung; it’s a song that the band keeps alive. Ramsey Lewis would rather move on to other pursuits. Not that he doesn’t appreciate the income stream and the name recognition that his hits from the sixties afforded him. It’s just that the depth of Lewis’ talent led him to a broader output than the popularity of those songs suggest. His Chicago radio audiences know that as he has performed various pieces on his show. But Ramsey Lewis’ new album, his first with Concord Jazz, in effect makes an unmistakable statement about his under-appreciated talent as a virtuoso pianist, his diverse influences and, surprisingly, his wide-ranging compositional abilities.
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CD Reviews: Charles Rumback “Two Kinds of Art Thieves” CD-2009 Clean Feed
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, October 07, 2009 - 04:50 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
On his debut solo effort, drummer Charles Rumback and fellow proponents of Chicago’s fertile progressive-jazz and improvisational scene bypass conventional norms throughout this curiously interesting endeavor. Somewhat animated in scope, the music iterated here features the dual sax attack of Joshua Sclar (tenor) and Greg Ward (alto), all firmed up by bassist Jason Ajemian’s loose and pliant bottom-end.
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CD Reviews: Jesse Elder “The Winding Shell” CD-2009 Off
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, October 06, 2009 - 11:34 AM |
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Glenn Astarita
Here, forward-thinking pianist Jesse Elder employs tenor sax titan, Gary Thomas along with talented jazz saxophonists Chris Cheek, Logan Richardson and Jeremy Viner. But Elder varies the program and finalizes the album with four piano duets, featuring Aya Nishina. Simply stated, Elder offers a bit of mind candy for the average jazz enthusiast, as the album title does indeed, parallel the content of his multifarious compositions.
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CD Reviews: Benny Reid, “Escaping Shadows”
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, October 04, 2009 - 10:50 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Benny Reid is a young up and coming alto saxophonist from New York who is impressing the jazz world with the quality of his compositions and style. In 2007, Reid released his critically acclaimed debut album, “Findings” (Concord Jazz) where his embrace of the Pat Metheny style was clearly evident. On “Escaping Shadows,” Reid does not totally escape the Metheny influence as the music will reveal, even including one cover tune from the guitarist (“Always and Forever”). However, this is not a Metheny project, Reid's approach very distinctly separates the saxophonist from the “shadows” of Metheny with exciting bites of fusion and containing elements of rock/jazz that imprint the album as a Reid's own effectively distancing himself from the master finally “escaping” his shadows.
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CD Reviews: The Jeff Hamilton Trio, “Symbiosis”
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Posted by: editor on Friday, October 02, 2009 - 07:42 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
One of the most celebrated drummers of our time, Jeff Hamilton borrows from the Claus Ogerman songbook for the title of his recording to describe the effects of a long-term close musical interaction and its results. Along with long-time members of his trio, bassist Christoph Luty and Tamir Hendelman, this musical symbiosis has produced one of the finest piano trio albums of the year. Containing motif's of swing, bebop, funky blues and a ballad, the very versatile trio captures the listener's attention from the get go and does not let up till the last note on “The Serpent's Tooth.” As the press notes state “Hamilton's brush and cymbal work embellishes Hendelman's piano as he slides up to the melody, then switching to sticks,...lays into an earthy swinging groove.”
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CD Reviews: Wayne Krantz – Keith Carlock – Tim Lefebvre - CD-2009 Abstract Logix
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, September 29, 2009 - 05:55 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
This trio kicks out the jams via gritty and loud jazz/progressive-rock stylizations complete with drummer Keith Carlock and bassist Tim Lefebvre’s guerrilla rhythmic tactics. Guitarist and famed New York City-based session and solo artist, Wayne Krantz employs odd-tunings and scorching crunch chords on this high-impact extravaganza; although, he doesn’t render a whole lot of dazzling, single note licks here. It’s more of a group-centric morphing of crafty harmonic episodes, punkish jazz-rock sequences, skronk, snappy backbeats, and other rebel-rousing inclinations.
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CD Reviews: Mike Irwin Johnson's 8 Legged Monster, “Vol. 2”
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, September 24, 2009 - 03:08 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Billed as a unique “small-big band,” San Francisco Bay Area's 8 Legged Monster is a nine-piece ensemble dedicated to playing from bebop, swing to free jazz and has, through the past few years, become a favorite amongst the SF jazz community of musicians. Vol.2 is much more than an improvement over their self titled CD of two years ago, it is an evolution to a higher form of swing, a restatement of what the band is and an affirmation that this is one little big band that is now, prepared to hang with the best of them. With this sophomore effort, guitarist Mike Irwin Johnson, leader of the band, draws from the Duke Ellington influence in his approach to composing the eight originals on this project, adds his own creative arrangements and succeeds in crafting an appreciable big band album with stylish big band sounds—all coming from a light ensemble with a lot of heart.
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CD Reviews: Luis Bonilla, “I Talking Now”
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, September 24, 2009 - 03:06 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
With his fourth album as leader award-winning composer and trombonist extraordinaire, Luis Bonilla strikes a different chord for sure on this departure from pasts recordings. On this very interesting “I Talking Now,”Bonilla presents a musical landscape filled with elements of Latin jazz, swing, rock, free jazz, a bit of funk, a taste of the avant-garde and a some ballads. The music may not appeal to the average jazz audience and especially those who search for soft defined melodies, jazz standards and prefer the lighter side of jazz. This project is sophisticated, challenging and certainly modern in every respect drawing on a host of genres blended in one cool package of jazz.
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CD Reviews: Moraine“Manifest Density” CD-2009 Moonjune Records
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Posted by: editor on Friday, September 18, 2009 - 10:03 AM |
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Glenn Astarita
This vibrant Seattle-based quintet abides by a rather distinctive group-centric sound that draws upon the musicians’ influences, spanning electronics, jazz, jazz-fusion, progressive-rock and a consortium of styles. The beauty of it pertains to their multifarious aggregation of genres, all woven into a neatly packed program. They morph the best of various musical worlds here, amid turbulent strings passages, thrusting rhythms, and jubilantly executed melody lines.
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CD Reviews: Bill Ortiz-From Where I Stand
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Posted by: muzikman on Tuesday, September 15, 2009 - 03:36 PM |
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Artist: Bill Ortiz
Title: From Where I Stand
Genre: Jazz-Urban/R&B-Neo-Soul
Label: Tangent Records
Website
CD Baby Link
Source Link
Trumpet player Bill Ortiz offers up a melting pot of jazz, rhythm and blues, soul, and a twist on rap that would convert any non believer in the genre.
Ortiz has been honing his chops with the Santana touring band for many years now so it comes as no surprise that his solo effort From Where I Stand turns out to be first rate material.
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CD Reviews: Ryan Blotnick - “Everything Forgets” CD-2009 Songlines
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, September 15, 2009 - 10:40 AM |
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Glenn Astarita
Guitarist Ryan Blotnick is a forward-thinking jazz artist who has performed with a global array of musicians, including sax icon Lee Konitz, premier bassist Avishai Cohen and others of note. Reared in Maine, Blotnick has called New York City home base since 1994 and works within various jazz-centric configurations while touring abroad as well. This 2009 effort features an impressive band that takes its time developing ideas via slow to medium tempo backbeats and gradually climactic themes.
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CD Reviews: Panos Vassilopoulos, “The Acoustic Sessions” DVD/CD Set
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, September 15, 2009 - 09:08 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Panos Vassilopoulos is one of Europe's most respected drummers and producers with a history of producing educational drumming DVDs such as “Ostinato and Polyrhythms” and “A Step Further.” With this new project, Vassilopoulos marks a new course in his series of DVDs capturing a high-octane performance from his trio and guest vocalist that's far more than educational, it's down right electrifying, entertaining and extremely infectious. Filmed in high definition at one of Athens' top recording studios, “The Acoustic Sessions” takes the best of a twelve-hour recording session, filmed with four high-definition cameras from all angles, and records the group's creative interpretations of classic standards like “Autumn Leaves,”Cole Porter's “I Love You,” Horace Silver's “Nica's Dream” and Van Heusen's “Darn That Dream” to name a few.
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CD Reviews: Nina Sheldon..Harvest..Jazzed Media..2009
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Posted by: admin on Friday, September 11, 2009 - 04:47 PM |
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By John Gilbert
Nina Sheldon, Piano and Vocals
David Fathead Newman, Tenor
John Menagon, Bass
Bob Meyer, Drums
This album is as slick as a schoolboy's sleeve and as cool as the other side of the pillow.The first track "You'd be So Nice To Come Home to" is given new life as Sheldon makes it her own and hers alone. Some delicious scatting highlights matters.
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CD Reviews: CD Review: Alva Nelson, “Soul Eyes”
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Posted by: editor on Friday, September 11, 2009 - 08:47 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
New York-based pianist and composer Alva Nelson has served as a sideman, producer, musical director in theater and scored music for public television documentaries. Now, after several recording sessions between 1993 and 1997, this Texas-born son of a Pentecostal minister, has finally kept the faith and releases this long-awaited debut “Soul Eyes,” a self published eleven-track CD blending sparkling originals and four covers in a gem of a recording that deserves serious consideration. Beginning with the opening “Synonymous Dichotomy” original, Nelson's muscular piano chords sets the stage for this album. This fast-paced tune comes out swinging featuring hard piano lines, strong bass work from Chris White and a lively percussive background with Cecil Brooks III splashing the cymbals and pounding the drums as Larry Washington lends a touch on percussions.
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DRUM! Magazine Traps Travis Barker's Fly Kit
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Posted by: burroughs40 on Friday, September 11, 2009 - 08:43 AM |
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SAN JOSE, Calif., -- Travis Barker is receiving rave reviews for his new “fly” drum kit, which MTV described in a July 29 report as “gravity-defying and head-spinning.”
DRUM! Magazine, one of Enter Music Publishing's hip, drum/percussion magazines, however, had the scoop when DRUM! contributing photographer, Robert Downs, was invited to the Forum in Los Angeles on July 21 for a pre-drum premiere of Barker's new kit, which flies the friendly skies with ease. And then some.
“I had no idea what Travis was up to,” says Downs. “Then as I got a closer look at the riser to take photos, I was amazed.” Downs, who is no stranger to Barker, has photographed him three times before and his current shots will be used for the upcoming DRUM! cover story on Barker for the October issue, out September 14.
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CD Reviews: John Surman “Brewster’s Rooster” CD-2009 ECM Records
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Posted by: editor on Friday, September 04, 2009 - 08:50 AM |
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Glenn Astarita
This all-world jazz quartet led by British sax great John Surman, rings like a new meeting with old friends. Surman, guitarist John Abercrombie and drummer Jack DeJohnette have collaborated within various ensembles and projects spanning several decades, while this album signifies in-demand session bassist/solo artist Drew Gress’ debut appearance for ECM Records. The musicians’ distinctive musical gifts offer a multifarious viewpoint that mirrors the jubilant alliance, conveyed throughout.
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A Hummingbird Sang in Bushnell Park…Taeko Fukao Live
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, September 03, 2009 - 08:55 PM |
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Karl Stober
A fans artistic ingestion of a vocalist’s performance has, in some way, to do with the backdrop. For a rising vocalist, a live performance creates a technical and emotional euphoria that, in many cases, escapes the studio setting. Such is the case for jazz vocalist Taeko Fukao, as she pierced into the psyche of the crowds, adorning Bushnell Park in Connecticut. The pulse of that July performance warmed the masses and created a genuine compassion for her unique expression of an ever-evolving jazz interpretation. This is a common thread in the Taeko concert circuit.
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DVD Reviews: Jethro Tull - “Living With The Past”
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, September 03, 2009 - 08:53 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
DVD + CD Collectors’ Edition
2009 – Eagle Vision
There’s always been multi-genre crossover appeal, primarily due to legendary rock band Jethro Tull’s blues and jazz assimilations. This combo DVD & CD package touches upon the band’s 40 year run amid various personnel changes along the way. The program includes performances from Tull’s 2001 British, American tours and an acoustic session at someone’s “stately” home, featuring a strings section assisting with “Fat Man,” “A Christmas Song,” and other familiar works.
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CD Reviews: Maki Watanabe, "Composition and Arranging 2005”
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Posted by: Jose_Garcia on Sunday, August 30, 2009 - 11:02 PM |
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Maki Watanabe is a bassist who also has outstanding skills of composition and arranging.
The first song is Maki's original composition “Three colors”. This piece demonstrates refreshing musical taste with advancement beyond the creative process associated with writing and the creation of lead sheet. Rather than creating a melody and chord symbols, the idea is to compose a piece that contains developed and varied musical textures based on specific and predetermined resources and motives.
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CD Reviews: John Hollenbeck Large Ensemble “Eternal Interlude” CD-2009 Sunnyside Records
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, August 27, 2009 - 10:39 AM |
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Glenn Astarita
Grammy nominated composer/drummer/arranger John Hollenbeck has emerged as one of the more significant jazz artists of our time. Besides his “Claudia Quintet” and numerous solo and session activities, his large ensemble offers a rather all-encompassing glimpse into his craft, while marking his debut release as a leader on Sunnyside Records.
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CD Reviews: Joris Teepe Big Band “We Take No Prisoners” CD-2009 Challenge Records
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, August 25, 2009 - 10:34 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
Dutch bassist Joris Teepe has called New York City home since 1992, and has been involved in numerous projects as a leader and session ace. However, this big band outing serves as his most ambitious exposition to date, following his acclaimed performances for the Radio Big Band in Bucharest, Romania.
Recently departed drumming great, Rashied Ali is featured on the piece titled “Almost Lucky,” amid other works supported by drummer Gene Jackson, who complements Teepe’s beefy and fluid lines on these multifarious comps. With blaring and impassioned solos by trumpeter Michael P. Mossman, saxophonists Mark Gross and Adam Kolker, among a festive band-centric gait, Teepe’s arrangements contain a fusion of disparate metrics. He lets the soloists’ breath sans any uncluttered accompaniment, while occasionally skirting the free zone via expansive arrangements and rocketing charts.
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CD Reviews: Misha Piatigorsky, “17 Rooms”
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, August 25, 2009 - 08:36 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Russian-born pianist Misha Piatigorsky, one of the most prolific pianist and composers thriving in New York's vibrant jazz scene, presents his very latest piece of virtuoso piano playing with “17 Rooms” where the pianist returns to his classical roots. Comfortable performing in a variety of musical style from Brazilian, bebop to groove music, Piatigorsky draws from his classical music background and delivers a beautiful album landscaped with a large dose of classical-infused light jazz. Recording with bassist Boris Kozlov and drummer Ari Hoenig, the Piatigorsky trio proceed to mesmerize the listener with intricate melodies and powerful harmonies on a delicate musical journey exploring new exciting terrain and providing new spins on Wayne Shorter's “United” and John Lennon's immortal “Imagine.”
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CD Review: Real Divas, “Cafe Society ”
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Posted by: editor on Monday, August 24, 2009 - 09:54 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Eight years ago, pianist, arranger and producer, Bill King created the Real Divas concept allowing young ladies of all ages, the opportunity to showcase their vocal skills on the second set after the performance by featured artists every Tuesday night in Toronto's RDs club. The Real Divas series lasted fourteen months and “Cafe Society,” represents the debut recording of a hand-picked group of singers from that experience that now features four of Canada's finest young and up and coming female vocalist. Kinga Victoria, Sophie Berkal-Sarbit, Josephine Biundo and Lauren Margison deliver a remarkable performance deserving attention and consideration as one of the best female vocal albums of the year.
These are four young women each with unique vocal instruments that come together blending their distinctly different sound to produce a stunning musical statement. Each one of the girls has a solo album to their credit or has one in pre-production. When commenting about the group King states, “Keep in mind one's seventeen and another is eighteen. A whole lot of talent here.”
King, who produced the album for 7 Arts Entertainment, leads the Divas' supporting cast of musicians playing the piano and Korg Synthesizer. Other members include Mike Murley on saxophones, Mark Kelso on drums, Duncan Hopkins on bass, percussionist Jorge Luis Torres and William Sperandei on trumpet. On Sammy Cahn's “Come Fly With Me” Diva Lauren is accompanied by Kelly Jefferson on the tenor, Sly Juhas on drums and Rob Sumerville on trombone.
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CD Reviews: Emilio Teubal & La Balteuband, “Un Monton de Notas ”
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, August 20, 2009 - 09:44 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
New York-based pianist and composer Emilio Teubal presents his sophomore effort with “Un Monton de Notas” (a bunch of notes) and follow up to his critically acclaimed 2006 debut “La Balteuband,” continuing a musical journey of non-traditional improvised light jazz diced with elements of the Argentinean musical flavor. Though actually born in Spain, Teubal is of Argentinean descent which does influence his writing and musical style as was evident in his first album and continues here. There are no simple melodies found on this project, the music offers a blend of sophisticated intricate lines presenting a challenge to the listener and demanding a touch of concentration for full appreciation of the music.
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CD Reviews: Tine Bruhn, “Entranced”
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, August 19, 2009 - 09:44 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Joining the crowded field of female singers to release new recordings this year, Tine Bruhn makes her entrance into the world of recorded jazz with an auspicious debut simply titled “Entranced.”Delivering a selection of unconventional mellow songs from such artists as Joshua Redman, Djavan, and McCoy Tyner as well as including three originals of her own, Bruhn eschews the template of providing yet another interpretation of oft recorded songs from The Great American Songbook in favor of a non-traditional approach that works well here. Gifted with a fine voice, the repertoire on this first effort tends to shackle the singer denying the listener the opportunity to experience the depth of her vocal reach.
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CD Reviews: Tony Malaby “Paloma Recio” CD-2009 New World Records
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Posted by: editor on Monday, August 17, 2009 - 05:24 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
Saxophonist Tony Malaby and guitarist Ben Monder make for a potent frontline attack, and meet, or perhaps exceed the high expectations many of us progressive-jazz aficionados would surmise. Malaby’s latest solo jaunt is a marvel of contrasts and tension/release frameworks, where firepower, flexibility and nuance spark a symmetrical and thoroughly hip paradigm.
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Ana Popovic-Blind for Love Review
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Posted by: muzikman on Monday, August 17, 2009 - 10:10 AM |
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Netherlands-based crooner Ana Popovic can be best described not by genre or style label, but rather a single word – "smoky." The electric singer takes sex, pain, soul, and fury and blends them into a raucous offering on her new record Blind for Love, a hazy, slithering sort of album that channels equal parts Bette Midler and Joss Stone. Yet this is no hybrid or fusion effort that hopes to lay pop over a jazzy musical skeleton; Blind for Love is true to a pure kind of soul, opting for a solid punch rather than radio-friendly flourishes or other inane filler. In that regard, the release owes more to the sounds of funk rockers like the Black Crowes than the musings of a lounge diva, and is altogether a more refreshing album for it.
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CD Reviews: Toni Jannotta..Is It Magic?..Aerie Records
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, August 16, 2009 - 04:32 PM |
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By John Gilbert
Clearly the swingingest, hippest tune on this album is "Ventura" Miss Jannotta is as good a lyricist as comes along and I include them all. Jannotta's voice is clear with a no nonsense approach that is appealing. She sings in tune and can scat when the occasion demands. Most of the tunes on this CD are originals with the exception of a couple. The tenor solo on "Ventura" romped along in fine style adding much to the song.
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CD Reviews: Ed Palermo Big Band “Eddy Loves Frank” CD-2009 Cuneiform Records
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, August 13, 2009 - 03:19 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
Bandleader Ed Palermo’s third release of Frank Zappa compositions is a persuasive and deeply personalized revitalization of the artist’s songbook, as he continues to spin a thoroughly hip vibe during the processes. With his sixteen-piece band, executing difficult charts, Palermo’s horns arrangements are teeming with polytonal layers, crisp accents and gobs of verve.
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Evan Parker Electro -Acoustic Ensemble “The Moment's Energy” CD-2009 ECM Records
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, August 12, 2009 - 11:02 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
When I listen to this ensemble, abstract connotations or thoughts of The Beatles' Magical Mystery Tour album moniker come to fruition. Of course, musical similarities are non-existent, since this multinational aggregation is firmly entrenched within the avant-garde schema, led by free-jazz icon and saxophonist Evan Parker. No doubt, the ensemble does take you on a mysterious ride that seemingly changes on each subsequent listen.
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CD Reviews: Brian Woodruff, “The Tarrier”
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Posted by: editor on Friday, August 07, 2009 - 08:15 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Drummer Brian Woodruff, currently on the faculty of the Brooklyn Music School and Long Island Conservatory, offers an interesting session of hard-bop harmonies with his latest CD titled the “Tarrier.” The title track, which opens up with light bass line work from Matt Clohesy, quickly morphs into a hard-driving bop number featuring trumpeter Jacob Varmus and Alan Ferber on the Trombone. Saxophonist Lisa Parrott also weighs in with Nate Radley providing the supporting background on guitar.
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CD Reviews: Chick Corea and John McLaughlin: Five Peace Band “Five Peace Band Live” 2009, Concord (CRF-31397-02)
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, August 06, 2009 - 03:43 PM |
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Mark Hayes
It’s taken almost forever to return to the point where Chick Corea and John McLaughlin’s careers first intersected, but listeners can rest assured that the time between nothingness and eternity – actually, about 30 years – was well worth the wait. Corea and McLaughlin, joined by saxophonist Kenny Garrett, bassist Christian McBride, and drummer Vinnie Colaiuta, comprise the neo-fusion outfit called the Five Peace Band.
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CD Reviews: Arthur Kell Quartet “Victoria” - Live in Germany CD-2009 BJU Records
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, August 05, 2009 - 09:20 AM |
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Glenn Astaria
Bassist Arthur Kell derives inspiration from the brownstone rowhouses of Brooklyn’s Bedford-Styvesant neighborhood, constructed by largely unknown architects during the late 1800s and early 1900s. This quartet date was recorded at German music venues, as Kell transfers the essence of his artistry with buoyant undertones and melodic themes, featuring jazz luminaries, guitarist Brad Shepik and saxophonist Loren Stillman.
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CD Reviews: Kendra Shank Quartet
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, July 30, 2009 - 08:19 PM |
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JazzTrenzz
Mosaic (Challenge Records 2009)
ARTISTS: Kendra Shank: vocals, Frank Kimbrough: piano, Dean Johnson: bass, Tony Moreno: drums, Billy Drewes: saxophones, clarinet, Ben Monder: guitar
TRACKS So Far Away , Life’s Mosaic , Reflections In Blue/Blue Skies , Laughing At Life/Smile , The Shining Sea , Water From Your Spring/Beautiful Love , For Duke All Of You, Time Remembered , I’m Movin’ On , I’ll Meet You There
Review: From the songbook of Abbey Lincoln, the transformation of Ms Kendra Shank has been a notable accomplishment, acquiring new extremes on her trek by way of, at times, stoic jazz corridors. Under a new mark, referred to as the Kendra Shank Quartet, Ms Shank has taken life’s free-fall into emotion, and brought to the music populace – Mosaic, an open book to life’s defining moments. Released by Challenge Records, the project describes the pieces from her life, arranged in sequence and temperament, to create these chosen free of complexity expressions – baptized as the Shank tableau.
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CD Reviews: Gian Tornatore, “Fall”
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, July 29, 2009 - 10:04 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
With the release of this third album as a leader, New York saxophonist Gian Tornatore reveals why in 2008 he was a semi-finalist in the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Saxophone Competition. On this very fine recording, Tornatore delivers eight sophisticated composition of modern jazz proving once more why he should be considered a rising young star in the jazz world. The music is not only intricate in scope, but creative, challenging and offering a powerful message to those who choose to listen—no reason to be loud, let the soothing jazz relax and charm you.
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CD Reviews: Taylor Cook, “For Lilia””
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, July 29, 2009 - 10:03 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Saxophonist Taylor Cook may not be familiar to most jazz audiences and that is quite understandable considering he is only 19 years of age and is currently a sophomore in the Jazz Studies Program at the University of Toronto. However, Cook is by no means a “rookie” in the jazz world as his modest discography includes recording as a sideman on several albums as well as releasing his 2008 debut recording “Here We Go.” This new project is dedicated to the memory of his grandmother Lilia Passarini, not quite sufficient in the number of tunes and total time to qualify as a full-fledge CD, “For Lilia” is essentially an EP with only five pieces which includes the title tune from his debut album.
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CD Reviews: Jim Rotondi, “Blues For Brother Ray””
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Posted by: editor on Monday, July 27, 2009 - 05:22 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Trumpeter Jim Rotondi releases his second as album as leader on the Posi-Tone label adding to his credit of performing as a sideman on 70 recordings to date. This project takes on a special meaning for Rotondi as he pays humble tribute to his old boss and mentor, Ray Charles. Known in the jazz world as one of the better post-bop trumpeters around, Rotondi does not disappoint here producing one very fine session of jazz borrowing many standards and using a mighty quintet to pay due homage to “Mr. C.”
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CD Reviews: Ralph Bowen, “Dedicated ”
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Posted by: editor on Monday, July 27, 2009 - 05:20 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
An educator by profession who holds a position at Rutgers University, Canadian-born saxophonist Ralph Bowen is the latest Posi-Tone Records project producing a hard-driving dose of modern/mainstream jazz with his newest vibrant CD “Dedicated.” Bowen claims influences from many saxophone greats like Bob Mintzer, Pat LaBarbera and the legendary Stan Getz with which Bowen earns comparisons on to such tunes as “Canary Drums” and “Mr. Bebop.” Though only a handful of tunes grace this recording coming in at under 45 minutes, the all original selection delivers a “harmonic message with stunning lyricism” dedicated to several of his mentors(Pat LaBarbera, David Baker, Keith Blackley and Jim Blackley, William Fielder and Eugene Rousseau).
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Andy Rothstein-Wit of The Staircase
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Posted by: muzikman on Saturday, July 25, 2009 - 08:44 AM |
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Jazz is challenging to the people that create it and the fans that listen to it. I know you are probably thinking why would I want to be challenged as listener, after all isn’t it supposed to be relaxing and fun? Well Wit of The Staircase is all of that and then some.
The overall jazz experience is enjoyable in many ways and artists like Andy Rothstein allow you to discover and explore every facet of the genre by offering up a cross section of sounds through an all-instrumental expedition into jazz-rock-fusion.
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CD Reviews: Samo Salamon & Aljosa Jeric Quartet “Mamasaal feat. Mark Turner” CD-2009 Sazas
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Posted by: editor on Friday, July 17, 2009 - 10:20 AM |
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Glenn Astarita
Slovenian guitarist Samo Salamon has ingrained his signature style into the global jazz scene, witnessed by recordings with American jazz heroes, bassist Mark Helias, drummer Tom Rainey and here, saxophonist Mark Turner amid many European stalwarts. On this release, the musicians seamlessly morph a loose groove mode of attack with fiery improv segments and knotty unison choruses. They also incorporate complex bop vamps into the grand schema to complement a misty ballad titled “Night Thoughts”.
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Neil Peart's Powerhouse Percussion; 3rd Straight Drummies Victory
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Posted by: burroughs40 on Wednesday, July 15, 2009 - 04:33 PM |
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FOR IMMEDIATE, RHYTHMIC RELEASE
Neil Peart's Powerhouse Percussion Results In Third Consecutive Victory as Drummer Of The Year In Enter Music Publishing's Drummies Awards. Featured In DRUM! Magazine's August, 2009 Issue On Newsstands Now.
SAN JOSE, Calif., -- Neil Peart's lucky number may just be three. He can definitely play in three; he has been part of a highly successful trio, Rush; and, he has now garnered his third consecutive victory as “Drummer Of The Year” in this year's Drummies.
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CD Reviews: Frank Potenza Trio, “Old, New, Borrowed & Blue ”
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, July 15, 2009 - 11:34 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
A protégé of the legendary Joe Pass, veteran jazz guitarist and educator Frank Potenza releases his eight solo album offering ten tracks of uncommon material drawing from the past, blending with the new, borrowing lines and providing a dash of the blue—all in keeping true to the title of the album. Potenza leads his LA-based trio, comprised of friends Joe Bagg (Hammond B3 organ), and Steve Barnes (drums) on a musical trek that treads over territory not usually associated with jazz through interesting arrangements of the “old” Bobby Gentry pop classic “Ode to Billie Joe,” and Carole King's “You've Got A Friend.”
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CD Reviews: Lainie Cooke, “It's Always You”
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, July 15, 2009 - 10:40 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Better late than ever, is a phrase everyone is familiar with but takes on a special meaning for vocalist Lainie Cooke, a remarkable singer who has waited more than most for the opportunity to engage her first love of song. With “It's Always You,” her sophomoric recording, Cooke presents a mellow twelve-track set of wonderful standards bathed in new light and well accompanied by a finesse cast of players. No longer a youngster, this mature seasoned veteran of the arts, possesses powerful vocals allowing her to travel effortlessly from fiery passages to soothing cool terrain in graceful style.
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CD Reviews: Steve Maddock, “Memory Cafe”
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Posted by: editor on Monday, July 06, 2009 - 09:51 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Steve Maddock just happens to be, as the promotional one-sheet states “... one of Canada's most versatile vocal talents,” and one listen to the music in“Memory Cafe,” is more than sufficient to affirm this statement. Maddock let's it all hang out here whether singing solo, with a small combo or a 20-piece big band, the vocalist provides a shining performance on what turns out to be a gem of an album. Involved in jazz music, his first love, for over two decades, Maddock has been a soloist for an array of groups from the Vancouver Chamber Choir, The Pacific Baroque Orchestra, The Dal Richards Jazz Orchestra to credits in theatre and film.
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CD Reviews: CD Review: Ray Vanderby Hammond Combo, “Orange Not Blue””
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, July 05, 2009 - 12:01 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
All the way from down under, Dutch-born Hammond B3 organist Ray Vanderby scores his very first jazz album with the bluesy jazz bouncer, “Orange Not Blue” reflecting much of his previous work with some of Australia's top musicians. A self taught jazz musician who has performed all over Australia and New Zealand, Vanderby has over the years recorded original music in various genres but none in jazz until now. For this first jazzy effort, he assembled a group of local players with a varied level of experience and range forming an enticing organ quintet.
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Joseph Pernicano-Evolving Paths
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Posted by: muzikman on Sunday, July 05, 2009 - 10:06 AM |
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With close to 70 minutes of pure jazz bass player Joseph Pernicano’s solo album Evolving Paths lets instruments do the talking while the rest of the band add their excellent accompaniment.
The players are Harry Smallenburg (vibes), Scott Sadlon (drums),Ian Vo (alto & soprano Sax), Beth Schenck (alto sax), Danny Moynahan (tenor sax), Matt Carroll (tenor sax), Steve Creason (guitar), and Stuart Hambley (Trombone). While these fine musicians are not household names they certainly stand up as a unit while executing definitively, falling in complete sync with the band leader.
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CD Reviews: Pluto Junkyard “Lucky 7s” CD-2009 Clean Feed Records
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, July 04, 2009 - 08:33 AM |
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Glenn Astaita
This upbeat and nicely in-your-face and ears Chicago-based septet projects a thoroughly happening vibe. They flush out all the non-essentials, and get to matters rather expeditiously amid a buoyant group-centric mode of operations. Members of this band are frequent collaborators with cutting-edge Chicago reedman Ken Vandermark, as the ensemble conveys that hip and pulsating progressive-jazz aura amid treks into the free-zone.
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DVD Reviews: Diana Krall “Live In Rio” DVD-2009 Eagle Eye Productions
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, July 02, 2009 - 06:16 AM |
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Glenn Astarita
Interspersed with still photos of beautiful Rio de Janeiro amid footage of the musicians discussing each other’s craft and related topics, jazz superstar Diana Krall augments her quartet format with the Rio De Janeiro Orchestra here. Krall’s cool, smoky and sultry delivery is embedded with poignant characteristics throughout this concert, performed in front of a zealous audience.
Her well-rehearsed band is in crack form, and rarely misses a beat or a mellow accent. And with Claus Ogerman’s arrangements, the orchestra generates lush toppings amid the interwoven jazz element on many of these pieces. Krall is a formidable pianist who noticeably derives influence from the late Bill Evans and other jazz greats. And on pieces such as “I Love Being With You,” she hammers out harmonic chord clusters atop the swinging pulse and temperate percussion metrics provided by guest artist, Paulinho DaCosta.
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CD Reviews: Sean Nowell, “The Seeker”
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, July 02, 2009 - 06:09 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Originally from Birmingham, Alabama and influenced by the southern tradition of blues, gospel and jazz, tenor saxophonist and composer Sean Nowell unleashes his second project for the Posi-Tone Records with a command performance in a fiery passion-filled eight-piece barn-burner of a recording with “The Seeker.” Playing with the sophistication of a John Coltrane and the grace of a Lee Konitz, Nowell unfurls the sax for intense tenor work dominating the band and delivering an excellent session of straight ahead contemporary jazz elevating “The Seeker” to an elite category.
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CD Reviews: Scott Reeves Quintet, “Shape Shifter””
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, June 25, 2009 - 09:36 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Recorded live at Cecil's Jazz Club in West Orange, NJ, trombonist and educator Scott Reeves borrows the rhythm section from his other group, Manhattan Bones, and adds the versatile saxophone voice of Rich Perry to produce a shape shifting modern jazz sound for this latest effort. Reeves, who is best know performing on the alto valve trombone, also plays the alto flugelhorn and on this album does so on the majority of the tunes. With pianist Jim Ridi, bassist Mike McGuirk and Andy Watson pounding the drums, this quintet at times seems to rumble through a selection of nine original charts in a bit of a free style fashion.
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Corina Bartra & Her Azu Project-Afro Peruvian Jazz Celebration
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Posted by: muzikman on Thursday, June 25, 2009 - 09:35 AM |
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Corina Barta is an accomplished jazz composer, practitioner of Yoga and vocalist that delves into chanting and healing with her music.
Afro Peruvian Jazz Celebration is exactly what it advertises to be and Corina’s far reaching understanding of the human emotions and inner triggers for relaxation and meditation allow her to make the music a vehicle for her vocals regardless of the setting or style chosen for each composition. Her vocals are not simply a voice; they serve as bridge to another world musically and spiritually. With the unique combination of Afro Peruvian sounds and Jazz, this fusion of cultures, beliefs, music and spiritualism all come together to form the Azu Project.
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Kurt Elling, “Dedicated To You: Kurt Elling Sings The Music of Coltrane and Hartman”
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, June 25, 2009 - 09:34 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
The historic collaboration between the great John Coltrane and baritone jazz singer Johnny Hartman—is remembered and celebrated in this special tribute album with Kurt Elling voicing standards from the Great American Songbook with the help of saxophonist Ernie Watts, the Laurence Hobgood Trio and ETHEL,a four-piece string section . Grammy-nominated vocalist Kurt Elling releases his eighth album overall and second on the Concord Jazz label with “Dedicated To You: Kurt Elling Sings The Music of Coltrane and Hartman.” Recorded live at the Allen Room in the Lincoln Center, New York as part of Lincoln Center's American Songbook series, the album is a culmination of material commissioned by the Chicago Jazz Festival in 2006 originally designed to celebrate John Coltrane's 80th birthday.
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CD Reviews: Bobby Broom play Monk
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Posted by: editor on Monday, June 22, 2009 - 07:41 PM |
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Thelonious Monk's compositions and piano playing are declarative and often angular. On "Bobby Broom Plays for Monk" (Origin), Broom, a guitarist who plays regularly with tenor saxophonist Sonny Rollins, proves subtle and nuanced. With band mates Dennis Carroll (bass) and Kobie Watkins (drums), this is a pleasing alternate take on Monk.
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CD Reviews: All About Jazz review of No Worries
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Posted by: LarrySlezak on Thursday, June 18, 2009 - 11:34 AM |
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Music reviewer Edward Blanco wrote up my album No Worries on All About Jazz!
There are many words to describe saxophonist Larry Slezak’s debut, and two that apply are: delightful and memorable. Now that Slezak has decided to emerge from playing in a local arena to sharing his music on a national stage, making his next musical project better than this impressive beginning will truly be a challenge.
Hop on over to read the full review here:
http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=32812
Edward, thanks so much for the kind words.
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1 Comment
4081 Reads |
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Great review from This Is Book’s Music
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Posted by: LarrySlezak on Thursday, June 18, 2009 - 08:03 AM |
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A blog called This Is Book’s Music has some really nice things to say about No Worries.
Saxophonist Larry Slezak and his band play some nice jazz that gets to the bebop side of things without going overboard, not that it does but some people prefer for their jazz to be on the straight and narrow. This is just that type of album, and with a title like No Worries (Tierra Studios) you get more of what you want and a bit more.
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CD Reviews: Lisa Sokolov “A Quiet Thing” Laughing Horse Records
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Posted by: editor on Monday, June 15, 2009 - 10:25 AM |
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Glenn Astarita
New York City stationed vocalist and master improviser, Lisa Sokolov elevates jazz and pop standards to newer realms on her fifth solo outing. With these duo, trio and quartet frameworks, amid her solo vocal and piano performances, the artist’s multidimensional mode of execution combines off-center slants, traditional crooning and avant-garde propensities.
Sokolov spins “My One And Only Love,” into a bluesy, wily and emotive forum via abstract expressionism, augmented by her subtle piano phrasings. Here and throughout, she appears to be edgy, and playful while displaying an air of innocence among other real-life aspects.
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CD Reviews: Jimmy Greene, “Mission Statement””
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Posted by: editor on Monday, June 15, 2009 - 07:48 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Veteran reed man Jimmy Greene gives us his seventh album as leader completing a musical “Mission Statement” that captures in a musical format, a very personal journey which he states
conveys a “in a simple way, the joys, struggles, curiosities and discoveries personal to my life thus far.” He does this with a striking session of music that's all modern/mainstream jazz containing intricate changes and improvisations that is no easy listen. This is jazz music the educated and sophisticated aficionado will appreciate most. Winner of the 2005 Artist Fellowship in Music Composition, Greene is quite adept at writing interesting material and is so strongly displayed on this recording.
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CD Reviews: Big Train, “Travels”
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Posted by: editor on Monday, June 15, 2009 - 07:47 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Pianist Jeremy Bacon and saxophonist Justin Flynn, both from Brooklyn, New York, have a history of performing together and as part of larger groups, so it was only a natural evolution that the duo would decide to form their own group and take their collaboration to another level. Enlisting the musical talents of British-born, German-raised bassist Ugonna Okegwo and Santa Cruz, CA drummer Jeff Ballard, the group came together as the “Big Train” and now release their very first album “Travels”, though it was actually recorded back in 2006.
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CD Reviews: Mon David, “Coming True”
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Posted by: editor on Monday, June 15, 2009 - 07:47 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Musician, songwriter and world-class Filipino singer, Mon David launches his long-time in coming assault on jazz audiences in the U.S. with his American debut “Coming True,” a musical tribute to where he's been and where he's at right now. Born and raised in the Philippines, Mon David [pronounced MOAN da-VEED] served as the featured drummer for one of the country's major pop icons for seven years until he decided to pursue a solo singing career a while ago. He has four previous albums to his credit and was the winner of the 2006 London International Jazz Vocal competition.
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CD Reviews: The Naked Future “Gigantomachia” CD-2009 ESP Disk’
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, June 11, 2009 - 02:59 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
On woodwind artist Arrington de Dionyso’s MySpace site, it states that he’s the James Bond of free improvisation. That’s an appropriate analogy, since the artist, largely pursues free-form jazz and experimental music with a fearless and rather extreme outlook.
This is a mesmeric improvisational endeavor, rendered by four like-minded instrumentalists. Here, de Dionyso and pianist Thollem McDonas alternate antagonistic roles. With power-packed ostinatos and numerous metrics and slants, the quartet cycles through high-impact works that incorporates shifting tides and frenetic soloing jaunts. Moreover, Greg Skloff’s amplified acoustic bass transmits an ominous and steely edge, where his broad and prominent sound, coupled with John Niekrasz’ assertive drumming, casts a colossal bottom-end.
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CD Reviews: Hristo Vitchev Quartet, “Song For Messambria””
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, June 09, 2009 - 08:37 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Not familiar with Hristo Vitchev? You're not alone, Vitchev is the newest guitarist to enter the national jazz scene and does so with a stunner of a recording in “Song For Messambria,” one of the finest debut albums I've had the pleasure of appraising this year. With music like this, Vitchev's musical obscurity will most assuredly be short lived. Born in Bulgaria but raised in Venezuela, in 1998Vitchev's parents moved to San Jose, CA and the Bay Area where the guitarist developed his musical talent,initially focused on rock music first but later morphed toward the jazz genre and thankfully so. Vitchev is a fine guitarist as are so many these days, however, it is the quality of his compositions that make this album so engaging.
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DVD Reviews: Hiromi's Sonicbloom Live in Concert DVD-2009 Telarc
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Posted by: editor on Monday, June 08, 2009 - 03:58 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
Since her 2003 debut recording Another Mind, {{Hiromi Uehara}} has caught the attention of modern jazz and jazz-fusion aficionados. Her compelling arrangements, rhythmic faculties and expressive stage persona radiates luminously during this largely, up-tempo exposition captured live in December 2007 at the Tokyo International Forum Hall.
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CD Reviews: Gary Fields, “Sounds About Right”
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, June 07, 2009 - 08:07 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
With the plethora of female vocals flooding the jazz market these days it is quite refreshing to hear a new male voice for a change and young twenty-seven year old Gary Fields breaks into the field with a knock-out debut that, dare I say it, “Sound About Right.”Originally from Pensacola, Florida, Fields now resides in the Big Apple, comes from a classical background and claims influences from idols Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald and Harry Connick. Interestingly enough Fields, possessing a sultry silky voice, seems to be cut in the same mold of young crooners like Harry Connick, Jr. and Michael Buble.
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CD Reviews: L'Tanya Mari' - A Teardrop of Sun - Falconeye Records - 2009
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, June 07, 2009 - 05:17 PM |
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Writer: Geannine Reid
You have heard the term songbird referenced many times with regard to vocalists sometimes applying sometimes not. Songbird is defined as, having a melodious song or call. Singer L’Tanya Mari’ can certainly fit into this definition with ease. Her crystalline voice exhibits clear ringing falsetto and husky low mellifluous qualities reminiscent of Sarah Vaughn. Not to say that Mari’ is a clone of Vaughn, but it would be correct to say she has certainly studies and absorbed Vaughn in her phrasing and especially in her vibrato and low range interpretations.
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35th Annual Jazz Record Collectors’ Bash
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, June 07, 2009 - 02:58 PM |
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June 19th - 20th, 2009
http://www.jazzbash.net/
78s, LPs, CDs & memorabilia.
Hilton Woodbridge
120 Wood Avenue South
Iselin, NJ 08830
http://www.hiltonwoodbridge.com
Reservations: Call either the toll free number 1-800-HILTONS (800 445-8667) or the Hilton Woodbridge (732) 494-6200. Mention JAZZ RECORD COLLECTORS GROUP to get discount.
Email: reservations@hiltonwoodbridge.com
Rate with discount is $119.00 + tax per night. Please note: There are a limited number of rooms available at the discount rate. Reservations received after June 3, 2009 will be provided on a space availability basis.
Directions
By car: Hotel is immediately off Garden State Parkway exit 131A. Commercial vehicles are not permitted on the Garden State Parkway. If you have commercial license plates, please contact hotel for directions.
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CD Reviews: Tim Kuhl “King” CD-2009 WJF Records
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, June 04, 2009 - 05:11 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
Brooklyn-based drummer Tim Kuhl has been busy supporting a who’s who list of jazz artists, and his work with the celebrated rock group “The Izzys,” amid avant-garde formats and other enterprising aspirations. With his second album as a leader, the drummer employs a dual guitar, sax, and trombone frontline for a hybrid program, consisting of progressive-jazz and jazz-rock, all underscored with a prominent groove quotient.
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CD Reviews: Diane Landry..I'ts A Lovely Day..With the Matt Lemmler Quartet
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, June 04, 2009 - 04:34 PM |
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BY John Gilbert
Diane Landry (vocals), Matt Lemmler (piano) Neal Caine (Bass) Matt Wheeler (guitar) Troy Davis (Drums), John Ellis (Saxes).
This album opens with Diane Landry swinging like the Flying Wallendas on "Lover Come Back To Me" John Ellis adds some nifty thoughts and Matt Lemmler responds in kind. LandrThis writer y grabs this tune and makes it her special Texas treat. This number gets off the ground in a hurry with Landry turning it into a jazz masterpiece.
"Isn't It A Lovely Day" shows Landry's provocative side as she gently prods the lyrics into a message straight to the listeners heart with a stop in the soul for good measure.
"You've Changed" This ballad is sung with all the warmth one could wish for, each word is caressed with all the love this jazz singer has in her vast repetoire.
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CD Reviews: Transit “Quadrologues” CD-2009 Clean Feed Records
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, June 03, 2009 - 03:38 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
The second offering by this New York City based quartet is largely assembled upon an abundance of intriguing tonal contrasts, where progressive and free-jazz translucently merge into a coherent group-centric sound. Designed with layers, and climactic theme building maneuvers, the hornists’ generate soaring and frenetic phrasings atop levitating motifs, tinged with minimalist exchanges and weaving lines.
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CD Reviews: Jack Wood, “Jazz And The Movies”
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, June 03, 2009 - 08:56 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
A fixture in the Southern California jazz scene who has performed with the finest and best-known jazz artists in the Los Angeles area, jazz vocalist Jack Wood follows his highly acclaimed CD, “The Gal That Got Away,” with a homage to the music of the movies with the release of his third album titled “Jazz And The Movies.” Some of the music come from the pages of The Great American Songbook and were used in certain movies, other tunes were composed especially as part of a movie soundtrack.
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CD Reviews: Gary Burton, “Quartet Live”
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, June 02, 2009 - 07:11 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Recorded live at the renowned Yoshi's Jazz Club in Oakland, CA, vibraphonist Gary Burton reunites with two original members of his legendary band, guitarist Pat Metheny, and bassist Steve Swallow and adds Metheny's long-time drummer Antonio Sanchez for a couple of evenings of progressive modern jazz captured for the release of “Quartet Live.” Burton contributes only one original with the semi-funk and perky “Walter L” featuring the jazz/rock riffs from Metheny's vibrant guitar. Though Burton's vibe voice is well pronounced throughout, Metheny is well represented through his performance and with his contribution of three compositions starting with the haunting “B and G,” “Missouri Uncompromised” and one of his most familiar tunes “Question and Answer” which is given an extended treatment here lasting over thirteen minutes.
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CD Reviews: Mike Clinco “Neon”
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Posted by: editor on Friday, May 29, 2009 - 09:20 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
One of the finest session guitarist in the Los Angeles area, Mike Clinco sculpts a sparkling modern jazz masterpiece with “Neon,” leading a stellar cast of artists that include saxophonist extraordinaire Bob Sheppard, Walt Fowler on flugelhorn, bassist Derek “Oles” Oleszkiewicz, electric bass man Jimmy Johnson and Jimmy Branly rounding out the cast on drums. Except for Henry Mancini's “Charade,” which Clinco treats with a measure of grace and style, the selection of music are all original compositions penned with a progressive modern jazz slant.
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CD Reviews: Gnu Trio - Self Titled - Gnu Town
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Posted by: editor on Monday, May 25, 2009 - 07:14 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
It’s good news from Italy, with the advent of this progressive-jazz and bass-less trio that executes within spatial metrics, as tenor and baritone saxophonist Marcelo Peralta often handles the lower register duties. They inject an edgy yet melodic overtone into these works, affording themselves gobs of room to expound on themes amid cunning dialogues and emotive contexts. Moreover, guitarist Guillermo Bazzola merges jazz licks with bluesy shadings while putting the pedal to the metal on occasion.
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CD Reviews: Joel Harrison “Urban Myths”CD-2009 High Note Records
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, May 21, 2009 - 03:03 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
Guitarist, composer Joel Harrison convincingly dispels any perceived limitations concerning multi-genre elements fused into the jazz vernacular. Supported by an expert band, along with guest artists, Harrison translucently intertwines jazz-fusion, country-blues and other stylizations into a largely vibrant program. He’s a top-notch composer and arranger who presents a disparate outlook, as he combines distortion laced e-guitar lines with sinuous phrasings and bluesy extended notes.
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CD Reviews: Frank Wess Nonet "Once Is Not Enough' Independent
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Posted by: editor on Monday, May 18, 2009 - 07:15 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
Revered saxophonist, flutist, and composer Frank Wess is a longtime member of the Count Basie Orchestra, yet leads a nonet for the first time on this 2009 release. Here, he imparts a largely, medium-tempo swing groove, featuring six original compositions and three standards. Nonetheless, the artist employs superior musicians, for this studio date, recorded in New York City.
Wess’ full-bodied tenor sax tone spawns a commanding presence. He seemingly applies vocal attributes to his phrasings throughout these radiant and uplifting works, abetted by layered horns and the frontline’s mood-evoking solo jaunts. The preponderance of these pieces are designed with zippy arrangements amid brisk soloing breakouts by Wess, trumpeter Terell Stafford, pianist Gerald Clayton and others. And while no one breaks any new ground, the program projects a classic swing vibe that is fitted with a modernist-type viewpoint.
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CD Reviews: Jade Synstelien's Fat Cat Big Band
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Posted by: editor on Monday, May 18, 2009 - 08:51 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Originally from Minneapolis, Minnesota, guitarist, composer and band leader, Jade Synstelien moved to New York in 2001 to forge a new beginning and it was Mitch Borden, owner of the historic Smalls Club in New York that gave Synstelien an opportunity to form, rehearse and perform his own band. Synstelien used the Fat Cat jazz club at 75 Christopher Street in New York and formed The Staring into the Sun Orchestra, an eleven-piece light ensemble that performed gigs every Tuesday evenings at the club. After years of developing the group, the band leader re-named the band the Fat Cat Big Band playing original Synstelien compositions and now performing every Sunday evenings at the club.
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CD Reviews: Paul Brown & Marc Antoine, “Foreign Exchange”
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, May 17, 2009 - 06:16 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
As a producer and engineer, Paul Brown has garnished two Grammy awards marking his ascent in the music world, but it is his talents as a smooth jazz guitarist that jazz audiences appreciate most. Frenchman Marc Antoine is a classically trained guitarist whose worldly experience is evident delving into a variety of genres of which, smooth jazz has become his most natural landscape. “Foreign Exchange” brings two of the genre's most creative and popular musicians together for a dynamic collaboration of hand-clapping, toe-tapping cool jazz sure to top the charts and remain there for a while.
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DVD Reviews: John McLaughlin and the 4th Dimension @ Belgrade Live
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, May 12, 2009 - 05:06 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
DVD-2009 Abstract Logix
Following up his highly praised and Grammy nominated 2008, Indo-jazz fusion release “Floating Point,” this DVD captures guitar god John McLaughlin’s “4th Dimension” fusion band live in Belgrade. Filmed by a Serbian film crew, the quartet format generates the unadulterated raw power and finesse, witnessed by the guitarist’s previous incarnations of the Mahavishnu Orchestra sans violinist Jerry Goodman. It actually translates into a modernist type context, where McLaughlin performs works from his songbook, tailored for his band-mates’ respective styles and mode of expressionism. In a sense, he persuasively reinvents his artistry, especially when we consider his vast discography and storied career.
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CD Reviews: Beaty Brothers Band - CD 2009 Independent
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, May 12, 2009 - 10:33 AM |
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Glenn Astarita
Hailing from Beaumont, TX., the Beaty Brothers (Twins John and Joe) overcame the sad situation of growing up in a broken home, due to their parents’ addictions while eventually attending an arts academy in Michigan and settling in New York City. A success story that emphasizes the triumph of the will, the brothers obtained scholarships to the New School University in New York while mingling with the region’s jazz populous. However, in 2003 Joe developed a heart problem that developed into a five-year episode of life-threatening events. In effect, this album could have been the brothers’ last. Miraculously, a new surgery cured his condition in early 2009 amid all the daunting circumstances. Hence, the brothers are in full stride and continue to move forward.
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CD Reviews: Ronnie Boykins“ The Will Come, Is Now”CD-2009 ESP-Disk
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Posted by: editor on Monday, May 11, 2009 - 09:58 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
Onetime Sun Ra bassist Ronnie Boykins’ 1975 session for ESP Disk is now reissued on CD and highlights his complex harmonic developments and deft leadership qualities. Boykins imparted a commanding presence and was an artist who delved into both the modern mainstream and free form arena during his legacy that came to an untimely end in 1980.
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CD Reviews: Mike Clinco-Neon
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Posted by: muzikman on Friday, May 08, 2009 - 10:20 AM |
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Mike Clinco has been hard at work for 25 years now as a composer and guitar player. On Neon, a nine track recording, Clinco firmly establishes his presence in the jazz community as a force to be reckoned with.
Neon is equal parts contemporary and smooth jazz sprinkled with rock and occasional Latin influences. All the tracks except “Charade” are originals. Clinco’s excellent leadership and infinite musicianship help to drive Bob Sheppard (tenor & alto sax, flute), Walt Fowler (flugelhorn), Derek “Oles” Oleszklewicz (acoustic bass), Jimmy Johnson (electric bass) and Jimmy Branly (drums and percussion) to high levels of execution with their instruments. Not to say they need a push, Clinco simply inspires them. All of them are excellent complements to the amazing guitar runs that he manages throughout this CD.
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CD Reviews: White Rocket - Self Titled - CD-2009 Diatribe
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, May 07, 2009 - 10:44 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
The debut release by the bass-less trio offers an open-air musical format, equalized by the artists’ climactic and impacting song structures that are often regimented with odd-metered lines. Therefore, the lack of a bassist affords the listener to zoom in on the intricately woven and intriguing jazz-based developments. In a lose sense, notions of trumpeter Dave Douglas’ legendary Tiny Bell Trio comes to mind, although this unit features a pianist and not a guitarist.
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CD Reviews: Richard Harris, “Songs From My Heart”
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, May 07, 2009 - 09:15 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Jazz music comes in many forms and styles with a plethora of bebop, hard bop and swinging sounds designed to gyrate ones hips and produce involuntary snaps of the fingers to the beat of the rhythm. But once in a while, we all feel the need to mellow out and just relax with some nice soothing music and that's just the kind of jazz one will encounter with “Songs From My Heart.”
The debut release as leader from Washington D.C. Area trumpeter Richard Harris, the album offers plenty of gentle material that succeeds in touching the heart and appealing to one's softer side.
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CD Reviews: Ed Maly-Guitar Jock
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Posted by: muzikman on Tuesday, May 05, 2009 - 08:56 AM |
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On his seventh release Guitar Jock, Ed Maly delivers a set of scathing blues-rock songs. Maly’s guitar playing on the album is a pleasure to any blues fan, and he is aptly backed by his band to create a smart combination of toe-tapping rhythms and inspiring guitar melodies. The guitarists’ raspy vocals on tracks like “That’s Just How Much” and “Seven Deadly” tops the sound of Guitar Jock off nicely, giving the album a classic blues feel.
Maly does a great job changing out guitar and rhythm styles on Guitar Jock to bring a level of diversity to his songs that keeps each track sounding fresh. The opening track “That’s Just How Much” and the title-song “Guitar Jock” are anchored by the impressive soloing of Maly. However, he adds in a second guitar line that makes the most of wah- wah pedal, giving the tracks an undeniable funk feel.
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Roy Rogers-Split Decision
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Posted by: muzikman on Tuesday, May 05, 2009 - 08:55 AM |
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There is nothing like a good blues-rock album to get your blood circulating and if it’s good enough it can serve as aphrodisiac. In the case of the first Roy Rogers album with The Delta Rhythm Kings in seven years, all of the above are applicable.
Split Decision is well crafted for more than your typical hot blooded blues audience, this has some gripping songwriting and outstanding guitar playing, most notably some blistering slide with both acoustic (“Your Sweet Embrace”) and electric (“Patron Saint of Pain” and several others) that would appeal to a wide array of listeners.
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CD Reviews: Bob Albanese Trio with Ira Sullivan, “One Way/Detour”
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, May 02, 2009 - 09:29 PM |
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By Edward Blanco
In January of 2008, pianist Bob Albanese had a two week engagement with Ben Vereen at the Colony Hotel in Palm Beach, Florida and on his only two days off, he recorded “One Way/Detour” with bassist Tom Kennedy and drummer Willard Dyson. To make things even more an interesting, Albanese includes five-time Grammy nominee and long-time Florida resident Ira Sullivan on the reeds. True to the press clippings, this album is “a masterpiece of intricate modern straight-ahead jazz in the Bill Evans tradition.”
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CD Reviews: The Complete Tony Bennett / Bill Evans Recordings
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, May 02, 2009 - 09:27 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
The pairing of one of the greatest singers of our time with one of the most influential pianist in jazz history, is available once again in for a new generation of jazz fans to enjoy for the first time. The due collaborated on two recordings, “The Tony Bennett / Bill Evans Album” recorded in 1975 and an encore performance in 1976 with their Album “Together Again.” This was an unusual setting for Bennett as he has always been more comfortable surrounded by a large orchestra. With Bill Evans being his only musical accompaniment, this was a pure duet of singer and pianist, no other musicians appear on the recordings, Bennett's muscular vocals featured to be the pronounced voice of the albums, but not always.
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CD Reviews: Fly - "Sky & Country" CD-2009 ECM Records
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Posted by: editor on Friday, May 01, 2009 - 09:14 AM |
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Fly
“Sky & Country”
CD-2009 ECM Records
The jazz sax/bass/drums format yields bountiful residuals with this prismatic 2009 release. Featuring musicians that reside among the crème de la crème of progressive jazz artistes, the unit’s methodology is acutely illustrated by drummer Jeff Ballard as “an intimate band with teeth.” And it’s a perfect match for ECM Record’s sterling production techniques, where ambiance and subtle studio processing treatments help ignite an open-air like underpinning.
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CD Reviews: Braff Blaser Duo "Yay" - CD- 2008 Fresh Sound New Talent
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Posted by: editor on Friday, May 01, 2009 - 09:12 AM |
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Glenn Astarita
I first became aware of trombonist Samuel Blaser with the advent of his superfine, progressive-jazz date “7th Heaven for the Germany-based, “Between The Lines” record label. Here, the artist aligns with the very physical Brazil reared pianist Malcolm Braff who is a musician that has performed with trumpeter Eric Truffaz and bassist Alex Blake. On this effort, the duo projects an acute balance, spanning structured song-forms and improvisation, largely topped off with memorable hooks.
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CD Reviews: Harrison Smith Quartet “Telling Tales”
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Posted by: editor on Monday, April 27, 2009 - 09:36 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
British saxophonist Harrison Smith may not be well known to American audiences but his latest CD tells a musical tale sure to convince those who dare sample it, that this album is well worth the spin. With Niam Noble on piano, Dave Whitford on bass and Winston Clifford rounding out the rhythm section, the quartet holds together in a very cohesive groove. Smith's tenor voice is rather unique, not coming across like a normal tenor saxophone would, instead sounding similar in tone to that of the soprano. Not to be mistaken for the soprano however, an instrument, along with the bass clarinet, that Smith also happens to play on this recording.
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CD Reviews: Yotam Silberstein, “Next Page”
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Posted by: editor on Monday, April 27, 2009 - 09:33 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
New York-based guitarist Yotam Silberstein may not be a house hold name in jazz at the moment, but he certainly has become one of the busiest jazz guitarist in New York's vibrant jazz scene and his first release for the Posi-Tone label, “Next Page” brings a tasty fresh new sound guaranteed to capture your attention. At the age of 21, Israeli-born Silberstein was named the “Israeli jazz player of the year” in 2003, the same year he also released his debut recording “The Arrival” (Fresh Sound Records) marking his arrival as a full fledged member of the jazz world. This album builds upon that first offering turning a 'new' page in this young man's career with a vigorous outing on “Next Page.”
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CD Reviews: Wynton Marsalis, “He and She”
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, April 22, 2009 - 07:58 AM |
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By Edward Blanco
A modern day jazz historian and admirer of W.B. Yeats, Wynton Marsalis continues his exploration and transformation of jazz as an art form with a new concept album that blends jazz and poetry to tell the timeless tale of the romantic interaction between men and women. To this end, Marsalis draws on his poetic skills honed on his previous Blue Note release “From the Plantation to the Penitentiary”to record this special album. “He and She” contains twenty-two tracks, many of which are just spoken words, snippets of poetry expressing certain feelings and all setting up the music.
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CD Reviews: Tiempo Libre - “Bach In Havana” - CD-2009 SONY Masterworks
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Posted by: editor on Monday, April 20, 2009 - 01:50 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
Hailing from Cuba, and touted as the “first authentic all-Cuban timba band in the United States,” the players have since relocated to Miami, Fla. Recently signing with SONY Masterworks, the unit serves up a huge contrast via these remarkably fluid integrations of Bach with the Afro-Cuban element.
They’ve been creating a stir due to their recordings and energized live performances amid Grammy nominations and a wonderful release in support of world-class flautist James Galway on O’ Reilly Street for RCA’s Red Seal label. Moreover, this album served as my first introduction to the septet’s expansive vernacular and superior craftsmanship. Here, the musicians forge a cerebral musical mindset with the rhythms of life, and topped off with the Latin jazz component. In effect, they pack a resounding punch as they keenly splice Bach’s fugue’s and sonata’s into buoyant and emotive storylines, sparked by sassy horns choruses and their energized solo spots.
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CD Reviews: Radam Schwartz, “Blues Citizens”
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Posted by: editor on Friday, April 17, 2009 - 11:34 PM |
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By Edward Blanco
Hammond B3 organ specialist Radam Schwartz grinds out another sparkling gem of an album with the buoyant “Blues Citizens,”propelled by a stellar quintet featuring the smokey tenor sax of Bill Saxton, alto supreme Bill Williams, guitarist Eric Johnson and drumming wonder Cecil Brooks III. New and vibrant rearrangements of two well known standards and five Schwartz originals, become the center pieces of the recording with the blues clearly the theme of the album.
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Philippe Saisse-At World’s Edge
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Posted by: muzikman on Saturday, April 11, 2009 - 08:48 AM |
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Philippe Saisse has released a masterpiece titled At World’s Edge. Saisse has been around the proverbial music block between guest appearances and his solo work. He has an enviable record of accomplishments by anyone’s high standards for excellence and consistency.
Saisse has many guests walk in the studio to assist in the recording process, notably the incredidbly talented Simon Phillps (drums) and Jeff Golub (guitars)
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CD Reviews: Rory Block Blues Walkin' Like A Man (Stony Plain Records 2008)
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, April 09, 2009 - 09:09 AM |
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WaxTrenzz
By K. H. Stober
Tracks: My Black Mama, Downhearted Blues, Preachin' Blues, Jinx Blues, Dry Spell Blues, Shetland Pony Blues, Death Letter, County Farm Blues, Grinnin' in Your Face, Low Down Dirty Dog Blues, Depot Blues, Government Fleet Blues,
I Want to Go Home on the Morning
Review: Blues has an extraordinary musical emotion, with an inner texture, dipped into a sixth sense, that opens a weathered journey for whoever chooses its dramatic passage. Every time I spin a fine grit of blues, life becomes focused. Such was the case with Rory Block and her new tribute project to Son House, Blues Walkin’ like a Man. Released by Stony Plain Records in 2008, and this blues storyline has escorted the audience in the direction of their own crossroads. This is the “glue” to the days when blues was the story of every man’s road. Block has set the flow, for an Americana time capsule in musicianship!
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CD Reviews: Old Dog (Louie Belogenis - Karl Berger - Michael Bisio – Warren Smith) “By Any Other Name”
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, April 08, 2009 - 09:49 AM |
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CD-2009 Porter Records
Glenn Astarita
Seminal progressive-jazz and improvisation artists align for a vibrant studio set that emits a prismatic musical mindset, spanning multiple song-forms on this 2009 studio date. With tenor sax ace Louie Belogenis’ deep and probing sax lines, contrasted by Karl Berger’s trickling piano and multihued vibes voicings, the quartet pursues tension building maneuvers and much more.
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Matt Skellenger-Parentheticals Review
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Posted by: muzikman on Friday, April 03, 2009 - 08:36 AM |
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Matt Skellenger’s Parentheticals pushes instrumental jazz to new unique levels with its experimentation. Skellenger proves himself to be among some of the elite bassists with his performance on the album. While you won’t find a single guitar track on Parentheticals, Skellenger still builds beautiful melodies with help from guest musicians Ron Miles, Dave Miller, and Andy Skellenger.
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CD Reviews: Seamus Blake Quartet “Live in Italy”
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, March 29, 2009 - 01:13 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Tenor saxophonist Seamus Blake is one of the finest sidemen in the New York jazz scene having never recorded live until now. In February 2007, Blake and his quartet took a tour of Italy recording sessions at Palermo, Senigallia and Cesenatico for the Italian jazz label Jazz Eyes. “Live in Italy” is a 2-CD set featuring pianist David Kikoski, drummer Rodney Green and Danton Boller on double-bass—laying down nine extended pieces of boppish jazz with compositions from Ellington, Van Heusen/DeLange, John Scofield, pianist Kikoski and Blake himself.
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CD Reviews: “The Very Best of Prestige Records”
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, March 29, 2009 - 01:12 PM |
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By Edward Blanco
Founded in 1949 by producer Bob Weinstock under the label “New Jazz,” later changed to Prestige Records, this jazz label holds an important place in the history of jazz music cataloging significant jazz classic sessions from artists now considered giants of jazz. Among Prestige clients were such legendary figures as Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Sonny Rollins, Thelonious Monk, Oliver Nelson and Eric Dolphy just to name a few and all appearing on this 60th anniversary recording spanning 20 years of music from 1949 to 1969. The Very Best of Prestige Records is a two-CD set containing twenty-five tracks of some of the finest hard bop and modern mainstream jazz ever produced.
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CD Reviews: Avery Sharpe Trio, “Autumn Moonlight”
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Posted by: editor on Friday, March 27, 2009 - 10:21 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Inspired by “the gorgeous summer and autumn moonlight” that bassist Avery Sharpe enjoys at his home in the Berkshire foothills of Western Massachusetts, “Autumn Moonlight”provides a warm glow emanating from every track capturing a shining performance from Sharpe, Onaje Allan Gumbs and renowned drummer Winard Harper. If one's musical taste buds favors the standard piano trio format, this is one must recording delivering an enjoyable and delicious serving of light jazz. Quite content to allow pianist Onaje Allan Gumbs the pronounced voice on the album, Sharpe's bowed bass helps guide the music through ten engaging scores, of which, six are originals including the ethereal title track. Augmenting his performance on the bass, Sharpe also lends tasteful vocals on a couple of tracks along the way.
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CD Reviews: Marshall Vente Trio “Marshall Arts”
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, March 22, 2009 - 09:08 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Long-time Chicago jazz musician Marshall Vente is a keyboardist, composer, arranger and band leader of several groups. When the Chicago Sessions record label, which specializes in featuring establishes as well as undiscovered Chicago jazz artists, approached Vente for this album, he decided to feature the music from his two trios, the straight ahead jazz combo with bassist Scott Mason and drummer Isidoro “Isi” Perez and three tracks with his Tropicale Trio propelled by Brazilian-born drummer Luiz Ewerling and Jim Batson on the electric bass.
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CD Reviews: Yutaka Uchida, “Living Together”
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, March 22, 2009 - 09:08 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
The debut outing from Japanese-born, New York-based drummer Yutaka Uchida, “Living Together” is not a new album, in fact it was originally released in October 2007 receiving high marks from jazz critics. Listening to the melody-rich modern jazz material on this disc, combined with the flawless delivery from Uchida's New York crews, easily won this critic over whole-heartedly concurring with the previous appraisals of the music. Frankly, it is not Uchida's prowess on the drums that drew my interest, but the quality of his compositions. The drummer presents ten creative compositions every one of them unique in color providing a rhythmically-rich variety of a repertoire.
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CD Reviews: Ab Baars Trio & Ken Vandermark
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, March 19, 2009 - 10:25 AM |
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“Goofy June Bug”
CD-2009 Wig 15 (Holland)
Glenn Astarita
Touted as “Amsterdam meets Chicago,” this live date was recorded in Amsterdam after the ensemble’s 2007 European tour. Venerable Dutch reedman Ab Baars aligns with the younger, Chicago-based woodwind ace Ken Vandermark for a set that mimics the lighthearted album title, although they soar to the red zone on numerous occasions.
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CD Reviews: Lenore Raphael..Class Act.. Live At Steinway Hall
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Posted by: editor on Monday, March 09, 2009 - 07:05 PM |
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John Gilbert
Steinway has been making the finest pianos in the world for over 150
years and Lenore Raphael has lent her fabulous talent to this marvelous
instrument with ideation that is reminiscent of the prowess of Bud
Powell, Tadd Dameron and others of the bop era. Make no mistake it is in
no way imitation but a style that reflects a type of improvisation that
requires not only speed but a left hand that complements the right with
a perfect marriage of harmony and melody. Unlike Bill Evans who
sometimes strays into 'quo vadis' Raphael is always in touch with the
tune.
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CD Reviews: Theo Jorgensmann – Marcin Oles – Bartlomiej Brat Oles
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, March 08, 2009 - 11:28 PM |
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“Live in Poznan 2006”
CD-2007 Vol. 1 “Live Series Fenommedia
Glenn Astarita
This album launches the Polish record label and design studio’s initial entry of its live series, highlighting European jazz and improvisation artists. On this outing, highly revered German clarinetist Theo Jorgensmann steers a trio date through jazz minimalism, avant-garde and other jazz-centric stylizations.
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CD Reviews: Nathan Eklund, “Trip To The Casbah”
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, March 08, 2009 - 11:26 PM |
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By Edward Blanco
If contemporary modern music is your preferred slice of the jazz world, then by all means take a detour to Casbah and let trumpeter Nathan Eklund be your guide. On his third release for the Jazz Excursion label, “Trip To The Casbah,” Eklund draws upon a reservoir of talent and crafts one very creative modern jazz album of intricate harmonies and sophisticated lines—all producing a treasure trove of refreshing new material deserving attention. An established horn man in New York's demanding jazz scene, Eklund is an educator by day and a high in -demand musician by night whose professional resume grows lengthier each day. Having performed with some of the best musicians in the business, for this recording Eklund calls on veteran saxophonist Donny McCaslin, guitarist John Hart, Bill Moring on bass and Tim Horner to pound the drums.
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CD Reviews: Bill Wimmer, “Project Omaha”
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, March 08, 2009 - 11:25 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Recorded live in May 2008 at Kelly Liken restaurant in Vail, Colorado, Project Omaha brings together Saxophonist Bill Wimmer with a group of players who all shared a common bond, they all have a connection with Omaha with most starting their musical careers there. Project Omaha, which also refers to the band, presents an audacious post bop repertoire featuring assertive performance from Wimmer and the entire crew. Interesting enough it must be noted that the members of the band had not played together as a group before the opportunity to reconnect at the recording session.
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CD Reviews: Schumacher/Sanford Sound Assembly, “Edge of The Mind”
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, March 08, 2009 - 11:25 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
David Schumacher and JC Sanford are two composers who collaborate as co-leaders of a cutting-edge seventeen-piece big band comprised of some of New York's finest jazz musicians among them drummer John Hollenbeck, trombonist Alan Ferber, pianist Deanna Witkowski and guitarist Andrew Green. Influenced in part by teacher/composer Bob Brookmeyer, who challenged the duo in “methodology for generating material” and in the “overall form and line development” as recalled by Sanford. Well with nine new compositions of non-traditional modern jazz orchestrations found on this CD, I believe the two meet the challenge with flying colors.
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CD Reviews: Dennis Day - All Things In Time - 2009 - D-Day Media
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, March 07, 2009 - 08:59 AM |
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Reviewed By: Geannine Reid
Dennis Day’s performances span four decades. His neighborhood church in his native East Chicago , Indiana , nurtured his earliest musical efforts. Early recognition came when Day’s R&B vocal quintet the Valiants, along with local sensations The Jackson 5, were signed to the Steeltown Records label in Gary , IN. and recording sessions began.
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CD Reviews: JazzTrenzz’s Clef Notes
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, March 04, 2009 - 09:24 AM |
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Flat Planet (Owl Studios 2009)
Fareed Haque and the Flat Earth Ensemble
The art of fusion is a marriage of sounds, style, and innovation, contained by a powerful surge of vision. This delicate craft, precisely executed, extends a dramatic, yet free-flowing outcome. Guitarist Fareed Haque has done this numerous times, reaching a personal opus, with every submission. Recently released Flat Planet, is just one more analysis, taken to another level, by this conductor’s baton.
A diverse weave of musical
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CD Reviews: CD Review - Roger Cairns
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, March 01, 2009 - 09:49 PM |
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Title - Let's...
Label - AHP Records
Year - 2009
Reviewed By: Geannine Reid
Los Angeles based jazz vocalist Roger Cairns was not always a west coast crooner. Roger was born in the small coal mining village of Gilmerton, a suburb of Edinburgh, Scotland in 1946. Roger’s talent and his penchant for music were neither nurtured nor welcomed by his family in a post-war Britain more concerned with survival than entertainment. So when he was 15 years old, Roger was sent off to complete a five-year mining engineering apprenticeship with the National Coal Board.
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CD Reviews: The Blue Note 7 “Mosaic” CD-2009 Blue Note Records
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, March 01, 2009 - 09:48 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
It's a celebration of Blue Note Records 70th anniversary set forth by a septet of jazz all-stars. Highlighted by occasional doses of pizazz amid a contemporary stance, the band revisits eight works penned by the label's revered artists. Among other positives, the sax duo of Ravi Coltrane (tenor) and Steve Wilson (alto, flute) loom as contrasting foils to assist with the ensemble's merging of classic Blue Note fare with a hip and enthralling string of arrangements.
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CD Reviews: Terrence Brewer, “Groovin' Wes”
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, March 01, 2009 - 09:46 PM |
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By Edward Blanco
Wes Montgomery set the standard for the modern jazz guitar and Terrence Brewer does his best to meet and exceed that standard with his warm tone and incredible imitation of the great guitarist paying homage on “Groovin' Wes” his fourth album for the Strong Brew Music label.
Brewer states that “Lots of guitarists can imitate Wes Montgomery, I wanted to pay tribute to him with my own voice.” Performing old standards and some of Montgomery's repertoire, Brewer lends his guitar voice in a Montgomery-like fashion laying down crisp firm chords with a Brewer twist.
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CD Reviews: Margie Notte, “Just You, Just Me & Friends—Live At Cecil's ”
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, March 01, 2009 - 09:46 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
In April of 2008 at Cecil's Jazz Club in Orange, New Jersey, new jazz vocalist Margie Notte made her entrance into the national jazz scene with a strong debut recording supported by a stellar cast of musicians. Produced by saxophone great Don Braden, the personnel on Notte's first effort, features Braden on the tenor and flutes along with drummer Cecil Brooks III, Jason Teborek on piano and Tom Dicarlo on bass. For her very first album Notte makes a fine choice of material recording some time-honored classics and other jazz standards that showcase her vocal range.
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CD Reviews: Mark Winkler, “Till I Get It Right”
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, March 01, 2009 - 09:44 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
An unconventional vocalist, veteran jazz singer Mark Winkler doesn't like singing the standards preferring originals instead and that's exactly what you get with his first release since his acclaimed 2003 CD,“Mark Winkler Sings Bobby Troup.” On “Till I Get It Right,” Winkler presents twelve breezy and swinging new songs sharing vocals with Cheryl Bentyne and backed up by the likes of saxophonist great Bob Sheppard, guitarist Anthony Wilson and trumpeter Ron Blake—all heavy hitters in the jazz world providing support for pianist Jaimie Trotter, Dan Lutz on bass and Steve Hass on the drums.
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CD Reviews: The Dorf - CD-2008 Leo Records
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, February 24, 2009 - 10:38 AM |
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Glenn Astarita
It’s a large ensemble that is akin to a collective, featuring up to thirty musicians who perform monthly at a jazz venue in Dortmund, Germany. Fueled by the leader and composer Jan Klare who is credited with providing “air movement,” the musicians triumphantly merge jazz-rock, progressive-rock, space music and a few nods to Frank Zappa amid the grand schema.
With blaring horns, punchy ostinatos and heavy rock pulses, the artists abide by a thoroughly in-your-face and ears type demeanor. Abetted by strong comps and sizzling solos, they rev it all up via distortion-based rock guitar lines, retro keys-synth opuses and a powerful impulsion. The instrumentalists dish out complex and multicolored choruses that are sometimes reverse engineered. As the majority of these works boast memorable hooks. Hence, they’re much more than a jam band.
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Oscar Responses
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Posted by: editor on Monday, February 23, 2009 - 07:49 AM |
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Jackman live (notice the panting and out of breathedness) beyonce completely canned. I think R&B female vocalist is now completely synonomys with Lip Syncing. I didn't hear it live, but my twitter buddies who are engineers here in Nashville are up in arms about the AUDIBLE AUTO-TUNING of Queen Latifa.
and gabriel watching a gabriel song....oy.
Don Donahue
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They have Queen Latifah on live Auto-tune...
Julian Fader
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Bob, how the hell did you neglect to mention that Beyonce lip-synched her performance?!
Sebastian Marbury
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CD Reviews: Marc Rossi Group “Hidden Mandala” CD-2008 Gravity Records
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, February 18, 2009 - 01:37 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
New England based pianist, composer and educator Marc Rossi imparts a worldly view into his progressive-jazz methodology. Yet it’s not overcooked or disproportionately leans toward one side of the prismatic spectrum. Unlike many others who sometimes instill only minor jazz elements into the world-beat panorama, Rossi’s compositions generate a rather seamless integration of various song-forms and Far Eastern modalities.
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CD Reviews: Aaron J. Johnson, “Songs of Our Fathers”
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, February 18, 2009 - 09:14 AM |
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By Edward Blanco
If you favor Hard Bop jazz, funky grooves, and a touch of the blues with a focus on melodies and a good measure of swing, then “Songs of Our Fathers” is a must for your collection. Trombonist Aaron J. Johnson comes out swinging with a very impressive debut dedicated to his father and past masters of the music. A versatile musician, Johnson has previously recorded as a sideman on the trombone, bass clarinet and conch shells.
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CD Reviews: Jazz and Beyond: February 2009
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, February 15, 2009 - 09:49 AM |
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Reviews by John Stevenson
Don Cherry: Live at Café Montmartre 1966, Vol 3 (ESP)
A remarkably electrifying session, this is the third and final volume of Cherry’s 1966 set recorded at Copenhagen’s renowned jazz spot. Joining the pocket trumpeter is Argentine tenorist Gato Barbieri, German vibraharpist Karl Berger, Danish bassist Bo Stief, and Italian drummer Aldo Romano. Comprising a concatenation of mini-suits or â€cocktails’ clocking in at 20-plus minutes apiece, “Complete Communion” and “Remembrance” combine a strong hard bop front, together with nascent “multi-kulti” influences. Look out for the references to Antonio Carlos Jobim’s “Insensatez” and Ray Brown’s “Two Bass Hit”, amid the roiling and rollicking collective improvisation. A superb gem from a boutique label that continues to yield archival rubies and sapphires.
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CD Reviews: Jon Burr Band, “Just Can't Wait”
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, February 15, 2009 - 08:10 AM |
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By Edward Blanco
Bassist Jon Burr has performed with some of the best musicians in the business ever since Charlie Mingus asked him to sit in at the famed Village Vanguard at the tender age of sixteen. He continues that tradition with “Just Can't Wait”, his newest album and self produced project of original songs nicely packaged in a CD/DVD set employing a host of vocalist, including his own thirteen-year old daughter, Tyler. Other singers appearing on the recording include Ty Stephens who performs on seven tracks, Yaala Balin, Hilary Kole and Laurel Masse.
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CD Reviews: Steven Santoro, “Whisper My Name”
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, February 15, 2009 - 08:09 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Born Steven Kowalczyk from Milford, Massachusetts, Steven later changed his last name to Santoro after his grandfather, who was a saxophonist, inspired Steven to pursue music. Santoro is a vocalist and songwriter who radiates a certain appeal with his approach to the music whose previous recordings contain a repertoire of blues-pop-jazz. “Whisper My Name” is a self produced project that returns Santoro to his jazz roots which, except for the standard “I Thought About You,” features ten original songs plus the bonus track “Where I come From.”
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CD Reviews: Theron Shaw: Right Here, right now (Foreday Mornin Music)
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Posted by: editor on Friday, February 13, 2009 - 08:55 AM |
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Review by John Stevenson
“It was in conversation with one of my sons that I admonished him to seize the opportunity to strive to work to the best of his abilities, not later or tomorrow, but starting â€Right here right now!’ ”
- Theron Shaw
Every son - or daughter for that matter - should treasure and act upon this type of sagely advice.
Theron has no doubt followed his own counsel. One can only surmise that for Mr Shaw, there is a marked sense of urgency for Caribbean people to document their precious artistic heritage.
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CD Reviews: Peter Buck “Buck’s Vibe” CD 2008 Independent
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, February 12, 2009 - 10:11 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
Southern California jazz, pop, rock session ace and educator Peter Buck’s debut effort as a leader is an enormously impressive statement within the modern jazz realm. It’s sort of atypical, since many of today’s well-educated artistes seem hell bent on rendering chops-heavy antics while dishing out overly complex charts that frequently drift off into an emotionless void.
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CD Reviews: JazzTrenzz's Clef Notes
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, February 12, 2009 - 07:29 PM |
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"Live At Anna's Jazz Island" (Self 2008)
Vicki Burns Quartet
Some cuts of wax can be so smooth and wielding with unadulterated cool, the spin could be deemed illicit. That said Vickie Burns Live at Anna's Jazz Island should be prosecuted for excessive yet joyous jazz exploitation. Commencing with Ms. Burns scat allure to her blues demeanor, this classic jazz perspective, soars!
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CD Reviews: Organics: Liquid Sunshine (LRP Music)
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, February 12, 2009 - 02:31 PM |
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Review by John Stevenson
Liquid Sunshine is the sophomore effort of Ireland’s foremost jazz trio, the Organics. The group steers a steadily progressive course between the chitlin’ circuit inspired grooviness of folks like Lonnie Liston Smith and the more studied, cerebral textures of Larry Young. Guitarist John Moriarty, drummer Kevin Brady and Hammond C3 organist Justin Carroll, have again and again proven themselves to be among the most accomplished jazzmen of the Emerald Isle.
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CD Reviews: Linda Presgrave, “Inspiration”
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, February 10, 2009 - 09:50 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
In 2003 pianist and composer Linda Presgrave attended the ControCanto:Donne In Jazz concert series in Frascati, Italy specifically to perform music written by women. This essentially became the “inspiration” for her third album, The Journey and the main reason for the release of this follow up recording. All of the music on this CD is composed by women with half of the ten pieces from Presgrave herself. For those who dig contemporary and mainstream straight ahead jazz, this album is a perfect fit. The performance from Presgrave and solos from her supporting cast, will have you tapping your toes and snapping your fingers all the way through.
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CD Reviews: Billet-Deux, “Deux”
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, February 10, 2009 - 09:41 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
One of the most unusual albums I've had the pleasure of appraising, Deux is an interesting blend of gypsy-influenced contemporary jazz performed by a rhythm-based combo without a piano, reeds or other wind instruments. Billet-Deux draws on the music of Django Reinhardt, Stephane Grappeli and the Hot Club of France to shape and reinterpret classic standards from the likes of Clifford Brown, Charlie Mingus, Rollins and Gillespie to produce a unique session of light and swinging jazz music.
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CD Reviews: JazzTrenzz's Clef Notes
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Posted by: editor on Friday, February 06, 2009 - 10:28 AM |
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Krazy Love (Sunnyside Records 2009)
Luba Mason
Luba Mason's resonance spins a calming influence on the romantic psyche, as Sunnyside Records release of Krazy Love, drains the strains of everyday complexities, escorting in tranquility, it will be clear from the first notes the journey you are about to experience. From the feathery poetry of "Lovely" to attraction of a passionate duet by (Ruben) Blades and Mason, this disk has legs.
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CD Reviews: Darin Clendenin, “Revenir”
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Posted by: editor on Friday, February 06, 2009 - 08:55 AM |
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By Edward Blanco
Right from the opening “Monty's Calypso,” dedicated to legendary jazz pianist Monty Alexander, Darin Clendenin charms his way into you jazz space with an inspiring performance on the piano on his new breezy album, “Revenir.” The album symbolizes a return to significant times in his life that he expresses best when playing the music, ergo the title,“Revenir,” which is French for “meaning to return.” Clendenin may not be a recognizable name for jazz audiences from the East or the South but nevertheless, this musician is recognized as one of the finest pianist and keyboard artists in the Pacific Northwest area of the country. Based in Seattle, Washington, he records this album in cooperation with The Jazz Project, a 501 ( c ) 3 non-profit jazz support organization designed to promote jazz artists and music from the region and serves as the window to the jazz world for musicians hailing from Whatcom, County, WA.
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CD Reviews: Enrico Rava “The Pilgrim And The Stars” CD-2008 ECM Records (Touchstone Series)
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, February 05, 2009 - 06:40 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
This reissue of the 1975 LP on CD format helps launch ECM Records Touchstones Series, comprising forty titles of rereleases all sold at an attractive, under $10 price. Here, we trek down memory lane with the great Italian trumpeter Enrico Rava and his multinational band, enhanced of course by the fabled ECM aesthetic. Never before issued on CD in the USA, this outing skirts the fringes of jazz-rock and modern jazz amid ethereal overtones.
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CD Reviews: Matt Finley Brazilian Wish -2009 Kingsmill Music
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, February 01, 2009 - 10:23 PM |
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By: Geannine Reid
Matt Finley has been a professional musician for over forty-five years, bringing to the table a multitude of instruments, which he showcases on his latest release Brazlian Wish. Finley plays flugelhorn, trumpet, and flute and soprano sax.
Matt earned his master's degree from the College of Saint Rose and is permanently certified to teach music in New York State. He performed for many years with Grammy-winning baritone saxophonist Nick Brignola, and studied composition with Edgar Curtis, the founding Director of the Albany Symphony Orchestra.
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CD Reviews: Daniel Smith, “Blue Bassoon”
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, February 01, 2009 - 11:09 AM |
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By Edward Blanco
If you're not familiar with the bassoon instrument, it's probably because you never hear it as part of a standard jazz combo or ensemble. Daniel Smith makes the bassoon his specialty and though recognized as a premier classical bassoon soloist, Smith now performs his instrument in the world of jazz and has already been tapped as finalist for Player of The Year of Instruments Rare in Jazz by the renowned Jazz Journalist Association. With the release of Blue Bassoon, Smith continues his journey towards making the instrument more acceptable to mainstream jazz audiences.
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CD Reviews: Eyran Katsenelenbogen, “88 Fingers”
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, February 01, 2009 - 11:08 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Master pianist Eyran Katsenelenbogen has often been compared to Art Tatum in style and technique, though I may agree in part, I see Eyran as more of a classical pianist with a bent toward the music of jazz. An Educator at The New England Conservatory of Music in Boston, Israeli-born Eyran is a virtuoso pianist, innovator and a jazz improvisationalist at heart. Eschewing the company of other musicians when recording, 88 Fingers is the pianist's tenth solo recording and a convincing one at that.
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CD Reviews: Tony DeSare - Radio Show (Telarc 2009)
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, January 27, 2009 - 10:24 PM |
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JazzTrenzz
Radio has a firm policy for excellence...Tune it in and rip off the knob! Tony DeSare’s Radio Show has earned this respect!
Telarc Records entry into the 2009 race of recordings, holds a high ceiling for future entries to the New Year. Radio Show by Tony DeSare has the ambiance of the years gone-by broadcasts, attached with the silky sway of his performance. Radio Show proves an artist can exceed outside the realm of traditional execution and design. DeSare’s disc captures the stage characteristics of the old radio shows, by offering a long forgotten respect for the classic sound.
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CD Reviews: Randy Brecker “Randy in Brasil” CD-2008 Mama Records
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, January 22, 2009 - 04:06 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
Revered jazz trumpeter Randy Brecker recorded this outing in Brazil and covers select favorites by Ivan Lins, Gilberto Gil and other prominent artistes. He also employs some of the finest musicians of the region, including guitarist Ricardo Silveira and saxophonist Teco Cardoso. Simply stated, Brecker fuses his enviable jazz chops with a radiant edge amid the ethnocentricities of the land. As the press notice infers, it’s a melodic date, where the pristine audio engineering looms as an added treat.
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CD Reviews: Marlene VerPlanck..Once There Was A Moon..Audiophile 2008
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Posted by: editor on Monday, January 19, 2009 - 08:49 PM |
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Marlene VerPlanck (v), Rich De Rosa (d), Steve La Spina (b), Ted Firth (p).
There are a handful of vocalists left that carry on the tradition of the great jazz singers and among them Marlene VerPlanck stands out like the aurora borealis in all it's glory. With clear articulation and a story to tell in each tune VerPlanck will start toes tapping, smiles will form and anyone with a cultured ear will dig the style nd substance of Marlene VerPlanck.
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CD Reviews: April Hall, “Fun Out of Life”
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, January 17, 2009 - 10:21 AM |
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By Edward Blanco
Performing with some of New England's finest musicians for over a decade now, vocalist April Hall now releases a collection of soft ballads and reworked jazz classics in one nice package she gracefully titles “Fun Out of Life” taken from the Leslie/Burke standard “Getting Some Fun Out of Life,” the finale tune on this album. Having deep roots in the south, where she's from originally, Hall uses a soulful approach to her singing, which combined with a light sultry kind of voice, seems the perfect mix for singing songs like “Crazy He Calls Me,” “Please Send Me Someone to Love,” and the sensuous “I'm a Fool To Hold You” where pianist Joe Mulholland has free reign on a spacious introduction.
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CD Reviews: Christian Scott - “Live At Newport” 2008 CD + DVD Concord Music
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, January 17, 2009 - 10:16 AM |
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Glenn Astarita
Like zillions of others, trumpeter Christian Scott’s appreciation for Miles Davis’ musical aura is evident although he does possess a signature sound, teeming with soaring and largely, soul-searching lines. Scott’s made a positive impression on the jazz scene and with his third release, carries the jazz torch at the Newport Jazz Fest while conveying great depth and a strong compositional pen.
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CD Reviews: Sonia Santos & Ana Gazzola
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Posted by: editor on Friday, January 16, 2009 - 11:49 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Sonia Santos and Ana Gazzola are two internationally recognized Afro-Brazilian jazz vocalists who put together a dynamite band called Brasil Brazil and with this release, provide their third album together. If you love jazz and favor a taste of Brazil, you would do right to put “Brasil Brazil 3” on your shopping list of music. The duo present a sizzling blend of jazz, samba and choro styles of Brazilian music that also incorporates elements of Afro-Latin rhythms in one dynamite package of shoulder-moving music.
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Book Review: DelightfuLee: The Life And Music of Lee Morgan by Jeffrey McMillan
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Posted by: larryrenithomas on Wednesday, January 07, 2009 - 10:07 PM |
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This is an excellent, well-written, abundantly-researched, scholarly book on the life and music of one of the great, unheralded heroes of jazz, who was shot and killed at Slug's Jazz Club in Manhattan in 1972, at the tender age of 33-years-old, by his 47-year-old, common-law wife, Helen Morgan. McMillan, a trumpet player and writer, is obviously smitten by Lee's music and his ability to always rise to the occasion. Morgan's short and resilient time on earth was troubled, drug-riddled and quite fruitful musically as McMillan documents quite superbly. McMillan, who was aided by Lee's brother Jimmy, has uncovered information that previous researchers have failed to come up with--like the precise itinerary of Lee; quotations from Helen Morgan and the fact that Mrs. Morgan's court records are missing. We also learn that Morgan was legally married once to Kiko Morgan and now we know who is probably getting his royalty checks.
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CD Reviews: Matt Criscuolo with Strings, “Melancholia”
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, January 07, 2009 - 10:06 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Described as “an engaging soloist” by Cadence Magazine, New York saxophonist Matt Criscuolo presents his third album as leader containing a dark and dissonant musical theme offered with elegance. Inspired by pianist Larry Willis's recording of “Sanctuary,” which featured gorgeous compositions and string arrangements to enhance the music, Criscuolo attempts to duplicate the style by employing a serious string section to augment a first-rate rhythm group performing a supporting role to his high-pitched alto saxophone lead. The result is an almost classical jazz sound that floats over a layered arrangement of strings producing a superb musical experience.
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CD Reviews: Arild Andersen— â€Live at Belleville’ By Joe Bendel
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Posted by: editor on Monday, January 05, 2009 - 09:05 AM |
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ECM Records)
In 1905 Norway dissolved its union with Sweden, becoming the only country to ever democratically elect a sovereign monarch, Haakon VII, formerly Prince Carl of Denmark. To mark the centennial of Norwegian independence from Sweden , bassist Arild Andersen composed the “Independency” suite, which is now the centerpiece of his new trio recording, “Live at Belleville.”
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CD Reviews: Rob Mosher's Storytime
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Posted by: editor on Friday, January 02, 2009 - 10:13 AM |
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Glenn Astarita
“The Tortoise”
CD-2008 Independent (Canada Council for the Arts)
Twenty-eight year old composer and multi-reedman Rob Mosher’s mission statement entails a modern, large ensemble sound built upon layered charts and memorable melodies. It’s all quite impressive for this Canadian gent who relocated to New York City approximately four years ago. Yet, Mosher’s bio includes numerous grants from the Canada Council for the Arts, segueing to this 2008 debut album as a leader.
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CD Reviews: Jay Epstein, “Long Ago”
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, December 31, 2008 - 09:11 AM |
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By Edward Blanco
Originally released in 1997, “Long Ago” is a re-release of drummer Jay Epstein's debut as leader featuring pianist Bill Carrothers and bassist Anthony Cox on a twelve-piece session of rhythm-based music taking a couple of originals and some jazz classics to new interpretations. The repertoire consist of a fairly nice blend of classic standards like Miles Davis' “Solar,” Wayne Shorter's “Lost,” and the Kern/Gershwin tune “Long Ago & Far Away” from which Epstein draws the title for the album.
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CD Reviews: JazzTrenzz's Clef Notes
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, December 24, 2008 - 01:18 PM |
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Somewhere (Blix Street Records 2008)
Eva Cassidy
The repository of accolades will again intensify, for Somewhere, has Eva Cassidy's enchanting aura rekindled; never to extinguish. With each spin from her captivating songbook, Eva Cassidy's warmth falls from our eyes. No thought, script, or judgment can offer justice to the impact Eva Cassidy and her storyline has on each of us.
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CD Reviews: JazzTrenzz's Clef Notes
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, December 24, 2008 - 12:20 PM |
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Echo (Sunnyside Records 2008)
Alyssa Graham
Karl Stober
The many moods and expressions of the jazz vocalist is what ignites the fawning desire for the craft. Thus, this basic instinct necessitates the audio scrutiny of fine jazz, with lyrical compassion as its liberator.
With restless yet clinical arrangements; the aphrodisiac weight of Alyssa Graham's style is refreshing. Sunnyside 2008 release of Echo unleashes the delicate and seasoned vocals of this free-spirit.
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Tony Adamo Reviewed by L.A. Jazz Scene’s Jim Santella
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Posted by: rocarmani on Tuesday, December 23, 2008 - 05:13 PM |
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Tony Adamo Reviewed by L.A. Jazz Scene's Jim Santella
UrbanzoneRecords
Franki La Mantia
www.myspace.com/tonyrocadamo
Pop songs with R&B horns make Tony Adamo's STRAIGHT UP DEAL sizzle with excitement. He sings with the bold character of a man who knows how to entertain, recalling pop singers Tom Jones, David Clayton-Thomas and Brook Benton as well as jazz singers Al Jarreau and Mark Murphy. His program, however, goes well beyond the pop and R&B arena into Jazz interpretations of standards such as "Milestones," "Mercy, Mercy, Mercy," "Stolen Moments," "In the WineLight," and "Speak Low."
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CD Reviews: Brian Kelly, “Afterplay”
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Posted by: editor on Monday, December 22, 2008 - 09:30 AM |
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By Edward Blanco
Pianist and composer Brian Kelly features eleven new charts blending statements of mainstream with a primarily smooth jazz repertoire to craft a unique album of varied styles that works quite well. This is not your typical smooth jazz recording as Kelly, who is known to stretch the boundaries with his compositions, expands the music using elements of fusion and world genres to structure an interesting sound. For example,the up beat and lively “Celtic Fire” featuring Kelly's superb play on the piano, comes across almost minstrel-like in the beginning with the sound of the pennywhistle or flute.
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CD Reviews: Joani Taylor, “In My Own Voice”
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, December 21, 2008 - 01:55 PM |
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By Edward Blanco
A fixture in the Vancouver jazz scene for some time now, Joani Taylor presents her sixth album with a dazzling performance of mostly original material setting herself apart from the majority of singers who prefer to voice familiar pop or jazz standards much like the plethora of vocal CDs on the charts these days. She does borrow from the great Paul Desmond and does an unusual rendition of “Take Five” collaborating on vocals with hip hopper Jay Kin. There's also a hopping, swinging version of Eugene McDaniel's “Compared to What” where the lady let's it all hang out and sounds a bit Janice Joplin-like.
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CD Reviews: Herb Harris, “Some Many Second Chances, Volume 1”
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, December 20, 2008 - 12:15 PM |
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By Edward Blanco
Not to be confused with the veteran drummer and percussionist of the same name, New York-based Saxophonist Herb Harris releases his second album as leader more than seven years after its original recording in late 2000 and early 2001. Some Many Second Chances is a collection of works from two separate sessions and represents volume one of what will eventually be followed by a second album containing the balance of the recording sessions. The liner notes mention a live gig at Washington D.C.'s renowned Blues Alley, which of course explains some of the live-recording audio quality you hear on the album though a portion was recorded in New York.
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CD Reviews: Laura Hull, “Take Me Home”
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, December 20, 2008 - 12:14 PM |
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By Edward Blanco
Jazz vocalist Laura Hull follows up her impressive 2006 debut of “Hullababloo” paying tribute to ten standards from the Great American Songbook with “Take Me Home”accompanied by a cast of New York-based first-call musicians including co-producer/arranger and pianist Pat Firth, bassist Jon Burr and drummer Tony Jefferson with Gary Oleyar's violin o the finale number, Tom Waits' “Take Me Home”. Laura Hull began her musical career as a club singer in and around the New York area, then took a 24-year hiatus to pursue business interest when she returned in 2004 and later releasing her debut album.
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CD Reviews: H-Alpha “Red Sphere” CD-2008 Skirl Records
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Posted by: editor on Monday, December 15, 2008 - 04:35 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
Tracing the ionized hydrogen of gaseous formations is not necessarily a prerequisite for digging this 2008 release produced by Brooklyn, N.Y., based Skirl Records. Therefore, the implication of physics set forth by the band moniker does intimate a rather heady connotation. Then again, the subject matter provides an interesting backdrop for the New York City trio’s freaky, genre busting series of vignettes, comprised of EFX treated free-jazz and discombobulated rock pulses among other stylizations.
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Max Haymer, “Pickpocket Witness”
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, December 14, 2008 - 08:00 PM |
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By Edward Blanco
Los Angeles-born pianist Max Haymer may not be familiar to you, after all the young 22 year old musician does not have much of a discography. If the music on Pickpocket Witness is any indication of what we can expect from Haymer in the future, then prepare to brace yourself because you're for a treat. Offering a repertoire of original contemporary jazz presented in a dynamic straight ahead fashion, Haymer performs like a wild man on the keys pounding them into submission on the title tune and demonstrating his piano chops in style.
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CD Reviews: Peter Sommer, “Crossroads”
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, December 14, 2008 - 07:57 PM |
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By Edward Blanco
Tenor saxophonist Peter Sommer offers his second album as leader with the release of Crossroads on the CAPRI label and what a sophomore effort it is. Sparkling with sensational bebop melodies and harmonies this is one swinging session of exuberant jazz. Hailing from Fort Collins, Colorado, Sommer brings together a terrific group of players from the Denver and Boulder areas to form a core quartet that include Eric Gunnison on piano, bassist Ken Walker and drummer Tod Reid. For this recording Sommer augments the personnel by enlisting the help of New York tenorist Rich Perry.
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CD Reviews: Carol Fredette, “Everything In Time”
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, December 14, 2008 - 07:56 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Veteran New York Jazz singer Carol Fredette hasn't recorded in over ten years and with Everything In Time, the lady makes a long-awaited return in perhaps her best recording to date.
Voicing a repertoire of American pop and Brazilian jazz classics that showcase her passion for Brazilian songs and confirms what Stan Getz once stated about her that “She's as good as they come,” Carol Fredette release one of the best jazz vocal recordings this year. Produced by colleague and celebrated bassist David Finck, Fredette is backed up by a host of first-call musicians from the New York area with a band that contains not only American players but a select number of Brazilian musicians as well.
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CD Reviews: JazzTrenzz's Clef Notes
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, December 14, 2008 - 03:18 PM |
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Waiting for the Sun (Golden Thread Music 2008)
Lindsey Brier
There is just some spins that you must allow your soul to listen and be drawn into its attitude. Waiting for the Sun released by Golden Thread Records; showcases one of the more intriguing debut male vocals, I have spun in some time.
A velvet resonance showered by a very expressive tonality of foreplay. Lindsey Brier is an exceptional voice as well and gifted pianist, who by my measure, has the mechanics of pure groove.
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Marco Granados-Music of Venezuela
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Posted by: muzikman on Saturday, December 13, 2008 - 08:41 AM |
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Marco Granados states in the liner notes of his beautiful serenade to his country Music of Venezuela, that the music of Venezuela is one of the rare treasures of Latin America, it seamlessly combines cultures, musical traditions, rhythms and the spirit of a people in a joyful and innocent voice.
The artist very eloquently said this with deep thought and respect for his heritage. His flute playing embodies that very thought as Marco very precisely and exquisitely takes you on a trip through the land he loves in 15 tracks of fast-paced jazz tinged Latin-World music.
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CD Reviews: JazzTrenzz's Clef Notes
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, December 10, 2008 - 06:14 PM |
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Women of Jazz (Putumayo World Music 2008)
"Guaranteed to make you feel good" is the catchphrase of this spin and it does not compromise that paved promise of emotional satisfaction!
Ten direct and sexy vocals emerge on this 2008 release from Putumayo World Music, as this compilation showcases the female psyche, draped in jazz appeal. The lyric-intense expressions of these fine tuned and silver-tongued sirens of American and Canadian pleasures… resonate, agile within their game exposed on stage.
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CD Reviews: JazzTrenzz's Clef Notes
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, December 06, 2008 - 10:14 PM |
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Django Music (Hot Club Records 2008)
Hot Club De Norvege
Keeping it in the family does have its romantic appeal when that family is strings.
Conjure up such gifted manipulators as Jon Larsen, Finn Hauge, Per Frydenlund, and Sven Aarbostad and jazz seems to engage in a free-fall flow of fine compositions. Django Music by Hot Club De Norvege collects this free-fall and extracts the purity of Django Reinhardt string jazz methodology.
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CD Reviews: JazzTrenzz's Clef Notes
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, December 06, 2008 - 06:34 PM |
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Oscar (Ella Productions 2008)
Serge Forte Trio
If jazz proves one thing throughout its historical journey, it's that the tragedy lies, when that which is unleashed, is not experienced.
Serge Forte is an experience one should grasp, and often. His ivory "Take the A-Train" is nothing less than meticulousness musicianship; for his implementation of his Oscar Peterson influence, has a very precise vision. Forte seeds the dramatic flair of his 2008 tribute release from Ella Productions Oscar, by offering an honoring perspective to jazz icon, Oscar Peterson.
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CD Reviews: Peter Sommer..Crossroads..Capri Records 2008
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Posted by: editor on Friday, December 05, 2008 - 04:27 PM |
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By John Gilbert
Peter Sommer - Tenor Saxophone
Rich Perry - Tenor Saxophone
Eric Gunnison - Piano
Ken Walker - Bass
Todd Reid - Drums
"THe Fruit" Bud Powell again adds his magic through the auspices of this
fine group. The saxes have a field day with this tune as they blister
the airways with smoking bop magic. Eric Gunnison at the piano pays
tribute to Powell with a strong message. This is a superb rendition of a
superb song.
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Roger Kellaway-Live At The Jazz Standard
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Posted by: muzikman on Friday, December 05, 2008 - 08:18 AM |
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The most remarkable thing about Live At The Jazz Standard is how Roger Kellaway and his ensemble make this recording sound as if it was recorded right in the studio. This is a tribute to the excellence of Kellaway on piano, his exceptional accompaniment, and not to mention the high standard of recording a live performance for the pristine and perfect replication that this two CD set offers.
The IPO label continues their series of live recordings with Kellaway referred to as the “all wood” (drumless) trios. These sessions emulate the 1940s and 1950s extraordinary trios of Nat Cole, Art Tatum and Oscar Peterson.
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CD Reviews: CD Reviews: Allison Adams Tucker, “Come With Me”
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, December 03, 2008 - 11:26 PM |
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By Edward Blanco
On Come With Me, multi-lingual vocalist Allison Adams Tucker takes you on a musical journey throughout the globe singing in six languages taking part of the repertoire from the Great American Songbook. She starts her trek with the Koehler/Arlen standard “World On A String” voiced in English of course and demonstrating her more than capable reaching vocals in which she is wonderfully accompanied here on guitar by the great Peter Sprague. With one of the most unusual reads of Richard Rodgers' “My Funny Valentine” I've heard, Allison opens the song singing in the Sakura Japanese tradition before she emerges with the standard melody again singing in English. On the fourth track Allison provides sweet vocals in French on the beautiful rendition of “La Vie En Rose.”
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CD Reviews: CD Reviews: Jazz Arts Trio, “Tribute”
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, December 03, 2008 - 11:25 PM |
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By Edward Blanco
Frederick Moyer is a classically-trained pianist who ventures in to the jazz world with this excellent recording recreating the music of such legends as Erroll Garner, Bill Evans, Horace Silver and Herbie Hancock in a way similar to how a classical artists would interpret Bach, Beethoven or Mozart. With friends Peter Fraenkel on th drums and Peter Tillotson playing bass, Jazz Arts Trio, one of many typical piano trios around, sounds anything but typical. The music is enthralling and captivating drawing you in with one compelling performance after another.
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CD Reviews: CD Reviews: Mark Masters Ensemble, “Farewell Walter Dewey Redman"
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, December 03, 2008 - 11:23 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
In the fall of 2006 Mark Masters had planned to record with Dewey Redman, one of the great tenor saxophonist of our time, as part of an American Jazz Institute project and had enlisted the help of drummer extraordinaire Peter Erskine, trumpeter Tim Hagans and bassist Dave Carpenter. In September of that Year Redman passed away and the project was forever altered transforming into a tribute album to Redman with the terrific Oliver Lake stepping in to assume Redman's role as the lead saxophonist on the recording now playing Redman's music. Masters realized the project recording with his very able 16-piece big band and the result here is one heck of a homage to Dewey.
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CD Reviews: Susie Arioli..Night Lights..2008
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, December 03, 2008 - 09:10 PM |
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By John Gilbert
Susie Arioli (vocals, snare) Jordan Officer (guitar, vocals) Bill
Gossage (bass, vocals)..Special Guests Michael Jerome Browne (guitar)
Cameron Wallis (saxes) Christopher Smith (tbone) Dany Roy (tenor) Aron
Doyle (Flugelhorn) Remi Leclerc (percussions)
Rich and warm is the byword for Susie Arioli's voice which can be
smokier than a speakasy.
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CD Reviews: Susie Arioli..Night Lights..2008
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, November 25, 2008 - 04:45 PM |
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By John Gilbert
Susie Arioli (vocals, snare) Jordan Officer (guitar, vocals) Bill
Gossage (bass, vocals)..Special Guests Michael Jerome Browne (guitar)
Cameron Wallis (saxes) Christopher Smith (tbone) Dany Roy (tenor) Aron
Doyle (Flugelhorn) Remi Leclerc (percussions)
Rich and warm is the byword for Susie Arioli's voice which can be
smokier than a speakasy.
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CD Reviews: Carol Fredette..Everything In Time..Soundbrush Records 2008
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, November 25, 2008 - 04:44 PM |
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By John Gilbert
Carol Fredette's husky vocal message is loud and clear especially on
"The Way You Look Tonight" This tune has lyrics that are prime examples
of the beauty of American love song and Fredette treats it as such. A
tenor solo adds much to this track. The tempo sashays along in a jaunty
manner aptly suited to Fredette's sassy soliloquy.
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CD Reviews: The Lovers, The Dreamers, and Me (Concord Records 2009)
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, November 23, 2008 - 12:35 PM |
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Jane Monheit
Oh, dear Jane, it's been far too long…
Out from the accolade-coated spin of Surrender in 2007, the jazz populace has awaited for this wonderful gift to exhume her vocal sensuality. Jane Monheit vocalizes from within; never digressing from her emotional path, with each single she executes. In 2009, Concord Records will release another moment of passionate "Monheit Moments," which when all is said and done, has her again placed into another unexplored dimension. The Lovers, The Dreamers, And Me is just that; for each cut is an offering to us, in order to feel the pulse of her inner ardor.
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CD Reviews: JazzTrenzz's Clef Notes
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, November 23, 2008 - 12:34 PM |
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Play (Cakewalk Records 2008)
Project Grand Slam
New York City has a signature texture to its jazz sway, one which sets the bar very high with respectable innovative and an intense arena of players. The character of New York jazz is one that has never been mirrored. Unique beats, finely tuned arrangements, and tenacious visionaries make the music scene what it is. That formulation is capsulated with the virgin recording of Play by Project Grand Slam. This is a stylishly, intoxicating spin of jazz ingenuity and execution!
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The James Moody and Hank Jones Quartet- Our Delight
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Posted by: muzikman on Saturday, November 22, 2008 - 08:05 PM |
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With a mere 140 years of performing experience between them, James Moody and Hank Jones finally decided to sit down and bounce some ideas off each other and Our Delight was born.
The quartet along with Moody (tenor sax and flute) and Jones (piano) is Todd Colman (bass) and Adam Nussbaum (drums). This quartet turns out some gorgeous compositions, 12 in total, and each one has their own distinct personality thanks to the consistency and all around excellence of every musician involved.
The band covers Gillespie to Stitt and beyond. The only original on the album is “Darben The Red Foxx,” an interesting and thought provoking title with the inference to deceased comedian Red Foxx.
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CD Reviews: The Leonisa Ardizzone Quintet..The Scent Of Bitter Almonds..2008
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, November 19, 2008 - 08:54 PM |
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By John Gilbert
Leonisa Ardizzone (vocals) Chris Jennings (guitar) Jess Jurkovic (piano)
Bob Sabin (bass) Justin Hines (drums)
Leonisa Ardizzone has a sweetly swinging vocal style and is ably backed
by a fine Quintet.
"Joy Spring" Ardizzone opens with some cool scatting on the hottest
track on this album. Jurkovic at the ivories solos brilliantly. This
tune has a message which in essence says that this is the format that
allows this group to express themselves most emphatically. This song
moves along gracefully without that incessant drum beat found on other
tracks.
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CD Reviews: Frank Macchia, “Saxolollapalooza”
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Posted by: editor on Monday, November 17, 2008 - 11:52 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Frank Macchia is a Grammy-nominated composer/arranger and one heck of a saxophonist who, eighteen years ago, birthed an idea to arrange music for a six saxophone section which he states “was to create a wacky kind of contemporary jazz band but with only Saxes and drums.” Saxolollapalooza is the realization of that idea coming to fruition with the help of some of the finest musicians in the world that happen to reside in the Los Angeles area. Macchia anchors a six-piece sax section that include Eric Marienthal and Sal Lozano on alto, Bob Sheppard and the leader on tenor, Gene Cipriano on baritone and Jay Mason on bass saxophones with the great Peter Erskine providing the drums and percussions.
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CD Reviews: Gene Bertoncini & Roni Ben-Hur, “Smile”
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, November 15, 2008 - 06:53 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
More of a labor of love than a profitable musical project, Smile brings together two extraordinary jazz guitarist in a duet performance to benefit The Dizzy Gillespie Memorial Fund at the Englewood Hospital and Memorial Center in New Jersey as part of the â€Jazz Therapy’ series of charitable fund raising CDs produced in association with the Jazz Foundation of America. Ben-Hur was originally scheduled to do this particular album with bassist Earl May who unfortunately passed away in January 2008. The album is dedicated to May and Gene Bertoncini gladly stepped in to move the effort forward.
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CD Reviews: KJ Denhert - “dal VIVO a Umbria Jazz” (Live at Umbria Jazz)
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, November 15, 2008 - 04:11 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
CD-2008 Motema Music
Noted for her rousing live performances, New York City singer-songwriter KJ Denhert garners additional benefits from the pristine recorded sound and thrusting band on this album, which captures her at Italy’s Umbria Jazz festival. Per the press release, she’s been performing at Manhattan’s “The 55 Bar” and “Baz Bar” since 1998. And has purportedly built a loyal following, as this 2008 release signifies my initial exposure to her artistry.
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CD Reviews: Charlie Parker..Bird In Time 1940-47 ESP 4050
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Posted by: editor on Friday, November 14, 2008 - 04:26 PM |
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By John Gilbert
This is a spectacular 4 disc set of selected recordings and rare
interviews with Bird and his worthy constituents. The first thing that I
had to zone in on was the interview with the late Earl Coleman who was a
friend, roomate and band mate of mine in the 50's. I have to tell you
that it brought tears to my eyes to hear Earl's rich voice and Bird's
horn sweetly resonating in my ears. Earl often described his days with
Parker as his greatest moments in jazz. "This Is Always" and "Dark
Shadows" are a musical explanation of why this era in jazz is
unparalleled in its beauty and form. God bless Bird and Earl. Bird's
horn weaves its magic in no uncertain terms, the notes fly, the ideas
abound. It will never get any better than this. Everything has a message
and every passage has a purpose with never any cluttered crap, so often
prevalent these days.
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CD Reviews: Donna Deussen..High Wire..2008
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, November 12, 2008 - 07:55 PM |
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By John Gilbert
Donna Deussen (vocals) Mark Massey (keyboards) Anders Swanson (bass)
Aldo Bentivegna (drums) Eric Marienthal (sax, tracks 2 & 4)
With a cool and cultured voice, Deussen opens matters with "Skylark"
This treatment sticks to the melody. Mark Massey whom I have reviewed in
the past has a magical touch which is evident whenever he sits down at
the ivories. This is a nice adaptation of Hoagy Carmichael's classic.
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CD Reviews: Giada Valenti, “And I Love You So”
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, November 12, 2008 - 01:54 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Italian-born singer and songwriter Giada Valenti, now based in New York, possesses the voice of an angel and the looks of a Miss Universe and with the release of And I Love You So, stakes her claim as a special vocalist who draws comparisons to being, as the press clippings state, “a female version of Michael Buble.” The album is primarily a collection of adult pop music containing some elements of contemporary light jazz but not really sufficient to categorize this as a jazz recording. If you favor beautiful love songs then you will be more than pleased by the repertoire Valenti puts together for this recording.
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CD Reviews: Vitaly Golovnev..To Whom It May Concern..Tippin' Records 2006
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, November 12, 2008 - 01:52 PM |
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By John Gilbert
Vitaly Golovnev (tpt) Jake Saslow (ts) Miki Hayama (piano) Boris Koslov
(bass) Jason Brown (drums)
The tunes on this album all have a Monkish feel. The musicians have
chops galore and that's for sure. Track 3, the title tune seems to swing
a bit more than the rest, that is not to say that the rest are not top
notch it's just that this particular number has that undefinable quality
that makes bop rise and shine so fine.
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CD Reviews: Jon Larsen, “The Jimmy Carl Black Story”
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Posted by: editor on Monday, November 10, 2008 - 03:33 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Inspired by the music of Django Reinhardt, jazz guitarist Jon Larsen from Oslo, Norway, is a musician who seems to dance to a different tune than most. His fascination with the music of Frank Zappa has led him to develop an unusual project featuring various former members of Zappa’s legendary Mothers of Invention group. Last year he showcased keyboard genius Tommy Mars on his critically acclaimed “Strange News from Mars” (Zen 2001) album. With this recording Larsen pays tribute to the former drummer of the Zappa band, Jimmy Carl Black, the Indian of the group who sadly, passed away recently in Siegsdorf, Germany at the age of 70.
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CD Reviews: Barbara King, “Perfect Timing”
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, November 04, 2008 - 10:08 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Barbara King is a New York native with amazing Sarah Vaughn-like vocals who makes one very impressive debut with Perfect Timing presenting jazzy interpretations of some well known pop standards along with several originals making this one of the better jazz vocal albums released this year. Making this album a promising success is the fine cast of musicians King uses to produce this gem. Included here are pianists George Colligan and Arturo O’Farrill as well as Dorsey “Rob” Robinson, flautist Dave Valentin appears as special guest and there’s trumpeter Eddie Allen and Jay Branford on reeds just to name a few.
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CD Reviews: Cynthia Hilts, “Second Story Breeze”
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, November 04, 2008 - 10:07 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Presenting her second album since the 2000 release of “Stars Down To The Ground” (MAR Records), New York-based pianist/vocalist and composer Cynthia Hilts offers a repertoire of mostly original music of contemporary light jazz. Recorded with bassist Ron McClure and drummer Jeff Williams, this piano trio sticks to a more traditional approach in the interpretation of classic standards such as Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “My Favorite Things,” a ten-minute read of Cole Porter’s “Love For Sale” and the familiar “Three Blind Mice.”
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CD Reviews: Giovanni Moltoni, “3”
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, November 04, 2008 - 10:06 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Boston-based jazz guitarist/composer and educator at the Berklee College of Music, Giovanni Moltoni releases his most creative recording to date with “3” an album containing a stimulating modern approach to jazz. The repertoire is all original and highly imaginative performed by an unusual quartet of sounds. Moltoni plays the guitar and synthesizer and is joined by trumpeter Greg Hopkins, bassist Fernando Huergo and Bob Tamagani on the drums. Without the standard piano fronting the rhythm section, Moltoni draws on his guitar and synthesizer to deliver both lead and supporting roles here.
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CD Reviews: Alex Maguire Sextet - “Brewed In Belgium” - CD-2008 Moonjune Records
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, November 04, 2008 - 04:15 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
British keyboardist Alex Maguire is a stylistic instrumentalist, possessing mega-chops who has proven that jazz hath no borders. Whether performing jazz-rock or aligning with British avant-garde bassist Simon H. Fell and progressive-jazz reedman Michael Moore, he communicates a seemingly limitless musical vernacular.
Maguire performs solely on acoustic piano and synth on this live date recorded at a Belgium venue. With this release, he teams up with four of five members of the young and exciting Belgian jazz-rock ensemble and Moonjune recording artists, “Wrong Object.” Consequently, the musicians execute the right stuff, as they transparently accelerate modern jazz into the freer realm amid variable genre-busting frameworks. While also rendering vivacious, fuzoid style overtones, largely abetted by Maguire’s EFX textures and guitarist Michel Deville’s multihued synth guitar phrasings.
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CD Reviews: Michael Higgins - “The Moon and The Lady Dancing”
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, November 01, 2008 - 02:08 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
For those who crave the lighter side of jazz you may want to check out veteran guitarist Michael Higgins’ third album as leader providing ten originals and two covers of warm and intimate light jazz. Collaborating with bassist Jay Anderson and drummer Adam Nussbaum, Higgins leads a guitar trio that’s rather rare these days considering the plethora of piano led trio’s on the jazz scene today.
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CD Reviews: Rhythm Express â€Beat Street’
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Posted by: editor on Friday, October 31, 2008 - 10:46 AM |
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Spill Magazine
Anyone who is an advocate of the phrase, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” will be pleasantly surprised by Bill King’s latest album, in which he pays tribute to some of the soul jazz greats. Rhythm Express “Beat Street” takes you on an eclectic, groovy, soulful journey with arrangements that somehow find a way to add a unique flare to a genre of music that needs not to be tinkered with, while maintaining the true essence of its style.
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DVD Reviews: Billy Martin in Concert - March, 26 2008: The Heinen Theater
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, October 30, 2008 - 11:28 AM |
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Glenn Astarita
HCC Central College Department of Fine Arts
DVD-2008 Amulet Records
This DVD conveys a radical departure from percussionist Billy Martin’s funk-groove and New York City downtown scene stylizations, witnessed by “Medeski, Martin & Wood” amid his numerous solo projects and session activities. With only five-hundred pressings, this one-hour concert was made possible by a commission from the Houston Community College Department of Fine Arts.
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DVD Reviews: Sonny Rollins“ Live in ’65 & â€68”DVD-2008 NAXOS: Jazz Icons
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, October 28, 2008 - 09:10 AM |
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Glenn Astarita
One of several new releases from the “Jazz Icons” (www.jazzicons.com) series, tenor sax titan Sonny Rollins is captured onstage in Denmark: 1965 and 1968. And it’s a superb archival document, highlighted by Rollins’ remarkable improvisation and the extraordinarily tight-knit support he receives from drummer/educator Alan Dawson and bassist Niels-Henning Orsted Pederson. Complete with a twenty-four page booklet containing anecdotal, historical and testimonial type essays, the overall program intimates quite a bit of bang for your buck.
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CD Reviews: Barbara King..Perfect Timing..CCC Music Group 2008
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Posted by: editor on Monday, October 27, 2008 - 03:48 PM |
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Barbara King can sing and there's no two ways about it. This lovely
recording consists of 11 inspirational songs and brother are they
inspirational. Miss King has a finely textured voice with range and she
knows what to do with it. There are various musicians on this CD and all
back this superb vocalist with grace and style. I wasn't sure about this
effort, but I was more than impressed from the first note to the last.
The tunes really swung and now I am convinced that music of this sort
done in a jazz vein is so apropos it is just perfect. There is no
cacophony here, no silly business, just a fine voice with great cats
playing magnificently. I am sure that the powers that be are sitting
back wherever they are just smiling and sending down kudos to Barbara
King and her band mates for a wonderful recording by a solid performer.
% Stars
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CD Reviews: Jerry Costanzo with Andy Farber and his Swinging Mavens
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Posted by: editor on Monday, October 27, 2008 - 09:50 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
New York vocalist and bandleader Jerry Costanzo with his 17-piece big band has been performing the swinging music of the 40s and 50s for audiences from Montauk to Manhattan and the Tri-state area for over 25 years. On his newest release entitled “Destination Moon,” Costanzo combines recording sessions from 2004 and 2007 of Pop classics from the 50s and 60s like “Straighten Up and Fly Right,” Victor Young’s “Don’t Worry About Me,” “Young At Heart” and the Mercer/Van Heusen immortal “I thought About You” just to name a few.
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CD Reviews: Danny Green, “With You In Mind”
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Posted by: editor on Monday, October 27, 2008 - 09:49 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Danny Green is a pianist and composer from San Diego who makes an impressive debut with this first album blending Brazilian and Latin jazz elements with a taste of mainstream and classical nuances to forge one heck of a recording. Except for Danilo Perez’s “Suite For The Americas,” a tune containing strong Latin influences, Green contributes ten varied originals running the gamut in style from the Brazilian flavor of “Baio Pra Voce” and “Doctor Pasta,” to the beautiful mainstream title track and the classical finale “Lullaby for A Poet.”
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CD Reviews: Tom Beckham “Rebound”
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, October 25, 2008 - 10:40 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Releasing his third album and follow up to the well- received Center Songs (Sunnyside 2006), vibraphonist Tom Beckham seems to develop a more sophisticated sound on Rebound. On this fine effort, Beckham engages the band to a greater degree than in his previous recordings providing far more solo space for his crew that, on some pieces, allows him to withdraw as a sideman. Beckham’s quintet draws upon the talents of saxophonist Chris Cheeks and pianist Henry Hey both of whom appear on previous recordings. Changes in the rhythm section include bassist Matt Clohesy and drummer Ferenc Nemeth.
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CD Reviews: KJ Denhert dal Vivo a Umbria Jazz (Live at Umbria Jazz)
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, October 25, 2008 - 10:39 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Internationally recognized singer/songwriter and guitarist KJ Denhert offers her eighth album recorded live at the Umbria Jazz Winter Festival in Orvieto, Italy held in December 2007. Considered one of the most important jazz festivals in the world since 1973, Umbria Jazz Winter is the sister event to the summer Umbria Jazz held in picturesque Perugia, Italy. A six-time artist-in-residence at Umbria, Denhert performs with her NY Unit band with which she has toured for nearly twelve years.
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Jazz Museum Schedule
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Posted by: editor on Friday, October 24, 2008 - 11:54 AM |
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•Jazz for Curious Readers: Nat Hentoff October 27, 2008
•Jazz Around the World: The Americas October 28, 2008
•Harlem Speaks: Evelyn Cunningham October 30, 2008
“Jazz Around the World” is the National Jazz Museum in Harlem’s theme for the Jazz for Curious Listeners series this month, and the theme applies to all of this week’s programs.
We’re honored to present talks with two venerable journalists, whose insights are far from parochial. Nat Hentoff, noted author of several books on jazz, and who writes about jazz regularly these days in the Wall Street Journal and JazzTimes, will discuss his work at Jazz for Curious Readers on Monday. Journalist Evelyn Cunningham, 92, has had an illustrious career (see bio below) worthy of celebration, which will occur at the Harlem School of the Arts for Harlem Speaks on Thursday.
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CD Reviews: Dele Sosimi: Identity (Helicon)
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, October 22, 2008 - 08:42 AM |
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By John Stevenson
Identity - sporting an arresting portrait of Sosimi’s twin sons on the CD’s front cover - is the anxiously-awaited follow-up to Turbulent Times, which carried Afrobeat in a decidedly adventurous direction at the beginning of the millennium.
In point of fact, adventure and a quest to arrive in new places, has always been the goal of Afrobeat’s avatars. Founder Fela Kuti was the ultimate explorer, having experimented with the funk of James Brown, the modal experiments of Miles Davis and hypnotic indigenous Yoruba grooves. And that’s just the music. The lyrical content addressed political and economic injustice at home in Nigeria and across the world, unafraid to grapple the nettle of controversy, asking for answers to the thorniest of questions, and landing the musical maverick, time and again, in the proverbial soup!
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CD Reviews: Royce Campbell..The Art Of Chord Solo Guitar..EMK 2001
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, October 22, 2008 - 08:41 AM |
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John Gilbert
Royce Campbell toured with Henry Mancini for 19 years and some of the tunes are reflective of that tenure.
Chord solo guitar has been labelled as a lost art and Campbell brings it to life with his guitar mastery. Improvisation was the order of the day.
"Laura" The melody is played with chord harmony and it lends itself beautifully to this classic gem.
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CD Reviews: Marcus Goldhaber..Take Me Anywhere..with the Jon Davis Trio..Fallen Apple Records 2008
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, October 22, 2008 - 08:40 AM |
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John Gilbert
Marcus Goldhaber lightly approaches each tune and treats it gently, keeping the melody intact. He has a unique vocal quality unlike any of his predecessors. He sticks to slower tempos and caresses each tune with dignity and grace. There are 17 songs on this album and each is a winner. Range and depth are not the forte of this fine singer, he simply sings the song with no histrionics, letting the listener enjoy his euphonious efforts.
$ Stars
Visit California Coast Jazz At:
http://community-2.webtv.net/johnnyjazz/johnnyjazzsjazzpage
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comments?
1392 Reads |
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CD Reviews: JazzTrenzz's Clef Notes
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, October 21, 2008 - 10:19 AM |
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Lisa Hilton
Sunny Day Theory (Ruby Slippers Productions 2008)
Jazz pianist Lisa Hilton again holds firmly the direction of her legacy; with her new diabolically-seductive 2008 spin, Sunny Day Theory.
Sunny Day Theory manipulates the senses and holds sway within any setting as the Hilton ivories are unlimited with the touch of her compassionate impressions...Ms Hilton continues to unclog the arteries of jazz trends; with a new injection of cunningly-complex yet deliciously-stroked palettes of sound. Lisa Hilton, no more a young lioness in the industry after ten ignitions from the heart; she sheds her novice coat to become one of the "revivalists of respect" for the piano jazz technique…
Often overlooked yet never veiled, is her gift of composing. Ms. Hilton is the classic able practitioner of world-class musicianship. Not just by performing but more so, within her artistic architecture. Ms. Hilton strives to re-invent herself with every music sheet and concept, set on a firm foundation!
As an orphan of the flower power generation, I was inspired once again by "Where Have All the Flowers Gone," set to Ms Hilton's touch. Written as a call for peace by Pete Seeger, performed by The Kingston Trio, this idealistic classic has exceptional vision in this Hilton composition. The innocence of the melody and tone is characteristic of Ms. Hilton's movements. As rare as these covers are done by her, the embers of this classic are stirred by her innovative interpretations.
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CD Reviews: Deborah Latz, “Lifeline”
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Posted by: editor on Monday, October 20, 2008 - 09:12 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Jazz vocalist Deborah Latz continues her journey from the theatre to the world of music with the jazzy Lifeline, her second album and follow up to her impressive debut Toward Love (2004) with an enchanting release that will surely find its way to your heart. A quality singer with a serious voice, Latz voices fourteen time-honored standards giving some of these songs from the Great American Songbook a new lease on life. There’s the familiar Sinatra staple “Witchcraft,” Irving Berlin’s “How Deep Is the Ocean” and Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “My Favorite Things” anchoring the repertoire. Latz records here with her core trio of pianist Daniela Schachter, bassist Bob Bowen and Elisabeth Keledjian on the drums. Also included on several tracks is tenor saxophonist extraordinaire Joel Frahm as special guest.
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CD Reviews: Bill Carrothers, “Home Row”
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, October 18, 2008 - 07:13 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Although just released by Pirouet Records upon a recommendation by fellow Pirouet recording artist Mark Copland, Home Row captures a 1992 recording session by a piano trio led by pianist Bill Carrothers that was locked away and long forgotten. Along with renowned bassist Gary Peacock and drummer Bill Stewart, the trio laid down some very intense lyrical statements that are finally being heard for the first time. The album exerts a sophistication and energy not always exhibited by such trio’s.
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CD Reviews: JazzTrenzz's Clef Notes - Roncesvalles Tango
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Posted by: editor on Friday, October 17, 2008 - 10:20 AM |
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Rick Washbrook
From the Cafés cantantes to the gypsy festivals, the ardor of Flamenco music is the heartbeat of passionate string-driven romance. Whether it was the rubber-stamped classic sound of Ramón Montoya, the first performer to theoretically introduce classical guitar techniques into Flamenco music or the driven fret manipulation of the 19th century troubadour, the fervor remains lit. Therefore enter stage left, Rick Washbrook and his remarkable interpretation and methods of the ageless art of Flamenco. Roncesvalles Tango, released in 2007 is worthy of lofty acknowledgment, not so much for his innovative ability to manipulate technique but more so, the execution of the legendary proficiency needed to release the Latin mood.
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CD Reviews: Gian Wiegner & Gary Brunotte, “About Time”
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Posted by: editor on Monday, October 13, 2008 - 04:59 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Two long-time friends who met at Boston’s Berklee College of Music performed stints together and then went their separate ways never living in the same place again, thought that it was “About Time” they did a CD together and so they did resulting in this superb recording. Wiegner plays the guitar and Brunotte performs on the Hammond B-3 and the Korg CX3 organs. The album presents nine originals from the duo and includes four standards recorded in two different sessions in a quartet setting using different bass and drum combination.
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CD Reviews: The Jason Domnarski Trio, “Notes From Underground”
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Posted by: editor on Monday, October 13, 2008 - 03:39 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Offering his sophomoric effort with this new release, New York-based pianist and composer Jason Domnarski attempts to distinguish his trio from the plethora of trio’s in the jazz world today by including elements of pop and rock music on a primarily but atypical jazz recording. There’s even a shade of the electronica genre here, which in my humble opinion, stretches the boundary a bit but is nevertheless different.
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CD Reviews: Castries Underground: Caribbean jazz at its best.
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Posted by: editor on Monday, October 13, 2008 - 11:19 AM |
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By John Stevenson
Caribbean jazz fans have been patient. Very patient.
Despite his notable work with the West Indies Jazz Band, and his collaborations with Guadeloupean and Martinquan musicians, including his involvement with Fal Frett, the Caribbean’s very own saxophone colossus has taken nearly 20 years (since the groundbreaking “Morne Dudon”) to deliver the
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CD Reviews: Bob Mover-It Amazes Me
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Posted by: muzikman on Sunday, October 12, 2008 - 01:39 PM |
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Bob Mover has been around a long time entertaining jazz lovers everywhere. The one thing that eludes him is the recognition many of his peers receive. Although deserving you just do not hear his name mentioned in the same conversation about the best alto and tenor sax players in history. That is unfortunate and quite unfair in my estimation. After listening to his most recent effort It Amazes Me, it actually does amaze me that this great musician does not get the accolades so many others do. The primary reason that this has not happened for Mover is that he has remained true to himself and the art form he decided to pursue. In other words the man never sold his soul for the big payday, thus the headlines and star over his name did not materialize. I for one applaud his honesty and pure soul and above all, his beautiful music.
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CD Reviews: CD Music Reviews: Roger Kellaway Live at the Jazz Standard”
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, October 12, 2008 - 01:36 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Not since the rare but successful trios of Nat King Cole, Art Tatum and Oscar Peterson of the 40s and 50s have we had the pleasure of encountering the music of an “all wood” or “drumless” trio that unheralded jazz pianist Roger Kellaway captures in this album. Recorded in a four night session at New York’s Jazz Standard, Kellaway and crew perform the music of Duke Ellington, Paul Desmond, Sonny Rollins, Hoagy Carmichael and Thelonious Monk covering twelve pieces on a two-disc CD album.
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CD Reviews: Pitom - Tzadik
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, October 09, 2008 - 09:34 AM |
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Glenn Astarita
To cite the press notes, this quartet abides by a “punkassjewjazz” stylization, as the Hebrew translation for the band’s moniker means “suddenly,” which serves as an appropriate analogy to the unit’s methodology. Think of an electric “Masada” on steroids, for example.
Guitarist Yoshie Fruchter leads an ensemble that furthers record label chief, saxophonist and composer John Zorn’s “Radical Jewish Culture” mindset. Here, the ensemble acutely and sometimes playfully, fuses Jewish traditional music with hardcore grunge rock and jazz improvisation. Moreover, Fruchter and violinist Shanir Blumenkranz surge skyward via complex and streaming unison lines atop crashing and high-impact rhythmic movements. Nonetheless, you don’t get the feeling that these folks are shy or inhibited by any stretch.
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CD Reviews: Benn Clatworthy..The Decider..2008
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, October 09, 2008 - 08:42 AM |
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By John Gilbert
Benn Clatworthy (saxes, flute) Chris Colangelo (bass) Ryan Doyle (drums)
These cats have more chops than the Armour Packing Co. A few years ago at a now defunct jazz club, I was listening to Benn Clatworthy playing in his inimitable frenzied style and one of the keys flew off of the horn like a drunken moth, but Benn kept right on wailing without a pause and the crowd loved it. Chris Colangelo has always been a swinging, muscular type bassist, much in demand and rightly so.
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CD Reviews: Jon Burr Band..Just Can't Wait..JBQ 205 2008
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, October 07, 2008 - 09:01 AM |
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By John Gilbert
This is a combined CD / DVD album with many different musicians on each track, and led by Jon Burr on bass.
The top tune on this package is the title tune "Just Can't Wait".. a jaunty number with a back beat and a hip vocal by Ty Stephens. Houston Person comes sailing in with a down home tenor solo followed by a swinging piano message by Loston Harris at the piano. This is a great tune, one that allows the soloists to stretch out and get off the ground. This CD is well worth the price of 'admission' it is well put together and with the added DVD "Live At Birdland" it is a sure fire hit.
4 Stars
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CD Reviews: JazzTrenzz's Clef Notes - In These Shoes - Claudia Acuna and Arturo O'Farrill
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Posted by: editor on Monday, October 06, 2008 - 10:15 AM |
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Spicy composition and complex arrangements make this year's entry to the Latin jazz scene In These Shoes, of Claudia Acuna and Arturo O'Farrill's, a push-n-play of sizzling and seductive potency. The album steps into the Latin jazz circle with modern calculating rhythms carved out of the classic Latin texture.
This international spin has a heavy-ivory base with crisp strokes executed by Grammy nominated pianist Arturo O'Farrill, who has composed a highly respectable journal for himself. The classic Latino string methods of Adam Rogers flows along side the O'Farrill accompaniment… add that with the exquisite timing and appeal of vocalist Claudia Acuna, thus the expedition to sway commences. Tempting rhythms and melodies set the disk ablaze with electric momentum.
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CD Reviews: JazzTrenzz's Clef Notes
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, October 04, 2008 - 10:40 AM |
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My Harana: A Filipino Serenade (ZOHO Records 2008)
Karl Stober
Charmaine Clamor
The breaking of tradition and direction of heart is a social constant which is well documented over centuries. The art of the serenade is lost somewhat but still a strong accent on the feeling within. The art is unearthed through the outstanding talents and vocal chi of Filipino vocalist Charmaine Clamor's My Harana: A Filipino Serenade.
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CD Reviews: Carla Bley Big Band, “Appearing Nightly “
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, October 01, 2008 - 10:09 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Appearing Nightly is the latest big band album from pianist and band leader Carla Bley after two previous recordings with small ensembles in 2007 and 2004. Her previous big band recordings include Looking for America (ECM, 2003), The Carla Bley Big Band Goes to Church (ECM, 1996), Big Band Theory (ECM, 1993) and The Very Big Carla Bley Band (ECM, 1990). The album was recorded live in a two night engagement at The New Morning club in Paris during the summer European tour of 2006.
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CD Reviews: John Stein, “Encounterpoint”
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, October 01, 2008 - 10:08 PM |
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Edward Blanco
The seventh album for guitarist John Stein, Encounterpoint offers four originals and five reworked standards in a repertoire of blues, bebop and even light bossa nova in a straight ahead contemporary jazz mode. Stein performs with a quartet of international players among them Brazilian drummer Ze Eduardo Nazario, Koichi Sato from Japan and bassist John Lockwood from South Africa.
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CD Reviews: Leonardo E. M. Cioglia, “Contos”
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, October 01, 2008 - 10:06 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Providing a fresh new approach to Brazilian music, Brazilian-born bassist Leonardo E.M. Cioglia who now resides in New York, has been performing his style of the music for some time now with his Quizamba group with whom he plays regularly throughout the New York area. Contos is his latest project recorded a year ago with some of the finest players on the East Coast music scene among them vibraphonist Stefon Harris, saxophonist John Ellis, Mike Moreno on electric and acoustic steel string guitar, pianist Aaron Goldberg and Antonio Sanchez on the drums.
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The Stryker/Slagle Band-The Scene
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Posted by: muzikman on Tuesday, September 30, 2008 - 01:02 PM |
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The Stryker/Slagle Band is Dave Stryker (guitar) and Steve Slagle (alto and soprano sax, flute). These two men came together because of a mutual respect for music and many of the people that have come and gone over the years before them so they could be some of the privileged few to create great music in their image and memory.
Different people, places and things inspire us all and music holds a special kind of goodwill that we all seem to understand when we listen, particularly when the performing musicians let you know that some of that mojo is part of the entire picture on a project.
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CD Reviews: Rabih Abou-Khalil's Portuguese Blues
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, September 27, 2008 - 07:11 PM |
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By John Stevenson
In a career spanning more 30 years as one of the world’s foremost oud players and composers - with exhaustive experience as a bandleader and acclaimed television presenter - you would think Rabih Abou-Khalil would be nearing his creative plateau by now. Nothing could be further from the truth. His latest CD recording on the German Enja imprint, Em Portugues, is a marvel of musical invention, showcasing the Lebanese Instrumentalist at the height of his creative imagination.
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CD Reviews: Cynthia Hilts..Second Story Breeze..Blond Coyote Records 2008
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, September 27, 2008 - 07:08 PM |
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By John Gilbert
Cynthia Hilts (piano, vocals) Ron McClure (bass), Jeff Williams (drums)
As the screen flashes out letters in their obedient dance, I am struck
by the musical magic in the tune "Nun, Miffdemeaner-Like" Hilts is true
to the bebop tradition in her solo, mixing a bit of Bud Powell with some
asides to Mr. Monk on occasion. Some interesting 8 bar exchanges plus an
extended bass solo add to this tunes listenability.
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CD Reviews: Denise Donatelli..What Lies Within..Savant Records 2008
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, September 27, 2008 - 07:07 PM |
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By John Gilbert
Arranger: Geoffrey Keezer.
Personnel: Denise Donatelli (vocals); Peter Sprague (guitar); Giovanna
Clayton (cello); Bob Sheppard (flute, alto flute, soprano saxophone,
alto saxophone, tenor saxophone); Carl Saunders (trumpet, flugelhorn);
Geoffrey Keezer (piano, vibraphone, marimba, percussion); Carlos del
Rosario (organ, gong); Hamilton Price (bass instrument, bass guitar);
Marvin "Smitty" Smith (drums); Alex Acuna (percussion)
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CD Reviews: Roger Kellaway..Live At The Jazz Standard..IPO 2008
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, September 27, 2008 - 07:06 PM |
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By John Gilbert
Roger Kellaway (piano) Russell Malone (guitar) Stefon Harris (vibes) Jay
Leonhardt (bass) Borislav Strulev (cello)
This recording, sans drums, caught my attention straightaway. Drumless
is a good thing in some cases and here it is a brilliant concept. Made
over four nights at the Jazz Standard in New York, Kellaway shines like
the Aurora Borealis on this album and is certainly the sine qua non of
this all star quintet.
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CD Reviews: Jonathan Voltzok..More To Come..Kol Yo Records 2008
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Posted by: editor on Friday, September 26, 2008 - 02:09 PM |
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By John Gilbert
Jonathan Voltzok (trombone) Aaron Goldberg (piano) Barak Mori (bass) Ali
Jackson (drums) Slide Hampton (trombone, tracks 2 & 9) Antonio Hart
(alto sax, tracks 4 & 6)
"More To Come" Voltzok comes on like gangbusters with a blazing solo.
His torrent of notes were not mindless excursions just for the sake of
speed, the message is there in a brilliant journey into the land of bop.
Horace Silver's "Opus De Funk" serves as a perfect vehicle for Voltzok
to swing and do his thing with aplomb and ease. His ideation carries us
into a pleasant place where hipness abides. Aaron Goldberg shares his
musical whimsy and pianistic wisdom with a solid soliloquy that gets off
the ground in a hurry.
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CD Reviews: DFA “Fourth” CD-2008 Moonjune Records
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Posted by: editor on Friday, September 26, 2008 - 09:45 AM |
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Glenn Astarita
I will boldly state that DFA’s fourth outing is its finest achievement to date. Those words might be a tad audacious since the Italian progressive/jazz-rock’s legacy is a mighty impressive one at that. And it’s the unit’s first presentation of original music since the 1999 epic release titled Duty Free Area. The band’s more recent productions; Work In Progress Live, recorded at the 2000 NEARfest prog gala, and the two-CD Kaleidoscope effort which is the anthology of its first two recordings, loom as influential and powerful musical statements.
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CD Reviews: Wolfert Brederode Quartet “Currents” CD-2008 ECM Records
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Posted by: editor on Friday, September 26, 2008 - 09:43 AM |
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Glenn Astarita
This band led by Dutch pianist Wolfert Brederode operates within a translucent type musical setting, steeped in the integration of chamber music and progressive jazz. In effect, the European quartet exercises an ambient and lyrically resplendent set of themes that parallels the album title, where a gentle tide or current underscores the premise behind these engaging works.
Brederode’s soft touch is analogous to his performances with fellow ECM Records artist and vocalist Susanne Abbuehl. Yet here, the pianist and clarinetist Claudio Puntin design a warmly melodic string of motifs amid trance-like ostinato phrasings, and gradual shifts in tempo. With endearing and at times hauntingly beautiful harmonies, the quartet spawns a sense of sanctification via resonating choruses atop the rhythm section’s calming backdrops.
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CD Reviews: Ralph Lalama Quartet, “Energy Fields”
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Posted by: editor on Friday, September 26, 2008 - 08:04 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
The Ralph Lalama Quartet releases its debut with Energy Fields but is certainly not the first recording for the members of the band—all seasoned musicians with a discography of their own. Leader Ralph Lalama is known as a tenor saxophonist with a muscular tone clearly evident from his power-infused performance on the opening Woody Shaw piece “The Moontrane.” The balance of the group is comprised of guitarist John Hart, bassist Rick Petrone and drummer Joe Corsello.
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CD Reviews: Roselyn Brown, “Emancipation “
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Posted by: editor on Friday, September 26, 2008 - 08:03 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Roselyn Brown is one very talented lady so much so that it’s tough to categorize her as an artist because she performs on so many instruments that it is perhaps better to refer to her as a multi-instrumentalist who can also sing. Emancipation reveals the depth of her skills where she crafts an album of originals, covers and one oft heard classic into a primarily smooth jazz recording.
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CD Reviews: Jeff Hackworth, “Where the Blue Begins”
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, September 24, 2008 - 06:14 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Tenor saxophonist Jeff Hackworth from New York collaborates once again with saxophonist great Houston Person, who produced his previous album (“How Little We Know, 2007) and helps fashion another superb recording with “Where the Blue Begins.” This CD combines an unusual repertoire of pop tunes with the meat of the album focused on beautiful ballads. Both Hackworth and Person chose to include old songs and forgotten standards which they intern recast a new with sparkling fresh arrangements like with “Can’t Help Falling in Love,” a song made famous by Elvis Presley in the movie “Blue Hawaii.”
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CD Reviews: Tuck & Patti-I Remember You
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Posted by: muzikman on Tuesday, September 23, 2008 - 08:58 PM |
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You would think a long-standing duo such as vocalist Patti Cathcart and guitarist Tuck Andress would have covered the American Songbook on one of their many releases over the past 20 some years but it simply is not the case. I Remember You is their first complete recording dedicated to covers of the jazz book of classic songs and the couple’s way of saying hello again to all the tunes they love.
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Elvin Bishop-The Blues Rolls On
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Posted by: muzikman on Tuesday, September 23, 2008 - 08:57 PM |
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Elvin Bishop is struttin’ his stuff again just as he has for a long time now. It was 1975 when the album Struttin’ My Stuff came out and suddenly it seems (in reference to musical output) that 2008 came very fast indeed. Bishop is still crankin’ out the blues on The Blues Rolls On.
Bishop is in the higher echelon of performers in the genre now and he tells you why with all the guests that comes on board to help him deliver twelve smoldering tracks of blues-rock.
This is a predominately studio album with a few select live cuts. Warren Haynes, an amazing player from The Allman Brothers and Gov’t Mule, stands alongside Bishop and they peel off some amazing slide guitar work. Kim Wilson (Fabulous Thunderbirds) sings and plays harp as well making the lead off track “The Blues Rolls On” unforgettable. “Struttin’ My Stuff” is equally tantalizing as Allman Bros. band mate Derek Trucks delivers the goods with Haynes again coming in and adding his licks. Now if that wasn’t enough to get your heart pumpin’ then the king of the court B.B. King and his longtime love Lucille step on stage for a short interview conducted by Bishop then the duo launch into “Keep A Dollar In Your Pocket,” a classic blues song that everyone seems to enjoy playing and it never gets old.
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CD Reviews: Dave Holland’s new sextet, The Bad Plus on Nirvana, Caribbean folk-jazz tales, British Agit-pop, Bengali jazz … and more … September 2008
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, September 23, 2008 - 08:35 AM |
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By John Stevenson
Dave Holland Sextet: Pass it On (Dare2)
As ever, Holland brims over with propulsive originality, fuelled by the collaborative energies of a dynamic grouping, though vibist Steve Nelson’s absence is acutely noticeable. This is arguably the premier bassist’s most middle-of-the-road CD in many years, as Mulgrew Miller’s piano gives the proceedings decidedly hard-bop, Horace Silver-like flourishes. This is particularly the case on “Modern Times”. The front-line horns (altoist Antonio Hart, trumpeter Alex Sipiagin and trombonist Robin Eubanks) on the Eubanks original “Fast Track”, shade and colour a pretty Latin piece.
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CD Reviews: Jay T. Vonada, “Jammin’ “
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Posted by: editor on Monday, September 22, 2008 - 12:47 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Trombonist Jay T. Vonada from Aaronsburg, Pennsylvania makes an elegant entrance into the world of recorded music with an audacious debut release of Jammin,’ just the kind of stuff that one needs to get noticed. Without a star-studded cast of players Vonada crafts a very fine first effort using local talent producing a nice result. His quartet includes Adam Kurland on keyboards, Jacob Hibel on bass and John Sullivan manning the drums.
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CD Reviews: Bill King's Rhythm Express..Beat Street 2008
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, September 20, 2008 - 09:48 PM |
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By John Gilbert
Bill King has assembled a fine group of musicians with a complete
departure from his usual fare.
Bill King (acoustic grand piano, hammond B3 organ, fender rhodes, korg
synthesizer) William Sperandei (trumpet) Darcy Hepner (Tenor sax, bass
clarinet) Duncan Hopkins, bass), Mark Kelso (drums), Luis Obergoso
(percussion)
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CD Reviews: Glenn White - “Sacred Machines” - CD-2008 OA2 Records
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, September 20, 2008 - 12:11 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
Well-educated and a jazz road warrior, New York City-based saxophonist/composer Glenn White has performed with cutting-edge jazz stars, pianist Art Lande and bassist Dave Holland among other notables. And while I never heard his inaugural 1999 solo effort titled “Downside,” the artist shows quite a bit of savvy via a string of memorable compositions on this newly issued 2008 outing, produced by sax great David Binney.
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CD Reviews: Vicki Burns Quartet..Live At Anna's Jazz Island..2007-2008
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Posted by: editor on Friday, September 19, 2008 - 02:55 PM |
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By John Gilbert
Vicki Burns vocals, John Nichols on guitar, Sam Bevan on bass, Smith
Dobson V on drums. Special guests: Mary Ellen Donald on Arabic
Tambourine, Nika Rejto on flute and Adam Blankman on vocals
Vicki Burns does indeed 'burn' on this recording. The stars were aligned
just right when she was blessed with a singing voice that was made for
the jazz idiom.
"Sweet Home Chicago" Burns shows some range on this blues tune as she
swings it to the max. A cool guitar solo has a heavy mesage coupled with
a facile rendering.
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CD Reviews: Dapp Theory - “Layers of Chance” CD-2008 Contrology Records/Obliqsound
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, September 13, 2008 - 01:34 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
The band’s first album since its 2003 Concord Records release looms as a stylistic crossover among M-Base, hip-hop, progressive jazz, funk and more. To that end, I missed out on the group’s inaugural outing. However, keyboardist Andy Milne and saxophonist Loren Stillman are among the preeminent movers and shakers within modern jazz circles. In effect, they conjure up an overall tone of newness whether performing as solo artists, or accompanying others. Such is the case here, as the quintet designs a multi-genre gait that yields high dividends, largely due to its penchant for crafting a distinct sound.
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CD Reviews: Donny McCaslin Trio - Recommended Tools
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, September 10, 2008 - 04:03 PM |
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Glen Astarita
CD-2008 Greenleaf Music
I initially took notice of tenor saxophonist Donny McCaslin’s artistry and monstrous chops during his alignment with the formidable saxophonist David Binney in the hard-hitting quartet “Lan Xang.” McCaslin has since become one of the most sought after session artists in modern jazz while performing with trumpet hero Dave Douglas’ quintet since 2005 to complement his numerous jazz-centric activities. And with this debut solo outing for Douglas’ “Greenleaf Music” label, the artist treads waters previously exercised by sax greats, Sonny Rollins, Joe Henderson and Kenny Garrett among others. Sure enough, McCaslin launches a massive onslaught here. But it’s a democratic engagement, where bassist Hans Glawischnig and drummer Jonathan Blake round out the telepathic group sound.
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CD Reviews: Lester Young..Live At Birdland 1953 & 1956..ESP-DISK 2007
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Posted by: editor on Friday, September 05, 2008 - 02:24 PM |
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By John Gilbert
Lester Young (ts) Horace Silver, Bill Triglia (piano), Don Ferrara,
Jesse Jakes (Drakes) (trumpets) Franklin Skeete, Gene Ramey (bass), Gus
Johnson, Lee Abrams (drums)
This album contains 19 tunes and a very informative booklet along with a
recording that illustrates Pres and company in top notch form.
The opener "Lady Be Good" has Pres with his patented tone getting all
over the horn in an unusual manner for him. His interesting solo is pure
magic. Each player 'takes a helping' as Pres would say.
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CD Reviews: Fred Frith - “Technology of Tears” - CD 2008 (Reissue) Fred Records
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, September 04, 2008 - 04:22 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
Distributed by ReR USA.
This is the 2008 remastered and reissued CD by world-renowned composer/guitarist/improviser Fred Frith, who is also a founding member of the great â€70s avant-rock outfit “Henry Cow.” Commissioned by Rosalind Newman and performed for her dance company back in 1987, this album looms as one of the guitarist’s more advanced compositional undertakings. And while Frith employs fellow New York “downtown” scene pioneers, saxophonist John Zorn and turntable artiste Christian Marclay, the preponderance of this music is largely unclassifiable.
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DVD Reviews: Gustavo Assis-Brasil - “In Concert”
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, September 03, 2008 - 03:38 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
DVD+CD 2008 Anamaria Records
Boston-based guitarist Gustavo Assis-Brasil merges monstrous chops with a strong compositional pen, highlighted during this live footage recorded at a venue in his hometown of Santa Maria, Brazil. There’s also a bonus live CD, featuring seven audio-only pieces culled from the DVD. And for the technically minded folks, Assis-Brasil uses electric guitars sans machine heads. Nonetheless, the trio pursues a tightly regimented approach, counterbalanced by ample soloing opportunities and the leader’s largely, memorable frameworks.
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CD Reviews: The Decider/Benn Clatworthy
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, September 02, 2008 - 06:32 PM |
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Reedman Benn Clatworthy is truly both a player and composer of note. I relegate my readers to his ''Bossa Mia'' with its attendant
vigor and robustness.......Thus he creates an amalgam of power with his musical compositions. He can also play the ''American Songbook''
with a panache to be noted as well. Listen to his unusual version of ''Kick Out Of You,'' Last, there's an extreme senitivity in what Clatworthy's group delivers which is easy to assimilate
plus, he plays his music with a interesting harmonic audacity & expressive declamation as well which is rarely seen in musical circles.
George W Carroll
The Musicians' Ombudsman
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comments?
1286 Reads |
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DVD Reviews: Naxos releases third instalment in Jazz Icons series
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, September 02, 2008 - 01:32 PM |
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Naxos releases third instalment in Jazz Icons series including previously not seen Oscar Peterson shows from 1963, 1964 and 1965.
By John Stevenson
Naxos of America, one of the world’s top classical music labels has teamed up with Reelin’ in the Years Productions LLC, to produce seven more titles in its highly regarded Jazz Icons series, featuring stunning concert performances, captured in crystalline clear black and white.
These wondrous performances highlight the individualistic artistry of canonical jazz figures such as Sonny Rollins, Oscar Peterson, Lionel Hampton, Nina Simone, Bill Evans, Cannonball Adderley, and Rahsaan Roland Kirk. No doubt, this is an inestimable gift to posterity and to jazz pedagogy.
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CD Reviews: Jay D’Amico Trio, “Tuscan Prelude: Jazz Under Glass”
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Posted by: editor on Monday, September 01, 2008 - 07:13 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
With his first release in several years’ pianist and composer Jay D’Amico turns in one classy performance on Tuscan Prelude a unique blending of contemporary jazz with the classical influence. On his previous album, Ponte Novello (CAP, 2001) D’Amico chose to include operatic pieces from the Puccini, Verdi and Bellini influences and married the music to a jazz style. On this recording he once again draws from his classical training to present a fusion of classical and jazz music through eleven original compositions.
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CD Reviews: Marshall Gilkes, “Lost Words”
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Posted by: editor on Monday, September 01, 2008 - 07:12 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
New York trombonist and composer Marshall Gilkes made quite an impression with his 2004 debut “Edenderry” providing a swinging sound that showcased his talents as a composer. This follow up album features fresh new charts that highlight an aggressive approach to the music lending to his reputation as a strong Bebop trombonist. This is quite evident from his intense play on “The Crossover” and continues in kind on the following “Late Arrival” that shifts tempo to a relaxed jazzy feel.
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Gilad Atzmon liberates the Americans: Orient House Ensemble, Ronnie Scott’s London, August 30th 2008
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Posted by: editor on Monday, September 01, 2008 - 09:25 AM |
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By John Stevenson
For sheer improvisational fireworks, quirky humour and genre-defying invention, one will be hard-pressed to find a bandleader as unique as Gilad Atzmon.
The London-based Israeli-born saxophonist and clarinetist is also a novelist and controversial commentator on the complex politics of his homeland. Over the last decade he has blazed a distinctive trail with the Orient House Ensemble, mixing up the sounds of the Middle East with any number of influences including mainstream jazz, funk, calypso, and of course, klezmer.
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CD Reviews: Art Blakey and the Giants of Jazz - “Live at the 1972 Monterey Jazz Festival”
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Posted by: editor on Friday, August 29, 2008 - 05:50 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
CD-2008 Concord Music Group
Swing, swing and swing-hard might have been the mission statement for this all-star aggregation recorded live during the 1972 Monterey Jazz Festival. Ultimately, this group was concocted by legendary promoter George Wein and featured trumpet great Dizzy Gillespie during its 1971 inception: Dizzy eventually left the group due to obligations with his quartet. And per the album notes: “The Giants of Jazz was the greatest touring jam session since the heyday of Jazz at the Philharmonic.”
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CD Reviews: Carroll's CD Reviews
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Posted by: editor on Friday, August 29, 2008 - 09:18 AM |
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Aaron Irwin Group/Blood & Thunder/FSNT320
Echoes of ''Bird'.......Trane.......And other influential 'outside' jazz players who hold up our beloved idiom well......Enter Aaron Irwin with musical panache as he carries on our great mainstrean jazz tradition! Irwin is very much at home with his music, and bebop is 'where he lives.' I hope my missive engenders a deep respect for this musically knowledgeable & harmonically articulate jazz player, as he should be considered in my humble opinion a jazzer with immense objectivity and substance. This is a guy with a unique signature plus a definite singular personal dimension with what he sends out to us artistically.
George W Carroll
The Musicians' Ombudsman
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CD Reviews: Jasna Jovicevic - “Invented Reality”
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Posted by: editor on Friday, August 29, 2008 - 09:15 AM |
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Glenn Astarita
CD-2008 Independent (Made possible by Serbian Ministry of Diaspora)
Alto and soprano saxophonist Jasna Jovicevic fuses Balkan roots with her extensive music education and broad jazz vernacular on this interesting and largely, appealing studio date recorded in Toronto, Canada. In effect, she melds a sometimes-translucent demarcation between ethnocentric modal concepts with contemporary and modern jazz. Featuring brisk ballads, medium-tempo arrangements and the explorative strings-based suite titled “The Journey,” Jovicevic also surfaces as an able vocalist in spots.
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CD Reviews: Ron Kalina and Jim Self, “The Odd Couple”
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Posted by: editor on Friday, August 29, 2008 - 09:13 AM |
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By Edward Blanco
One of the most unusual jazz albums you will encounter in the music world today, The Odd Couple captures the unique marriage of the chromatic harmonica with the tuba and fluba producing an intriguing sound not often heard or appreciated but definitely entertaining to say the least. The dynamic duo of Ron Kalina on the harmonica and Jim Self blowing the tuba is not news for the two have teamed up before on Self’s first recording, “Children at Play.”
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CD Reviews: The Stryker/Slagle Band, “The Scene”
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, August 28, 2008 - 11:15 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Fresh from their critically acclaimed 2007 CD “Latest Outlook,” guitarist Dave Stryker and saxophonist Steve Slagle release their third album on the ZOHO label with The Scene clearly one of the finer sessions of contemporary jazz you will hear. This recording in many ways eclipses their previous effort, pays tribute to musicians who are all in a sense, “brothers on the scene,’ as Slagle puts it. Much of the music is dedicated to those who have passed on like Slagle’s “Hopewell’s Last,” a light cushy ballad dedicated to his late brother, Stuart Slagle,
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CD Reviews: Paul Motian Trio 2000 + Two - “Live at the Village Vanguard, Vol. II
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, August 28, 2008 - 11:11 AM |
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Glen Astarita
CD-2008 Winter & Winter
This is the follow up to the 2007 issued Vol. I album of the same name/venue. Again, drumming master Paul Motian and his core trio set the foundation for a musical schema that is steeped within capacious parameters and ultra-modern jazz stylizations. With the addition of alto saxophonist Greg Osby, violaist Mat Maneri and pianist Masabumi Kikuchi, the music iterated here is a study in contrasts, expressionism and flotation-like pulses.
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CD Reviews: Adam Niewood and His Rabble Rousers “Epic Journey, Volumes I & II”
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Posted by: admin on Tuesday, August 26, 2008 - 07:18 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Presenting a double CD set of original and mostly freestyle improvised music, Manhattan-based saxophonist and composer Adam Niewood turns in a marvelous performance on the reeds where he plays all five saxophones and the clarinet. Adam happens to be the son of saxophonist great Gerry Niewood whom I first heard play on an early 70s two record set of a Chuck Mangione concert with the Rochester Philharmonic. This Niewood version prefers the creative and sophisticated structure of free jazz providing specific tempos, grooves and moods you will not find in more traditional jazz music.
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CD Reviews: Court Mast, “Sausalito Summer”
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Posted by: admin on Tuesday, August 26, 2008 - 07:18 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
San Francisco-based composer, trumpeter and cornetist Court Mast returns to the music scene after a twenty-five year hiatus and pays a musical tribute to the town of Sausalito with twelve new compositions with titles reflecting the cozy and breezy feel of a summer spent in the Sausalito area. The music on Sausalito Summer is sophisticated straight ahead containing light jazzy melodies sprinkled with boppish solos from a fine cast of players.
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CD Reviews: Jasna Jovicevic “Invented Reality” CD-2008 Independent (Made possible by Serbian Ministry of Diaspora)
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Posted by: admin on Tuesday, August 26, 2008 - 07:17 PM |
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By Glenn Astarita
Alto and soprano saxophonist Jasna Jovicevic fuses Balkan roots with her extensive music education and broad jazz vernacular on this interesting and largely, appealing studio date recorded in Toronto, Canada. In effect, she melds a sometimes-translucent demarcation between ethnocentric modal concepts with contemporary and modern jazz. Featuring brisk ballads, medium-tempo arrangements and the explorative strings-based suite titled “The Journey,” Jovicevic also surfaces as an able vocalist in spots.
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CD Reviews: Court Mast, “Sausalito Summer”
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, August 19, 2008 - 08:51 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
San Francisco-based composer, trumpeter and cornetist Court Mast returns to the music scene after a twenty-five year hiatus and pays a musical tribute to the town of Sausalito with twelve new compositions with titles reflecting the cozy and breezy feel of a summer spent in the Sausalito area. The music on Sausalito Summer is sophisticated straight ahead containing light jazzy melodies sprinkled with boppish solos from a fine cast of players.
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CD Reviews: David Liebman – Ellery Eskelin – Tony Marino – Jim Black - “Renewal”
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, August 19, 2008 - 11:27 AM |
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CD-2008 hatOLOGY Records
This 2008 release presents some of the more intense tenor sax work you’ll likely hear. It’s a coherent and structured endeavor, where song-form and furious improvisation attain a fruitful coexistence. Here, sax icons David Liebman and Ellery Eskelin engage modern jazz with the fortitude of two warriors armed and ready for battle. Consequently, the quartet does indeed convey a spirited, group-centric line of fire.
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CD Reviews: Holly Yarbrough, “Mister Rogers Swings!”
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Posted by: editor on Monday, August 18, 2008 - 05:56 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
The late Fred Rogers had quite a following among children and many adults today who grew up watching Mister Rogers Neighborhood, but not many remember him as an accomplished songwriter as singer Holly Yarbrough does and with this solo debut, pays tribute to Rogers in a swinging jazzy fashion. Mister Rogers Swings was a labor of love for Ms. Yarbrough, who happens to be the daughter of folk singer tenor Glenn Yarbrough, records sixteen original Rogers’s compositions providing a mature straight ahead sound to the music.
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CD Reviews: Bill King’s Rhythm Express, “Beat Street”
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, August 14, 2008 - 10:14 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
When he’s not composing music, arranging, producing acting as a photo journalist and publishing The Jazz Report and Ejazznews web site, Bill King is a consummate professional musician who plays and sings the blues, soul and of course, jazz and does it well. A leader of many musical groups, the eclectic Rhythm Express sextet presents the latest project with “Beat Street,” a personal homage, as he states, “to the great soul jazz pioneers…” that have been a part of his musical make up since the age of fifteen. In particular he points to the influences of such artists as Cannonball Adderley, Ramsey Lewis, the Crusaders and Jazz Messengers, Miles Davis, Eddie Palmieri, Hancock, Marvin Gaye and Stevie Wonder just to name a few.
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CD Reviews: For Hep Cats – Linda Dachtyl (Chicken Coup LLC 2008)
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, August 14, 2008 - 03:42 PM |
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Clef Notes
Karl Stober
Put this spin on the "Hep" cycle and let it rotate, for it has the matchless signature that cleverly dispenses the art of cool rhythms. Linda Dachtyl and her jazz organ have orchestrated a tidy, little career of being one thing…unique! The style has this old-school fervor to its music sheets.
Not one who is well-versed for songs in the "key" of organs, this plunge into a blues injected sound has me intrigued, in the affirmative sense. Curious as to how Ms. Dachtyl extracts such elegance and smooth cool from her keys, the arrangements offer imaginative flair and are blurred from textbook regulations. For Hep Cats takes the blues mentality and injects the jazz feel properly with a charismatic approach.
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CD Reviews: Kelley Johnson..Home..Sapphire Records 2008
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, August 14, 2008 - 02:50 PM |
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By John Gilbert
Kelley Johnson's rich and cultured voice is a joy to listen to,
especially on the Gershwin's "Love Walked Right In" Johnson gets this
tune off the ground in a hurry with a swinging arrangement. Matt
Jorgensen on drums displays a tasty backdrop and Geoffrey Keezer's
message at the piano is a cool sojourn into the land of bop.
The arrangements are artfully crafted and Johnson's soulful phrasing and
intimate tone gives one lots of fertile ground to till.
It is indeed a pleasure to hear a vocalist with no gimmicks, simply one
whose artistry is sufficient to carry the day with no concern for the
"Young And The Hipless"
5 Stars
Visit California Coast Jazz At:
http://community-2.webtv.net/johnnyjazz/johnnyjazzsjazzpage
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CD Reviews: Bud Powell..Live At The Blue Note Cafe, Paris 1961
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, August 12, 2008 - 04:04 PM |
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Bud Powell (piano), Pierre Michelot (bass), Kenny Clarke (drums), Zoot
Sims (tenor sax).
By John Gilbert
Bud Powell was to the piano what Alfred Einstein was to the theory of
relativity. He is recognized, along with Bird and Diz as one the main
figures in the creation of bop. Powell's lightning like right hand with
chords from his left became the standard by which all pianists are
judged to this day.
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CD Reviews: Some Enchanted Evening – Miles Black Trio (Cellar 2007)
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Posted by: editor on Monday, August 11, 2008 - 01:39 PM |
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Clef Notes
Karl Stober
As live recordings go, this spin is the pedagogy of charming oneself within the diverse vein of ivory strokes.
The Miles Black Trio, from the cavern known as The Cellar, showcases a lovely evening of spontaneous jazz with a rhythmic sparkle. At times, the sound quality of the disc is timid and barely identifiable, however, Some Enchanted Evening and its flexible attitude, outweigh any minor issues in its course. This spin is a jazz fixture for any twilight moment, when the mood dictates the outcome.
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CD Reviews: Sam Newsome & Lucian Ban - “The Romanian-American Jazz Suite” - CD-2008 Jazzaway Records
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, August 10, 2008 - 11:25 AM |
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Glenn Astarita
As noted in the liner notes: “This CD is a documentation of "The Romanian-American Jazz Suite, a multi-movement work composed by American saxophonist Sam Newsome and Romanian pianist Lucian Ban, which combines Romanian folk music with American jazz.” The program was initially conceived when American saxophonist Sam Newsome and Romanian reared pianist Lucian Ban received the CEC Artslink award, emanating from a New York-based establishment that sponsors alliances between artists in the United States, Central Europe, Russia and Eurasia. Moreover, Newsome and Ban chart out the events and steps leading to the actual fruition of this album in the liners.
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CD Reviews: CD Reviews: Wayne Wallace “The Nature of the Beat”
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, August 09, 2008 - 10:48 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
San Francisco native Wayne Wallace is an established arranger, composer and sideman who has long been in the forefront of the vibrant jazz scene in the Bay Area and has garnishing three Latin Grammy nominations in addition to his credentials with bebop, big band and R&B music. As a trombonist, Wallace is a much in demand artist who regularly is called on to grace the recordings of many of the top artist in the music world. “The Nature of The Beat” is the second part of a trilogy that he began with his previous critically acclaimed album “The Reckless Search for Beauty,” which blends the genres of straight-ahead jazz, Latin and R&B music. This album contains more of the Afro-Latin rhythms than the other recording and continues his fascination with the Afro-centric music of Cuba, Puerto Rico and Brazil.
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CD Reviews: Elaine Lucia..Let's Live Again..Songflower Records 2008
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, August 06, 2008 - 03:23 PM |
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Elaine Lucia (vocals), Jonathan Alford (piano), Pierre Archain (bass),
Alan Hall (drums), Gerry Grosz (vibes), Randy Vincent (guitar)
By John Gilbert
Elaine Lucia has all the equipment that is inherent in every solid jazz
vocalist. She enunciates with clarity, sings in tune and chooses her
tunes wisely.
"The Wildest Gal In Town" has all the ingredients of a proper jazz tune.
The lyrics are both sophisticated and stylish and Lucia's message is
obvious to the discerning listener. Randy Vincent's guitar adds some
pizazz to an already hot track.
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CD Reviews: Albums show many sides of Latin jazz
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, August 05, 2008 - 08:12 AM |
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'Felicidade'
Gary Morgan and Panamericana! (CAP)
'Song for Chico'
Arturo O'Farrill and the Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra (Zoho)
'The Latin Side of Wayne Shorter'
Conrad Herwig (Half Note)
Afro-Cuban jazz, sometimes called Latin jazz, can go a number of ways, as three current albums show. Gary Morgan's "Felicidade" features Panamericana!, a hefty band of 22 pieces. It includes French horns and tuba at times to produce a sound that is gigantic, but never loses its swing. Baritone-sax player Terry Goss fits particularly well in the band's deep sound. Meanwhile, Arturo O'Farrill leads his traditionally sized Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra on "Song for Chico," dedicated to his late father, Chico, a composer-arranger-bandleader. While this band has a more common big-band feel, it is not lacking in weight or good arrangements.
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CD Reviews: John Stevenson on Kenny Barron, David Sanchez and Torsten Goods
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, August 02, 2008 - 10:02 AM |
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August 2008
Kenny Barron: Traveler (Universal/Emarcy)
The distinguished pianist has put together a smashing aggregation, deployed in several combinations and permutations to underscore his distinctive suppleness, ingenuity and arranging acumen. Up-and-coming lions, West African guitarist Lionel Loueke and Cuban drummer Francisco Mela (among others) are like minds with elder statesmen such as vocalist Grady Tate. The Barron-Loueke duet, simply called Duet, is a thing of great beauty. The quartet number “’Speed Trap’, sees Barron in Herbie Nichols territory, trotting out whimsically improvised lines that lance and parry with the likes of featured soprano saxist Steve Wilson. This is without doubt Barron’s most unpredictable – and refreshing – recording date in many years.
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Berklee College of Music & Roxbury Film Festival
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Posted by: opi on Thursday, July 31, 2008 - 08:24 AM |
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Berklee College of Music and Roxbury Film Festival
Bring Hip-Hop and Global Music Exchange to the Big Screen for Festival’s 10th Anniversary
Music and Movies Perfect Marriage for Roxbury Film Festival’s Landmark Celebration
What do you get when you mix the college known the world over for contemporary music with the film festival known locally and nationally for celebrating people of color and its legacy of community development and empowerment? Powerful cinema of global import that weaves the stories of people from South Central Los Angeles, New Orleans, South Africa, Tibet and beyond with their musical mantras. For the first time in the festival’s 10-year history, there will be film screenings at Berklee College of Music for the public as part of the festival, roxburyfilmfestival.org, Berklee.edu.
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CD Reviews: John Stevenson’s Top Five: Jazz, African hip hop, Gwo-Ka, and beyond
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, July 30, 2008 - 01:36 PM |
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July/August 2008
Sophie: The Peacocks (SBS)
Supported by a stunning band including Canadian jazz vets Bill King (keyboards), saxophonist Mike Murley, and drummer Mark Kelso, seventeen-year-old Sophie Berkal-Sabit sprinkles vocal stardust all over this three-track sampler – greatly whetting the appetite for the full-programme platter to come. With remarkable maturity of delivery and poise, Sophie stamps her artistic authority on the Jimmy Rowles-penned title tune, arguably one of the most challenging numbers in the jazz standards library, followed by the one-two combination of â€Love for Sale’ and â€Softly as in a Morning Sunrise’ – both given peppery Latinized arrangements.
Walter Becker: Circus Money (Sonic360)
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CD Reviews: Curtis Haywood Self Titled Debut
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, July 29, 2008 - 09:05 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Smooth jazz saxophonist Curtis Haywood makes a thrilling debut with a twelve track album containing eight new contemporary smooth jazz originals along with a selection of R&B standards given new soulful interpretations. Originally influenced by the likes of Grover Washington, David Sanborn and named after the legendary R&B saxophonist King Curtis, when Haywood plays the sax, you can almost hear a little of each of these greats in his saxophone voice.
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CD Reviews: Nobu Stowe & Alan Munshower with Badal Roy - “An die Musik”
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, July 29, 2008 - 09:04 AM |
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Glenn Astarita
CD-2008 Soul Note
As a Psychologist/Neuroscientist, Baltimore resident Stobu Nowe might have some added insight, regarding the mind’s elucidation of melody within freely improvised musical environs. No doubt, he’s a seriously talented pianist who admittedly cites Keith Jarrett as a major influence. Recorded on the second floor of the Baltimore area record shop An Die Musik as part of Bernard Lyon’s “Creative Differences” series, this set offers the antithesis of your typical free-improvisation type fare. Therefore, the common denominator is centered upon Stowe’s reengineering of melody lines, yet the bottom line is that the trio abides by a democratic modus operandi.
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CD Reviews: Steve Oliver “One Night Live”
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Posted by: editor on Monday, July 28, 2008 - 09:58 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Smooth jazz guitarist virtuoso Steve Oliver presents a new DVD/CD two-disc set capturing an electrifying live performance recorded at the State Theatre in Modesto, California playing many of his greatest hits. In addition, the CD also includes two originals not performed in concert (“This Fire” and “On The Upside”). Clearly one of the best Smooth jazz albums of the, “One Night Stand” reveals the talents of an amazing artist so versatile on the guitar that he actually makes it sing using a host of electronic aides, the guitar makes the vocal sound of “Do’s and Bop’s.”
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CD Reviews: Swampdawamp-2.0
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Posted by: muzikman on Sunday, July 27, 2008 - 11:46 AM |
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Artist: Swampdawamp
Title: 2.0
Genre: Southern Rock-Blues
Label: Big Penny Entertainment
Website
Source Link
Swampdawamp is crankin it up again and getting those southern fried rock and blue fires burnin! On this teaser, titled 2.0 a Special Edition pre release CD, they are offering up three studio tracks and interviews and a rehearsal recording. The boys sound like they are ready to release another great album sometime later this year.
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CD Reviews: Noah Preminger Group “Dry Bridge Road”
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, July 22, 2008 - 12:11 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Noah Preminger is not a household name in the world of jazz as of yet, but this young twenty-two year old tenor saxophonist is striving to change that and this debut recording may do the trick. Dry Ridge Road captures a session of ambient jazz that leans a bit towards the free jazz genre with a good dose of improvisational material. You get a sense of that right from the opening track (“Luke”) showcasing his full-toned delivery and changing direction of the music. He follows with a short vignette titled “A Dream,” his second of six original tunes on the album, leading to the heavily improvised “Today is Okay” in which he plays off the other members of his sextet on a series of improvisations.
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CD Reviews: Marc McDonald, “It Doesn’t End Here”
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, July 22, 2008 - 12:09 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
After more than twenty-five years as a sideman, alto saxophonist and composer Marc McDonald makes his recording debut as leader with one of the finest mainstream jazz albums of the year. Except for three light standards given refreshing new arrangements, McDonald contributes eight original compositions containing influences from bop, Brazilian and a bit of New Orleans R&B. British-born McDonald, who now resides in New York, has led various groups in the NewYork/New Jersey area for over twenty-five years.
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Steve Lukather - Ever Changing Times tour
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Posted by: willminting on Sunday, July 20, 2008 - 08:30 AM |
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STEVE LUKATHER - LIVE IN TUTTLINGEN, GERMANY
Having seen more than 100 Toto and Lukather shows in 11 countries since 1988, tonight's Honberg-Sommer festival show at Tuttlingen in southern Germany will rank as one of my favourites. Why?
This was the freshest live performance I've seen in a very long time, and Luke's whole approach and demeanour seemed totally revitalised by his new band. It's as if Luke calling-time on Toto has unburdened him from the shackles of "those" songs and re-awakened his enthusiasm to hit the road and start over. The new material from Ever Changing Times (Tell me what you want from me) is fresh sounding to begin with but the harder edge and rawness of this new band seem to have re-lit Luke's fire. As Luke told me tonight, "these guys are great musicians". I already knew Steve Weingart, who I've been in almost daily contact with for the last 3 years, and Eric Valentine and Carlitos del Puerto from their regular Baked Potato and La Ve Lee jazz club shows. I didn't know Ricky Z but the fact that it WAS Ricky and not Tony Spinner somehow rung the changes completely from the Toto scene. Ricky is indeed a very talented chap - fantastic imitation pedal-steel guitar playing on Hate Everything About You, and his ad-lib vocals on Fall Into Velvet rightly drew much appreciation.
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Jamie Davis “Vibe Over Perfection”
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, July 17, 2008 - 08:18 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Named the “chocolate baritone” by Sir Michael Parkinson of the BBC, vocalist Jamie Davis has been compared to the legendary Joe Williams, Johnny Hartman and the late Lou Rawls; Davis releases his second album on the Unity label with “Vibe Over Perfection.” A nine-song CD of familiar pop and jazz standards, the husky-toned baritone fronts a large big band accompanied by world-class musicians such as saxophonist Tom Scott, pianist and composer Shelly Berg, who also conducts the orchestra, and features many members of The Count Basie Orchestra including Scotty Barnhart.
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CD Reviews: Al Foster Quartet, “Love, Peace and Jazz!”
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, July 17, 2008 - 08:16 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
One of the most influential drummers in jazz over the last three decades, Al Foster reclaims the musical limelight releasing his first album in the last twelve years. Love Peace and Jazz! captures a two-night live recording in April 2007 at New York City’s legendary Village Vanguard where his eclectic quartet performed only six numbers, three Foster originals and three jazz standards, but spanned seventy-minutes of playing time. One of the best live recordings around, the music can be described as being, for the most part, a post-bop sound.
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CD Reviews: Revolutionary Snake Ensemble - “Forked Tongue”
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, July 15, 2008 - 07:30 PM |
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glenn Astarita
CD-2008 Cuneiform Records
These Northeasterners really have that New Orleans thing down to an exact science. With frothy funk beats, fiery arrangements and trad-jazz serving as the core, this is the follow-up to the ensemble’s 2003 effort titled “Year of the Snake” which I had slated as a top-ten pick for the New Orleans Weekly Gambit.
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CD Reviews: Sharel Cassity – Just For You - Just in Jazz
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Posted by: editor on Monday, July 14, 2008 - 05:05 PM |
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JazzTrenzz
Alto supremacy is the working title of this spin today! Just For You is cunningly complex, yet seemingly effortless with sly execution, by saxophonist Sharel Cassity. Mixed with standards, even the originals leave no doubt that, this horn chanteuse has an engagement with destiny.
Assured not to be a “card holding member” of the “Legion of Imitators”… Ms. Cassity has earned that aura of exclusivity about her horn, and its soothing appeal. Case in point is the tip-toe affect Ms. Cassity’s sax offers in “Irazu (Wish You Were Here).” The intro guides you into the body of the piece. At that juncture, Adam BirnBaum’s keys mystically pull you into the piece. The blanket of Michael Dease’s trombone assists in crafting this piece into a spin-frenzy disc a brief look into choice cuts to come.
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CD Reviews: Karen Johns & Company – Star and Season
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, July 13, 2008 - 10:57 PM |
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JazzTrenzz
The Star of any Season
Similar to the variation in New England seasons, Karen Johns is equal in the moods that swing from her new self released CD, Star and Season. Partnered in life and song with husband James, Ms. Johns and Company has spun a collection of meticulous jazz confections which delve into a much deserving catalogue of music sheets.
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CD Reviews: Pete Zimmer Quartet..Chillin' Live @ The Jazz Factory..Tippin Records 2008
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, July 13, 2008 - 09:09 PM |
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Pete Zimmer (drums) Jeremy Pelt (tpt & Floogie) Avi Rothbard (guitar)
David Wong (bass)
By John Gilbert
Recorded live in Louisville, Ky. at the Jazz Factory, Pete Zimmer has
released another gem in true jazz fashion.
"Doxy", penned by Sonny Rollins is introduced by Jeremy Pelt's trumpet,
followed by the sashaying guitar of Avi Rothbard as he struts in a blues
bag and he gets it all and then some.
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Darren Sigesmund Quintet, “Strands”
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, July 13, 2008 - 08:24 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Toronto-based trombonist Darren Sigesmund in the beginning of the year celebrated the Canadian release of his highly anticipated debut album “Strands” through joint sponsorship of the Canadian Council for the Arts and the Ontario Arts Council. The music is quite diverse containing a repertoire that draws influences from various sources including Argentinean tango, contemporary jazz, Middle Eastern flavor and just a touch of Brazilian samba. All together the blending works quite well and is performed flawlessly by Sigesmund’s more than able quintet.
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CD Reviews: Too Blue Lou and The Groove “The Birth of Hip Bop”
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, July 12, 2008 - 09:56 PM |
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Edward Blanco
If you love and know jazz, then you also know that you can’t define jazz as being just one thing, one style, and one genre. Not satisfied with the traditional mainstream approach to the music, along comes keyboardist and band leader Lou Montelione with a new creation, Hip Bop jazz. As the liner notes state Hip Bop may be described as the “unique blend of groove oriented improvisations, scat vocals and rap, played over heavy beats and a traditional walking bass…”
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CD Reviews: Ketil Bjornstad & Terje Rypdal - “Life in Leipzig”
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, July 12, 2008 - 11:58 AM |
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Glenn Astarita
CD-2008 ECM Records
The legacy of these two Norwegian musicians’ affiliation reverts back to 1994 when “The Sea” quartet was inaugurated and issued by this estimable record label. But due to logistics and timing, progressive-rock guitarist Terje Rypdal and classically-trained pianist Ketil Bjornstad branched off into a duo format amid their respective projects.
Recorded at a Leipzig Germany opera house, the program offers innumerable contrasts. Take for example, Bjornstad’s largely gentle voicings coupled with Rypdal’s razor sharp lines that generate hauntingly beautiful and somewhat ethereal musical environs. The guitarist’s touch of echo is a staple of his highly individualistic sound, which is funneled through an ancient Vox AC30-amp. With a Fender solid-body guitar, Rypdal often counters the pianist’s cascading chord clusters and lyrically-resplendent themes. A study in contrasts indeed, yet it all works remarkably well despite the oil and water connotations that might arise, given the respective musicians’ disparate resumes.
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CD Reviews: Yellowjackets featuring Mike Stern - “Lifecycle”
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, July 08, 2008 - 12:22 PM |
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CD-2008 Heads-Up
Here, guitar hero Mike Stern performs on seven of ten pieces with seminal jazz and jazz-fusion stalwarts, the Yellowjackets. Stern does indeed add an edge via his scathing bottom-up mode of attack, nicely counterbalanced by a few warm ballads that are nestled into the mix. More importantly, this 2008 release signifies one of the core band’s finest outings in quite some time. And that’s largely due to many of these compositions that generate gobs of staying power to complement the frontline’s zinging solos and climactically designed exchanges.
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Marilyn Scott-Every Time We Say Goodbye
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Posted by: muzikman on Tuesday, July 08, 2008 - 09:00 AM |
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Artist: Marilyn Scott
Title: Every Time We Say Goodbye
Genre: Jazz (Standards)
Label: Venus Records
Website
iTunes Link
Source Link
How many times can an artist release a recording with just standards? When it comes to jazz standards, I do not believe the true music lover and jazz devotee feels there are ever too many of these types of albums. Timeless classics from the likes of Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, Duke Ellington…well it is obvious that you cannot go wrong when you travel down this road lined with literal music gold. This is the holy grail of jazz and near perfection is required for your audience to except your performance.
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Listening Post /Brief reviews of select releases Jazz
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, July 06, 2008 - 09:01 PM |
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Robin McKelle is very much her own jazz singer.
Robin McKelle, “Modern Antique” (Cheap Lullaby). This one’s going to surprise the daylights out of you. In the realm of big band retro jazz singing, think of the Rochester-born McKelle as the pyrotechnic and often brilliant female version of Michael Buble. She’s close to sensational at times here. And even though she’s now based in Boston, she seems to have the cream of Los Angeles’ studio finest here with her in her terrific big band (Andy Snitzer, Pete Christlieb). It’s certainly true that you can sometimes catch her in the act of being a little derivative of some of the greatest jazz singers before her (of Dinah Washington, for instance, on “I Want to Be Loved”), but she’s very much her own singer and there’s nothing the slightest bit tentative or cutesy about her either. She is, in every way, the real thing. More than a little rare these days, eh what? â…â…â… 1/2 (Jeff Simon)
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CD Reviews: Joe Davidian Trio..Silent Fire..Sonic Mirage Media 2008
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, July 06, 2008 - 04:49 PM |
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John Gilbert
Joe Davidian (piano) Jamie Ousley (bass) Austin McMahon (drums)
Joe Davidian exudes warmth in his playing as evidenced in his rendition
of "Over The Rainbow" This tune is, in my opinion, the hallmark of this
recording. The changes are truly magnificent and the melody is brought
forth brightly. Harburg and Arlen would be pleased.
"T.I.E. Trio" a marching beat introduces us to Jamie Ousley's blues
original. Joe Davidian has an interesting concept in his solo which
drives and swings to the max. The bass solo by Ousley is a speedy
message keeping the blues intact and Davidian comes back with a
delightful musical riposte. This is another gem by this solid ensemble.
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CD Reviews: Nobu Stowe & Alan Munshower with Badal Roy, “An die Musik”
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, July 05, 2008 - 09:37 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Dr. Nobuyoshi Suto is a psychologist by profession and a free-improvisation jazz pianist by passion better known as Nobu Stowe, who has already produces several albums on the Soul Note label. Based in Baltimore, MD, Stowe’s latest project was recoded at An die Musk, essentially a music shop/forum located on the second floor of its Mount Vernon town house where the scheduled performances center on improvised jazz and classical music. Stowe, a fervent disciple of pianist Keith Jarrett, bills this live recording as a collection of what he terms “total-improvisations,” separate and distinct from the free style jazz genre because of the incorporation of song-like melodies and tonal quality of the music.
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E_L_B -Peter Erskine_Nguyen Le_Michel Benita -& Stephane Guillaume
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, July 05, 2008 - 09:34 AM |
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Glenn Astarita
“Dream Flight”
CD-2008 ACT
This is a jazz-fusion tinted album that is designed with eloquence and firepower. Then again, drumming great Peter Erskine and guitar hero Nguyen Le prevail as the more recognizable musicians here. But the group-centric focus yields numerous dividends throughout this democratically engaged studio session that emanated after the band’s 2007 tour.
At times the ensemble pursues a sinuous mode of attack that parlays lucid imagery of a sojourn though narrow alleyways and spiraling ascensions. Many of these works highlight Le and Guillaume’s intricately enacted unison choruses, where the soloists’ generate some high heat in spots. And of course, Erskine is the consummate timekeeper while exercising the requisite dynamics when the situation arises.
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CD Reviews: Tumbao Bravo, “Un Systema Para Todo”
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, July 03, 2008 - 09:12 AM |
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Edward Blanco
If one were to tell me that there’s excellent Latin jazz music coming from a group of guys from the Ann Arbor, Michigan area led by a co-leader named Paul VornHagen, I would have to hear it to believe it. So I did hear the group’s new album and so I do now believe! Writing here from the Miami/South Florida area where Latin jazz is a natural, I must confess that the Afro-Cuban jazz combo of Tumbao Bravo can rumba, Cha cha cha, and play a jazzy salsa with the best of them. “Un Systema Para Todo” (A system for everything) is the group’s third release featuring eleven hip shaking and shoulder moving original compositions from members of the band.
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CD Reviews: Avishai Cohen Trio-“Gently Disturbed”-CD-2008 RazDaz Records
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, July 03, 2008 - 12:10 AM |
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Glenn Astaria,
He gained notoriety as a monster bassist back in his days with keyboardist Chick Corea and others of note. Since then, Avishai Cohen has etched out a career, largely framed upon compositional excellence to coincide with his enviable technical faculties. Simply stated, the artist’s truly distinct works, performed within various ensemble configurations, has yielded gobs of praise from critics and the modern jazz populous. Here, Cohen leads a pulsating trio date featuring Israeli pianist Shai Maestro and drummer Mark Guiliana.
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CD Reviews: Emilio Solla, “Conversas (Al Lado Del Agua)”
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, July 02, 2008 - 10:12 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Pianist and composer Emilio Solla from Argentina delivers his fifth recording with “Conversas (Al Lado Del Agua)—Conversations (By the Water). Recorded in Spain with his group, which he calls “Afines,” the music can be categorized as World jazz where you will hear the influences of Argentine folk music as well as elements of tango all blending into an interesting session of non- traditional jazz. Solla, who plays the piano and Fender Rhodes, is a classically trained musician who draws on this experience in a wonderful solo performance on the title track, essentially a beautiful piece of classical jazz.
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CD Reviews: Joe Davidian Trio..Silent Fire..Sonic Mirage Media 2008
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Posted by: admin on Wednesday, July 02, 2008 - 02:40 PM |
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John Gilbert
Joe Davidian (piano) Jamie Ousley (bass) Austin McMahon (drums)
Joe Davidian exudes warmth in his playing as evidenced in his rendition
of "Over The Rainbow" This tune is, in my opinion, the hallmark of this
recording. The changes are truly magnificent and the melody is brought
forth brightly. Harburg and Arlen would be pleased.
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CD Reviews: Jeff Hackworth..Where The Blue Begins..Big Bridge Music 2008
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Posted by: admin on Wednesday, July 02, 2008 - 02:40 PM |
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By John Gilbert
Jeff Hackworth (ts), Lafayette Harris, Jr. (piano), John Webber (bass),
Alvin Atkinson (d), John Basili (guitar, 1,4,7,8,9)
Jeff Hackworth plays with a lot of intensity and sticks with what makes
jazz a great art form. His sound is not affected and ideas abound in his
presentation.
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CD Reviews: Finn Peters: Butterflies (Accidental)
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Posted by: editor on Friday, June 27, 2008 - 09:45 PM |
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Finn Peters: Butterflies (Accidental)
By John Stevenson
BBC jazz award winner, flautist and saxophonist Finn Peters throws together Chinese philosophy,
Indonesian gamelan and "world jazz" on his second album. Judiciously mixing composition and improvisation,
this gem of a disc features slow to medium-tempo pieces that build to near-theatrical climaxes.
Though he echoes the experimentation of figures such as trumpeter Don Cherry, Devon-born Peters is on to something distinctive,
dicing up Oriental and African-derived musical motifs with a sure-footed touch.
Butterflylike, Peters's alto saxophone playfully flits and darts against a core rhythmic background.
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comments?
1300 Reads |
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CD Reviews: HUMI (Hugh Hopper & Yumi Hara Cawkwell)
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Posted by: editor on Friday, June 27, 2008 - 10:22 AM |
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Glenn Astarita
“Dune”
CD-2008 Moonjune Records
Yumi Hara Cawkwell, is a psychiatrist who relocated to the UK in 1993 and went on to receive a PhD in composition at City University in London. She’s won several awards and has been involved in numerous music related projects. And with this venture co-featuring legendary Soft Machine bass giant Hugh Hopper, the duo straddles the avant-garde spectrum via subtle nods to progressive-rock, free-rock, classical and more.
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CD Reviews: Evan Knight, “Reminiscence”
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, June 24, 2008 - 10:29 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
At the young and tender age of twenty-two, saxophonist Evan Knight has already built a resume of professional performances that cover almost ten years. Shinning primarily on the alto saxophone, this multi-talented young artist plays the tenor, soprano, keyboards, synthesizer and even the drums. “Reminiscence” is his debut album and though recently released, he’s already working on his second effort in hopes, as stated in the press sheets, “of becoming a Headliner in the Smooth Jazz arena.” If the music on this, his first recording, is any indication of what is in store from this dynamic young artist in the future, Smooth jazz audiences better take notice because there’s a young lion of genre in the making.
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CD Reviews: Carlos Jimenez, “Thoughts”
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, June 24, 2008 - 08:23 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Jazz flautist Carlos Jimenez from Yonkers New York produces his latest musical project with his new “Thoughts” CD comprised of eleven new and original compositions firmly grounded in the smooth jazz tradition and containing strong elements of Latin Jazz, a genre with which Jimenez is closely associated. Sounding a bit like flautist Dave Valentin, Jimenez displays his ample chops on the flute leading a quartet which includes bassist Ruben Rodriguez, drummer Vince Cherico and Fidel Cuellar on the piano.
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CD Reviews: Laszlo Gardony - “Dig Deep” - CD-2008 Sunnyside
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, June 24, 2008 - 08:21 AM |
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Glen Astarita
Pianist Laszlo Gardony digs deep into his multi-versed jazz vernacular during this irrefutably, captivating 2008 release. With his trio of six years, the camaraderie and intuition quotient cannot be undermined yet should be anticipated given the personnel involved. Here, the pianist jubilantly integrates funk, gospel, rock, soul and world music into the classic jazz, piano-trio format. However, the overriding force pertains to the leader’s strikingly memorable compositions.
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CD Reviews: Robin McKelle, “Modern Antique”
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, June 22, 2008 - 05:05 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Robin McKelle once fancied herself an R&B singer and not till arranger-producer and trumpeter Willie Murillo convinced her to do a jazz CD, did she realize that she was indeed a jazz vocalist after all. Her debut disc, “Introducing Robin McKelle,” was essentially a concept album that evoked the jazz spirit of the 1940’s using the backdrop of a large orchestra. On “Modern Antique,” her second offering of swinging big band music, McKelle once again fronts a star-studded ensemble voicing a selection of tunes from the Great American Songbook concluding with an original self-penned ballad (“Remember”).
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CD Reviews: Alex Lattimore-Promise
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Posted by: muzikman on Sunday, June 22, 2008 - 01:30 PM |
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Artist: Alex Lattimore
Title: Promise
Genre: R & B-Jazz-Blues
Label: Independent
Website
CD Baby Link
iTunes Link
Source Link
Vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Alex Lattimore (Lead and background vocals, Flugel Horn, Synthesizer, Rhodes Piano, Moog) brings home the Promise to Atlanta in 2008.
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CD Reviews: Jeff Coffin & Charlie Peacock: Arc of the Circle (Runway)
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, June 21, 2008 - 09:33 AM |
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By John Stevenson
The music turns on the keyboard/sax’n’winds axis of Coffin and Peacock with special guests such as guitarist Marc Ribot and tuba player Joe Murphy. Coffin and Peacock’s improvisational lines spill over and intertwine delightfully. There are surprises galore as the two masterly musicians traverse the arc of their considerable artistry. Their improvisational spirit is unleashed to go where it pleases with results that appear to pay tribute to a number of reference points, from McCoy Tyner to John Coltrane and Keith Jarrett to animation composers such as Carl Stalling. The elegiac ambience of “Sweet Magnolia (Tree)”, for instance, brings to mind George Adams and Don Pullen, while Arc of the Circle, is heavily freighted with early 20th century classical aspects - plus- an ever-present blues feeling. It is a beautiful CD which will surely be remembered among the jazzier highlights of 2008.
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comments?
1531 Reads |
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CD Reviews: Karen Ristuben: Too Much (Daring)
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, June 21, 2008 - 09:29 AM |
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By John Stevenson
Karen Ristuben - an artist, singer and lawyer - argues the case for the popular jazz song most eloquently on Too Much. Accompanying herself on guitar, and aided and abetted by some of the best jazz musicians Boston has to offer, she brings a singularly calming and relaxed vocal approach to a dozen popular jazz tunes, such as Jobim’s Quiet Nights/Quiet Stars, and the Ellington-Strayhorn chestnut, Daydream. What is interesting about this outing is that jazz material is made eminently accessible, smoothed out by the inclusion of archtop guitar and pedal steel (courtesy Kevin Barry). The imaginative arrangement of Thelonius Monk’s Ugly Beauty is noteworthy: “Gus” Sebring’s masterly French horn solo acts as a sturdy connection to the lush piano and vocal interplay between Brad Hatfield and Ristuben.
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comments?
1409 Reads |
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Laszlo Gardony - “Dig Deep” - CD-2008 Sunnyside
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Posted by: editor on Friday, June 20, 2008 - 06:59 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
Pianist Laszlo Gardony digs deep into his multi-versed jazz vernacular during this irrefutably, captivating 2008 release. With his trio of six years, the camaraderie and intuition quotient cannot be undermined yet should be anticipated given the personnel involved. Here, the pianist jubilantly integrates funk, gospel, rock, soul and world music into the classic jazz, piano-trio format. However, the overriding force pertains to the leader’s strikingly memorable compositions.
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CD Reviews: James Geralden, “Tender and Blue”
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, June 19, 2008 - 11:14 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
A stage and TV actor by profession, James Geralden has always had a love for music which he shares on this, his debut album, providing a blend of light jazz vocals with a sprinkle of the blues. Possessing a deep husky baritone voice, Geralden sings in a captivating style transforming a host of jazz and pop standards in new light. His vocal range and texture make him sound like a cross between the legendary Joe Williams and the immortal Lou Rawls. The singer delivers a swinging performance on such pieces as the bouncy opener “I’ve Gotta Be Me,” the bluesy“The Comeback” and the Oscar Brown Jr. humorous song “Hazel’s Hips (Bring the Tips).
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CD Reviews: Thomas Reuben Group - “In Tongues” - CD-2007 Independent
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, June 19, 2008 - 08:30 AM |
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Glenn Astarita
Recorded live to two-track in New York City, these freely engineered improvisations led by guitarist Thomas Reuben communicate a group-focused modus operandi that sparkles with a noticeable sense of intimacy and understanding. And it’s largely about an ongoing sequence of fractured theme-building exercises amid the prevalent reverse-engineering motifs. At times intensely provocative, the musicians inject asymmetrical pulses that toggle between the introspective element and loose-groove like improv. Moreover, Reuben and saxophonist Diego Manuschevich up the ante on numerous occasions via chopping and snaky passages, executed from various angles or slants.
The group conveys an aggregation of emotive aspects, spanning dour consequences and upbeat flows, all firmed-up by drummer Marc Edwards sweeping pulses. Manuschevich also uses the flute within several movements, where contrasting choruses attain a happy medium with the artists’ rough and tumble improvisations. They pack a punch all right. Thankfully, Reuben doesn’t allow the avant-garde component to stray into the ozone. Essentially, they offer quite a few interesting musical propositions throughout the preponderance of these rather persuasive workouts. – Glenn Astarita
Thomas Reuben: guitar; Marc Edwards: drums; Francois Grillot: bass; Diego Manuschevich: saxophone, flute.
www.thomasreuben.com
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CD Reviews: Verses – Mandy Lagan
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Posted by: admin on Wednesday, June 18, 2008 - 05:33 PM |
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All those who remember A Child’s Garden of Verses, raise your hand. The influential collection of poems by Robert Louis Stevenson has been a favourite of parents and children since it was published in 1885 and it is the inspiration for a gorgeous new CD by Mandy Lagan.
Lagan is a Toronto-based singer, composer and educator who collaborated with a number of other composers, chiefly David Occhipinti, to produce Verses. Occhipinti also co-produced much of the album and his stunning, innovative guitar work is a strong presence throughout the disc.
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David Grissom-Loud Music
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Posted by: muzikman on Tuesday, June 17, 2008 - 09:12 PM |
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David Grissom has been around the musical block a few times and his new solo album Loud Music is an achievement that helps you to understand why experience in any industry has no price tag. David has recorded with the Allman Brothers, Robben Ford, John Mayall, Ringo Starr…the list is long and impressive. This artist knows his instrument; he has a book out titled A Guide To Blues/Rock Guitar Soloing (Cherry Lane Music) that will give you a good idea of his expertise.
Grissom has some well-known performers on Loud Music such as Pat Mastelotto and Chris Layton on drums, names that would ring a bell with anyone that has a good knowledge of recorded music.
Grissom has a great bluesy country voice that I found very engaging. He made me feel like I was the living out the story with him as he sang while playing his guitar. I was starting to feel the whole thing was in chorus with my rhythm and he totally rocked my socks off. This guy can kick out the jams!
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Concert Reviews: The Carl Saunders Be Bop Big Band concert at Charlie O's - L.A. 6-16-08
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, June 17, 2008 - 09:11 PM |
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John Gilbert
First of all this is a superb band, and having said that maybe 'superb'
is too staid a word because this band drives, swings, and then swings
some more.
The principal reason that this aggregation is in a class by itself is
quite simply the following:
Carl Saunders Leader and Trumpet,Trumpets Pete Desiena, Lee Thornberg,
Bob Summers, Ron Stout, Trombones Charlie Loper, Scott Whitfield, Andrew
Lippman Craig Gossnel. Saxes Lanny Morgan, Glenn Morresett, Pete
Christlieb, Jerry Pinter, Bob Efford. Piano John Campbell.. Bass Dave
Stone. Drums Santo Savino
Rarely do you have an ensemble that houses the creme de la creme of the
jazz nation and this one does and then some.
The opening number 'Strike Out The Band" featured Jerry Pinter's tenor
sax solo along with the brilliant Bob Summer's trumpet message. This
tune is very heavy swingwise and the soloists reflected that in spades.
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CD Reviews: John Stevenson’s â€Top Five in Rotation’ – Jazz, Afrobeat and Beyond
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, June 17, 2008 - 11:26 AM |
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Dave Douglas & Keystone: Moonshine (Greenleaf)
Douglas’s musical memorial to Roscoe Arbuckle takes up from where 2005’s Keystone left off. Funk, hip-hop and rambunctious trumpet blasts point a collective finger back to the silent film era via buckshee traces of the Miles Davis electric period. The maverick trumpeter, together with Adam Benjamin’s evocative Fender Rhodes mastery, Marcus Strickland’s sonorous tenor saxophone and Gene Lake’s bountiful backbeats, helps to refract Arbuckle’s cinematic vision through a 21st century jazz sensibility.
Cassandra Wilson: Loverly (Blue Note)
The seductive husky-voiced one has a knack for cherrypicking only the finest for her albums, Loverly being no exception. This time round, her quarry is the standards tradition with strongly percussive undertones, marked by master Nigerian percussionist Lekan Babalola (check out the hypnotic three-way rhythmic conversation between Babalola, guitarist Marvin Sewell and Wilson on Arere) and New Orleans drumkit king, Herlin Riley. Just to remind you of her roots in the Mississippi delta, Ms Wilson socks it to you with fine blues pieces such as the very entertaining Dust My Broom.
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CD Reviews: Tony Adamo is reviewed by Jazzreview.com
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Posted by: rocarmani on Tuesday, June 17, 2008 - 08:59 AM |
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Roc Armani/Urbanzonerecords
New York City, NY
www.myspace.com/tonyrocadamo
Review by Ronald jackson-Jazzreview.com
Jazz vocalist Tony Adamo struts back with his silky, charismatic, and, as I’m sure many ladies will confirm, seductive vocals on this clever new release Straight Up Deal. While I’ve classified this recording as smooth jazz, it really serves up equal doses of funk, smooth jazz, and R&B. There are also elements of island rhythms and cool, piano-bar jazz. A true cornucopia of coolness in each genre.
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CD Reviews: Billy Cobham and Asere, De Cuba y De Panama (Astar-Mwldan)
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Posted by: editor on Friday, June 13, 2008 - 02:22 PM |
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John Stevenson
Billy Cobham fans coming to this recording expecting the fireworks of landmark albums such as Birds of Fire and Spectrum will find this particular outing somewhat underwhelming. A markedly mellow Afro-Cuban vibe dominates the entire disc. De Cuba y De Panama is suffused with son and guajira rhythms. There is great emphasis on moods and impressions as distinct from the great Boomer’s drum pyrotechnics of yore. Panamanian-born Cobham’s ongoing research into his Afro-Latin musical roots emerges as the central theme. Ace arranger and Asere stalwart Michel Padron blows a cool trumpet, especially on Cobham’s Gypsy Soul, subtly introducing Spanish flamenco into the mix. What began as a chance jam session with a highly talented band of Cubans at the 2002 WOMAD festival in Caceres, Spain, has now blossomed into a unique synthesis of youthful experimentation reinforced with blue-ribbon percussive wisdom.
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CD Reviews: Shan Arsenault.. Below Sea Level..2008
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, June 12, 2008 - 09:19 AM |
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By John Gilbert
Personnel: Shan Arsenault (guitar) Larry Bjornson (bass) David Burton
(drums) Paul Simons (keyboard)
This is a 'semi smooth' album with the exception of tune #10 (Just
Sayin' Zoll) being the best representation of this artist.
"Just Sayin Zoll" is a rapid fire excursion in the land of bop.
Arsenault gets a chance to display his dexterity and he does it with
flair and grace. Keyboardist Simons follows suit with an equally
formidable solo. David Burton on the tubs keeps time like a fine watch.
Bassist Bjornson's flying fingers anchors the group in fine fashion.
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CD Reviews: Todd Herbert, “The Tree of Life”
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, June 12, 2008 - 09:17 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
New York saxophonist Todd Herbert follows up last year’s critically acclaimed first recording on the Metropolitan Records label “The Path to Infinity” with another exotic session of modern straight ahead jazz with “The Tree of Life.” No old warn out standards or jazz covers here, the album provides seven new and fresh originals full of fire and creative bop rhythms designed for the serious jazz audience. Herbert, who performs on the tenor, is joined by a seasoned cast of players among them, pianist Anthony Wonsey, bassist Dwayne Burno and drummer Jason Brown forming a classic jazz quartet that play tight and well off each other.
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CD Reviews: Michael’s Jazz Quartet, “Woody-n-Me”
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, June 11, 2008 - 09:18 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Led by tenor saxophonist and educator Michael Antonelli, this modern jazz quartet is comprised of local professional musicians from the Hudson Valley region of upstate New York performing regularly at local venues. “Woody-n-Me” is a collection of eleven hard-driving and swinging straight ahead tunes penned by Antonelli and Kevin Golden and recorded in the leader’s home with no overdubs or studio enhancements. The result is a quality sound containing the atmosphere of a genuine live recording capturing an exciting and fun performance from the group. Though not stated in the liner notes or the web site, there is no reference to other recordings from the group which therefore makes this CD their apparent debut.
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CD Reviews: Cris Barber, “This Moment To Be Free”
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, June 10, 2008 - 08:01 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Southern California award-winning jazz vocalist Cris Barber has released her fourth album with “This Moment To Be Free” and it’s another winner of a recording. Often compared to Diana Krall, Barber uses her warm smooth vocals to interpret a terrific selection of pop and jazz standards like Victor Young’s “My Foolish Heart,” Cole Porter’s “Love For Sale,” and Paul McCartney’s “Blackbird” to name a few. All together the CD boasts fourteen tunes where the lady swings and voices love ballads to the heart.
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CD Reviews: JazzTrenzz’s Clef Notes
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, June 10, 2008 - 05:22 PM |
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Karl Stober
You Go to My Head – Janelle Monique (Zafe’Musik 2008)
Complex as it may be to exhume logic from the decision to spin classics when the creative mind of this young composer lays dormant, the fact is, Janelle Monique’s debut jewel-box works! Vocalist Janelle Monique’s You Go to My Head penetrates the world of the “diabolically seductive” vocalists of today’s jazz.
The course Ms. Monique takes in breaking bread with these standards is a fine lesson plan for any vocal ladder-climber. She takes each spin to task, injecting the Latin appeal with a soulful heart. Crisp tones, rigorous improvisation and daring non-conformist arrangements make this an adventure.
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CD Reviews: Marc Copland, “Another Place”
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Posted by: editor on Monday, June 09, 2008 - 08:17 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Pirouet recording artist pianist Marc Copland, has been busy with a special new project called “New York Trio” of which his latest release, “Voices” is volume two of the label’s series. “Another Place,” is not a part of this series but Copland does record with his longstanding trio of bassist Drew Gress and drummer Billy Hart as the core band and adds renowned jazz guitarist John Abercrombie to the mix. Abercrombie and Copland have a history that goes back to 1988 when the guitarist played on Copland’s debut disc.
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CD Reviews: Antonio Ciacca, “Rush Life”
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Posted by: editor on Monday, June 09, 2008 - 08:16 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Pianist and composer Antonio Ciacca is an internationally recognized recording artists primarily from Italy though he was born in Germany (from Italian parents). Currently based in New York where he serves as Director of Programming for the world renowned Jazz at Lincoln Center, Ciacca has an extensive discography though he makes his debut recording on the Motema label with “Rush Life.” A veteran musician who has performed with the likes of Steve Grossman, Art Farmer, Dave Liebman, Lee Konitz and the late Steve Lacy, Ciacca has an affinity for the saxophone and so includes a limited horn section on this album.
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CD Reviews: Mary Fettig, “Brazilian Footprints”
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, June 08, 2008 - 06:15 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
The first woman instrumentalist to play with the great Stan Kenton Orchestra at the tender age of twenty, saxophonist and flautist Mary Fettig is a musical pioneer presenting one exquisite and captivating piece of music with her third offering as leader on “Brazilian Footprints.” A San Francisco native and educator, Fettig records a collection of new and less familiar covers of Brazilian music from various Brazilian composers, two of whom perform on this album.
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CD Reviews: Marcin Wasilewski Trio “January”
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Posted by: editor on Friday, June 06, 2008 - 10:45 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
CD-2008 ECM Records
Beauty takes on various shapes and colors with this 2008 release, highlighting the broad talents of Polish pianist Marcin Wasilewski and his fellow countrymen. The trio gained notoriety by supporting trumpeter Tomasz Stanko, commencing in the late â€90s and since that time have blossomed into a formidable entity, evidenced by the band’s second release for this record label. Here, the pianist steers his comrades into cascading rhythmic patterns, often touched with notions of jubilation and solstice.
On many of these works, Wasilewski gravitates the grand scheme of matters with layered chord clusters, acutely intermingled with touching melody lines and gentle harmonics. Yet the big picture features an aggregation of improvisational maneuvers and windswept thematic opuses. The pianist’s graceful execution is also contrasted by soaring intensity.
On the piece “Diamonds and Pearls,” the trio injects a folk-ish muse into a Euro-jazz realm, all honed down by bassist Slawomir Kurkiewicz’ nimble lines and drummer Michal Miskiewicz’ ever-so-soft brush-work. But they explore the freer side of matters during “King Korn,” where they fuse an understated bop/swing vamp into an asymmetrical discourse.
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CD Reviews: Tim Hagans, “Alone Together”
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Posted by: editor on Friday, June 06, 2008 - 08:54 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Tim Hagans joins forces with renowned pianist Marc Copland for the latest Pirouet project of “Alone Together.” The trumpeter’s pronounced playing and stylistic lead throughout, clearly stamp this as a Hagans album but one cannot discount the degree of the Copland influence. Also performing here are bassist Drew Gress and drummer Jochen Ruckert comprising a rhythm section that has produces several albums for Copland. The first four pieces are all Copland compositions emphasizing much of the pianist style.
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CD Reviews: Steve Ramsdell, “Looking For…”
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, June 05, 2008 - 08:54 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Chicago-based freelance guitarist and educator Steve Ramsdell, a ten year veteran of the lively Chicago jazz scene, presents his latest self produced effort of contemporary light jazz with his magical “Looking For…” Providing a repertoire of thirteen originals, the guitarist’s sophisticated charts produce music that is soft and intricate almost delicate to the core. Ramsdell plays both electric and acoustic guitars here delivering excellent riffs and delicious solos throughout.
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CD Reviews: Scott Hamilton & Friends - “Across The Tracks” - CD-2008 Concord Jazz
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, June 03, 2008 - 05:25 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
Few modern-era jazz musicians possess the innate sense of swing brought to us by tenor sax hero Scott Hamilton. In a sense, his style and mode of execution is a throwback to the days of jazz lore. But Hamilton usually injects a contemporary aura into his recordings. On this 2008 release, he realigns with longtime friend and blues guitarist Duke Robillard, to round out a band that summons the classic organ-based combo, amid nods to chitlin circuit fare.
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CD Reviews: Mary Lowe, “Jazz Diva”
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Posted by: editor on Monday, June 02, 2008 - 08:14 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Irish jazz singer Mary Lowe spent 13 years as an announcer on Irish television among her many credits, but music has always been her first love and with “Jazz Diva” the lady makes her recording debut and what a first outing this turns out to be. Following in the tradition of such songbirds as Sarah Vaughan and Ella Fitzgerald, Lowe presents new interpretations to selections from the Great American Songbook. Produced and arranged by brother-in-law Frank McNamara, the album features McNamara’s Toronto-based big band that boasts historical links to the great big bands of Woody Herman, Count Basie, Ted Heath and Rob McConnell’s Boss Brass band.
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CD Reviews: Gary Morgan & PanAmericana, “Felicidade”
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, May 31, 2008 - 07:08 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Composer/arranger and band leader Gary Morgan founded the New York-based 20-piece PanAmericana ensemble in 1997 as a repertory orchestra for modern Cuban and Brazilian music. Chilean-born Morgan, who spent the better part of his life in Toronto, Canada, has always had a special affinity to Brazilian music having been, as he stated “seduced by the warmth and poetry of the culture…but most importantly the rich melodic tradition of choro…adds a dimension …lacking in popular music in America”. “Felicidade” is the band’s second album and focuses on orchestrations and arrangements of lesser known Brazilian music and features regional rhythms as maxixe, baiao, maracatu as well as the samba.
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CD Reviews: Ben Wolfe, “No Strangers Here”
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, May 31, 2008 - 05:17 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
The bassist-of-choice for Wynton Marsalis, Diana Krall and Harry Connick, Jr., Ben Wolfe celebrates is his fifth album as leader and his record debut on the MAXJAZZ label as part of its string series with “No Strangers Here.” Combining a jazz and string quartet gave the bassist a wide range of options with the music which is evident from the variety of different styles one finds on the recording. From the ballad-like straight ahead brief title tune, the decidedly hard bop cruncher of “No Pat No,” the free jazz style of “Circus,” to the chamber music sounding “Rosy & Zero,” Wolfe’s compositions challenge the listener and let’s one know you’re not hearing a standard set of jazz song, but new and vibrant exotic material.
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CD Reviews: Dan Skea Quartet, “Carpenter Road”
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Posted by: editor on Friday, May 30, 2008 - 09:48 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Before retiring to Waterbury, Vermont where he found a surprisingly lively local jazz scene, pianist and composer Dan Skea spent thirty years in Las Vegas performing with some of the greatest jazz musicians in the business. Dan now leads a seasoned quartet completing their second album with “Carpenter Road.” Containing new reads of three oft recorded jazz standards and nine originals of expressive rhythms and tempos, “Carpenter Road” succeeds in delivering an excellent session of contemporary jazz that aficionados and jazz audiences alike will relish.
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CD Reviews: Art Pepper..Unreleased Art, Vol. 3
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Posted by: editor on Friday, May 30, 2008 - 05:18 PM |
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By John Gilbert
Art Pepper..Unreleased Art, Vol. 3..The Croyden Concert..May14,
1981..Widows Taste Records 2008.
Art Pepper, alto sax: Milcho Leviev, piano; Bob Magnusson, bass; Carl
Burnett, drums.
No need to get the jewelers loop out on this recording. It's the
American 'art' form at its finest. Art died on June 15, 1982 but his
artistry lives on in recordings such as this featuring the 'tout le
monde' of jazz.
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CD Reviews: “Straight No Chaser”
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Posted by: editor on Friday, May 23, 2008 - 07:45 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Jazz flautist Mark Weinstein is best known for his extensive body of work in the Latin jazz genre, which has always been an essential element of his music once stating “My music is rooted in deep Cuban folkloric traditions.” This latest release breaks with that tradition vigorously demonstrating his more than capable chops with straight ahead bebop jazz. Weinstein lays the foundation for an impressive musical portrait by assembling a canvas of all-star musicians including guitarist Dave Stryker, bassist Ed Howard and drummer Victor Lewis.
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CD Reviews: Anthony Braxton & Joe Morris - “Four Improvisations”
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Posted by: editor on Friday, May 23, 2008 - 07:36 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
4-CDs 2008 Clean Feed Records
Clean-Feed Records has rapidly become a significant, if not major entity within progressive-jazz and improvisation-based circles. With this curiously interesting four-CD set, featuring reedman Anthony Braxton and guitarist Joe Morris, the label celebrates its one-hundredth release to date. And as the liners state, Braxton rarely improvises sans any structural components that would embody a respective composition, while Morris’ proclivities are historically similar. Nonetheless, they let the proverbial tapes roll here.
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New from Jazz Video Guy: Saxophone Summit Michael Brecker Tribute
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Posted by: eJazzNews Reader on Friday, May 23, 2008 - 09:24 AM |
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Jazz Video Guy Bret Primack announces the debut of his new series, the Saxophone Summit Podcasts. The seven-part documentary focuses on their second Telarc recording, "Seraphic Light," which drops on June 3. The group, featuring David Liebman, Joe Lovano and Ravi Coltrane plays Birdland in New York June 10 to 14.
The seven films, available starting today on YouTube and iTunes include:
May 22: Message to Mike - Michael Brecker
June 5: Cosmic Saxman - David Liebman
June 19: Our Daily Joe - Joe Lovano
July 3: Into the Light - Ravi Coltrane
July 17: That's Phil Markowitz - Phil Markowitz
July 31: All About Cecil - Cecil McBee
August 14: Jabali - Billy Hart
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CD Reviews: Brazilian Trio, “Forests”
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Posted by: editor on Friday, May 23, 2008 - 09:21 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
A classical trio with a decidedly Brazilian flavor, Brazilian Trio presents a program containing a taste of the Brazilian repertoire along with original pieces that demonstrate the group’s diversity and commitment to today’s contemporary jazz sounds. The three New York-based musicians from Brazil, pianist Helio Alves, bassist Nilson Matta and drummer Duduka Da Fonseca, produce enough sophisticated modern jazz rhythms here that it would be incorrect to label this album as a Brazilian genre recording. This is contemporary straight ahead jazz with a slight Brazilian slant.
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CD Reviews: The Stein Brothers Quintet..Jazzed Media 2008
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Posted by: editor on Friday, May 23, 2008 - 09:19 AM |
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By John Gilbert
Asher Stein (as) Alex Stein (ts) Mferghu (pno) Doug Largent (b) Joe
Blaxx (d) with guests Duane Eubanks (tpt) and Jonathan Voltzok (tbn)
tracks 2,3,6,9.
The sounds of bop at its best resounds beautifully throughout this
superb album. Asher Stein on alto opens matters on the title tune
"Quixotic" with a Birdlike solo that grabbed my attention straightaway.
Brother Alex laid down some cool lines in his time at bat. Pianist
Mferghu talked about Bud Powell a bit in his solo and that added some
further heat to an already heady musical libation.
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CD Reviews: Leanne Weatherly, “Go and Find”
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, May 22, 2008 - 08:20 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Recognized for her ability as a songwriter, Leanne Weatherly, a music teacher by profession, is also a wonderful vocalist with two previous albums to her credit. “Go and Find,” her third CD release, is one of those light jazz vocal recordings that presents the gentler side of jazz. The album contains five originals including the title tune from her debut recording, “Chocolate and Roses,” as well as a Latin jazz arrangement of Duke Ellington’s “Caravan,” and a bouncy, hip rendition of Billie Holiday’s “God Bless the Child.”
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CD Reviews: Judy Wexler..Dreams And Shadows..Jazzed Media 2008
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, May 22, 2008 - 08:18 AM |
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By John Gilbert
featuring
Jeff Colella, Alan Pasqua, Darek Oles, Joe LaBarbera, Steve Hass, Bob
Sheppard, Gilbert Castellanos, Tollak Ollestad, Stefanie Fife
Since 1999 Judy Wexler has wowed local L.A. audiences with her pitch
perfect vocals sung as jazz should be sung with soul, style, clear
articulation and the ability to swing with the best of them.
"Comes Love" And Wexler comes on like gangbusters as she takes this tune
to new heights with superb phrasing and a message that captures the soul
of the listener. Gilbert Castellanos adds some trumpet mastery to the
already hot mix.
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CD Reviews: Roberta Duchak, “Intersections”
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, May 18, 2008 - 02:44 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
A beautiful concept album that presents the music of Broadway, “Intersections” is essentially a collection of favorite Broadway songs given a sassy jazzy treatment by stage actress and singer Roberta Duchak. The repertoire covers music from such legendary composers as Irving Berlin, Lerner & Lowe, Cole Porter, CY Coleman and Burt Bacharach. Duchak’s artful interpretations of classics as “So in Love,” Let Me Sing and I’m Happy” and Jerome Kern’s “Can’t Help Lovin’ that Man of Mine,” provide just a glimpse of the singer’s talents.
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DVD Reviews: Louis Armstrong -“Live In Australia 1964” DVD-2008 Medici Arts
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, May 18, 2008 - 12:55 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
In 1964 Louis Armstrong incurred some health problems, and The Beatles were riding high on the airwaves. Nonetheless, this concert down-under highlights a strong band, performing many standards from Satch’s songbook. And shortly thereafter, Armstrong’s pop hit “Hello Dolly,” dominated the pop charts. Putting matters into perspective, the trumpeter’s endearing stage antics, witty banter and requisite handkerchief are all intact here. Besides the theatrics, Armstrong affords clarinetist Joe Darensbourg, trombonist Trummy Young, and pianist Billy Kyle numerous solo opportunities. Moreover, long-time Armstrong band bassist Arvell Shaw stretches out on occasion while laying down the booming lines.
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CD Reviews: Mark O'Leary On The Shore review Gaz-eta Tom Sekowski
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Posted by: eJazzNews Reader on Thursday, May 15, 2008 - 05:26 AM |
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Mark O'Leary On The Shore review Gaz-eta
Mark O’Leary - On the Shore (CF 091)
I can’t remember a time over the past year that I was affected by a guitar player as much as the playing of Irish string-whiz Mark O’Leary. Though over the years, he’s released a number of solid records for Leo imprint, none have come close to what O’Leary achieves with “On The Shore”. Here, he’s able to create entire landscapes from scratch. When he’s surrounded by ace players - percussionist Alex Cline and trumpeters Jeff Kaiser and John Fumo - there’s a delicacy that is heard rummaging on the surface of the strings of his guitar. His playing is pensive but he’s never unsure of the direction he’s driving the band in. Though on first hearing, O’Leary’s playing may be mistaken for someone like John Abercrombie, on closer listen, one hears a distinct O’Leary style. He’s more forceful and at the same time, plays with more care and delicacy. Kaiser and Fumo work in tandem, trading off trumpet calls in a subtle way, while Cline is best when he resorts to using stones, sticks and shells in his percussive palette. Resulting music is quite moving, without resorting to clichés or working against odds at turning the listener onto something entirely new. The season of O’Leary is long upon us and “On The Shore” will stand as the cornerstone that pushes his music into un-chartered territories.
Tom Sekowski
http://www.gaz-eta.vivo.pl/gaz-eta/recenzje/gazeta.php?nr=64&id=s_1
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1291 Reads |
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CD Reviews: Samuel Blaser Quartet - 7th Heaven
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Posted by: editor on Monday, May 12, 2008 - 10:33 AM |
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Glenn Astarita
CD-2008 Between the Lines
Trombonist Samuel Blaser’s debut outing as a leader has been spinning in my home stereo systems for several weeks. It’s one of those unanticipated surprises us reviewers receive in the mail every now and then. He’s a prestigious Fulbright scholar who has studied in the USA and abroad. At twenty-six years, Blaser communicates musical maturity that is far beyond the norm. A masterful technician and forward-thinking idea man, the trombonist conveys an uncanny manner of bridging dark, brooding passages with an overriding sense of vibrancy. Moreover, guitarist Scott Dubois looms as a near-flawless accomplice for the leader. They jab and dart amid blossoming storylines while often raising the ante in gradually ascending fashion.
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CD Reviews: Cannon Re-Loaded - All-Star Celebration of Cannonball Adderley
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, May 10, 2008 - 03:03 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
CD-2008 Concord Music Group
One of the redeeming attributes of this album pertains to the all-star aggregation’s manner of capturing the aura of jazz legend and saxophonist Julian “Cannonball” Adderley. In the liners, saxophonist Tom Scott reminisces and sheds some light on Cannonball’s artistry and influence. Marked by a smooth, contemporary gait, the musicians execute spirited soloing jaunts atop all-universe drummer Steve Gadd’s in-the-pocket mode of attack, to round out the group-focused vibe.
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CD Reviews: Mark Weinstein/Straight No Chaser/JH11671
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, May 10, 2008 - 03:02 PM |
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My man & jazz guitarist Dave Stryker is so easy to review. He's the 'real deal.' It follows therefore that all who hang out with
him on a musical level are artists-savants. Hott-damn, I'm right again! Jazz flute-ster Mark Weinstein has put together as close to a musically perfect jazz quartet as can be acquired. Track#7 'Invitation' exemplifies my assumption. Mark's group achieves the difficult task of attaining the aspect of being artistically authoritative as well as idiomatically diverse.........while 'covering it all' from bop to the cool.
This quartet is in a phrase a practitioner of mainstream jazz
with natural insights into its melodic & harmonic perspective.
Nuff said!
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CD Reviews: Shirley Eikhard, “Riding On the 65”
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, May 10, 2008 - 10:02 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Offering a special tribute to the increasingly popular Bossa Nova which celebrates its 50th year anniversary, veteran Canadian songwriter, vocalist and musician extraordinaire, Shirley Eikhard provides a masterpiece performance with “Riding on the 65,” her latest self-produced release that glows all over. A remarkable lady oozing with talent, Eikhard does it all here, and I mean ALL! She not only produces the album, writes the music, provides the vocals and directs the band, she IS the band. This recording is a one “women” operation as Eikhard plays all of the music heard on the CD.
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CD Reviews: Eddie Allen - “Salongo”
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Posted by: editor on Friday, May 09, 2008 - 10:56 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Salongo is an expression from Zaire meaning, “We come together to create something beautiful out of love” and it also happens to be the name of the album and group that trumpeter/composer Eddie Allen has assembled in a very successful attempt to “create something beautiful.” Containing sizzling new charts and a fiery performance from the band, this self-titled CD just might be the best Latin jazz album of the year. Eddie Allen’s Salongo, a 7-piece Afro-Cuban/Brazilian light ensemble, propels a host of Brazilian and Latin rhythms to new levels of excitement.
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CD Reviews: Lorraine Feather..Language..Jazzed Media 2008
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, May 07, 2008 - 04:07 PM |
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By John Gilbert
Personnel: Lorraine's first release on Jazzed Media includes
collaborations with Russell Ferrante [of Yellowjackets], Shelly Berg,
Eddie Arkin, Tony Morales, Bill Elliott and Michael B. Nelson [of The
Horn Heads]. Tierney Sutton provides a guest vocal onTraffic and
Weather,Âť and The Manhattan Transfer's Janis Siegel and Cheryl Bentyne
join Lorraine on Very Unbecoming and Waiting Tables.
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CD Reviews: Norma Winstone - “Distances”- CD-2008 ECM Records
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, May 06, 2008 - 06:18 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
With her first release for ECM Records in over a decade, legendary vocalist Norma Winstone aligns her multifarious talents with a German-Italian duo for a jazz-chamber like stylization. Winstone’s albums with trumpeter/flugelhornist Kenny Wheeler and pianist John Taylor loom as minor-classic products within the modern jazz realm. And she’s recorded with large ensemble outfits, largely harmonizing with horns over the top amid numerous ventures that parlay her in-depth navigations of the jazz idiom.
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CD Reviews: Taylor Eigsti - “Let It Come To You” - CD-2008 Concord Music Group
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Posted by: editor on Monday, May 05, 2008 - 08:17 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
Twenty-three year old jazz pianist Taylor Eigsti is riding in the fast lane these days. With six solo efforts under his belt, and now his second release for Concord, the artist’s maturation process takes a huge leap here. Other than his laudable chops, he shines as a cunning arranger and composer. Moreover, Eigsti spins new slants on vintage gems and sly renditions of comps by Wayne Shorter and Pat Metheny. With shifting pulses and lyrically-resplendent thematic overtures, Eigsti enamors his line of attack with torrid bop grooves and whirlwind unison charts.
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CD Reviews: Michael Jefry Stevens Quartet, “For The Children”
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, May 04, 2008 - 09:48 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
For The Children is a timeless session of contemporary modern jazz from pianist and composer Michael Jefry Stevens and his quartet only now being released almost a decade and a half after its original recording. Recorded live with no edits back in 1995, the album is part of the Cadence Historical Series, which designates recordings that have historical and artistic significance and have previously never been commercially available.
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CD Reviews: Theo Jorgensmann & Oles Brothers - Alchemia -hatOLOGY
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Posted by: editor on Friday, May 02, 2008 - 12:05 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
German clarinetist Theo Jorgensmann has rendered some of the more penetrating modern jazz releases in recent years, largely for this eminent Swiss record label. With this outing recorded at a live venue, the trio ventures into a consortium of interesting harmonic activities as they merge fire and ice throughout. With shifting pulses and colorific motifs, Jorgensmann dishes out some rather punishing lines atop his revved-up rhythm section that follow suit with noticeable synergy and zeal. But one of the keys to the success of this fascinating album pertains to the trio’s uncanny ability to seamlessly integrate spiraling bop grooves with hyper-mode, free-form improvisational feasts. It doesn’t end there as the band aims to excite during numerous shifts in time and knotty unison choruses.
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Sound Quality
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, May 01, 2008 - 08:35 PM |
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Are we going to wait for decades, until bandwidth and desire conspire to deliver higher quality files, or is the music industry going to lead the charge in the distribution of higher quality digital music?
Notice I didn't say analog music. The vinyl LP is just fine. You can catalog its faults, distortion and physical vulnerability, but you can't deny its warmth. I'm not saying that we've got to bring back the twelve inch disc format, but we can recreate the listening experience, of gathering around the stereo enjoying music, if only some effort is expended, some attention is paid.
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CD Reviews: Jeff Barone, “Open Up”
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, April 29, 2008 - 10:35 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
I’ve had the distinct pleasure of appraising the music of many a jazz guitarist through the years and only a hand full of such recordings would I file under the category of “excellent.” I have since added Jeff Barone’s “Open Up” and placed the album along side the other special jazz guitar recordings in my personal collection. New York-based guitarist and composer Jeff Barone follows up his 2003 debut (“Crazy Talk”) with a barnburner of a recording featuring masterful play on the strings and wonderful musical support.
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CD Reviews: Steve Treseler, “Resonance”
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Posted by: editor on Monday, April 28, 2008 - 10:18 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
With the release of “Resonance,” saxophonist and composer Steve Treseler makes his recording debut as leader in impressive fashion presenting a modern jazz repertoire influenced by the music of Bill Evans, Kenny Wheeler and Lennie Tristano. In addition to several originals, Treseler provides new arrangements of Wheeler and Tristano compositions as well as music from Jerome Kerns and Jim Knapp.
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CD Reviews: Kenny Carr. Changing Tide..TAS Management 2008
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, April 27, 2008 - 11:28 AM |
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John Gilbert
Kenny Carr (guitar) Donny McCaslin (sax) Tom Baldwin (bass) Frank Russo
(drums)
By John Gilbert
This album consists of all original tunes by Kenny Carr, a long time
guitarist with Ray Charles.
Carr gets right down to business on the opening track "The Chase"..
Joyfully racing along up tempo, McCaslin's sax solo is a bop inspired
gem and Carr follows with a blistering soliloquy of his own. This tune
is a bright and brilliant piece of work.
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CD Reviews: Kenny Carr, “Changing Tide”
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, April 27, 2008 - 11:25 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
“Changing Tide” is a musical journey of tasteful straight-ahead jazz from guitarist/composer and multi-instrumentalist, Kenny Carr representing his third release since 2005 featuring both a trio and quartet settings on eleven original charts. With renowned bassist Tom Baldwin and veteran drummer Frank Russo comprising the core trio, Carr’s childhood friend, Grammy-nominated tenor saxophonist Donny McCaslin, compliments the guitarist on half of the selections.
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CD Reviews: Michael Jefry Stevens Quartet - “For The Children” - CD-2008 Cadence Jazz Records
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, April 26, 2008 - 10:45 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
It might be a tad premature to start citing top picks for 2008, but this newly issued release led by pianist/composer Michael Jefry Stevens is a modern jazz effort that is near flawless in delivery and scope. No doubt, the quartet communicates a high-degree of passion amid a wondrously balanced jazz program. While the members of this quartet are perhaps better known for their free-jazz proclivities, Stevens in particular looms as an artist who possesses a commanding vernacular within variable jazz-based underpinnings.
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CD Reviews: Paulette Dozier, “Over & Over Again”
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, April 24, 2008 - 10:24 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Jazz vocalist Paulette Dozier, a multitalented artist skilled as a stage actress, voiceover performer and model, projects her rich alto voice in sultry treatment of a varied selection of jazz and pop standards with this latest effort. Following up her highly acclaimed 2005 release of “With You,” based in South Florida, Dozier teams up with a host of first-call musicians from the Miami/South Florida area to produce a gem of a recording.
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CD Reviews: Jeremy Monteiro/Only Trust Your Heart
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, April 23, 2008 - 10:48 AM |
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In the vernacular of a Bill Evans & Tony Bennett musical scenario,
jazz pianist savant & 'reedman de jazz' Greg Fishman embark on what can only be described as a compelling sojourn into the jazz world.
I've never heard of Jeremy but right away I concede that he's a master of piano dynamics with a handle for viable pianistic colorations............Albeit his music exudes a quiet charm as well. Three words describe his craft for me: Artful, Imaginative, Intellectual. Last, this artistic duet demonstrates that two people can be 'masters' in drawing a strong melodic & harmonic potential from just two instruments.
George W Carroll
The Musicians' Ombudsman
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comments?
1278 Reads |
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CD Reviews: Bill O’Connell, “Triple Play”
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, April 22, 2008 - 11:06 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
With the plethora of trio recordings being released these days it’s refreshing not to have to listen to another piano/drum/ bass combo that’s driving me to the point of musical boredom. When I received “Triple Play” I cringed and thought “oh no, not another one” but I quickly recovered when I realized there was no standard bass or drums here as pianist Bill O’Connell is accompanied by renowned flautist Dave Valentin and veteran percussionist Richie Flores for one distinctly different session of trio music for a change and what a change it is!
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CD Reviews: Giacomo Gates..Luminosity..Double Dave Music 2007
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Posted by: editor on Monday, April 21, 2008 - 07:50 PM |
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By John Gilbert
This is a double disc recording with an added DVD that presents Gates
in a live performance at Pearl's in San Francisco. Giacomo Gates is
imbued with the 'spirited soul' of the purveyors of bop and his vocal
style reflects just that. With his hip style Gates brings us back to the
time when singing was an art form unto itself. On the DVD, in
conversation, Gates mentions the name of Lord Buckley as one of his
influences, Buckley was one of the original "down" iconoclasts of the
bop era and the fact that he is mentioned guarantees the listener an
exciting journey through musical mastery (and history), for whomever is
familiar with Buckley has the knowledge of the best era in jazz and it
shines across Giacomo Gates' vocalizations like an aurora borealis. My
favorite tune on the DVD is Charlie Parker's 'Billie's Bounce' and the
message is clear, Gates is swinging and singing with style and
substance.
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CD Reviews: Stein Bros. Quartet/JM1034
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Posted by: editor on Monday, April 21, 2008 - 05:15 PM |
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The first tune I listened to from this new Stein Bros. CD project is one of my favorites out of the American Songbook named ''Embraceable You.'' Alex Stein's solo was such that he should carry his tenor sax above his head in victory! He in a word, 'nailed' the song!! Alex's command of technique & melody & harmony coupled with his melodic style provides him with a unique ability to sustain his entire CD offering alone. That said, I can't deny the group's relaxed feeling of swing as well as the group's technical brilliance. This is a highly rhythmic, lucid, & sensitive quintet with a complete control over what they deliver
to our awaiting senses.
George W Carroll
The Musicians' Ombudsman
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comments?
1223 Reads |
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CD Reviews: Dave Corp-“The Sweet Life”-CD-2008 Sluggo’s Good Music
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, April 20, 2008 - 03:24 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
“The Sweet Life” also features moments of playful angst and thoroughly in-your-face and ears overtones, largely due to keyboardist Dave Archer’s in-depth navigation of the Fender Rhodes piano and other keys. The trio boasts a broad and weighty sound that hits home from beginning to end. Asymmetrical parts jazz-rock, prog-rock and jazz-fusion, the musicians acutely and somewhat magically intersperse elements of â€70s style Euro-rock with an upbeat modern aura.
Archer’s big sound features gravelly-toned electric keys with oscillating effects and broad-tones synth treatments. The rhythm section adds a wallop as well. It’s a fun-filled outing that looms mightily among many recent releases of this ilk. No frills or gimmickry here, as the band morphs familiar musical terrain into a stylistic and altogether impacting set that beckons repeated spins. Thankfully, they don’t engage in aimless technical gymnastics and seem more focused on the band-sound amid memorable hooks and crafty soloing maneuvers. – Glenn Astarita
Dave Archer: keyboards; Mr. Grin: bass; Matt Hankle: drums
www.sluggosgoonmusic.com
www.myspace.com/davecorp
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comments?
1165 Reads |
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CD Reviews: Rave Tesar Trio, “You Decide”
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, April 17, 2008 - 10:25 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
There are so many trio’s out there producing albums these days that one makes the mistake of concluding that they all sound the same. Not true, for Rave Tesar’s trio sets themselves apart with an outstanding performance making it easy to decide that “You Decide” belongs among the finest recordings of this year. New York-based pianist Rave Tesar contributes an excellent selection of new charts and along with Brother Bill manning the drums and bassist Kermit Driscoll, delivers a charming session of rhythm-based light jazz worthy of repeated play.
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CD Reviews: Steffen Kuehn, “Trumpop”
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, April 17, 2008 - 10:22 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
A veteran trumpeter from the San Francisco Bay Area, German-born Steffen Kuehn presents his second album as leader with “Trumpop,” and offers original new music in a delicious session of smooth jazz grooves. An in-demand musician in San Francisco’s music scene, Kuehn has recoded various CDs as a sideman including the last two albums with The Contemporary Jazz Orchestra, one of the finest big bands performing regularly at Jazz at Pearl’s, the premier jazz club in the Bay area.
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Concert Reviews: The Milan Svoboda Prague Big Band
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Posted by: audiominer on Tuesday, April 15, 2008 - 10:33 AM |
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http://www.montereyjazzfestival.org/2008/NGF/performances08.php
http://www.praguebigband.com/en
Special Guest Performance / Prague Conservatory Big Band from Czech Republic:
I had the pleasure of experiencing The Milan Svoboda Prague Big Band during the concluding performance of the Next Generation Festival on Sunday April 6th @ 4:00P.M. presented upstairs in the Steinbeck Forum.
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CD Reviews: Trio Reenactment
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, April 15, 2008 - 10:19 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
A self titled debut by the rhythm-based acoustic jazz trio from Detroit, Trio Reenactment blends influences from Afro-Cuban and Brazilian grooves with contemporary straight-ahead jazz in one nice neat musical package. Canadian-born bassist John Barron and pianist Sven Anderson contribute ten original compositions and along with drummer Rob Emanuel deliver an enticing performance.
Pianist Anderson shows his ample prowess on the keys providing the lead throughout the album as he does on his opening score, “Grove Chick.” His additional contributions here include the funk-tinged “James” and the intricate, “John’s Big Feet” a number firmly grounded in the modern jazz tradition. He’s play is simply marvelous on the burner, “Move It Along” one of the best cuts on the album.
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CD Reviews: The 8 Legged Monster
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Posted by: editor on Monday, April 14, 2008 - 11:18 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
San Francisco and the Bay Area is known as one of the hottest places for jazz on the West coast serving as the home base for countless artists, groups and large big bands like The Contemporary Jazz Orchestra, The Full Spectrum Jazz Big Band and many others.
In 2007 guitarist Mike Irwin Johnson decided to bridge the gap between the small combos and the big bands (technically defined as a ten-piece or more orchestra) by creating an eight-piece mid-sized ensemble to offer the classic sounds of early Bebop, swing and modern jazz as represented here with this self titled debut.
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CD Reviews: Marcus Shelby Jazz Orchestra/NR-51
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Posted by: editor on Monday, April 14, 2008 - 10:03 AM |
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Somewhat in the vernacular of a Thad, a Duke, or a Count, Marcus Shelby has put together a big band of tight players to interpret his fine compositions. Having a world class big band of my own, I'm attuned to the dynamics & intonation of same, so I must affirm that this band knows how to turn some serious melodic & harmonic phrases to caress our senses. In the band's ensemble pieces, Marcus's music fuses his group into a clear, single & vibrant voice that is formidable. The band's elegance & harmonic richness emphasizes
their postmodern bent as well as their subtle, inventive, & improvisational, gem-like precision. We will hopefully continue to hear from this group & their authoritative delivery for years to come.
George W Carroll
The Musicians' Ombudsman
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comments?
1115 Reads |
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CD Reviews: Alma Micic..The Hours..CTA Records 2008
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Posted by: editor on Monday, April 14, 2008 - 10:02 AM |
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By John Gilbert
Personnel..On "The Hours", Alma Micic (Vocals) is joined by pianist
Brandon McCune, bassist Sean Conly and drummer Gregory Hutchinson, along
with guests Riley Bandy on alto saxophone and guitarist Rale Micic, who
also produced the album
Alma Micic has a finely textured voice as evidenced on this album of
originals and one standard. Speaking of standards, Micic's
interpretation of "April In Paris" is the 'sine qua non' of this superb
recording. She opens this tune with bass accompaniment and then
follows with a brightly swinging vocal along with some cooly executed
scatting. Brandon McCune's piano solo follows suit with a nice
soliloquy.
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CD Reviews: Dafnis Prieto Sextet - “Taking the Soul for a Walk” CD-2008 Dafnison Music
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, April 13, 2008 - 11:19 AM |
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Glenn Astarita
Cuban-born drummer Dafnis Prieto has been spiraling to a superstar-like stature upon his 1999 arrival in New York. Since his days with saxophonists Henry Threadgill and Steve Coleman among many other luminaries, Prieto has emerged into a prolific small-ensemble bandleader and composer. With this inaugural effort for his new record label, the artist spins a tale of post-modernism Latin-jazz where he predominately scores complex horns charts for his talented band. More importantly, Prieto is a drummer who morphs the rhythmic spice into his methodology. Amazingly coordinated amid lightning-fast fills, Prieto injects wit and whimsy into his arsenal while rolling off woodblocks and cowbells to augment accents and knotty unison runs.
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CD Reviews: (The) Giants of Gender - CD-2007 Edgetone Records
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, April 10, 2008 - 11:31 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
This Cleveland, Ohio., based trio covers quite a bit of musical turf. They seamlessly blend an avant-garde mode of execution into jazz-based improvisation, while at times rekindling notions of classic, British free-jazz methodologies.
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CD Reviews: Tobias Gebb & Trio West, “An Upper West Side Story”
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, April 10, 2008 - 07:22 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Fresh from their holiday jazz debut last November, drummer Tobias Gebb and his eclectic trio are back releasing their first mainstream jazz recording mixing a few originals with a handful of classic standards in one of the best albums of this New Year.
With band mate’s bassist Neal Miner and pianist Eldad Zvulun, the group has sufficient firepower for an excellent job. Not content, however, Gebb augments the cast the with tenor saxophone of Joel Frahm on select tracks and for the first time, includes two vocals here with Champian Fulton doing the honors.
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CD Reviews: Sumi Tonooka/''Long Ago Today''/ARC2116
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, April 10, 2008 - 10:45 AM |
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When it come to jazz harmony & turning a melodic phrase, jazz pianist Sumi Tonooka will not just excite you with her pianistic craft, she will compel you to listen to her compositional artistic creations as well. Her writing is noteworthy, but I am drawn to her treatment of Cole Porter's eternal tune ''All Of You.'' Her take on Porter's song becomes a sojourn into the wondrous world of deceptive cadence, challenging harmonies, and certainly an intellectual approach to viable melody. Sumi creates a kaleidoscope of timbres & textures in her delivery, as well as a true jazz idiom sensibility with her impressionistic style. She also brings an 'original' voice to piano jazz with her obvious paranormal pianistic skills, thus complementing the art of jazz piano in general. Bravo Sumi!
George W Carroll
The Musicians' Ombudsman
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comments?
1024 Reads |
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CD Reviews: JT's Clef Notes
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, April 10, 2008 - 10:44 AM |
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Karl Stobler
Alive – DC & CO (Self 2007)
Alive is a cooperative work of pure musical molten mayhem! This disc allows you to occupy yourself and stimulate yourself like no other disc of its kind. Alive is a blues rock tone with a serious attitude, and leader Dave Costarella (keyboards) is the one orchestrating the meltdown.
This live spin showcases all the critical and dynamic gears, especially the out-of-control string work of guitarist, Big Tone Torres. At the same time, pay close homage to the skin execution of drummer David Santana on "Heaven Can't" among others sets.
The vocals on this collection are all unique and fitted strategically into their small piece of the atmosphere within the disc. Costarella's voice is very distinctive, with a rough edge that cuts the blues feel. "Fine & Mellow" bleeds the tones of Rose Hudson as a majestic-blues buzz resonates…
Push-n-Play this party, then go to the show…and buckle-up for one hell of a fine ride!
Keep it Tuned
JT
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comments?
1179 Reads |
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CD Reviews: Sylvia Bennett, “Songs From The Heart’”
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, April 10, 2008 - 10:42 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
A special recording from one very special lady, “Songs From The Heart” is not just another jazz vocals album, it is a ground-breaking project boasting a cast of Grammy-nominated artists including a star-studded tenor threesome—all in support of songstress Sylvia Bennett. Described as having “silky smooth vocals,” Italian-born Bennett charms her way into your heart by taking a page from the Great American Songbook that showcase her softer, more romantic side with this album.
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CD Reviews: Paul Renz, “Rebop”
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, April 08, 2008 - 09:53 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
“Rebop” is veteran jazz guitarist and educator Paul Renz’s new release featuring six new compositions and a rearranged rendition of Bud Powell’s “Un Poco Loco,” the centerpiece of the album. An in-demand clinician, and Minneapolis-based musician, Renz crafts an album of modern mainstream bop employing a rhythm-based quartet plus a guest, to help shape the nature of the music on this fine session of jazz.
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CD Reviews: Sylvia Bennett/ Song From The Heart/ OSM2025
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, April 08, 2008 - 09:51 AM |
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Jazz vocalist Sylvia Bennett............A totally interesting chanteuse with a propensity to use less vibrato in her vocal style............ Quite impressively I might add............Thus adding to the mystique of her fine instrument. Sylvia's vocal tone is rather muscular as she organizes her delivery around her plentiful group that contains ''the Three Tenors''........'Boots', Ed Calle, & Kirk Whalum respectively, (all fine journeymen tenor sax savants). These add to a project that can only come to fruition in a positive manner. Her free flowing lyrical style of vocalese
is certainly distinctive and unique among her many peers. I predict that she will continue to soothe the savage spirit of her listeners hopefully for many years to come.
George W Carroll
The Musicians' Ombudsman
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comments?
1090 Reads |
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CD Reviews: Sumi Tonooka/''Long Ago Today''/ARC2116
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, April 08, 2008 - 09:50 AM |
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When it come to jazz harmony & turning a melodic phrase, jazz pianist Sumi Tonooka will not just excite you with her pianistic craft, she will compel you to listen to her compositional artistic creations as well. Her writing is noteworthy, but I am drawn to her treatment of Cole Porter's eternal tune ''All Of You.'' Her take on Porter's song becomes a sojourn into the wondrous world of deceptive cadence, challenging harmonies, and certainly an intellectual approach to viable melody. Sumi creates a kaleidoscope of timbres & textures in her delivery, as well as a true jazz idiom sensibility with her impressionistic style. She also brings an 'original' voice to piano jazz with her obvious paranormal pianistic skills, thus complementing the art of jazz piano in general. Bravo Sumi!
George W Carroll
The Musicians' Ombudsman
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comments?
1078 Reads |
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CD Reviews: Elizabeth! “hot & silver’”
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Posted by: editor on Monday, April 07, 2008 - 02:00 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Making her recording debut with the EP, “hot & silver,” New York-based vocalist and trombonist Elizabeth Dotson-Westphalen makes a classy entrance into the world of jazz singing a handful of standards and offering but a glimpse of what the future may hold for this talented artist. As with most EP recordings, the repertoire here is limited to only four songs including oft heard classics like Cole Porter’s “Night & Day,” the Rodgers & Hart standard, “Bewitched” and Cahn’s “Time After Time.”
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CD Reviews: Rob Denty, “Round and Round”
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, April 06, 2008 - 01:14 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Rob Denty may be unfamiliar to jazz audiences outside Chicago but his debut recording as leader may serve to change that. On “Round and Round” Denty includes six originals and two cover tunes presented in a modern mainstream style with a touch of free jazz to make it interesting. Playing the tenor saxophone and the bass clarinet, Denty leads a quartet comprised of Tom Vaitsas on the Fender Rhodes and organ, Cory Biggerstaff on upright bass Tim Mulvenna providing firm pounding of the drums.
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CD Reviews: Alma Micic/The Hour/CTA006
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, April 06, 2008 - 01:13 PM |
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Jazz Singer Alma Micic is a 'Tower Of Power' as she offers us her
vocal interpretations visa-vie her new CD project. Alma's natural phrasing & lovely vibrato make for a substantial vocal instrument.
I hear a deeper talent in her romantic ballad side. There's a warmth & sensitivity that's real along with an uniquely 'identifiable' sound............That of a robustly confident vocal proponent of the American Songbook. Since my last positive review of this gifted vocal artist, I'm hearing a more profound craft in her artistry along with this sense that she's gained a more valued exposure & confidence in what she's been created to do.
George W Carroll
The Musicians' Ombudsman
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comments?
1056 Reads |
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CD Reviews: Dawn Lambeth, “Let’s Get Lost”
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Posted by: editor on Friday, April 04, 2008 - 08:39 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Jazz vocalist Dawn Lambeth specializes in singing the music of early swing jazz period and can be booked with the Usonia Jazz Band for professional outings from Paso Robles, California. With “Let’s Get Lost,” Lambeth features popular songs of the Great American Songbook from the early Swing era, singing the music of such legendary composers as George and Ira Gershwin, Irving Berlin, Cole Porter, the Rodgers and Hart combo and many more. Altogether there are eighteen old time classics totaling 74 minutes plus of music.
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CD Reviews: Karen Blixt, “Mad Hope”
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, April 03, 2008 - 07:46 PM |
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Do hang in after reading Ed's excellent review and hear Karen sing on Ejazzradio.com
By: Edward Blanco
Coming off her critically acclaimed 2006 debut, “Spin This,” San Francisco-based jazz vocalist Karen Blixt sings up a storm on her new offering of “Mad Hope” expanding her range and style of music beyond what she’s explored before. Along with producer and arranger Frank Martin, Blixt co-wrote seven originals and pens the lyrics to a couple of instrumentals while tastefully reinterpreting four old standards.
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CD Reviews: Sylvia Bennett..Songs From The Heart
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, April 02, 2008 - 10:08 AM |
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John Gilbert
..Featuring The Three Tenors, Boots
Randolph, Kirk Whalum, Ed Calle. Out Of Sight Music 2008
Sylvia Bennett (vocals) Brian Murphy (piano), Chuck Bergeron (bass),
Frank Derrick (drums) Sammy Figueroa (percussion)
Sylvia Bennett is a singer that personifies artistry in the truest
sense of the word. Her tone is warm and pleasing to the ear. The muse
Euterpe has placed her blessings on Bennett leaving plenty of fertile
ground to till.
"Embraceable You" This old chestnut is given new life as Bennett leaves
no meat on the bone, exploring the depths of each phrase with ease and
grace. The late Boots Randolph's solo is smokier than a speakeasy adding
the final touch to this gem.
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CD Reviews: Ellis Marsalis Quartet, “An Open Letter to Thelonious’”
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, April 02, 2008 - 10:06 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
In a sterling tribute to one of the greatest pianist/composers of our time, Thelonious Sphere Monk, Ellis Marsalis Jr. captures the Monk magic leading his quartet in performing unique renditions of his compositions on “An Open Letter to Thelonious.”
The album represents a final profound respect for the man whose music Marsalis Jr. had not been conditioned to accept until much later in his professional career.
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CD Reviews: Dave Askren Trio, “Trio Nuevo +’”
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, April 02, 2008 - 08:52 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
On one of the best explorations of warm Latin jazz from a light trio, Los Angeles-based jazz guitarist Dave Askren provides a fresh assault on Afro-Cuban rhythms on his new recording “Trio Nuevo +.” Leading his LA working trio, Askren rearranges seven jazz standards and contributes a couple of originals in a sensational session of Latin jazz not to be missed. With bassist Eddie Resto and drummer Walter Rodriguez forming the core trio, Askren brings in Ramon Banda on three tracks, hence the “Trio Nuevo “plus” title to top off the recording.
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CD Reviews: Taylor Eigsti, “Let It Come To You”
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, April 01, 2008 - 10:19 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Former child prodigy and two-time Grammy-nominated pianist Taylor Eigsti releases his sixth overall CD and second for the Concord Jazz label, in what is sure to be another Grammy contender with “Let It Come to You.” Presenting a repertoire of eleven standout tunes, Eigsti provides refreshing interpretations to several old classics, “new standards” and four original compositions reflective of the pianist’s commitment to new music.
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CD Reviews: Bill Stewart /Incandescence/ PIT3028
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, March 30, 2008 - 08:56 AM |
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With all the musical energy of one bent on a 'Monk' style interepretation, jazz drummer Bill Stewart embarks on his
CD Project with panache. Stewart uses an unusual array of
instruments for his effort, i.e. Hammond Organ, Piano & himself on drums. Good choices indeed! Jazz organist Larry Goldings holds our attention with his handle on melodic 'color' alone. The group's
musical interplay is second to none as they take us through a project bordering on the avante' garde & the cool. This is a group with a wide range of timbres.........Playing their music with mastery & invention as well as a sassy & unpredictable style.
George W Carroll
The Musicians' Ombudsman
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5 Comments
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CD Reviews: Third World Love - “New Blues” - CD-2008 Anzic Records
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, March 29, 2008 - 05:39 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
The press release states: “Third World Love was born as a unique musical brotherhood that has, thus far, resulted in numerous sold-out tours and three highly successful recordings, Third World Love Songs, Avanim and Sketch of Tel Aviv.” Nonetheless, the quartet’s modern vision is transferred into an attainable sound and modus operandi, as progressive-jazz improvisation contrasts a combined European, Latin and Middle Eastern hue that fits like a glove. Featuring rising stars, trumpeter Avishai Cohen and bassist Omer Avital, this top-flight quartet pays homage to timbre while effortlessly whirling through gradually ascending motifs, all nailed down with a noticeable degree of buoyancy.
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CD Reviews: Roger Davidson Trio, “Bom Dia”
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Posted by: editor on Friday, March 28, 2008 - 09:53 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Composer and pianist Roger Davidson has long had a passion for Latin music devoting previous recordings to tango, bolero and bossa nova styles. With “Bom Dia,” (Portuguese for good day) he settles in on a full range of samba and bossa rhythms on eleven original compositions recorded with a first-class piano trio. The music is by and large light Brazilian jazz employing similar texture and arrangements with no heavy pulsating beats to worry about.
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CD Reviews: Dafnis Prieto Sextet, “Taking The Soul For A Walk”
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Posted by: editor on Friday, March 28, 2008 - 09:03 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Launching his own record label with Dafnison Music, Cuban-born drummer Dafnis Prieto releases his third album with “Taking The Soul For A Walk.” Commissioned by the prestigious Chamber Music of America Foundation, Prieto writes a suite of seven original compositions, as part of the twelve piece repertoire, blending Afro-Cuban rhythms with contemporary jazz harmonies and dedicates the work to various Latin jazz artists who have passed away within the last couple of years.
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CD Reviews: Gust Spenos Quartet, “Swing Theory”
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, March 27, 2008 - 10:40 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
The riveting debut recording from Indiana Neurologist and saxophonist, Dr. Gust Spenos, “Swing Theory” essentially provides an education in music with one primary equation in mind, i.e., J = SF( jazz equals Swing X Fun). As Dr. Spenos states “This recording was a collaborative effort of musicians whose singular goal was to have fun” and that’s just what the music reflects on a selection that includes swinging renditions of oft heard standards and two original scores.
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CD Reviews: Margot Roi “A Place For Me” CD-2007 Independent
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, March 25, 2008 - 09:33 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
Canadian jazz diva Margot Roi approaches the topic of love via jazz and pop standards that accentuate her graceful and irrefutably, optimistic mode of delivery. And she garners the very best out of the several musicians appearing on this amiable studio date, augmented by a get-up-and-go vibe that features lush phrasings amid brisk swing vamps and more.
The vocalist possesses an authoritative delivery that is counterbalanced with sincerity and her emotively generated lyricism. Here, Roi sparkles through jazz waltzes and sultry late-night blues vamps, where the instrumentalists are quite diligent when it comes to providing the requisite contrasts. Nonetheless, the artists’ thriving momentum serves as an accelerator during many of these standards.
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CD Reviews: Arturo O’Farrill, “Song for Chico”
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, March 25, 2008 - 06:15 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Leading New York’s Lincoln Center Afro-Latin Jazz Orchestra on their second recording and first for the Zoho label, director and pianist Arturo O’Farrill crafts another winning Latin jazz big band album and follow up to their previous Grammy-nominated “Una Noche Inolvidable.” O’Farrill takes his eighteen-piece Latin jazz ensemble on a percussive and audacious journey through big band arrangements of Latin jazz standards and new originals that serve to elevate the art and genre of Afro-Latin music to new heights.
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CD Reviews: CD Review: Bill Hart, Subject to Changes
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Posted by: eJazzNews Reader on Tuesday, March 25, 2008 - 10:44 AM |
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CD Review: Bill Hart, Subject to Change
BHM Records - 2008
Reviewed By: Geannine Reid
Hart’s early training was fairly non-traditional. As a teenager, he spent time playing in theater’s performing “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” and “Little Shop of Horrors.” Fascinated by the mathematical precision of music, Bill attended the Guitar Institute of Technology in Hollywood, California, graduating with honors. Bill has studied under master guitarists: Mike Stern, Steve Khan, Wayne Krantz and Scott Henderson. Bill’s true joy comes from playing his original compositions. Bill Hart has opened for jazz greats such as Herbie Hancock, Marcus Miller, Lou Rawls, Yellow Jackets, Acoustic Alchemy, Joey Defrancesco, Norman Brown, Rippingtons and Mike Stern.
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CD Reviews: Mike Levine, “From The Heart’”
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, March 25, 2008 - 10:42 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Miami-based composer and pianist Mike Levine is a veteran sideman whose career spans decades since he co-led the Ross-Levine Band in the 80s. Crafting an album that blends smooth jazz, straight ahead and Latin styles, Levine marks his debut as leader in impressive fashion with “From The Heart.” The repertoire presents a program of ten originals and one standard featuring guitarist Hiram Bullock and saxophonist Ed Calle as special guests.
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CD Reviews: Victor Wooten-“Palmystery”-CD-2008 Heads Up
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, March 23, 2008 - 04:28 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
Bass superhero Victor Wooten’s new release is a mixed bag, featuring musician family members; organist Neal Smith, guitarist Mike Stern and fellow Bela Fleck & The Flecktones saxophonist Jeff Coffin among others. Regardless of genre (there are quite a few covered here), Wooten resides as the traffic director via his dexterous and technically superb bass lines. As he covers jazz-fusion, gospel, soul, dub, blues, funk and world music throughout. Not sure if the preponderance of listeners will dig every style or composition, but the bassist’s mélange of ethnocentric inferences loom as a high-spirited and rather kaleidoscopic program.
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CD Reviews: Charles Lloyd Quartet - “Rabo De Nube” CD-2008 ECM Records
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, March 22, 2008 - 03:45 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
This 2008 release coincides with modern jazz master, Charles Lloyd’s seventieth birthday. Nonetheless, his legacy should be considered common knowledge among many jazz aficionados. Captured live at a theater in Basil, Switzerland., the leader casts his customary jazz mantra via an underlying sense of spiritualism that is largely inherent within his distinct phrasings. Here, young jazz piano wunderkind Jason Moran serves as an interesting foil. As the quartet mixes it up while occasionally skirting the free realm amid Lloyd’s use of the targato woodwind instrument that enables him to cast a hybrid jazz/world-music panorama during various segments.
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CD Reviews: JAZZCHICAGO.NET REVIEWS LIEBMAN/SAINDON'S CD DEPTH OF EMOTION
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Posted by: eJazzNews Reader on Saturday, March 22, 2008 - 10:59 AM |
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Chicago jazz critic Brad Walseth recently reviewed Depth of Emotion featuring Dave Liebmna on soprano and Ed Saindon on vibes, piano and marimba. The recording has been receiving extensive airplay in the U.S. and abroad.
Brad Walseth writes in JazzChicago.Net: “The combination of vibes and soprano sax is one that hasn’t really been utilized very often in the annals of jazz, but in the hands of two masters, Ed Saindon and Dave Liebman, a strong case is to be made for further exploration. "Depth of Emotion" is a highly satisfying release, surprisingly recorded in 3 hours, that features Berklee educator Ed Saindon on piano and 4-mallet vibes and marimba, along with saxophonist Dave Liebman playing Saindon’s wonderful compositions. Backed by David Clark on acoustic bass and Mark Walker on drums for much of the album, Saindon’s songs are sophisticated yet melodic, intensely felt, yet relaxed.
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CD Reviews: Ellis Marsalis/An Open Letter To Thelonius/ELM19787
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, March 20, 2008 - 02:04 PM |
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Let me say forthrightly that Ellis Marsalis is a role model of mine in a jazz pianist sense. Plus, musical folks of his age group & mine can feel relaxed that one doesn't have to 'give up' on the
challenge of continuing to proffer one's talents at any age. Talent does count, & Ellis's longevity is proof positive that it does!! Ellis has created a national treasure as well if just to consider the array of his progeny making a formidable impact on our beloved jazz idiom. As for his new CD project ''An Open Letter To Thelonius'' Ellis has succeeded in offering us a decorative small combo performance to prove he is still master of the delicate charm & incisive harmonic-melodic artistic structure that is part & parcel of his unique reputation.
George W Carroll
The Musicians' Ombudsman
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comments?
1159 Reads |
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CD Reviews: New U.S Releases from European Label ECM.
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, March 18, 2008 - 10:23 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Ketil Bjornstad & Terje Rypdal, “Life in Leipzig”
A new album from guitarist Terje Rypdal and pianist Ketil Bjornstadt captures a live recording made by German Radio station MDR at the Leipzig’s Opera House during the city’s jazz festival in 2005. The performance by the duo was a continuation of their collaboration that began in the Belleville jazz club in Oslo in 1999. The repertoire here represents a rearrangement of twelve original compositions contained on previous albums recorded by the two for ECM.
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CD Reviews: Howard Britz’s â€Here I Stand’
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Posted by: eJazzNews Reader on Tuesday, March 18, 2008 - 07:07 PM |
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Here I Stand
Tee Zee Records
(Rec. October 2007)
Review by John Stevenson
Arguably one the more robust releases for 2008, Howard Britz’s â€Here I Stand’ raises the bar from both compositional and bass-playing perspectives.
Bucking the trend towards near-slavish dependence on jazz standards, Britz ably demonstrates that he is conversant with tradition. What’s more, he makes his independent mark as a writer of catchy, and sometimes complex melodic pieces.
On the bright opening number, “Yaakology”, penned for Israeli drummer Yaaki Levi, Les-McCann-like gospel inflections playfully collide with Latin strains, artfully assisted by the remarkable ensemble and solo work of drummer Sylvia Cuenca and pianist George Colligan. Cuenca’s time-keeping is in notable lock-step with the gently persuasive lope of Britz’s plucked notes; a stance that becomes even more evident on the alternating second-line-shuffle/hard-bopping swing of “Lucky Friday the 13th”.
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CD Reviews: Jeanne O’Connor, “Something’s Coming”
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, March 15, 2008 - 11:02 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
With her first solo album, New York-based jazz singer, Jeanne O’Connor borrows from the Great American Songbook and reenergizes some old and familiar time- honored songs providing new and vigorous interpretations with her sultry alto vocals. “Something’s Coming,” a Leonard Bernstein composition made famous from the Broadway play “West Side Story,” provides the inspiration for the album and as the title implies, hints at what’s musically in store here.
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CD Reviews: Connie Evingson with Dave Frishberg, “Little Did I Dream’”
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, March 13, 2008 - 09:10 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
With her eighth album, Twin Cities-based vocalist Connie Evingson lends her magical voice to the songs of pianist Dave Frishberg in a delightful project of light jazz vocals with a measure of swing. The recording reunites two old college buddies who provide their considerable talents in support of a sensational vocal performance from the singer.
Frishberg, who not only provides the music and lyrics, also plays the piano and is accompanied by long-time friend, saxophonist Dave Karr.
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CD Reviews: Royce Campbell Trio..Roses And Wine..Philology 2007
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, March 13, 2008 - 09:29 AM |
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By John Gilbert
Royce Campbell (guitar) Hod O'Brien (piano) James King (bass) Pete Spaar
(bass tracks 1,5,6)
Royce Campbell has an interesting concept on this, his new album. There
are 10 tunes, each based on the changes of well known standards. The
tracks are well worth listing, to wit:
Take A Train, Roses And Wine, Lover Guy, There's No Other You, G Jam
Blues, All The Things, That's Not All, More Than Just Friends, Into
Nowhere, D Jam Blues.
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CD Reviews: Ted Kooshian’s Standard Orbit Quartet
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, March 12, 2008 - 11:12 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
For an unconventional jazzy good time that’s out of this world, give Ted Kooshian’s Standard Orbit Quartet a spin and you’ll hear music you’ve not heard in years presented in an entirely new light. Inspired by pianist Ted Kooshian’s love of the movies and television shows, this album puts a jazzy slant to some familiar TV and movie theme songs that result in one dynamite recording.
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CD Reviews: Next Order-Live-Roaring Colors Review
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Posted by: muzikman on Tuesday, March 11, 2008 - 12:29 PM |
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Artist: Next Order
Title: Live-Roaring Colors
Genre: Jazz-Rock-Fusion
Label: LoLo Records
Website
Source Link
Formed in 2002, Next Order is a jazz/rock/fusion group from Japan who has set out to impress American audiences with their aggressive and colorful improvisation style. Next Order has heavily toured Japan sharing the stage with acts, such as Gongzilla, Tribal Tech and African Express Trio. The musicians behind Next Order are four virtuosos, including guitarists Yuji Muto (graduate of the GIT Musician’s Institute), Takumi Seino (graduate of Berklee), bassist Atsutomo Ishigaki (also a graduate of Berklee) and drummer Gori Matsuda (often called the “busiest drummer in Japan”). Next Order’s first album, “Live- Powered Nexus” was the group’s United States debut album on the label LoLo Records. The live-recorded, instrumental jazz/ fusion, “Live-Roaring Colors,” is the group’s second album.
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CD Reviews: Tony Adamo reviewed by Soul Tracks
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Posted by: rocarmani on Tuesday, March 11, 2008 - 12:26 PM |
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Tony Adamo and Soul Tracks
www.myspace.com/tonyrocadamo
Sitting in the jazz café along with a few friends, sipping Chamomile tea, singer/visual artist Tony Adamo enters the stage offering us a sweet deal. He is offering his latest
14-track fusion CD, Straight Up Deal. What is his recipe? Add a taste of Michael Beck, sample some Santana, throw in the sentiment of Miles Davis, the style of Grover Washington, Jr. and the Lou Rawls-like vibrato of Tony Adamo. There you have it: an eclectic, high energy project of jazz, R&B, soul and funk.
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CD Reviews: Dr. Mint - “Visions and Nightmares” CD–2008 pfMENTUM
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, March 09, 2008 - 06:18 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
Broken into two parts “Visions and Nightmares” and “Apocalyptica,” the West Coast-based aggregation’s music is all improvised. And as the brief liners disclose, this outing signifies their inaugural meeting, which features an assortment of an acoustic-electric driven avant/jazz-rock, executed with a noticeable degree of raw firepower. Here, electric guitarist Alex Noice shreds metal into tiny fragments amid the dual horn attack’s conveyance of the jazz element, over the top. In some instances, it would seem that the ensemble had worked out some of these motifs in advance, but the music was performed on-the-fly during the course of two consecutive takes.
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CD Reviews: Perez, “It’s Happenin’”
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, March 08, 2008 - 10:10 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
New York native Diana Perez is a remarkable artist blessed with a strong expansive contralto voice that sets her apart from the myriad of female jazz vocalists producing new recordings almost daily. Releasing her third album and first on the ZOHO label, “It’s Happenin’” features a repertoire taken from the Great American Songbook cast in new exciting arrangements and performed with a cadre of luminaries from the top echelon of New York’s vibrant jazz scene.
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CD Reviews: Chako/Everybody's Got A Name/CP 88-9
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, March 05, 2008 - 01:46 PM |
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In a kind of Wes Montgomery-esque musical vernacular, jazz guitarist Greg Chako asserts his strong talent(s) for our
instruction. He presents a strong array of his originals
that one finds compelling, challenging, & attractive
in his musical desire to add viable craft & artistry to our beloved jazz idion. Chako is exceptional in his ability to understate his approach to melody & harmony, yielding an animated but very cool guitar playing style. Last, Chako plus group, deliver their music
in a very unique, melodic, very emotional & precisely executed manner. Contrast, accurate, athletic, sultry, etc are words that apply here. Great work guys!
George W Carroll
The Musicians' Ombudsman
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comments?
1327 Reads |
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CD Reviews: Steve Dooks, “Cocktails, Heartaches and Cigars”
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, March 04, 2008 - 10:41 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
A strong song writer and versatile musician, Steve Dooks provides a session of tender light jazz with a sprinkle of blues and plenty of levity with “Cocktail, Heartaches and Cigars.” He plays the piano, guitar and provides unique vocals on a lyrical journey of romance and heartache conveyed in three standards and seven original and fun charts.
His almost tired voicing of the music lends a certain nightclub feel to the recording and this is not meant as a criticism only an observation of a style that sets him apart from other vocalists.
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CD Reviews: Howard Britz..Here I Stand..Tee Zee Records..2007
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, March 04, 2008 - 10:03 AM |
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John Gilbert
Howard Britz (bass and compositions), George Colligan (piano), Sylvia Cuenca (drums), Casey Benjamin (alto sax) & David Smith (trumpet)
This recording is difficult to classify. The musicians are competent but the tunes seem like extended intros and lack the swinging quality one is used to hearing. Perhaps this ensemble would be better served with some standards within the recording. It becomes somewhat esoteric as 'originals' are sometimes wont to do.I would love to hear this group with some tried and true tunes. As Dizzy used to say "It's not the music, it's the sound that's the meat" The players are top notch but the peculiar idiom does not do them justice.
2 Stars
Visit California Coast Jazz
http://community-2.webtv.net/johnnyjazz/johnnyjazzsjazzpage
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comments?
1097 Reads |
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CD Reviews: Hans Glawischnig, “Panorama”
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, February 28, 2008 - 10:43 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
An innovative composer and musician who has shared the stage with the likes of James Moody, Maynard Ferguson, and Stefon Harris to name a few, Austrian-born bassist Hans Glawischnig makes his debut on the Sunnyside label with “Panorama,” his second album as leader. On this recording Glawischnig embraces a panoramic view of modern jazz that takes in elements of classical, free style, Afro-Latin and beyond.
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CD Reviews: Avery Sharpe, “Legends & Mentors”
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, February 26, 2008 - 10:42 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Long time bassist for McCoy Tyner, Avery Sharpe dedicates this album to three artists that in his words “not only changed the face of music, my association with them changed my life and the way I view music.” He was referring to McCoy Tyner, Archie Shepp and Yusef Lateef and borrows two charts from each one for this album which is actually titled “Legends & Mentors, The music of McCoy Tyner, Archie Shepp and Yusef Lateef.”
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CD Reviews: Eric Byrd Trio +4, “Brother Ray”
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, February 24, 2008 - 06:34 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
A swinging tribute to the late singer Ray Charles, the music in “Brother Ray” can be summed up by the very first tune, “Let The Good Times Roll.” By and large that’s what pianist/vocalist Eric Byrd does here as he lets it all hang out in a rollicking fun time on this CD. Except for the ballad-like “Come Rain Or Come Shine,” the soft “Don’t Let The Sun Catch You Cryin’“ and the emotional “You Don’t Know Me,” where Byrd sings and performs solo on piano, the balance of the repertoire is all swing and blues.
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CD Reviews: Don Stille, “Keys To My Heart”
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Posted by: editor on Friday, February 22, 2008 - 09:45 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
A much in-demand first call musician in the Chicago area, virtuoso pianist Don Stille presents his second album as leader recording a repertoire of eleven uncommon standards playing the piano and the not so common accordion in a light trio setting. Stille is the regular pianist of Rob Parton’s Jazztech Big Band, one of the finest ensembles in the country. He has also played with The Chicago Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra and is the accordion player with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
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CD Reviews: Avery Sharpe/Legends & Mentors/AS89896
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Posted by: editor on Friday, February 22, 2008 - 09:37 AM |
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Mentors indeed!! Jazz bass player Avery Sharpe plays & acts like he's the reflection of his influences. And, having mentors like
Lateef & Tyner can only massage one's sensibilities & give one a more intense appreciation for jazz...........Such that Avery's magnificent fluidity of execution & lovely tonal inflection affirms this. The combined group offers us as well an overall fluent technique & excellent range............Plus, the group's knack of expressing their musical phrases with pith & moment. What a kick & honor to be witness to such group talent!
George W Carroll
The Musicians' Ombudsman
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comments?
1120 Reads |
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CD Reviews: Plamen Karadonev/Crossing Lines/SELF
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, February 20, 2008 - 04:20 PM |
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Whenever I see my old buddy & jazz sax savant George Garzone on a CD project, I'm assured it's got 'legs.' This, with the mystical arrangements of jazz pianist Plamen Karadonev to such enclosed tunes as Porter's 'Nite & Day,' & we're certainly off to a good start towards a fruitful CD project. Plamen has a formidable piano technique & both he and the sax artistry of Garzone swing mightily in concert. That said, there is the added relaxation and gentleness of the combined group that can't be denied which the players exploit quite viably. This is a clever group with great musuical intuition and invention. Brilliant!!
George W Carroll
The Musicians' Ombudsman
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5 Comments
1204 Reads |
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CD Reviews: Felipe Salles/South American Suite/CRCD3864
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, February 20, 2008 - 04:20 PM |
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Latino Rroyale Indeed!! The Latino South American culture is dissected through the talent of leader Felipe Salles & his
strong septet. Felipe plays all the reeds prodigiously well
& I feel his music echoes his personal musical philosophy.
Felipe is a virtuosic reedman & improviser with a full rich delivery
as well as an excellent range. I must pay kudos too to the acoustic architecture of the group in that they all seem to encapsulate the latino sound with brilliant exuberance & discipline. Latin music is by default sensuous & compelling & I might suggest that Felipe & group succeed in allowing more than a modicum of lyricism to inflect into their delivery, resulting in a more captivating
& satisfying effect for us his listeners.
George W Carroll
The Musicians' Ombudsman
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comments?
1234 Reads |
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CD Reviews: Adam Klemm Banda, “Hot Coolen”
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, February 16, 2008 - 06:20 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Based in Ljubljana, Slovenia, Serbian-born saxophonist Adam Klemm marks the release of his latest disc, “Hot Coolen,” recorded in February 2007 on the new Sensor label. While he may not be well known in the US, this album may help change that once jazz audiences hear his music. The repertoire contains all original music that falls within the mainstream jazz genre and it’s all pretty darn good. I was immediately taken by just how well this group plays.
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CD Reviews: Live ….. In The Moment (Tripping Tree Records 2007)
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Posted by: editor on Friday, February 15, 2008 - 08:57 PM |
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JazzTrenzz
Ken Serio
Drummer Ken Serio has orchestrated an energetic array of fusion in real time with real success! Out of the Tripping Tree label will come an eclectic sound within a live setting that just stimulates the room it’s spun in. From the Muscle Car overtones of “Big Blue Cars” with its fast and furious fusion vibes, each cut has its own driven attitude… A double disk set that starts off 2008 hitting the checkered flag!
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Trombone Heaven, Vancouver 1978 (Uptown Records 2007)
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Posted by: editor on Friday, February 15, 2008 - 08:56 PM |
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JazzTrenzz
Frank Rosolino & Carl Fontana
Take the animated technique of trombonist Frank Rosolino and adventurous temper of talent that is Carl Fontana and you have classic jazz brass…On a night back in1978 in the Bayside Room of the Bayshore Inn in Vancouver an experience for a select privileged few took place. Now that moment is released to the masses and it to this day stays a memorable jazz episode!
I will put it this way. If you are into pure jazz without the fluff and dressing, this is a must! This performance swings and brings so much to the table, both on a technical and performance level… Untarnished heat!
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CD Reviews: Ari Erev..About Time..2008
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, February 14, 2008 - 01:36 PM |
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By John Gilbert
Ari Erev (piano) Yorai Oron (bass) Gideon Pasahov (drums)
From Israel comes Ari Erev with a fine trio of solid musicians. There
are 13 tunes on this album and each is a gem.
"These Foolish Things" is a superb ballad done respectfully and with a
grace bred of true talent, the solo by Erev is a study in ideation.
Gideon Pasahov on the drums got my attention straightaway with his
understated but perfect interpretation of how a drummer should react to
the soloist's message.
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CD Reviews: Jack Wood, “The Gal That Got Away”
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, February 14, 2008 - 12:51 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
If you like the music of Frank Sinatra and the songs from the “Great American Songbook,” then you will love Los Angeles area vocalist Jack Wood and his renditions of many of those classics. Speaking of the Chairman of the Board, Wood captures a haunting version of “One For My Baby” using the late Bill Miller on piano, who played on the Sinatra Capitol recording of the song. On this album you will be treated to new interpretations to other songs closely associated with the late great singer such as, Gershwin’s “A Foggy Day” and the Arlen/Mercer standard “Come Rain or Come Shine.”
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CD Reviews: Fred Randolph, “New Day”
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, February 14, 2008 - 12:50 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Versatile bassist Fred Randolph presents his second CD as leader with one burner of a recording containing elements of straight ahead, bebop and a touch of bossa nova jazz with the dawn of a “New Day.” Offering twelve new creative compositions here, the music sizzles and moves to exciting grooves with the help of a first-rate supporting cast that makes the album a pleasure to hear.
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CD Reviews: Elli Fordyce with Jim Malloy, “Something Still Cool”
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, February 12, 2008 - 10:22 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
A New York area singer whose love affair with jazz has survived an accident and years of absence to raise a family, Elli Fordyce makes her recording debut with “Something Still Cool” and the young and tender age of 70. Still a looker and possessing a mature but sensuous vocal style, the lady delivers new renditions to familiar standards. Fordyce enlists vocal help by performing duets with local jazz singer Jim Malloy on such songs as “Hey There,” “One Note Samba,” “Almost Like Being In Love” and “I Thought About You.”
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CD Reviews: Diane Hoffman “My Little French Dancer”
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Posted by: editor on Monday, February 11, 2008 - 09:26 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
An accomplished painter, New York-based jazz singer, Diane Hoffman paints a musical portrait of light jazz vocals with her latest release providing new reads to a mixture of uncommon standards. Using a rich textured voice, the lady reaches and sings with power as she fronts a light ensemble that provides excellent musical support on a selection of soft ballads as well as contemporary and bluesy melodies.
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CD Reviews: Chris Olsen - Conceptual Rhythm
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Posted by: p.j.youngman on Thursday, February 07, 2008 - 06:33 PM |
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Chris Olsen
Conceptual Rhythm
Released 2006 Independent
The Healing Path of Jazz and Liberation
Musicians: Chris Olsen (drums, percussion), Phil Haynes (drums, percussion), Herb Robertson (trumpet, flugelhorn), Sean Parker (alto clarinet), Steve Geller (bass), Jim Yanda (guitar)
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CD Reviews: John Chin/Blackout Conception/FSNT292
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, February 06, 2008 - 10:05 AM |
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This CD is my definition of 'mainstream.' There's conception, ideas, horn lines, intellectual solos, feeling, interpretation as well as gainful melodic & harmonically viable inprovisation contained therein. Also, may I pay tribute to Chin's composing efforts which are included which are compelling to say the least. Chin's piano delivery is stellar in that he is adept at intricate & outstanding musical contexts that relate to his sure sense of rhythmic, melodic, and harmonic brinkmanship. Both John & his group are to be considered powerful, skilled, & appealingly genuine, & any recognition that this present project creates I assure my readers is fully deserved.
George W. Carroll
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comments?
1504 Reads |
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CD Reviews: Yaron Elyashiv “I Remember You”
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, February 05, 2008 - 07:37 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
The debut album from Israeli-born Yaron Elyashiv, “I Remember You” is a sparkling musical statement from one of the newest saxophonist in the jazz world today. Dedicated to his late mother, the album is more than a work in progress; it marks Yaron’s arrival as an up and coming jazz musician with much to offer. Living in New York since he left Israel in 2006, he has become a fixture in the city’s vibrant jazz scene and appears as a sideman on veteran singer Myrna Lakes’s latest release.
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Concert Reviews: Two Nights of Jazz Presented in Toronto by Jazz Wines
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Posted by: eJazzNews Reader on Monday, February 04, 2008 - 07:00 PM |
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Two Nights of Jazz Presented In Toronto By Jazz Wines
By Marcia Hillman
Jazz was a welcome visitor in Toronto during the second week of January at the Jamie Kennedy Wine Bar – as well as the Convention Center where the IAJE Conference held sway. Jazz Wines – an organization devoted to celebrating talent and connecting creative people – set up two nights of great jazz featuring the Lenore Raphael Trio with performances by special guest vocalist Denise Thimes.
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CD Reviews: The Wrong Object - “Stories From The Shed”- Moonjune Records
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, February 02, 2008 - 05:40 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
This young Belgian quintet does indeed intimate inferences from jazz/prog-rock heavyweights Soft Machine, King Crimson and other seminal bands. Unlike many other entities of this ilk, these young men hone in on solid and cohesive compositional aspects that serve as a foundation for their often-torrid soloing escapades. Moreover, the ensemble’s distinct sound and soaring mode of operations all stacks up to a fun-filled jamboree, where revved-up progressive-rock movements are counterbalanced by the ever-present jazz element.
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CD Reviews: Libby York, “Here With You”
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, February 02, 2008 - 09:53 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Jazz singer Libby York turns on the charm with her latest CD of time-honored standards from the Great American Songbook voicing eleven selected tunes with the help of guitarists Russell Malone, Howard Alden and trumpeter Warren Vache, who here plays the cornet and joins in on a vocal duet on “Walkin’ My Baby Back Home.” The music is quite gentle and with the lady’s relaxing vocal style, comes across in a very jazzy fashion.
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CD Reviews: Jan Korinek /Groovin' For Little V/ HBR33005
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, February 02, 2008 - 09:51 AM |
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Be assured that ''groove'' is alive & well on a global basis. Czech Republic Jazz organist Jan Korinek offers us the "Slav'
approach to jazz, as he delivers viable horn lines visa-vie his ''Beast'' (his Hammond B-3 organ!) His spate of all original
songs are a plus to this highly animated project & his sidemen rally to the musical cause as well. Korinek is a tremendous technician, & delivers his improvisations with a powerful musical intellect. Plus, his quick fingered & blazing contrapuntal approach to organ is almost effortless. He's a sensitive & reponsive player with great stamina............Maybe not one the best known, but potentially one of the best to emerge.
George W. Carroll
The Musicians' Ombudsman
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comments?
2056 Reads |
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CD Reviews: James Silberstein / Expresslane / CAP1009
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, January 30, 2008 - 10:43 AM |
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Jazz guitarist James Silberstein gets down to business chop-chop! And, if the opening tune & it's up tempo delivery doesn't grab you......your comatose! Legendary bass player Harvie S lends his
talents as well enhancing a project that is already on it's way to
acclaim & fruition. Silberstein plays with a shrewd musical intellect & charm with all that that implies. Plus, the acoustic format showcases James's melodic, harmonic, & improvisational
strengths to an note. Kudos to both James & his expert group for their confidence, technique, & overall showmanship.
George W. Carroll
The Musicians' Ombudsman
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4 Comments
1418 Reads |
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CD Reviews: Mike McCarroll-At The Crossroads Review
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Posted by: muzikman on Tuesday, January 29, 2008 - 11:28 AM |
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Artist: Mike McCarroll
Title: At The Crossroads
Genre: Rock-Blues-Country
Label: Independent
Website
CD Baby Link
Source Link
iTunes Link
Mike McCarroll is a sure fire bet to become a working class hero if his music catches on. McCarroll started his own business once the kids grew up and he was satisfied enough to give it his best shot, knowing there was nothing to distract or stop him. After paying some dues and building a successful business venture (â€Business Traveler Blues”) was in place, it was time to grab his guitar, head into the studio, and make the album he always wanted to (“At The Crossroads”).
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CD Reviews: Pascal Marzan & Roger Smith - “Two Spanish Guitars (2006/7)”- EMANEM
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, January 29, 2008 - 11:16 AM |
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Glenn Astarita
Frenchman Pascal Marzan (left-channel) aligns with renowned British improviser Roger Smith (right-channel) for a string of unamplified, nylon-stringed Spanish guitar duets/improvisations. Per the CD liners, Smith invited Marzan to a guitar-only concert in Paris, honoring the late, great Derek Bailey; thus, the events leading up to this outing.
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CD Reviews: Jodi Proznick Quartet, “Foundations”
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Posted by: editor on Monday, January 28, 2008 - 08:10 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Though released in Canada in late 2006, “Foundations” is only now making the rounds in the U.S. and leaving an impressive mark. Recognized as one of the top young musicians in Canada, Jodi Proznick has become a first-call bassist in Vancouver since moving there in 2000. While her credits include several recording appearances, this album is the lady’s debut as leader and what a debut it is! The music is riveting straight ahead jazz with a terrific selection of tunes and finesse power playing from the band.
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CD Reviews: Peter Erskine CDS, Big Band & Jazz Trio
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Posted by: editor on Monday, January 28, 2008 - 08:09 PM |
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I'll attempt to offer my rationale on both these superb CD projects:
One is a collaboration with trumpet-eer Tim Hagans & the Norrbotten
Sweden big band........A robust & formidable big band........And
then, Peter with a jazz trio playing the American Songbook so true to form. I have attended many a Stan Kenton big band concert in Massachusetts featuring the 'plosive' & percussive persona of Peter Erskine. Let me say that Peter has made an important contribution
as to the mechanics of drumming big band style. He can exude brilliant taste in a small group setting, & then explode in a machismo display of powerful solos only attendant in a big band concert. My readers are to know that Peter is a prodigious talent blessed with precise time, speed, instinct, ear, thought, & execution. His two CD projects exemplify this monumental talent beautifully. Nuff said!
George W. Carroll
The Musicians' Ombudsman
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comments?
1158 Reads |
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Must Read
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Posted by: editor on Monday, January 28, 2008 - 08:06 PM |
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CLIVE
We used to own the rock stars. But we never owned the executives.
But once upon a time, the executives were fans. But when they started believing they were more important than the acts, the business went downhill, rock died. It was only about the money, the soul was gone.
We were a necessary part of the rock equation. We built the stars, not MTV, not even radio. We were respected as opposed to ripped-off. We had soul. And part of our essence was our irreverence, our ability to question authority, to cry foul.
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CD Reviews: Pascal Marzan & Roger Smith -“Two Spanish Guitars (2006/7)” EMANEM
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, January 26, 2008 - 01:25 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
Spaniard Pascal Marzan (left-channel) aligns with renowned British improviser Roger Smith (right-channel) for a string of unamplified, nylon-stringed Spanish guitar duets/improvisations. Per the CD liners, Smith invited Marzan to a guitar-only concert in Paris, honoring the late, great Derek Bailey; thus, the events leading up to this outing.
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Education: Tom Tallitsch...Medicine Man..OA2 Records 2008
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, January 26, 2008 - 10:37 AM |
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John Gilbert
Tom Tallitsch (Tenor Sax) Tony Miceli (Vibraphone), Victor Baker
(Guitar), Paul Gehman (Ac. Bass), Dan Monaghan (Drums)
By John Gilbert
This album is difficult to classify as to genre. It is not jazz as we
know it, as it lacks the swinging quality of the straight ahead mode,
however, the players are first rate.
"Three Flights Down" is a flight of fancy for Tallitsch as he solos in
the fast lane.
He shows dexterity and the ability to maneuver over his horn in fine
style.
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CD Reviews: Coincidence / Joe Beck-John Abercrombie / WCS040
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, January 24, 2008 - 10:08 AM |
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Jazz guitar summit meets jazz guitar summit!! These two veteran jazz guitarists John Abercrombie, (my old musical sideman of yrs. ago) & Joe Beck 'tear it up' as it were while they explore the positive vagaries of good solid music. John is a master of both the mainstream & the abstract. His style is very deceptive yet edifying.
Beck's contribution to the project fits quite nicely in that their musical philosophies are symbiotic. Both John & Joe present an exquisite option to their many musical contemporaries. These two masters are creating melodic decorations that are pleasing to our sensibility for jazz...........producing marvellous effects & influences for a whole generation of present & future asiring jazz guitar philes.
George W. Carroll
The Musicians' Ombudsman
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comments?
1240 Reads |
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CD Reviews: Frank Macchia/Coincidence/FMC512
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, January 24, 2008 - 10:07 AM |
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Here's where the jazz idiom meets the classical & lives happily ever after.........Viably & gainfully I might add! Veteran sax jazzer, Berklee College alum, & consummate arranger Frank Macchia takes on tin pan alley a little, & succeeds in re-inventing the American Songbook with a magic touch. Macchia's charts & the Prague Orchestra never sounded better, & Machia's tenor sax delivery becomes a great adjunct to his arranging prowess for the group. Frank can negotiate horn lines with a suave panache.........His improvisations are an elegant exercise in harmonic
quintessence.........His playing, always poised with grace & gentility. This is a true project in the art of musical craft as it were.
George W. Carroll
The Musicians' Ombudsman
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comments?
1000 Reads |
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CD Reviews: Richard Boulger, “Blues Twilight”
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, January 23, 2008 - 04:55 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Though just released this is a recording long in the making ever since trumpeter Richard Boulger recorded his debut album back in 1999 (“The Calling”). The album was actually recorded in two sessions between 2005 and 2006 capturing some of the last performances of the late great pianist John Hicks who graces the recording. The music in “Blues Twilight” represents a blend of progressive mainstream jazz with a bit of the hard bop flavor making for one exciting project.
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CD Reviews: Globetrotting: Steve Gorn-Brian Melick-John Davey “You Are Here”
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, January 23, 2008 - 04:54 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
CD-2007 Lil’ Pumpkin Records
This is an absolute gem of a recording, where the group moniker provides credence to the ethnocentric fusion of jazz and world music via the trio’s worldly permutations. Here, world music denizen Steve Gorn uses bansuri flutes and saxes to conjure up notions of exotic environs and the unearthing of hidden treasures. In addition, percussionist Brian Melick provides the often-supple rhythmic element amid bassist John Davey’s fluent lines. But it’s an organic brew consisting of mystical jazz-world music intonations and phrasings, largely sprinkled with whimsical melodies.
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HIRING TO RE-INVENT...AND THE MAGIC OF NON-TRADITIONAL RESEARCH
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, January 22, 2008 - 10:57 AM |
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I was going through some notes...old notes…scribbled stuff on legal pads. I wrote out the "notes" seen below in 1998 in preparation for joining XM. I also remember talking to other “programmers” from other National media to get some feedback. The only thing is, none of them were really programmers. They were “deal guys” who SIGNED stuff but rarely created anything. Often Smart guys, but it quickly became apparent that we were on our own when putting a staff together for XM. Law degrees and track records weren’t really going to move the needle. There was really no staffing model. Or any kind of model. We had to find people to CREATE more than aggregate content. It was helpful that Hugh Panero, our CEO, told me “Get people with green hair and rings in their noses…not your old pals…”. I never let on that most of my pals HAD green hair. These notes refer to the creative side as some of these below mentioned characteristics might be TOO out there for people with more traditional responsibilities (I had to transcribe these from scribbles--I think I got most of it):
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CD Reviews: Eishin Nose, “Burning Blue”
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, January 20, 2008 - 01:50 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Hailing from Hokkaido, Japan and now residing in New York, jazz pianist and composerEishin Nose presents his most recent project with “Burning Blue” recorded in 2006, his second album as leader (“Here Now Hear”, 2001 debut). Except for a brief appearance by Take Toriyama playing the frame drum and bells, and Yutaka Uchida on the Djembe on a couple of tracks, “Burning Blue” is essentially a solo performance from Nose laying down exquisite piano chops on ten original compositions.
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CD Reviews: Karina Zorn..Through These Eyes..Fr-Kz Records 2008
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, January 20, 2008 - 08:01 AM |
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By John Gilbert
This album features the cultured voice of Karina Zorn plus an ensemble
that lends itself beautifully to the overall intent of the project. Zorn
sings with clarity and her message is clear and concise in delivering
the lyrics with no clutter and fuss.
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CD Reviews: Marc Copland, “Voices”
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, January 20, 2008 - 07:59 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
“Voices” is the second of a three CD project from Pirouet Records called “New York Trio Recordings (NYTR) featuring pianist Marc Copland with different teams of bassists and drummers. A follow up to the first of this trilogy, “Modinha,” with bassist Gary Peacock and drummer Bill Stewart, “Voices” reunites Copland with Peacock, a longtime member of Keith Jarrett’s band, and legendary drummer Paul Motion for this Volume 2 recording.
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CD Reviews: Karina Zorn..Through These Eyes..Fr-Kz Records 2008
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Posted by: admin on Friday, January 18, 2008 - 07:06 AM |
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By John Gilbert
This album features the cultured voice of Karina Zorn plus an ensemble
that lends itself beautifully to the overall intent of the project. Zorn
sings with clarity and her message is clear and concise in delivering
the lyrics with no clutter and fuss.
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CD Reviews: Streif - Nordic Winter - Ozella Music, 2007
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Posted by: p.j.youngman on Monday, January 14, 2008 - 05:39 PM |
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Musicians:
George Reiss (clarinet, tarogato, saxophone), Tom Karlsrud (accordion, euphonium), Torbjorn Okland (guitar, mandolin, trumpet), Birger Mistereggen (percussion, marimba, drums)
Streif is a quartet from Norway that have produced an album of traditional Scandinavian and Norwegian folk songs infused with a contemporary jazz feel. The songs are warm and inviting; the musicians explore the laid back melodies of Eastern Europe and introduce the listener to a blend of styles that they perform with passion and beauty. Nordic Winter is comprised of nine songs that were recorded in two sessions, the first in 1999 and subsequently in 2003. The use of accordion, mandolin and tarogato (a single reed, clarinet like instrument, that has a sound similar to a soprano saxophone) all lend themselves to creating a European jazz feel.
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CD Reviews: NYNDK, “Nordic Disruption”
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, January 12, 2008 - 06:19 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Comprised of players from New York (NY), Norway (N) and Denmark (DK), this unique quartet is on a mission to promote intercultural understanding through artistic expressions in jazz and “Nordic Disruptions” is their first collective effort. The group consists of trombonist Chris Washburne, saxophonist Ole Mathisen, bassist Per Mathisen and pianist Soren Moller. Also appearing on this recording as special guest is Scott Neumann on the drums. The music is modern mainstream jazz containing a good dose of the hard bop style.
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CD Reviews: Keith Marks, “Foreign Funk”
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, January 12, 2008 - 06:18 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Veteran flautist Keith Marks from New York has, over a 35 year career, developed his own unique approach to music and is now often recognized as a master of the funky jazz fusion flute. “Foreign Funk” is another musical project which cements his reputation as a jazz funk artist. The music in this album falls squarely within the jazz funk genre where the majority of the tracks have that familiar funky rhythm and beat.
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CD Reviews: Marc Copland / Voices/ PIT3023
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, January 12, 2008 - 06:17 PM |
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Talk about a summit of jazz heavies.........Can it get any better than veteran journeymen jazzers Marc Copland-piano, The great Gary Peacock-bass, & legendary (Evans Alum) Paul Moitan-drums. ''Voices'' indeed........The group speaks eloquently in one voice..........But, the 'voice' of each respective talent articulates supreme as well. The frosting is the inclusion of both Copland & Peacock originals, lending a unique touch to an already extraordinary gathering of virtuosic players. Last, the expressive & emotional content of the music contained therein is beyond words.
To find out, simply listen to these highly musical, literate, & tireless proselytisers of our beloved musical idiom.........JAZZ!
The Musicians' Ombudsman
George W. Carroll
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comments?
1328 Reads |
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CD Reviews: Sandy Kastel - This Time Around (Silk and Satin Records 2007)
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, January 09, 2008 - 06:43 PM |
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JazzTrenzz
karl Stober
Vegas classics are back and on the stage of new jazz vocalist Sandy Kastel with her 2007 release of Powerful and energetic this high-octane siren releases the aura of what Vegas entertainment was and still is. Kastel has all the characteristic signs of a star-class entertainer with an attitude only she can deliver. The spin has the familiarity of the classic Vegas cuts with the panache of a noticeable interrelation between then and now…
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CD Reviews: Ole Mathisen/Nordic DisruptionJH1159
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, January 08, 2008 - 11:50 AM |
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This great CD is first a study in viable rhythmic articulated
jazz. It's all here! Compelling melody, challenging harmonies,
deceptive cadence, horn lines, experimental improvisations, et al.
That said, it is also a positive exercise in bringing cultures together into harmony & symbiosis. Kudos to Mathisen for this ecumenical approach to the jazz idiom as well. Ole succeeds in proffering us his music, combining the group's subtle harmonic sense with great rhythmic deftness & invention. The slow tempos with a brooding romantic bent.......The uptempo pieces with an unbridled joy. All in all, a truly prolific project for our instruction.
George W. Carroll
The Musicians' Ombudsman
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comments?
1314 Reads |
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CD Reviews: Loren Stillman/Blind Date/PIT3024
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Posted by: editor on Monday, January 07, 2008 - 10:29 AM |
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MUSIC!!!...............When it's right, It's right! What a wonderfully gifted reedman we've been blessed to hear in the
persona of one Loren Stillman. His enormous talents belie his youth.
Loren plays with a consistency & a gentle touch that is often identified with the cool idiom. He backs up his delivery with solid harmonic and melodic inflection and a strong rhythmic drive. To the point, Stillman is a genuine versatile & creative improvisor!
I don't think I'm presumptuous when I say that Loren draws viable & gainful energy from the mainstream jazz tradition...........Yet, that said, he maintains a personal sound & style as an improvisor. Mucho kudos to you Loren!
George W. Carroll
The Musicians' Ombudsman
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comments?
1316 Reads |
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CD Reviews: Pamela Hines Trio..Spice Rack Records..2008
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Posted by: editor on Monday, January 07, 2008 - 10:27 AM |
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John Gilbert
Pamela Hines (piano), John Lockwood (bass), Bob Guliotti (drums), Jerry
Bergonzie (tenor sax)
This is a fine trio that swings, especially on "My Heart Stood Still"..
Hines' solo is a rapid fire treatment of this gem. She is reminiscent of
New York pianist Lenore Raphael and that's a good thing.
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CD Reviews: Pedro Alfonso “Strings To Your Heart”
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Posted by: editor on Monday, January 07, 2008 - 10:26 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Cuban-born Pedro Alfonso is a virtuoso violinist who offers us his very latest album of exotic Latin jazz rhythms with “Strings To Your Heart” containing a selection of originals and standards recorded with fellow countrymen, saxophonist Paquito D’Rivera and legendary jazz guitarist Al di Meola who plays both the acoustic and electric guitars. With a discography of more than 80 major-label albums of Latin and pop music in which he appears on the CDs of such artists like Gloria Estefan, Shakira, Ricky Martin, Julio Iglesias and others, this new recording remains largely within the Latin jazz genre.
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CD Reviews: Sue Bell, “Only Love”
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Posted by: editor on Monday, January 07, 2008 - 10:25 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
If you’re partial to mellow love songs, then “Only Love” is the CD for you. Seattle songbird Sue Bell sculpts a new album of fourteen standard love songs designed to appeal to one’s softer and romantic side. A fixture in the Seattle jazz scene, Bell has performed and recorded with some of the premier jazz musicians in the Pacific Northwest many of whom appear on this disc. Bell, who displays a vocal maturity beyond her young years, has a sultry voice well suited for voicing love ballads.
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CD Reviews: Gregg August/One Peace/IACU2944
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, January 03, 2008 - 10:14 AM |
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This is a robust, strong, & (pardon the pun) august & imposing sextet of consummate jazz artists interpreting some cogent original music by jazz bassist extraordinaire Gregg August. August & group
like many artists certainly develop their style by instinct as it were, but I also sense a painstakingly constructed ethic dealing in thought, as well as melodic & harmonic practice. This is tantamount to being something of a designer of music. We are blessed to hear
an array of clever melodic variation, subtle alteration of standard phrase lengths, lush harmonies, fluid transitions, et al.........In other words: Great jazz!!
George W. Carroll
The Musicians' Ombudsman
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comments?
1059 Reads |
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CD Reviews: Lucien Dubuis Trio “Le Retour” Unit Records (Switzerland)
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, January 03, 2008 - 10:12 AM |
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Glenn Astarita
Swiss reedman Lucien Dubuis is a well-seasoned Swiss artiste who communicates youthful vigor with maturity well beyond his thirty-three years. As this 2007 trio date encompasses the progressive jazz realm with elements of punk-ish abandon, rock, off-kilter funk grooves and more. Nonetheless, the band morphs various renegade stylistic attributes into its musicality via foot-stomping grooves, abetted by Roman Nowka’s beefy bass lines and drummer Lionel Rodari’s snappy beats.
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CD Reviews: Howard Britz “Here I Stand”
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, January 03, 2008 - 10:11 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Not content with the standard contemporary bebop jazz he is accustomed to playing, bassist Howard Britz decided to make a statement with this new release as he writes in the liner notes “this is how I feel about music now, whatever trends may come and go,
â€Here I stand.’ By which he meant that this recording attempts to stake out accessibly melodic new grooves that connect with the roots of jazz. Don’t know if he succeeds in conveying this message with the music but I do know where the music here stands, and that is frankly, quite good, indeed very good.
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CD Reviews: Ed Saindon & Dave Liebman “Depth of Emotion”
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, January 01, 2008 - 11:31 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Crafting a unique blend of contemporary jazz, pianist Ed Saindon and saxophonist Dave Liebman offer a session of cutting edge music with intelligent charts and bit of spontaneous improvisation to produce a quality recording with “Depth of Emotion.” Saindon, who not only plays the piano, but is also a four mallet vibist and plays the marimba as well, is featured as co-leader with Liebman who performs on the soprano sax. The duo are accompanied by bassist David Clark and Mark Walker on the drums forming one tight quartet.
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CD Reviews: Dorothy Doring “Southern Exposure”
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, January 01, 2008 - 11:09 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Not since her 1999 debut album, “About Time,” has Minnesota-based vocalist Dorothy Doring completed a new project. “Southern Exposure” is her follow up release recorded in 2005 in New Orleans with some of the city’s first-call musicians. Produced and arranged by pianist David Torkanowsky, the album features Doring singing an interesting blend of pop, Latin and jazz standards backed up by a light ensemble that makes the music come alive.
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CD Reviews: Pamela Hines Trio, “Return”
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Posted by: editor on Monday, December 31, 2007 - 06:04 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
A follow up to her successful 2006 release, “Drop 2,” Boston-based pianist Pamela Hines guides her eclectic trio through their fourth CD together with “Return,” featuring internationally recognized composer/educator Jerry Bergonzi on the tenor saxophone as special guest. The trio, comprised of veteran bassist John Lockwood and former Fringe member and much in demand drummer, Bob Gullotti produce a terrific sound weaving their way through an exciting selection of Hines originals and several standards.
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CD Reviews: Cynthia Sayer.. Attractions..Plunck Records 2007..(With Bucky Pizzarelli
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Posted by: editor on Monday, December 31, 2007 - 11:42 AM |
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John Gilbert
This is a most interesting record, a lot of message and a bit of Dixie.
Sayer has a fine voice with clarity and a pitch perfect tone.
"Viper Mad" is a trip down memory lane for some. It has romping stomping
exchanges and the lyrics are both clever and hold the elemental truth
according to the 'general' consensus. I love this song, the words are
more than clever and Sidney Bechet's composition will linger in the
memory for a long time. Banjo playing, thy name is Cynthia Sayer.
"Shakin' The Blues Away" the voice of Sayer brings this tune to life
again with her magical delivery. Nice solos by all.
The verse is sung on "Over The Rainbow" and then Cynthia Sayer manages
to swing this Yip Harburg tune both sweetly and in a different mode that
what one usually hears.
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CD Reviews: Barry Levitt, Musical savant, jazz pianist, & Renaissance man...
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Posted by: editor on Monday, December 31, 2007 - 11:40 AM |
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What a pleasure it is to interview a seasoned & animated musician who doesn't mince words. N Y City based jazz pianist, musical director, composer, arranger, & overall devotee of the jazz idiom, Barry Levitt speaks out........''I've done many things in the music business.'' I've travelled globally as musical director for acts like Ben Vereen, Sergio Franchi, Connie Francis, et al.............''These were musically viable jobs, but my love is jazz.'' ''I'm 42-yrs in the business. I've known what I wanted to be since I was 3-yrs old.'' ''I hearken back to 1973 working the Persian room at the Plaza Hotel in NY City.'' ''Presently, I'm doing a stint at the Iridium with my jazz quartet.'' ''Although I'm still in this business for the love of art, I'm appalled at the lack of continuing education in the public schools............As well as the lack of opportunity for caring musicians to find employment.'' ''It flabbergasts me to see the lack of vision from the corporate bean counters..............Age & experience is revered everywhere except in the USA where a different viewpoint abounds.''
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CD Reviews: Gregg August/One Peace/IACU2944
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, December 30, 2007 - 11:20 AM |
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This is a robust, strong, & (pardon the pun) august & imposing sextet of consummate jazz artists interpreting some cogent original music by jazz bassist extraordinaire Gregg August. August & group
like many artists certainly develop their style by instinct as it were, but I also sense a painstakingly constructed ethic dealing in thought, as well as melodic & harmonic practice. This is tantamount to being something of a designer of music. We are blessed to hear
an array of clever melodic variation, subtle alteration of standard phrase lengths, lush harmonies, fluid transitions, et al.........In other words: Great jazz!!
George W. Carroll
The Musicians' Ombudsman
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comments?
981 Reads |
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CD Reviews: Jon Hamar - Hereafter 2007
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, December 30, 2007 - 10:57 AM |
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John Gilbert
"Fly By" (Drive Fast)..done at a rapid fire tempo, this tune is the
hallmark of the album featuring (John Hansen's piano solo) at warp speed
and Hamar's bass keeping pace timewise.
This is a fine recording performed in the 'classical' jazz genre.
Although not 'jazz' in the strictest sense, Hamar captures the mood most
efficiently.
4 Stars
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CD Reviews: The David Finck Quartet, “Future Day”
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, December 29, 2007 - 08:35 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
The new 2008 releases are just coming out and one you definitely need to keep in mind is “Future Day,” the debut album as leader from bassist David Finck and his quartet. An album of contemporary light jazz with a repertoire that blends originals and time-honored standards in one exciting jazzy package. Finck, who is André Previn’s bassist of choice and has worked with the likes of Dizzy Gillespie, Herbie Hancock and a long list of Broadway stars, assembles one of the finest quartets for this recording.
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CD Reviews: Ginger and Scott..Dreamsville..Artios Group 2008
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, December 29, 2007 - 10:41 AM |
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John Gilbert
Scott Whitfield is a trombone player of rare talent, well respected by
his peers.His vocal approach is a cross between the relaxed lounge singer and a
fiery jazz vocalist. Whitfield's voice texture is smooth and (in tune).
Ginger Berglund's matched races with Whitfield are just that
"matched"..She has a beautiful tone and vocal style that fits perfectly
in this format.
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CD Reviews: Roy Cumming/Edgeless/Self
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, December 29, 2007 - 10:40 AM |
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A truly ageless CD project, seasoned savant upright bass player
Roy Cumming struts his compositional stuff for us, his discerning audience! It's a wonder of the world as to the depth of man's creative juice.......And, Cumming's composing juice is tangy indeed. Roy is backed up smartly by jazz pianist extraordinaire
David Leonhardt, & jazz drummer Paul Wells who ply their craft
in a symbiotic style to Cumming's artistry. Roy's compositions
seem to emphasize a spontaneous exchange of gainful improviational ideas among his sidemen, with an attendant delicate whisper of viable harmony & evocative melodic lines to sooth one's sensibilities. All in all, this CD project provides a positive, broader, & more diffuse tonal foundation for active improvising.
George W. Carroll
The Musicians' Ombudsman
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comments?
1209 Reads |
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CD Reviews: Racquel Roberts “The Secret of Christmas”
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, December 26, 2007 - 04:57 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Singer and actress Racquel Roberts from Los Angeles records a special Christmas album with new unique interpretations to many familiar standards heard every year during the Christmas Holiday season. “The Secret of Christmas” turns out to be one very excellent album that should be added to one’s annual holiday music play list. Possessing hip vocals and surrounding herself with a host of musicians, a string section and more, the album plays well. The music provides a blend of jazz/rock that sometimes overshadows the original melodies of known standards like of you’re listening to something new.
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CD Reviews: Caramuru-Baldanza/Bossa In The Shadows/LAB7083
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, December 26, 2007 - 04:56 PM |
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Armed with all the necessary culture & inspiration that relates to bringing a viable Latino oriented CD project to fruition..........Fabio Caramuru & Pedro Baldanza have created a spate of original bossa nova songs for us to discern. I must say: We are charmed!! I hear positive echoes of 'Tom's' influence in the writings of Caramuru, as well as some Oscar Stangnaro-esque finely honed articulated bass lines from Pedro. As for dedication & style,
this group is in a word 'consistent.' As for Caramuru's compositional gifts, he stays close to his roots, offering us his music with outstanding plasticity & great passion.
George W. Carroll
The Musicians' Ombudsman
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comments?
1697 Reads |
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CD Reviews: Piers Lawrence Quartet “Stolen Moments”
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, December 26, 2007 - 04:55 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Hailing from the New York area, the Piers Lawrence Quartet issues what is apparently their debut album with a vibrant performance in a new 2008 release of a straight-ahead jazz CD entitled “Stolen Moments.” The album is the culmination of a long time dream of New York native and jazz guitarist Piers Lawrence. A self published recording on his own label (Jazznet Media), Lawrence is also producer and host of “Manhattan Jazz,” an internet radio show on www.tribecaradio.net .
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CD Reviews: Trish Hatley, “On The Quiet Side”
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, December 26, 2007 - 04:53 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Part of an eclectic threesome group called Trish, Hans & Phil, for over fifteen years vocalist Trish Hatley has been delivering swinging interpretations of the great American Songbook in the Northwest part of the country. A beautiful songbird from Anacortes, Washington, Hatley goes it alone here recording soft romantic standards with a delightful album of gentle jazz with “On The Quiet Side.” With the assistance of producer John Caper, Jr., who gave birth to the concept, and keyboardist Darin Clendenin, this project came to be assembling a musical ensemble of ten players and a light string section to complete the background for one beautiful album of love songs.
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CD Reviews: Jerome Sabbagh - “Pogo” - Sunnyside Records
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, December 20, 2007 - 11:38 AM |
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Glenn Astarita
His previous solo outing “North,” for the Fresh Sounds New Talent record label garnered some positive press. And here, tenor saxophonist Jerome Sabbagh’s inaugural effort for Sunnyside Records showcases his adherence to rock-solid compositional form, rooted in lots of depth and textural elements. With all-world guitarist Ben Monder serving as a strong foil via his dark-toned e-guitar phrasings, the program conveys a well-rounded panorama of musical contrasts.
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CD Reviews: Dewey Redman Quartet - “The Struggle Continues” - ECM Records
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, December 20, 2007 - 10:25 AM |
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Glenn Astarita
Like many, I sold most of my old LPs shortly after the digital age rocketed into full steam. Not sure if that was such a good thing, and perhaps I jumped the gun. These days, audiophiles spend thousands on high-end analog equipment and often shun the sometimes characterless recorded sound of solid state CD/digital equipment technology. But it’s always a welcome surprise when a record label reissues a golden gem from the past on CD. Such is the case here with the re-release of well-traveled sax great Dewey Redman’s 1982 quartet effort titled “The Struggle Continues.”
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CD Reviews: Greg Burk - “Ivy Trio”- 482 Music
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, December 18, 2007 - 12:34 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
A worldly jazz musician hailing from the New England area, pianist Greg Burk has tackled the Euro-jazz scene since moving to Rome three years ago. The title of this album is derived from the recording session held at a Harvard University study lounge, complete with a vintage Steinway piano. According to the press kit, this environment mirrored his childhood living room/studio. Therefore, Burk’s area of comfort is transposed to disc here, on this top-flight outing.
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Arek Religa-In Memory Of The Greatests Review
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Posted by: muzikman on Monday, December 17, 2007 - 12:08 PM |
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Arek Religa was honored with the MuzikReviews.com Sonic Bids talent contest winner a few months ago. With his amazing guitar playing talents and his two-hand tapping technique video that leaves your mouth hanging open, made the choice obvious as we narrowed it down to the final three contestants.
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CD Reviews: The FIU Big Band “â€Live’- In Living Color”
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Posted by: editor on Monday, December 17, 2007 - 12:05 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Recorded live at Miami’s premier jazz club, The Arturo Sandoval Jazz Club in the Deauville Beach Resort in Miami Beach, The Florida International University (FIU) Big Band releases its third album with “â€Live’ – In Living Color” presenting twelve jazz standards in blistering fashion. With two previous studio albums to their credit—“Jazz, Hot & Cool,” and “Jazz 2Hot & and 2Cool,” this marks the group’s first live recording.
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CD Reviews: James Davis Quintet, “Angels of Refraction”
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, December 15, 2007 - 11:44 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Despite the lack of a full-time jazz radio station, Chicago has long been recognized as one of the engines of jazz fueled by enormously talented crop of young musicians of which trumpeter and composer James Davis and fellow band mates are a part. Releasing the quintet’s debut CD with “Angels of Refraction,” Davis and crew produce a modern mainstream sound that’s quite attractive.
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CD Reviews: Royce Campbell..Get Happy..FX70022 2007
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, December 13, 2007 - 02:27 PM |
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By John Gilbert
Royce Campbell, Guitar, Joe Kennedy, Violin, Paul Langosch, Bass.
This album is dedicated to the memory of Joe Kennedy who passed away in
2005.
"I Want To Be Happy" is played with a whimsical melody followed by a
solo of solid changes, nothing controversial simply good music done
well.
"Pick Yourself Up" I always enjoyed this break tune..Kennedy sets the
melody and Campbell adds his cool message. Kennedy's solo is full of
superb ideas that flow easily.
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CD Reviews: Dewey Redman Quartet - “The Struggle Continues”
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, December 13, 2007 - 02:25 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
CD-2007 ECM Records
Like many, I sold most of my old LPs shortly after the digital age rocketed into full steam. Not sure if that was such a good thing, and perhaps I jumped the gun. These days, audiophiles spend thousands on high-end analog equipment and often shun the sometimes characterless recorded sound of solid state CD/digital equipment technology. But it’s always a welcome surprise when a record label reissues a golden gem from the past on CD. Such is the case here with the re-release of well-traveled sax great Dewey Redman’s 1982 quartet effort titled “The Struggle Continues.”
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CD Reviews: Jacintha, “Jacintha Goes To Hollywood”
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Posted by: editor on Monday, December 10, 2007 - 03:08 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Singapore-born songbird Jacintha Abisheganaden returns to the music world after a three year absence releasing “Jacintha Goes To Hollywood” and follow up to her 2004 recording of “The Girl From Bossa Nova.” The Lady presents nine Pop and movie related tunes using her seductive and sensuous voice as she interprets them in tasteful jazzy fashion.
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CD Reviews: David Buchbinder/Odessa-Havana
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Posted by: editor on Monday, December 10, 2007 - 11:07 AM |
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George Carroll
I want to assure my readers that there's fusion that sounds too much like the rock idiom dressed in jazz clothing.........And then, there's fusion that burns like mainstream...........With solid influences, ideas, that are both ground-breaking & compelling, etc........Composer-trumpeteer David Buchbinder has put together a truly formidable array of fierce players who are not afraid to experiment, thus his new Jewish-Cuban jazz test. This must be given a passing grade. Buchbinder & group incorporate sounds & rhythmic flexibility characteristic of innovative & intellectual artistry.
To sum it all up, may I suggest that this is a band that is artistically fertile with a lot more musical ground for planting.
George W. Carroll
The Musicians' Ombudsman
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comments?
1265 Reads |
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CD Reviews: Bruce Eskovitz..Invitation..Pacific Coast Jazz..2007
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Posted by: editor on Friday, December 07, 2007 - 11:43 AM |
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By John Gilbert
The personnel includes Billy Kerr (alto, flute), Larry Williams
(trumpet, flugelhorn), Jeff Jarvis (trumpet, flugelhorn), Andrew Lippman
(trombone), Ian Robbins (guitar), Mark Balling (keyboards), Adam Cohen
(bass), Angel Figueroa (percussion) and Steve Barns (drums)
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DVD Reviews: Ray Charles “Live At Montreux 1997”
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Posted by: editor on Friday, December 07, 2007 - 11:39 AM |
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Glenn Astarita
DVD-2007 Eagle Rock Entertainment
This 1997 concert at the Montreux Jazz festival is purportedly one of Ray Charles’ finest performances amid his numerous appearances spanning the â€70s and â€80s. With his well-dressed orchestra under the helm of Al Jackson and appearances by the female “Raelettes,” the great one is in true form throughout this largely, dynamic and energized set.
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CD Reviews: Hendrik Meurkens “Sambatropolis”
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, December 06, 2007 - 01:10 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
It is rare to listen to an album where you just can’t find a mediocre or bad piece on the entire set. Well, such is precisely the case with “Sambatropolis,” a musical treasure of Brazilian flavored music uniquely conveyed through the voice of the harmonica and vibes as wonderfully expressed by German-born Hendrik Meurkens. A lover of the Brazilian genre, Meurkens immersed himself in the music while living in Rio de Janeiro during the 80s, now based in New York; he has consistently produced the very best Brazilian rhythms with a select crew of Brazilian musicians.
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CD Reviews: Gary Brunotte..Manic Moments..Sincopato Records 2007
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, December 06, 2007 - 01:08 AM |
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John Gilbert
Gary Brunotte - organ/piano/accordion
Bill Berg - drums
Scott Sawyer - guitar
(plus: 3-horns on tracks 2,5,8)
This is a swinging straight ahead group that lopes along gracefully with
a big musical stick in hand
"Mas Que Nada" Cool solo by Brunotte at the organ and the steady
unruffled beat of drummer Bill Berg drives this tune like a Rolls Royce.
I'm not going to get the jewelers loop out on this one, simply put "It
grooves"
To listen to a no frills recording with solid musicians, you can't go
wrong with this album.
4 Stars
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comments?
1589 Reads |
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CD Reviews: Jacintha, “Jacintha Goes To Hollywood”
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, December 06, 2007 - 01:07 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Singapore-born songbird Jacintha Abisheganaden returns to the music world after a three year absence releasing “Jacintha Goes To Hollywood” and follow up to her 2004 recording of “The Girl From Bossa Nova.” The Lady presents nine Pop and movie related tunes using her seductive and sensuous voice as she interprets them in tasteful jazzy fashion.
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CD Reviews: Alan Pasqua - “The Anti Social Club” - Cryptogramophone
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, December 04, 2007 - 04:05 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
Here, keyboardist Alan Pasqua draws a line in the sand. In effect, he revisits his â€70s jazz fusion roots, largely due to his tenure with the second incarnation of “Tony Williams Lifetime” while also hearkening back to the early stages of Miles Davis’ foray into electronics-based jazz. Supplanted by this record label’s customary, sonic recording excellence, Pasqua and his well-known West Coast friends conjure up a contempo spin on the roads previously traversed.
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CD Reviews: Jon Larsen, “Strange News from Mars”
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, December 04, 2007 - 09:36 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
I cringed when I received this album and saw the title expecting material way too spacey for me. Well, frankly some of the tracks here are out of this world and not fit for air play but as I listened further I could not discard what I heard because actually, some of the music here is rather good. Not being familiar with Jon Larsen or his band I did not know what to expect or whether I would appraise it.
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CD Reviews: Louise Rogers, “Come Ready and See Me”
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Posted by: editor on Monday, December 03, 2007 - 06:03 PM |
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Edward Blanco
New York vocalist and educator Louise Rogers pulls off an enchanting performance on her fourth album “Come Ready and See Me,” containing a couple of originals and a selection of uncommon standards. A jazz educator and performer in the New York jazz scene, Rogers distinguishes herself as a singer with a warm approach to the music.
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CD Reviews: Finding New Orleans' enduring spriit
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Posted by: eJazzNews Reader on Saturday, December 01, 2007 - 10:46 AM |
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Terence Blanchard “A Tale of God’s Will (A Requiem for Katrina)” Blue Note Records
By Louis Mayeux
New Orleans native Terence Blanchard’s symphonic suite transforms the ruined city’s grief and anguish into a soaring expression of hope and spirit.
With portions serving as the soundtrack for Spike Lee’s documentary “When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts,” the CD possesses a dreamlike, cinematic ambience. Although rooted in the city’s rhythm and blues and jazz, the music sounds more majestic than raw and pulsing.
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CD Reviews: Julie Hardy - “The Wish” - World Culture Music
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, December 01, 2007 - 10:44 AM |
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Glenn Astarita
New Englander Julie Hardy uses her voice as a multi-hued instrument while harmonizing with the soloists and poignantly singing verse on this endearing septet endeavor. It’s a jazz date, embellished by Hardy’s angelic voice, airy scat and wistful dreamscapes aided by the dual sax attack of Jaleel Shaw and Sam Sadigursky. And thankfully, the preponderance of this outing features the vocalist’s compositions amid a few standards. So it’s not all about rehashing the tried and true here.
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CD Reviews: Roy Cumming..Edgeless..2007
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, December 01, 2007 - 10:42 AM |
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John Gilbert
Roy Cumming, bass, David Leonhardt, piano, Paul Wells, drums
This is a nice easygoing trio that doesn't try to overwhelm you with
freak notes and musical butchery.
" Happy New You" is a bright little number that Leonhardt slides along
gracefully at the piano and shows some fine ideation. Drummer Wells
keeps the time and doesn't try any funny stuff and it works beautifully.
Cummin's bass solo is a gem and the 8 bar exchanges add some more
interest.
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CD Reviews: Hendrick Meurkens / Sambatropolis / ZM200801
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, December 01, 2007 - 10:39 AM |
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This type of CD Review tends to review itself due to the enormous resident talent contained therein. I refer to the
gifted jazz chromatic harmonica artist Hendrick Meurkens.
Hendrick explores the latino vibe with this CD project with an artist's palette, & his musical panache overflows with every
emotion from mournful to flexible & spontaneous. A master of the
'horn line,' Meurkens reveals a latent talent to moderize jazz with his strong introspective & meditative playing style.
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CD Reviews: Kevin Woods “Ballad of The West”
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, November 29, 2007 - 10:54 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
From Boulder, Colorado, trumpeter and educator Kevin Woods releases his debut album as leader with “Ballad of The West,” blending a few standards with new original material in a session of mainstream Hard-Bop jazz that cooks all over. Woods leads a quartet of Colorado musicians that make this disc a pleasure to hear. Denver-based drummer, Paul Romaine is a former member of the Woody Herman Big Band, organist Pat Bianchi handles the Hammond B3 organ like a virtuoso while fellow university classmate Kurtis Adams plays tenor and soprano sax like a wild man.
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CD Reviews: Matt Haviland “Beyond Good and Evil”
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, November 29, 2007 - 06:39 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
One of the finest pure jazz recordings I’ve had the pleasure of listening to in some time, this debut album from New York-based trombonist and composer Matt Haviland presents music which is well beyond being good, it’s down right great! Though recorded some time ago (early 2002) this represents the album’s full market release. “Beyond Good and Evil” features ten very good numbers and with the exception of two standards, eight superb charts all but one from the leader.
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CD Reviews: Sandy Kastel, “This Time Around”
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, November 29, 2007 - 01:42 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Las Vegas beauty and former Miss Nevada, Sandy Kastel grew up in Vegas and was influenced by dad, acclaimed saxophonist Dick Kastel, who played for all the greats that did Vegas from Sinatra to Liza Minnelli, Mancini and Michel Legrand just to name a few. She loved big band music and so it was only natural that if she were to produce her own CD, it would be with a large orchestra.
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CD Reviews: Roy Cumming..Edgeless..2007
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, November 28, 2007 - 10:42 AM |
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John Gilbert
Roy Cumming, bass, David Leonhardt, piano, Paul Wells, drums
This is a nice easygoing trio that doesn't try to overwhelm you with
freak notes and musical butchery.
" Happy New You" is a bright little number that Leonhardt slides along
gracefully at the piano and shows some fine ideation. Drummer Wells
keeps the time and doesn't try any funny stuff and it works beautifully.
Cummin's bass solo is a gem and the 8 bar exchanges add some more
interest.
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CD Reviews: Sany Kastel - “This Time Around”
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, November 28, 2007 - 10:41 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Las Vegas beauty and former Miss Nevada, Sandy Kastel grew up in Vegas and was influenced by dad, acclaimed saxophonist Dick Kastel, who played for all the greats that did Vegas from Sinatra to Liza Minnelli, Mancini and Michel Legrand just to name a few. She loved big band music and so it was only natural that if she were to produce her own CD, it would be with a large orchestra.
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CD Reviews: Debbie Poryes Trio, “A Song in Jazz”
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, November 24, 2007 - 02:15 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
A jazz educator by profession, Debbie Poryes is also a musician active in the San Francisco Bay Area who performs with her trio at various area venues. Playing with bassist Bill Douglass and drummer David Rokeach, this piano trio offers modern arrangements of a selection of classic standards making for one very warm session of light jazz. “A Song in Jazz” is an album that is designed to appeal to ones softer side.
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CD Reviews: Actis Band - “Cina!” - CD-2007 Leo Records
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, November 24, 2007 - 10:19 AM |
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Glenn Astarita
Any new album by eminent Italian multi-reedman Carlo Actis Dato rings like a festive occasion. Boisterous, jubilant and brimming with the soloists’ torrid exchanges, the quintet playfully melds wit and humor into a jazz and jazz-rock vibe that is often underscored with Mediterranean themes. Amid the customary and intermittent chants and rants, Dato’s impetus is akin to a forward-moving machine. No looking back, as the unit embarks upon a musical search and conquer mission, here on the band’s 2007 effort.
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CD Reviews: Mary Barry/Red Eye Tonight/Aurora1002
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, November 24, 2007 - 10:16 AM |
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When I was stationed at Placentia Bay Newfoundland, I dont'recall
any jazz singers on the level of Mary Barry when I pulled liberty in St John's. This voice is not rural! This voice is urban!! Plus, the group & Mary perform their craft with a natural musical symbiosis that is second to none. As a jazz singer, Mary possesses a unique ability to deliver her art to us with discipline & frivolity without sensationalism & waste. She seems to plan her music with care & execution. Mary's voice fuses her group into a single, clear, & vibrant voice that is I feel is singular in it's feeling, spontanaiety, & emotion. Definitely a keeper!
George W. Carroll
The Musicians' Ombudsman
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comments?
1169 Reads |
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CD Reviews: Royce Campbell/Get Happy/FX-70022
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, November 24, 2007 - 10:16 AM |
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This appropiately named CD project ''Get Happy'' is a study in musical animation. Posthumous kudos go to jazz violinist
extraordinaire Joe Kennedy who brought tremendous respect to the art
of jazz violin with his attendant prowess at improvisation. Joe is complimented by two fine jazz string players (Royce Campbell-guitar & Paul Langosch-bass) who round out a very cogent all string jazz trio. Good stuff here guys! both Joe, Royce & Paul are all stout, reliable, & musically tough lead players............So, melody, harmony & interpretation is what this session is all about. This is a type of trio that will never outgrow it's creative inspiration.
On the contrary, this is a group that can become a self-sufficient entity. Their potential contribution & influence to the jazz idiom should not & can not be overlooked.
George W. Carroll
The Musicians' Ombudsman
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comments?
1256 Reads |
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CD Reviews: Nathan Eklund Group “The Crooked Line”
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, November 22, 2007 - 11:51 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
There’s nothing curvy about “The Crooked Line,” the music here is terrific straight ahead jazz played by five young lions of jazz led by trumpeter and composer Nathan Eklund. The group performs in the very competitive New York jazz scene and presents their second CD with this recording.
While Eklund plays the trumpet and flugelhorn, he relies on his band mates to supply the musical support that makes this album a great listen. Craig Yaremko is featured on the tenor and alto saxes, Joe Elefante plays the piano while bassist Brian Killeen and drummer Josh Dion round out the rhythm section.
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CD Reviews: Sandy Kastel..This Time Around..2007
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, November 20, 2007 - 05:47 PM |
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John Gilbert
There are two recording sessions on this album, Las Vegas and Nashville
and Kastel, replete with big bands and strings, drives home a strong
message. She has a mighty voice and superb intonation coupled with the
strength not to be overwhelmed by the power of her accompaniment.
There are 15 tracks on this recording and this sampling of tunes will
demonstrate the supple as silk voice of Sandy Kastel.
"Beyond The Sea" This tune brings back the memory of the great Bobby
Darin and Kastel leaves no meat on the bone as she swings this tune to
the max and the band answers in kind. This is a Dave Williamson
arrangement and one can say it gets off the ground in a hurry and up in
the rarefied air where few dare to venture.
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CD Reviews: Cindy Blackman, “Music for The New Millennium”
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Posted by: editor on Monday, November 19, 2007 - 06:50 PM |
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CD Reviews:
By: Edward Blanco
Originally recorded in late 2005, “Music for The New Millennium” is drummer Cindy Blackman’s latest release scheduled to be re-issued shortly. A former drummer for Lenny Kravitz, her commitments got in the way of seeing this project through until now. An amazing drummer, the lady plays with an energy and drive that brings to mind the style of the late great Buddy Rich. This is not a comparison, just a compliment.
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CD Reviews: Louise Rogers - Come ready and see me (Self 2007)
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, November 18, 2007 - 04:00 PM |
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Karl Stober
JazzTrenzz
Splashes of innocence is just one effect the new release by New England native Louise Rogers with her 2007 project “Come ready and see me” has on the jazz populace. Ms. Rogers diverse vocal attributes takes us on a unique adventure. Outside her vocal talents she showcases an innovative style in arranging which makes the project stand alone.
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CD Reviews: Wendy Luck - See You in Rio (Self 2007)
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, November 18, 2007 - 03:58 PM |
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Karl Stober
JazzTrenzz
Adorned with talent, flutist/vocalist Wendy Luck’s new self-release “See You in Rio” has the ambiance of pure Brazilian feel…Launched in 2006; this decidedly refined collection of sound enhances the flute’s reputation for sensuality. This project does grasp the attitude and tempo of the Brazilian atmosphere.
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CD Reviews: Melani L. Skybell “Just A Chase Away”
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, November 17, 2007 - 05:36 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
A classy Southern bell from Dallas, Texas, pianist and vocalist Melani Skybell crafts a very nice album of beautiful light melodies with a sprinkle of the samba nicely packaged in an eleven track album and 4th release, ”Just A Chase Away.” Skybell plays the piano and provides wonderful vocals on eight originals and three standards.
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CD Reviews: Sathima Bea Benjamin, “A Morning In Paris”
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, November 17, 2007 - 05:34 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Vocalist, composer and lyricist Sathima Bea Benjamin was once hailed as “South Africa’s greatest jazz singer,” by Jazztimes and if you listen to “A Morning in Paris” you may understand why. This is not a new album but rather a reissue of an original historic session recorded in 1963 in Paris with Duke Ellington and Billy Srayhorn on the piano as well as Benjamin’s boyfriend at the time, pianist Dollar Brand a/k/a Abdullah Ibrahim, a fellow South African whom she later married.
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CD Reviews: Saul Berson Quartet, “Intricacy”
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, November 15, 2007 - 10:56 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Based in the Vancouver area, the Saul Berson Quartet presents us with their third offering since the band’s establishment in 1998. Leader and alto saxophonist Berson has been performing for 25 years and during that time has delved into the world and Avant-Garde musical styles influencing the music on this recording. The music is non-traditional jazz incorporating Arabian rhythms as well using non-traditional instruments. The band uses the accordion, discards the standard drum and employs the classic Middle Eastern drum (darbuka) on one track.
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CD Reviews: Cindy Blackman/Music For The New Millennium/99963
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, November 15, 2007 - 10:55 AM |
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George Carroll
Dynamics, taste, melody, articulation & time is what this chick is all about.......And, drums are what she's all about as well. She defines her persona through her ax........And, ''chicks can't play''
don't appy here. I speak of jazz drummer extraordinaire Cindy Blackman!! Her group borders on the line of 'Avante' & 'Mainstream'
but there's a creative force here that has to be reconciled with.
Cindy is very adept at creating a narrative of bebop inspired rhythm
& articulation for any discriminating listener willing to 'dig.'
This veratile savant can explore the melodic changes of any tune with her rich, powerful, and aggressive phrasing through her wide musical & rhythmic repertoire.
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CD Reviews: Nathan Eklund/The Crooked Line/JEX105
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, November 15, 2007 - 10:52 AM |
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George Carroll
This is a jazz quintet that deals in 'jazz vocalise.' The group 'talks' to us with creative melody, harmony, & artistry!
These five sensitive & introspective players are capable of uncanny interplay with their sophisticated bent on swing. However, Eklund's facile & somewhat whimsical trumpet improvisations are delivered in a mellow, yet sonorous style. All in all, as a group, this is a
quintet that is characterized by their impressionistic melodies & harmonies........Portraying images & sounds that are flexible, articulate, & above all.........tonal!
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CD Reviews: Mike Cullison-Blue Collar Tired
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Posted by: muzikman on Wednesday, November 14, 2007 - 09:22 AM |
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Artist: Mike Cullison
Title: Blue Collar Tired
Genre: Rock-Country-Blues
Label: Cullison Music
Website
Blue Collar Tired CD Baby Link
Source Link
Mike Cullison got his experience playing music in the honky-tonk clubs of Oklahoma. Johnny Neel, The wily old veteran from the south, shows up for yet another album joining Cullison on this session.
Cullison has a strong country-honky-tonk vocal style on Blue Collar Tired. You’ve got to love the title of the CD. There is tired then there is blue collar tired. I guess because I am a white-collar worker, I’d have to call it white collar tired, but that just doesn’t sound right to me - not enough grit and sweat to it. The music has a tenacious, raw determination to get right to the point. Somehow, when you are playing country or blues with a honky-tonk underpinning, it all comes across loud and clear.
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CD Reviews: Fabian Zone Trio..The Masters Return!
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, November 13, 2007 - 01:29 PM |
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John Gilbert
CAP 1010 2007
Christian Fabian, bass, Mike Longo. piano,Lewis Nash, drums..Special
Guests, Jimmy Owens, trumpet, Andres Boiarsky, tenor sax
This jazz as it should be. Let's start with the Gillespie tune "BeBop"
Jimmy Owens comes on like gangbusters or maybe it would be more apropos
to say like Diz or Carl Saunders. His speedy solo sets the tone for
Fabians bass message...
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Michael Dease.. Dease Bones..AS5002 2007
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Posted by: editor on Monday, November 12, 2007 - 08:54 PM |
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John Gilbert
Seven Trombones, The Rhythm Section, And Some special guests make up
this fine recording.
Rapid fire 'bones are everywhere, led by Marshall Gilkes on the opening
track "Personal Trainer" I thought Scott Whitfield had the fastest horn
in the land, but these cats give him a run for the money. Nice piano
solo by Djuliarso.
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CD Reviews: Zdenko Ivanusic, “Lost In HTML”
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Posted by: editor on Monday, November 12, 2007 - 01:12 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
A dynamic member of the Croatian music scene since the 1990, saxophonist and composer, Zagreb-born Zdenko Ivanusic, from Croatia, releases his second album on the Zivaldo label with “Lost In HTML,” containing a repertoire of ten exciting new original material that blends the straight ahead jazz style with a sprinkle of hard bop and a shade of jazz fusion/funk. The result is a pretty impressive session of music that will satisfy your hunger for some upbeat swing and quench you thirst for a sip of the contemporary and mellow sounds.
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CD Reviews: Mostly Other People Do The Killing - “Shamokin!!!”
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Posted by: editor on Monday, November 12, 2007 - 01:10 AM |
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Glenn Astarita
CD-2007 Hot Cup Records.
If Frank Zappa were alive and decided to compose for a modern jazz quartet, it could have very well ended up like this new effort brought to you by four highly-educated jazz cats. No doubt, they profess a sense of humor, partly due to the rear CD cover which is a black and white spin on Blue Note Records, â€60s era LPs. Thoroughly entertaining and in-your-face, the band merges a history of jazz into a modernized contempo format that comes right at you like a bullet train. They shift the pulse and overall scope either on a nanoseconds notice or seamlessly bridge the gap between trad jazz with cartoon-ish like candor. Top-notch soloing abounds throughout, and for the most part, the band doesn’t come up for air. At times, brash, loud and irrefutably witty, the musicians forge a bond within the jazz mainstream while expounding upon familiar terrain by morphing the old with the new. But don’t expect to hear anything that hints at easy listening. These folks go for the proverbial jugular. And it’s a curiously interesting affair that stands out like a wayward child among the more conventional USA-based jazz product. Oh, the liner notes are credited to Leonardo Featherweight, which of course is a lighthearted parody of famed jazz author, critic and entrepreneur, Leonard Feather… - Glenn Astarita
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CD Reviews: FRANK CANO - A BEAUTIFUL DAY / UN LINDO DIA (2007)
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Posted by: pcarbo on Saturday, November 10, 2007 - 08:44 AM |
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review by Chip Boaz for www.vinilemania.net
Bringing a new voice into an established music scene merges ideas and aesthetics that spawn a variety of results. An artist can serve as a creative spark in a thriving music scene. Although the area may already hold a wealth of talent, a unique voice always gets a response. When that voice becomes deeply entrenched in an area’s scene, established artists make different decisions based upon the interaction they sense with the new artist. The artist eventually soaks in the sounds of the area as well. Working as a sideman and collaborating with other musicians brings the artist in touch with performance practices unique to the area; the elements that the artist chooses to incorporate into their approach effects their output. Trumpet player Frank Cano, although not a newcomer to music, recently joined the Los Angeles music scene; his album A Beautiful Day/Un Lindo Dia brings together his strong musicianship and the straight ahead Latin swing of the L.A. sound.
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CD Reviews: MARK WEINSTEIN - O NOSSO AMOR (2006)
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Posted by: pcarbo on Saturday, November 10, 2007 - 08:44 AM |
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Review by Paul J. Youngman - KJA Advocate for WWW.VINILEMANIA.NET
Flutist Mark Weinstein is musically traversing the various regions of Brazil on this laid back album, O Nosso Amor recorded in 2006 on the Jazzheads record label. Not alone in his travels, an excellent group of sidemen add authenticity to the Brazilian flavours. Weinstein is joined by Brazilian guitarist Romero Lubambo, bassist Nilson Matta, drummer Paulo Braga and percussionists, Guilherme Franco and Jorge Silva. The album is comprised of twelve compositions, five songs are originals and the others are Brazilian standards, written by names like, Gil, Gilberto, Barroso and Jobim. The arrangements are fine, featuring flute as the solo instrument, but sharing the musical landscape with guitar, bass and percussion. The styles are varied, from the Brazilian folk like music, choro, to the regional batucada, there are some traditional samba rhythms, as well as a good helping of the pleasant sounds of Brazilian jazz - making this a compact disc that has a great sampling of Brazilian musical culture.
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CD Reviews: Zdenko Ivanusic, “Lost In HTML”
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Posted by: editor on Friday, November 09, 2007 - 10:40 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
A dynamic member of the Croatian music scene since the 1990, saxophonist and composer, Zagreb-born Zdenko Ivanusic, from Croatia, releases his second album on the Zivaldo label with “Lost In HTML,” containing a repertoire of ten exciting new original material that blends the straight ahead jazz style with a sprinkle of hard bop and a shade of jazz fusion/funk. The result is a pretty impressive session of music that will satisfy your hunger for some upbeat swing and quench you thirst for a sip of the contemporary and mellow sounds.
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CD Reviews: Alex Clements - Waiting for You (Self 2007)
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, November 08, 2007 - 06:59 PM |
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JazzTrenzz
It is always fortuitous to have such a multi-gifted artist take a step back and create music that conveys the emotional core of their compositions in a recorded format. To create a sound that is pure feel with no dictates or structures. A composer needs to get lost into their mind from time to time. This is what seems to occur with the latest release of pianist and composer Alex Clements new project “Waiting for you...” From the initial stroke of the first key, the music delves deep within the talents of this creative soul.
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CD Reviews: Mike DiRubbo Quartet, “New York Accent”
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, November 08, 2007 - 06:54 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
New York-based alto saxophonist Mike DiRubbo articulates the language of hard bop well and proves this in a live recording at New York’s The Kitano jazz club with his latest release of “New York Accent.” DiRubbo gives us a repertoire of four originals, a couple of familiar standards an unusual rendition of Billy Joel’s pop tune “She’s Always A Woman.”
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CD Reviews: Alex Clements - Waiting for You (Self 2007)
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, November 08, 2007 - 06:53 PM |
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JazzTrenzz
It is always fortuitous to have such a multi-gifted artist take a step back and create music that conveys the emotional core of their compositions in a recorded format. To create a sound that is pure feel with no dictates or structures. A composer needs to get lost into their mind from time to time. This is what seems to occur with the latest release of pianist and composer Alex Clements new project “Waiting for you...” From the initial stroke of the first key, the music delves deep within the talents of this creative soul.
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CD Reviews: Fabian Zone Trio/The Masters Return/CAP1010
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, November 06, 2007 - 11:38 PM |
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George Carroll
What a no-brainer to review a CD project of this quality.
If "Dizzy'' Alum Mike Longo, (jazz piano) is part of any
CD project, then it's got to be at least a winner in my book!
Mike's sidemen Christian Fabian-bass & Lewis Nash-drums round out
an otherwise flawless project. The business at hand: Jazz standards! However, it takes on the aspect of ''re-writing the composition'' as it were as these three savants suggest new compelling musical ideas through the music. Longo has established a reputation among his peers as an improvisor of originality and extreme artistic quality.
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CD Reviews: Interoceanico 3 -“Confluencia”
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, November 06, 2007 - 11:37 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
CD-2007 MOMO Records
The moniker identifies the trio as an inter-oceanic entity, featuring a Japanese and Argentinean contingent. As they merge a worldly perspective into an upbeat jazz-guitar trio format. Think of rolling waves of sound and climactic opuses, where tuneful themes attain a seamless coexistence with jazz improvisation amid the band’s forward-looking gait.
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CD Reviews: PJ Perry/Campbell Ryga Quintet, “Joined At The Hip”
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, November 06, 2007 - 11:35 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
A successful collaboration between two of Canada’s finest alto saxophone players,
“Joined At The Hip,” captures a session of blistering straight ahead bebop jazz recorded live at the Cellar Live Jazz Club on West Broadway, Vancouver in October 2007. PJ (Paul John) Perry is one of Canada’s pre-eminent exponents of the bebop who has been around for four decades. Grammy-nominated altoist Campbell Ryga is the twice recipient of the Western Canadian Music Award and was named Canada’s Alto Saxophonist of the year (2000) by Jazz Report Magazine.
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CD Reviews: Mike DiRubbo Quartet, “New York Accent”
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, November 06, 2007 - 11:34 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
New York-based alto saxophonist Mike DiRubbo articulates the language of hard bop well and proves this in a live recording at New York’s The Kitano jazz club with his latest release of “New York Accent.” DiRubbo gives us a repertoire of four originals, a couple of familiar standards an unusual rendition of Billy Joel’s pop tune “She’s Always A Woman.”
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CD Reviews: Keith Javors -“The Free Project”
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, November 03, 2007 - 11:30 AM |
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Glenn Astarita
CD-2007 Artist Share
In case you were wondering, this isn’t about free-jazz. With his fourth small ensemble project as a leader, composer/pianist and notable educator Keith Javors employs rapper/spoken word denizen DeJuan “D Priest” Everett during various tracks. On this outing, the artist fuses a series of interconnecting jazz grooves into a continual storyline via shifting pulses, subtle interludes and other elements.
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CD Reviews: Asaf Sirkis & The Inner Noise, “The Song Within”
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, November 03, 2007 - 11:29 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Israeli-born drummer Asaf Sirkis moved to the UK in 1999 and has been a part of the British jazz and the world music scene ever since. Having played rock, free jazz and a variety of ethnic music back in Israel, Sirkis’s compositions and music are non-traditional and is reflected in “The Song Within.” Expect to hear some interesting tones on this disc as the music is a mixture of modern jazz rock containing elements of the classical sound.
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CD Reviews: FRANK CANO - A BEAUTIFUL DAY / UN LINDO DIA (2007)
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Posted by: pcarbo on Thursday, November 01, 2007 - 05:00 AM |
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Review by Paul J. Youngman - KJA Advocate for
WWW.VINILEMANIA.NET
Frank Cano is an LA based trumpeter, a good composer as well as a decent arranger, he showcases these talents to fine effect on his debut recording "A Beautiful Day, Un Lindo Dia". As the leader on this outing he also proves that he can put together a great Latin Jazz band. The talented master percussionist and conguero Francisco Aguabella adds immensely to the Latin Cubop theme on two of the tracks, while conguero Joey De Leon, master bongosero, Jose â€Papo’ Rodriguez and timbalist Ramon Banda add the salsa touch with heavy clave rhythms, this all star cast of percussionists create spontaneous movement in the listening experience. Joined by a host of talented LA studio musicians who team up to create an exciting and varied salsa heavy band that sounds festively alluring.
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CD Reviews: Joey Sommerville-Like You Mean It
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Posted by: muzikman on Wednesday, October 31, 2007 - 10:00 PM |
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Artist: Joey Sommerville
Title: Like You Mean It
Genre: Jazz
Label: Sojo Music Inc.
Website
Like You Mean It CD Baby Link
Source Link
Like You Mean It is a descriptive title for this CD because Joey Sommerville plays the trumpet as if he really does means it with every note. He also shows us his versatility by playing keys, acoustic guitar and bass. The man has his groove in more than one area.
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CD Reviews: HECTOR CONTRERAS & HIS LATIN JAZZ ENSEMBLE (2006)
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Posted by: pcarbo on Wednesday, October 31, 2007 - 04:00 PM |
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Review by Frank Villafañe for www.vinilemania.net
Hector Contreras & His Latin Jazz Ensemble is an excellent recording of a world-class latin jazz ensemble. Chock full of no less than 14 great numbers, there is something here to please every latin jazz aficionado out there. As the title indicates, this is the first latin jazz release of a certain Hector Contreras, pianist and bandleader, and his ensemble. No stranger to the idiom, Hector has been composing for quite some time, and has amassed a collection of over 200 compositions. As if that weren’t enough, Hector also happens to compose New-Age instrumental music as well, and currently has released two New-Age CD’s (although they are not included in this review – for more on Hector’s New-Age offerings, please go to www.emiliesgarden.com).
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CD Reviews: The Neil Cowley Trio - “Displaced”
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, October 31, 2007 - 10:47 AM |
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glenn Astarita
CD-2007 Hideinside Records.
British pianist Neil Cowley set his computer and various keyboards aside and sought some respite by returning to the acoustic piano for music-making. Sure enough, the preponderance of this program charges at you with the impetus of the bulls running through Pamplona. He’s a melody-maker who works the modern jazz vibe within groove based motifs. Charismatic, spunky and nicely, in-your-face and ears, this album highlights Crowley’s compositional acumen and penchant for retooling trad jazz piano fare into something exciting.
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CD Reviews: CHEMBO CORNIEL - FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE (2007)
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Posted by: pcarbo on Wednesday, October 31, 2007 - 08:00 AM |
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Review by Paul J. Youngman - KJA Advocate for WWW.VINILEMANIA.NET
Chembo and Groupo Chaworo have produced a heavy hitting Latin Jazz album For The Rest Of Your Life, which takes flight from song one “Chaworo En La Calle” by John Walsh, who is also guesting on flugel horn and right through to the final song of the album, number ten “Moon Temple/Ochun” a composition by Terado and Corniel. Chembo leads this group of excellent musicians with his spirited percussion accompaniment, his choice of material, production abilities and his gift of sharing the musical space that allows his band members and guest artists to shine with glowing performances.
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CD Reviews: HECTOR R. CONTRERAS - NEW AGE CD II (2007)
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Posted by: pcarbo on Tuesday, October 30, 2007 - 09:00 PM |
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Review by Paul J. Youngman - KJA Advocate for WWW.VINILEMANIA.NET
New Age CD II, pianist, composer and arranger Hector Contreras’ most recent offering is as the title would suggest, New Age music mixed in with a good helping of Ambient music. As New Age it is melodic, with hints of natural elements, the sounds designed to be most pleasing to the ear, a style of mood music that is easy listening and perfect for relaxation. As Ambient music it is music that can easily set an ambiance that allows for other actions to occur, this is music that can be ignored, it is not necessary or meant to be the centre of attention. The music utilized in the practice of Yoga and Meditation classes for instance, also nice for therapeutic massage or mental stimulation.
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CD Reviews: Wes Montgomery - “Live In â€65”
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, October 30, 2007 - 07:05 PM |
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glenn Astarita
DVD-2007 NAXOS: Jazz Icons
Featuring a 20-page booklet, liner notes by modern day guitar hero Pat Metheny and photographs, this DVD captures guitarist Wes Montgomery at the top of his game via studio/live performances during a 1965 stint in Europe. Self-taught and revolutionary, watching Montgomery perform should be deemed essential for guitar students, seasoned vets and jazz aficionados in general.
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CD Reviews: Bruce Eskovitz Jazz Orchestra, “Invitation”
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, October 30, 2007 - 07:04 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
The second album from the Bruce Eskovitz Jazz Orchestra (BEJO), “Invitation” has it all.
A riveting big band sound with gusto, the music roars out of the box with force and in brassy fashion. Containing a modern sound with a sprinkle of samba, salsa, a touch of the waltz and pleasant ballads, BEJO delivers a remarkable high octane performance laying down some terrific jazz.
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CD Reviews: Trio West, “Plays Holiday Songs”
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, October 30, 2007 - 07:03 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
There’s nothing like holiday inspired jazzy rhythms to lift the spirits for the holiday season and that’s just what Trio West does playing a selection of beautiful classics just in time for this year’s holidays. A New York-based piano trio led by drummer and arranger Tobias T. Gebb, the group performs twelve well known holiday tunes with a soft touch.
Joining Gebb are Eldad Zvulun on the piano and Neil Miner on bass. Bassist Miles brown subs for Miner on three tracks.
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Concert Reviews: Vicatoria Rummler Dazzles Paris' Bab-ilo
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Posted by: eJazzNews Reader on Tuesday, October 30, 2007 - 05:54 AM |
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Paris (MPA) Oct. 13, 2007
By: Mitch Slodowitz
This evening Victoria Rummler of Pitch Puppy Productions gave a dazzling, intimate performance to a select crowd at the legendary Bab-ilo in Paris’ famed 18th district. Introducing some select songs from her forthcoming second solo album, “Round Trip,” Victoria set the stage for her upcoming follow-up CD with a beautiful array of songs that capped a memorable week in Paris.
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CD Reviews: ROWLAND SUTHERLAND' S MISTURA - COAST TO COAST
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Posted by: pcarbo on Tuesday, October 30, 2007 - 05:40 AM |
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Review by Paul J. Youngman - KJA Advocate for WWW.VINILEMANIA.NET
A smooth, easy listening, Latin jazz groove takes flight from track one, “Movin’ On” of the Mistura CD, Coast to Coast and becomes more motivated as the recording progresses through the seven tracks that make up the CD. The final four tracks were recorded live and as such have some inspired moments of musical freedom that take the tunes from slightly over ten minutes in length to over seventeen minutes with the song “The Mystical Land” and the albums title track “Coast to Coast,” which appears twice, one studio version and the aforementioned extended live version.
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CD Reviews: FRANK CANO - A BEAUTIFUL DAY / UN LINDO DIA (2007)
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Posted by: pcarbo on Tuesday, October 30, 2007 - 05:40 AM |
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Review by Paul J. Youngman - KJA Advocate for WWW.VINILEMANIA.NET
Frank Cano is an LA based trumpeter, a good composer as well as a decent arranger, he showcases these talents to fine effect on his debut recording "A Beautiful Day, Un Lindo Dia". As the leader on this outing he also proves that he can put together a great Latin Jazz band. The talented master percussionist and conguero Francisco Aguabella adds immensely to the Latin Cubop theme on two of the tracks, while conguero Joey De Leon, master bongosero, Jose â€Papo’ Rodriguez and timbalist Ramon Banda add the salsa touch with heavy clave rhythms, this all star cast of percussionists create spontaneous movement in the listening experience. Joined by a host of talented LA studio musicians who team up to create an exciting and varied salsa heavy band that sounds festively alluring.
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CD Reviews: Ahmad Mansour - “Free Speech”
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Posted by: editor on Monday, October 29, 2007 - 11:05 AM |
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Glenn Astarita
CD-2007 ESC Records
Recorded live to 2-track during a 2006 European tour, this trio generates quite a bit of spark within the jazz-fusion spectrum. Guitarist Ahmad Mansour’s second release for this German record label is designed with an open-air sound and mode of attack. With ace New York City modern jazz denizens, bassist Stomu Takeishi and drummer Ted Poor providing some of the oomph and gusto, the trio generates a sequence of climactically-oriented, theme-building forays.
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CD Reviews: Eric Marienthal - “Just Around The Corner”
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Posted by: editor on Friday, October 26, 2007 - 05:27 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
CD-2007 Peak Records
Saxophonist Eric Marienthal cut his teeth with keyboardist Chick Corea’s jazz-fusion “Elektric Band,” while subsequently venturing into contemporary or “smooth” jazz territory. And while smooth jazz isn’t normally my cup of tea, Marienthal is a proven jazz warrior who can hang with the best of them, given the situation. Produced by fellow contempo jazz artist Brian Culbertson this album features all-world drummer and former “Elektric Band” band-mate Dave Weckl, appearing on select tracks. Otherwise, the saxophonist pursues a steady-stream of positive vibes atop snappy backbeats and layered voicings. On “Flower Child,” his sax sports an echo-chamber effect amid a popping funk pulse. And with “21 Ocean Front,” Marienthal’s soulful, yearning and vibrato-drenched phrasings nicely counterbalance a memorable, primary theme.
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CD Reviews: Abigail Riccards, “When The Night Is New”
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Posted by: editor on Friday, October 26, 2007 - 08:57 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
A new release from a fine young vocalist who puts a new spin on time-honored classic jazz standards, When The Night Is New,” is New York-based singer Abigail Riccards attempt to cast a new light on some oft recorded light jazz music.
The repertoire contains Brooks Bowman’s “East Of The Sun,” Ray Noble’s “The Very Thought of You,” the Rodgers & Hammerstein immortal tune “It Might As Well Be Spring,” and “Just One Of Those Things” from Cole Porter, just to name only a few.
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CD Reviews: John Stein..Green Street..Whaling City Sound 2007
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, October 24, 2007 - 02:28 PM |
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John Gilbert
John Stein, Guitar, Dave Hurst, Drums, David Newman, Sax/Flute, Ken
Clark, Organ
The second track "Hotcakes" features the steady drumming Dave Hurst. The
reason that I say this is because it is so rare when a drummer is both
tasty and lays down the beat with no histrionics. Newman's flute solo
finishes matter nicely.
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CD Reviews: Todd Isler - “Soul Drums”
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, October 24, 2007 - 02:26 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
CD-2007 Takadimi Tunes
New York area drummer/percussionist Todd Isler’s second solo venture signifies a rather temperate commingling of modern jazz and world music metrics. Known for his gigs with sax titans, Joe Lovano and Dave Liebman, the artist conveys a relatively broad musical vernacular here. Isler’s compositions are designed with rhythm in mind, where jazz waltzes, and perky up-tempo grooves provide a buoyant foundation for saxophonists, Allen Won and Jenny Hill.
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CD Reviews: Lee Konitz-Ohad Talmor Big Band -Featuring the Orquestra Jazz de Matosinhos-
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Posted by: editor on Monday, October 22, 2007 - 11:29 AM |
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Glenn Astarita
“Portology”
CD-2007 OmniTone
Fifty-years in the business, alto saxophonist Lee Konitz mans a big band for the first time, along with frequent collaborator and arranger/musical director Ohad Talmor. And after listening this album several times, it is quite apparent that Talmor’s arrangements zoom in on Konitz’ compositional acumen and stylistic forces.
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CD Reviews: Charles Mingus - “Live In 1964”
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, October 21, 2007 - 11:40 AM |
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Glenn Astarita
DVD-2007 NAXOS: Jazz Icons
It’s a bit eerie watching a seemingly fit and vibrant Eric Dolphy performing with the Mingus band three months prior to his passing. As this footage highlights Mingus’s 1964 performances in Belgium, Norway and Sweden. Nonetheless, many jazz historians consider this to be his finest ensemble ever. In effect, this disc highlights the unit’s incredible breadth and scope of attack. And the play-list is largely repeated, including stints in front of a stoic, well-dressed and appreciative SRO date at a theater in Sweden.
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CD Reviews: Ezra Weiss - “Get Happy”
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, October 20, 2007 - 12:21 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
CD-2007 Roark Records
Young pianist/composer Ezra Weiss intimates years of maturity and an astute comprehension of the jazz vernacular on this affable and stylish effort. In effect, the pianist injects a personalized spin into fabled standards to complement his original works. Weiss’s rather optimistic take on progressive jazz is akin to that proverbial breath of fresh air. Unpretentious, and at times dainty yet forceful when required, Weiss takes his sweet time building a theme. No doubt, he doesn’t overemphasize and chooses his notes wisely.
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CD Reviews: The Convergence Quartet - “Live In Oxford”
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, October 18, 2007 - 11:05 AM |
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Glenn Astarita
CD-2007 FMR Records
Recorded at a music building in Oxford, England., this international cast of highly-regarded improvisers use the building’s wonderful acoustics as a vantage point here. Therefore, it’s an organic program that resonates with the musicians’ multifaceted mode of attack. More importantly the program is a study in contrasts. Whether it’s Alexander Hawkins’ pumping or gingerly executed voicings atop asymmetrical pulses or the band’s minimalist like dialogues, this album truly is a convergence of musical ideas.
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CD Reviews: The Flail..Never Fear..KNT 01/1 2007
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, October 17, 2007 - 10:13 AM |
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John Gilbert
The Flail is a quintet playing all original music albeit a bit
disjointed in their efforts to be off beat. The tune that really says
the most on this album is "We Travel" which has the essence of jazz
inherent in the presentation. The other tunes are difficult to classify
as jazz. Any swing is conspicuous by its absence.
2 Stars
Visit California Coast Jazz At:
http://community-2.webtv.net/johnnyjazz/johnnyjazzsjazzpage
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comments?
1156 Reads |
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CD Reviews: Luis Munoz..Of Soul And Shadow..Perlin Music 2007
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, October 17, 2007 - 10:09 AM |
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John Gilbert
There are 10 tracks on this album each with a different lineup of
musicians. Luis Munoz is at the helm on piano. This is Latin jazz with a
twist.
Sound effects abound in this interesting recording. "La Semilla" is
latin jazz at it's best. Adolfo Acosta on trumpet has a tricky solo and
Ira Nepus can be heard on trombone calling and the band answering in
kind. The band is driving and showing multi faceted strength.
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CD Reviews: Carolyn Leonhart and Wayne Escoffery, “If Dreams Come True”
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, October 17, 2007 - 10:07 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
A collaborative effort between husband and wife, “If Dreams Come True,” is the realization of their vision to produce a special recording and what a dream of an album it is. Carolyn Leonhart provides lush vocals as saxophonist Escoffery delivers vibrant and tasteful tenor and soprano solos on a repertoire of music from the likes of Benny Goodman, Benny Carter to Lee Morgan, Hank Jones and Kenny Barron. A tasteful and graceful session of light and beautiful jazz by an enchanting couple and cast.
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CD Reviews: Radam Schwartz, “Magic Tales”
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Posted by: editor on Monday, October 15, 2007 - 07:14 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Organist, composer and long-time educator Radam Schwartz, has for quite a while led a band he calls Conspiracy For Positivity, which by now is the third generation of the group comprised primarily of his former students who are now professional musicians.
With this group and others, he now releases his latest effort with “Magic Tales.”
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CD Reviews: Bobby Floyd - “Notes To My Friends”
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, October 13, 2007 - 11:31 PM |
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Chicken Coup Records
Columbus, Ohio., Hammond B-3 denizen Bobby Floyd draws upon various roots and influences set forth by organ legends, Hank Marr, Don Patterson and others. On this upbeat endeavor, Floyd looms as a prophet of good cheer. Produced by friend and present day Hammond B-3 stalwart Tony Monaco, these sides were culled from various studio sessions, featuring alternating personnel and guest artists.
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CD Reviews: The Flail, “Never Fear”
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, October 13, 2007 - 11:30 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
The first thing one may wonder is, what the heck is The Flail? The dictionary definition has a couple of meanings, “to flounder; struggle; have difficulty,” or “to swing wildly.” Naturally, the group prefers to think of the later meaning to describe their music. A group not too familiar to jazz fans here, though they all met a few years ago in New York at the New School for Jazz, the group has been primarily playing for European audiences .
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CD Reviews: Lauren Koval And The Page Cavanaugh Trio..No Complaints, No Regrets 2007
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, October 13, 2007 - 11:28 PM |
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John Gilbert
This is the debut recording for Lauren Koval and she performs admirably
with the legendary Page Cavanaugh and the trio.
Lauren Koval, Vocals
Page Cavanaugh, Piano, Vocals (and background vocals)
Phil Mallory, Bass
Jason Lingle, Drums
"Taking A Chance On Love" Lively vocal by Koval and a hip and bouncy
solo by Cavanaugh make this tune work magnificently.
Lauren Koval sings the verse to "They Can't Take That Away From Me" and
Page Cavanaugh brings his magic to the melody with a stirring vocal
followed by a piano solo done at racehorse tempo.
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CD Reviews: Kenny MacKenzie Trio, “Closer To The Day”
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, October 13, 2007 - 11:27 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Once in a while you come across one of those “indie” productions where the music is just riveting capturing your attention from start to finish. “Closer to The Day” is such an album that caught my attention immediately. This new release has all the elements of a successful project, excellent charts, great musicianship and a fresh new sound.
Pianist Kenny MacKenzie, from Long Island, New York, put together a fine trio of musicians and adds the saxophone voice of Shenole Latimer forming a core combo that produce a session of fine contemporary mainstream jazz with his latest effort.
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CD Reviews: Tim Collins - “Valcour”
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, October 11, 2007 - 11:11 AM |
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Glenn Astarita
CD-2007 Arabesque Records
New York-reared vibist Tim Collins has done everything from laying down tracks for a beer commercial, to performing with jazz and rock bands, while also serving as a faculty member for the Manhattan School of Music. To that end, he’s firmly entrenched within the always vibrant Northeast music scene. But jazz would seemingly appear to be his primary focus, evidenced here on his debut solo effort.
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CD Reviews: Mr. Groove, “Little Things”
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, October 10, 2007 - 08:16 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Founded in 1987 in Charlotte, NC by bassist Tim Smith and brother, guitarist Roddy Smith, Mr. Groove is a dynamic sextet that has, for the last few years, performed primarily as the stage band for vocalist Bonnie Bramlett and saxophone legend, Boots Randolph. Based in Nashville, this contemporary jazz group records its debut album for the Diamond Disc label with “Little Things.”
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CD Reviews: Marlene Ver Planck..Now.. ACD330 2005
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, October 10, 2007 - 05:08 PM |
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John Gilbert
Personnel: Marlene Ver Planck, vocals, Tedd Firth, piano, Steve La
Spina, bass, / Jerry Bruno, bass, Richard DeRosa, drums..Special Guests,
Bucky Pizzarelli, Billy Taylor, Norman Simmons
Nice intonation, clear articulation and singing in tune is Marlene Ver
Planck's forte.
"Don't Fall In Love Without Me" Nice bouncy rhythm, solid solo by
pianist Tedd Firth. Ver Planck weaves a magic message in her vocal.
"Moments Like This" This warm and comfortable tune has a hip melody and
lyrics. Firth's soliloquy is again to the fore. Marlene Ver Planck's
lively rendition is apropos to the words and the composer's inrtent.
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CD Reviews: Dave Tofani Quartet..Nights At The Inn..Solo Winds 2007
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, October 10, 2007 - 05:07 PM |
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John Gilbert
Dave Tofani, Tenor, Jesse Green, Piano, Evan Gregor, Bass, Ronnie Zito,
Drums. Steve La Spina, Bass (Tracks 2 & 8) Jack Wilkins, Guitar (Tracks
4 & 6)
A nice swinging group as evidenced by the original "You Caught Me" by
Tofani, who has a hip solo and Jesse Green at the piano is featured in a
burning soliloquy.
The glorious melody of "In A Sentimental Mood" is given due deference by
Dave Tofani as he weaves a magical tour de force in his touching solo.
There are 10 tracks on this recording and all masterfully presented by
this quartet in a manner that leaves no doubt that mainstream jazz is
the answer to the query "Who's Your Daddy"
5 Stars
Visit California Coast Jazz At:
http://community-2.webtv.net/johnnyjazz/johnnyjazzsjazzpage
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comments?
1116 Reads |
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CD Reviews: Didier Verna / @-quartetDVL0206JZ
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, October 10, 2007 - 05:05 PM |
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Talk about leaving an impression.....Didier Verna is a jazz guitarist dealing in melodic & harmonic invention. His Metheny-esque improvisational delivery is compromising, intellectual, non rigorous with a superb technique, connected with an extraordinary command of his music. In fact Verna's music is brilliantly interpreted & compelling in it's content. His music portrays images & sounds of his influences which have been by default......
Quiite positive!
George W. Carroll
The Musicians' Ombudsman
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comments?
2239 Reads |
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CD Reviews: Trio West / Plays Holiday Songs / Tobias T. Gebb
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, October 10, 2007 - 05:04 PM |
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The Yuletide never swung harder through the leadership of jazz drummer Tobias T. Gebb. His array of Xmas standards shines though the group's beautifully impressionistic, plaintive, & wistful improvisations of these Christmas songs. The group's clarion tone & ceaseless harmonic exploration seems to set a standard for viable & gainful virtuosity. Dynamic, yet not too aggressive, Gebb guides his players with a rhythmic vitality that is second to none.
In addition, the listener is awash with a certain romanticism, melodicism, and inventivenss that holds the entire group in good stead. Merry Christman indeed!
George W. Carroll/The Musicians' Ombudsman
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comments?
1433 Reads |
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CD Reviews: Michael Vlatkovich Quartet - AliveBUQUEQUE
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, October 10, 2007 - 05:01 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
CD-2007 pfMENTUM
This 2003 live performance at an Albuquerque venue signifies yet another glimpse of enterprising trombonist Michael Vlatkovich’s multi-purposed artistic demeanor. In addition, the artist’s rep as a consummate improviser generally equates to first-call session duties. But here, the leader steers the band through explorations of the lower-tonal ranges via the e-cello, trombone and bari sax frontline. No doubt, it must have been an exciting live spectacle as the unit’s wily gait yields an abundance of stylizations and mini-motifs. As minimalism attains a fruitful coexistence with garrulous improvisation and off-kilter movements, spanning concise and linear unison choruses amid staggered pulses.
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CD Reviews: Carolyn Leonhart-Wayne Escoffrey / If Dreams Come True / Nagel Hayer2078
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, October 10, 2007 - 04:59 PM |
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First........God is she sexy.......And, then, the solid voice on top of that........Definitely a double threat! This is a very cogent musical team: Jazz singer Carolyn Leonhart, & reed savant Wayne Escoffrey!!.......And company.........Nuff said!!! Jazz is their idiom & they exploit it craft-fully for their audience.........us! Carolyn & group seem to issue their art without technical limitation, making their delivery easy to imbibe. Wayne lends a wistful, melodic, & harmonic platform upon which Carolyn is allowed to ply her wares viably & successfully. This is a CD project with an exceptionally clear tone & flexibility, delivering their music with imagination, joy, & exhilaration.
Kudos to all concerned.
George W. Carroll
The Musicians' Ombudsman
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comments?
1191 Reads |
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DVD Reviews: Sarah Vaughn - “Live in ’58 & â€64”
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Posted by: editor on Monday, October 08, 2007 - 04:25 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
DVD – 2007 NAXOS: Jazz Icons
As part of its recently launched “Jazz Icons” series, this installment captures all-universe jazz diva Sarah Vaughn performing in Sweden (1958), Holland (1958) and Sweden (1964). Accolades aren’t required here, yet the extensive booklet serves as a rather encompassing bio of the late vocalist, featuring text specific to these live dates – shot in black & white.
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CD Reviews: Paul Bollenback / Invocation /ED4550
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, October 07, 2007 - 09:49 AM |
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Influences he has..........Yet jazz guitar-phile Paul Hollenback has his own signature. Paul exhibits a propensity to deliver a melodic commentary from the musical shoulders he has stood upon.
And, what a musical missive he delivers. Melodically & harmonically speaking, Paul is flawless. His rhythmic articulation is awash with
solid time & interpretation. I sense him to be an invigorating sideman for both mainstream & avante-garde players. I relegate my readers to enjoy & admire his witty, flexible, exploratory, & utterly swinging style. This is a jazz musician with a future
that shouldn't be taken for granted. Kudos galore to him!!
George W. Carroll
The Musicians' Ombudsman
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comments?
1193 Reads |
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CD Reviews: Manu Katche, “Playground”
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, October 07, 2007 - 09:47 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Frenchman Manu Katche is one of the leading drummers in music who, aside from the jazz genre, has been prominently featured on the pop, rock and world music scenes as well. A drummer whose style you can recognize is widely regarded for his stylish and unique skills playing the drums and using the cymbals to a greater degree than most drummers
“Playground” is a formidable album that captures his music and his skills on twelve creative compositions played by a superb cadre of musicians. This is his third album as leader and his second on the ECM label since his 2005 release of “Neighbourhood.” Returning on this project is pianist Marcin Wasilewski and bassist Slawomir Kurkiewicz who played with Katche on the previous CD. New here are Mathias Eick (trumpet) and Trygve Seim (tenor and soprano sax). Guitarist David Torn appears on a couple of tracks.
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CD Reviews: THe Laverne Christie Trio..East Of THe Sun, West Of The Moon..OCD0807
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, October 07, 2007 - 09:46 AM |
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John Gilbert
This is a group that plays mainstream jazz in a manner most suitable for
the jazz purist rather than the undignified and careless style affected
by some in the guise of jazz.
Often used as a break tune, "Pick Yourself Up" is a jazz standard in
it's own right. Nice changes by Christie in her solo. A happy message
played in that same vein.
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CD Reviews: Bernie Kenerson, “Just You and Me (The Art of the EWI)”
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, October 03, 2007 - 08:40 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
The first in a series of albums being recorded featuring the electric wind instrument (EWI), this CD features multi-instrumentalist Bernie Kenerson playing the Akai 4000s electric horn on ten original compositions. An unusual recording that captured my interest almost immediately. The sound is definitely different and one that jazz audiences may not be use to hearing but, should be, in my opinion, quite receptive to the music found hear. The music blends contemporary jazz with smooth and fusion jazz colors delivered with an electric twist.
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CD Reviews: Gianluigi Trovesi/Umberto Petrin/Fulvio Maras
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, October 03, 2007 - 11:59 AM |
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Glenn Astarita
“Vaghissimo Ritratto”
CD-2007 ECM Records
Spanning three decades or so, master clarinetist Gianluigi Trovesi has ingratiated the global jazz scene with a technically resplendent and classy musical aura, encompassing large and small ensembles. With eminent Italian countrymen; pianist Umberto Petrin and percussionist Fulvio Maras, the trio project a quaintly arranged sense of isolation during these largely, wistful compositions.
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CD Reviews: CD Review/Mark Weinstein/Con AlmaJH1154
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, October 02, 2007 - 06:19 PM |
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George Carroll
An interesting collaboration of mainstream & jazz classics
delivered by a master flautist. It's mind boggling to realize
that there are so many consummate musical artists out there. And, I'm sure that for every thousand that performs on the level of a Mark Weinstein, there probably are several thousand more as good or possibly even better. Mark's artistic feeling & delivery style seems to exist for us on an astonishing variety of levels as he interprets his musical choices. His signature tune ''Con Alma'' seems simple in conception, yet it is sophisticated in it's execution. I can only assume therefore that the universality of what he offers his audience, touches the greatest breadth of his listenership by default.
George W. Carroll
The Musicians' Ombudsman
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comments?
1057 Reads |
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CD Reviews: Marco Benevento - “Live At Tonic”
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, October 02, 2007 - 06:17 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
3-CD 2007 Ropeadope
This 3-CD extravaganza pronounces the broad and rather distinct music vernacular of budding keyboard hero Marco Benevento. Culled from his month-long residency at New York City’s beloved and recently closed venue “Tonic,” this outing resides as a sampling of Benevento’s artisanship, pronouncing his combined wit, whimsy and enviable chops. Known for his exhilarating acoustic-electric duet work with powerhouse drummer Joe Russo (performing here), these frameworks cast a multihued glimpse into the artist’s seemingly boundless zeal for instilling a personal touch into familiar formats.
He invited close friends for these sometimes unlikely jaunts consisting of pop-rock covers, originals, gospel, folk and other genres, primarily worked through a New York downtown scene type vibe. He flexes some muscle via punctuated block chords and sojourns into free-form vistas during many of these pieces and he takes great care when constructing a given theme, often spiced-with budding pulses and thrusting crescendos. Then again, his humorous proclivities come to the forefront on tunes, where he uses dated keyboards such as a Farfisa organ (or something similar) on various works that often intimate notions of psychedelic-jazz.
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CD Reviews: Bruce Eisenbeil - “Inner Constellations”
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, October 02, 2007 - 06:16 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
CD-2007 Nemu Records
This is arguably New York City based guitarist Bruce Eisenbeil’s finest solo effort to date. And he launches the festivities with the title track “Inner Constellation,” which clocks in at forty-seven minutes, but is indexed into twenty-seven parts, noted in the CD booklet. Within this sextet framework, we hear streaming violin passages, supercharged sax choruses, bustling rhythmic escapades, of-kilter blues motifs and intersecting themes. Here and throughout, Eisenbeil’s torrid chord voicings and stinging single note lines provide a razor’s edge component. He also steers the band through variable cadences, often engineered with ascending choruses and soaring trumpet solos by Nate Wooley.
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CD Reviews: Joe Friedman..Cup O' Joe
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, October 02, 2007 - 06:14 PM |
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John Gilbert
NAS Music 3..2007
Joe Friedman, Electric / Acoustic guitar, George Colligan, piano, Peter
Washington, bass, Neal Smith, drums, Renato Thomas, percussion.
Nice straight ahead jazz with no histrionics or cacophony...
"Pure Imagination" features a lively tempo and the unleashing of a
torrent of notes by Friedman. Pianist Colligan's bop inspired solo is
pure jazz at it's best.
"Cup o' Joe" Again a speedy tempo with Friedman's rapid fire solo
leading the way..Heard a bit of Bud Powell in Colligan's soliloquy
...Everyone swings on this track.
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CD Reviews: Herb Robertson with Evan Parker & Agusti Fernandez - “Parallelisms”
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Posted by: editor on Monday, October 01, 2007 - 11:19 AM |
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Glenn Astarita
This trio came to fruition subsequent to the musicians’ involvement in bassist Barry Guy’s New Orchestra. To that end, this session pronounces a meeting of like-minded individuals with proven track records, who felt the synergy within Guy’s larger ensemble, and decided to engage in more intimate musical environs.
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CD Reviews: MARK WEINSTEIN - CON ALMA (2007)
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Posted by: pcarbo on Monday, October 01, 2007 - 11:03 AM |
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Review by Paul J. Youngman - KJA Advocate for WWW.VINILEMANIA.NET
With all my soul, the poets translation for Con Alma, and the feeling that pervades the new CD by Mark Weinstein. Weinstein has put together a quintet that plays jazz tunes, a few standards, and a few originals with heavy Latin influences. Little known tunes, such as “Gottcha” by Bobby Hutcherson, “Soul-Leo” by Mulgrew Miller, “Crescent” by John Coltrane and “Fee Fi Fo Fum” by Wayne Shorter are all presented with a Latin groove underpinned by exciting Latin percussion, dynamic bass playing and excellent solos by Mark Levine on piano and Mr. Weinstein on flute.
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CD Reviews: Paul Cullen-Dreamdance
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Posted by: muzikman on Monday, October 01, 2007 - 11:02 AM |
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Artist: Paul Cullen
Title: Dreamdance
Genre: Adult Contemporary-Pop-Jazz
Label: Dreamdance Music
Dreamdance CD Baby Link
Source Link
After listening to Paul Cullen’s new release Dreamdance I had a hard time envisioning him as the former bass player for the rock legends Bad Company. He has an interesting story; after departing from the band in the early 90s he decided to take control of his career, taught himself how to play guitar and took singing lessons, and here we are with an appealing solo album that grabbed me right from the first track. I cannot speak for everyone, but that’s the way this CD affected me and I suspect there will be many other listeners that will feel the same way. Right from the first cut I felt relaxed and enchanted, and I was able to hold on to that feeling until the album concluded.
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Terence Blanchard-A Tale Of God’s Will (A Requiem For Katrina)
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Posted by: muzikman on Saturday, September 29, 2007 - 05:06 PM |
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A Tale Of Gods Will (A Requiem For Katrina) is more than just another jazz record and much more than a soundtrack recording; it is an epic recording that, while rooted in jazz, reaches far beyond any single genre. Multi Grammy winner and New Orleans native Terence Blanchard and company have taken the material he wrote for Spike Lee’s documentary “When the Levees Broke” and expanded it into a collection of tracks that is simply beyond category. The album reminds us of the musical gifts that New Orleans has given us, what has been lost, and what we are in jeopardy of losing in the aftermath of the flood.
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CD Reviews: Steve Lacy-Roswell Rudd Quartet - “Early and Late”
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, September 27, 2007 - 08:52 AM |
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Glenn Astarita
2-CD 2007 Cuneiform Records
These discs offer previously unreleased live tracks of late soprano sax great Steve Lacy pairing up with longtime affiliate, trombonist Roswell Rudd along with pieces culled from a 1962 studio date with their “School Days” quartet. Historical yes, but a significant release for Lacy and Rudd enthusiasts, especially since it isn’t retread material loaded with outtakes, which is an element that is nestled within many jazz-based record label campaigns.
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CD Reviews: Greg Mills - “Blue Oktober”
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, September 27, 2007 - 08:50 AM |
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Glenn Astarita
CD-2007 “Freedonia Music”
Pianist Greg Mills is onto something here. Deriving influences from classicists, Stockhausen, Ives and others, he also intermixes elements of free-jazz piano great Cecil Taylor’s aura into these relatively brief works. So, it’s a hybrid classical-jazz improvisation fest recorded live on acoustic pianos.
The preponderance of these improvised works are cited as “overdubs done live, in one take.” Technically speaking, I’m not sure how Mills pulled it off, yet the pieces tend to interweave into a complex story line. The pianist seems comfortable in the upper-registers here. And it’s largely about a continual state of musical construction amid a few jarring meltdowns here and there. On the title piece “Blue Oktober,” Mills disrupts the predefined flows by sawing and plucking his piano strings while creating an eerie ambience.
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CD Reviews: Melvin Smith, “Portrait”
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, September 27, 2007 - 08:49 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
A deeply religious man with a mission, Melvin Smith penned and arranged all the music and produced his debut album as leader with “Portrait.” Smith combines a bit of gospel, world beat, folk and rock influences in a largely jazz palette that comes across in swinging fashion here.
Smith plays the tenor and soprano saxophones on the album and is accompanied by Lino C. Gomez (bass), Reggie Pittman (trumpet/flugelhorn), Stephen Lee and Gregory Royals on piano, Sam Knight and Ezra Henry on drums.
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CD Reviews: Michael Camacho..Just For You ...
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, September 27, 2007 - 08:46 AM |
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John Gilbert
New Found Records 2007
Michael Camacho sings in tune, enunciates clearly, and has clarity of
tone, the prime ingredients for a jazz singer. His scatting leaves a bit
to be desired but all in all he has the tools to be a very good
vocalist.
The title tune "Just For You", an original by Camacho, has a superb
melody with a hip lyric and is notable for not being the usual fare one
hears these days.
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CD Reviews: Amy London, “When I look in Your Eyes”
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, September 26, 2007 - 10:54 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
One of the foremost first-call vocalists in New York City’s vibrant jazz scene, Amy London releases her latest album with “When I look in Your Eyes,” containing 12 terrific songs borrowing some from the Great American Songbook with compositions from Ira and George Gershwin, Antonio Carlos Jobim and Cy Coleman to name only a few.
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CD Reviews: CD Reviews: Joe Friedman, “Cup O’ Joe”
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, September 25, 2007 - 01:45 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
New York-based jazz guitarist sensation Joe Friedman makes his debut recording as leader with “Cup O’ Joe,” serving up a tasteful brew of some of the best straight ahead contemporary jazz you’ll hear anywhere. A thoroughly enjoyable blend of up-beat and light warm jazz performed by a master guitarist and a cadre of first-call players.
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CD Reviews: CD Reviews: Linda Ciofalo, “Sun Set”
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, September 25, 2007 - 01:44 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
New York-based jazz vocalist Linda Ciofalo comes out with her second album since her 1999 release of “Take the High Road,” featuring a blend of jazz-pop and original music. This album, like the debut CD also contains a fair share of jazzed up pop tunes that tends to identify the album as more of a pop album than a jazz recording. This is not to say that the music is not pleasant, only that the audience which prefers straight ahead contemporary jazz may not appreciate the overreaching pop slant of this recording.
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CD Reviews: CD Review/Amy London/When I Look In Your Eyes/MTM00011
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, September 25, 2007 - 01:43 PM |
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George Carroll
Sultry, sensuous, tonal, melodic, harmonic, intellectual, ample,
luscious, inflective, expressive, lyrical mellifluous, symphonic, tuneful, dramatic, theatrical, blending, flowing, balanced, symmetrical, abundant.........And, this is only how songstress.
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CD Reviews: Falkner Evans..ARC..CAP 1008
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, September 25, 2007 - 01:42 PM |
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John Gilbert
This is a trio with a mission to bring thoughtful jazz to the fore.
Coltrane's "Central Park West" being a prime example. Nice brush work by
drummer Matt Wilson and a very soulful rendition by leader/ pianist
Falkner Evans.
"Bar Enigma" is a bouncy tune penned by Evans who has a delightful solo
in a bop inspired mode. Good change of pace.
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CD Reviews: Greg Mills - “Blue Oktober”
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, September 25, 2007 - 01:41 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
CD-2007 “Freedonia Music”
Pianist Greg Mills is onto something here. Deriving influences from classicists, Stockhausen, Ives and others, he also intermixes elements of free-jazz piano great Cecil Taylor’s aura into these relatively brief works. So, it’s a hybrid classical-jazz improvisation fest recorded live on acoustic pianos.
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CD Reviews: CD Review/Luis Munoz/Of Soul & ShadOw/PEL2007
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, September 22, 2007 - 09:01 AM |
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I've been lucky enough to review several of latino piano specialist
Luis Munoz's CD projects over the years. This current project shows Luis's bent on creating latin jazz that is both absorbing & engaging for his listenership. Luis's music is always alive & fresh & this spate of orig's is a prime example of both his delicate quality with stylistic precision. Muonz's music offers us a thoughtful combination of interesting musical ideas & a satisfying aesthetic as well. Luis's compositional talents are extraordinarily wide with a sensitivity & phraseology that can quiet one's sensibilites. Kudos then to this wonderful latino pianist-composer of song as he delivers his songs to discriminating & accepting ears..........OURS, in an apparent, effortless fashion.
George W. Carroll
The Musicians' Ombudsman
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comments?
1178 Reads |
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CD Reviews: Linda Ciofalo, “Sun Set”
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, September 22, 2007 - 09:00 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
New York-based jazz vocalist Linda Ciofalo comes out with her second album since her 1999 release of “Take the High Road,” featuring a blend of jazz-pop and original music. This album, like the debut CD also contains a fair share of jazzed up pop tunes that tends to identify the album as more of a pop album than a jazz recording. This is not to say that the music is not pleasant, only that the audience which prefers straight ahead contemporary jazz may not appreciate the overreaching pop slant of this recording.
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CD Reviews: Joe Friedman, “Cup O’ Joe”
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, September 22, 2007 - 08:59 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
New York-based jazz guitarist sensation Joe Friedman makes his debut recording as leader with “Cup O’ Joe,” serving up a tasteful brew of some of the best straight ahead contemporary jazz you’ll hear anywhere. A thoroughly enjoyable blend of up-beat and light warm jazz performed by a master guitarist and a cadre of first-call players.
Providing the musical support here are drummer and producer Neal Smith, bassist Peter Washington, Renato Washington on percussions and Pianist George Colligan who, along with Friedman, stands out with phenomenal solo performances.
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CD Reviews: Review of Paul Nash's 'Jazz Cycles' by All About Jazz
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Posted by: eJazzNews Reader on Saturday, September 22, 2007 - 12:00 AM |
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In 2005, visionary composer/guitarist Paul Nash lost his battle with brain cancer. Some six weeks prior to his passing, Nash was able to complete production on Jazz Cycles, a suite orchestrated for his ensemble, Manhattan New Music Project (MNMP). The resulting disc is chock-full of intricate writing, spontaneous group interplay and staggering solos. Stylistically, Nash's music runs the gamut of contemporary jazz; from free-form, to post-bop to funk.
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CD Reviews: @-quartet spotlight CD review in current issue of Indie Music magazine
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Posted by: dvlprod on Thursday, September 20, 2007 - 09:31 AM |
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French guitarist Didier Verna's album ";@-quartet" is featured as a "Spotlight CD Review" in current issue of the Indie Music magazine.
Here is the review by Darryl Gregory:
Didier Verna is in quartet mode with his new CD @-quartet. Verna steps out in front with his beautifully melodic guitar playing and leads his gang of four through nine tracks of seemingly effortless arrangements of original jazz. The difficulty lies in how to categorize his take on jazz. In the opening track, there is definitely a bossa feel, and yet we also have that feeling of West Coast smoothness in some tracks, and then there is the jumpy-intricate improvs of be-bop. Since I’m a big fan of eclecticism in art, I choose not to categorize, but for the sake of a review all I can say is get the CD and enjoy.
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CD Reviews: "Ultimate Kirk Whalum"- Review - by Denis Poole
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Posted by: eJazzNews Reader on Thursday, September 20, 2007 - 09:31 AM |
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"Ultimate Kirk Whalum" Review
By Denis Poole - Smooth Jazz Therapy
Mosaic Contemporary is really onto a winner. Recognizing that nearly every important artist in contemporary jazz has recorded seminal material for more than one record company they have set about licensing the most important tracks from various labels and then arranging them into chronological compilations. In this way Mosaic are, for the first time ever, delivering definitive highlights of an artist’s career and the latest addition to their flagship â€Ultimate’ collection is sax star Kirk Whalum. â€The Ultimate Kirk Whalum’ provides a glowing showcase of his work to date but, moreover, offers a glimpse of how smooth jazz has evolved over the last twenty years and a reminder of the outstanding producers and performers with whom Whalum has collaborated over that time.
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CD Reviews: Tony Adamo Grooves On Smoothjazz.com
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Posted by: rocarmani on Monday, September 17, 2007 - 09:42 AM |
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TONY ADAMO Straight Up Deal Urbanzone Records
For those who haven’t experienced it… there’s a mystique to the San Francisco bay area at night. It’s unique to the â€City by the Bay.’ Over the years many artists have captured this vibrant, earthy electricity and stuck it in the middle of their music regardless of genre.
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CD Reviews: The Carl Saunders Exploration..The Lost Bill Holman Charts.. Mama Records
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, September 16, 2007 - 03:34 PM |
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John Gilbert
Personnel: Carl Saunders, trumpet / flugelhorn, Pete Christlieb, tenor
sax, Andy Martin, trombone, Bob Efford, baritone sax, Christian Jacob,
piano, Kevin Axt, bass, Santo Savino, drums and special guest Sam Most,
flute and baritone sax.
Carl Saunders has always been an explorer in the sense that he plumbs
the depths of every tune that he plays or arranges.
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CD Reviews: David Murray Black Saint Quartet - Featuring Cassandra Wilson - “Sacred Ground”
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, September 16, 2007 - 03:31 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
CD-2007 Justin Time Records
Eminent saxophonist David Murray’s voluminous discography hits a sweet spot of sorts with this recent outing, featuring jazz diva Cassandra Wilson performing on select tracks. With upstart jazz pianist and superb foil, Lafayette Gilchrist swirling through deep melodies and luminescent abstracts, this album projects an uncanny blend of free-form stylizations coupled with blues, ballads and hardcore jazz.
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CD Reviews: Dave Tofani/Nights At The Inn/SW1723
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, September 16, 2007 - 03:29 PM |
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The incarnation of bebop........Extraordinaire!! Reedman Dave Tofani
plus his totally musically animated group fill our sensibilities with his version of musical panache. Dave is the essence of solid intellectual musicianship, & his improvisational skills are adept at superb execution with an apparent inexhaustible capacity for both melodic & harmonic invention........Which he expresses fluently with warmth & joy..........Ergo his innate quality to exude
brilliance & eloquence in his music. This is both a player & group
capable of washing us with a certain fullness of music, along with an attendant beauty of interpretation & certainly fullness of delivery. How about we keep them for awhile.
George W. Carroll
The Musicians' Ombudsman
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CD Reviews: Chris Kelsey Quartet - “The Crookedest Straight Line Vol. 1”
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, September 16, 2007 - 03:28 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
CD-2007 CIMP Records
Perhaps not as widely-recognized as many others, but soprano saxophonist Chris Kelsey and his superfine quartet could pitch their plight, side by side, with the better known denizens of this genre. With first-call avant/modern-jazz drummer Jay Rosen and bassist Francois Grillot executing a loose groove framework, the saxophonist and trumpeter John Carlson loom as near-perfect foils here.
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CD Reviews: One More: The Summary, Music of Thad Jones, Vol. 2
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, September 16, 2007 - 03:27 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
A follow up recording to the 2005 release “One More—Music of Thad Jones” includes more of Thad Jones’s music performed by players who knew and performed with Jones throughout his career. The Thad Jones Repertory Company, which convened at the Clinton Recording studios in New York for the taping if this sequel, is comprised of nine legendary musicians who provide a heck of a performance on Volume 2.
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CD Reviews: Josh Roseman - “New Constellations: Live in Vienna”
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, September 12, 2007 - 07:39 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
CD-2007 Accurate Records
As the story goes, chops-heavy and always-hip jazz trombonist Josh Roseman recorded this live set as an homage to Ska-legend, trombonist Don Drummond. And while this outing was recorded at Joe Zawinul’s Birdland club in Vienna, Roseman and cohorts remixed the live tapes back in New York. With some EFX-processing and ferocious funk and dub movements, Roseman’s octet shoots for the stars here. Nonetheless, the overall tone is based upon Reggae grooves amid punchy horns choruses and off-kilter, jazz-based variations.
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CD Reviews: CD Review/Joe Friedman/Cup O' Joe/Nasmusic3
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, September 12, 2007 - 04:25 PM |
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Missouri based jazz guitar savant Joe Friedman is no one to mess with when it comes to the essence of playing jazz guitar, i.e. technique, level of player-ship, musical content, harmony, melody, improvisation, et al. Plus, his choice of music is right in the pocket appealing to an eclectic audience..........HIS!! All the rich compound of jazz rhythm, structure, dimension, abstraction, etc. is contained in Friedman's music. Although his music might appear to be a little atonal and or arhythmic, it certainly is not. It's right in your face mainstream. As a jazz gutiar player, I consider Joe to be a vituoso possessing a huge range of both talent & style.Bravo Joe!!
George W. Carroll
The Musicians' Ombudsman
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comments?
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CD Reviews: The Carl Saunders Exploration..The Lost Bill Holman Charts.. Mama
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, September 12, 2007 - 04:23 PM |
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John Gilbert
Records 2007
Personnel: Carl Saunders, trumpet / flugelhorn, Pete Christlieb, tenor
sax, Andy Martin, trombone, Bob Efford, baritone sax, Christian Jacob,
piano, Kevin Axt, bass, Santo Savino, drums and special guest Sam Most,
flute and baritone sax.
Carl Saunders has always been an explorer in the sense that he plumbs
the depths of every tune that he plays or arranges.
Ted Richardson, a saxophonist friend of Saunders mentioned that 20 years
ago Bill Holman had written some charts for him that somehow never came
to fruition and the charts had lain dormant for twenty years. Saunders
had performed with the Holman band in 1984 and was intrigued by this
turn of events and after viewing the charts decided to go into the
studio and record.. There are eleven tracks on this album including one
("The Hook") that was a Saunders original. Saunders knew that several of
the musicians that he chose for this project had played with the Holman
band at various times. Being a friend and admirer of Bill Holman,
Saunders recorded this body of work, and these arrangements once again
saw the light of day and burst upon the scene like an aurora borealis.
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CD Reviews: Roberta Piket Trio, “Love and Beauty”
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, September 12, 2007 - 04:22 PM |
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CD Reviews:
By: Edward Blanco
New York-based pianist and composer Roberta Piket reveals the depth of her enormous talents playing like a virtuoso in her latest offering, “Love and Beauty,” delivering a masterful performance with charm and grace. Recording primarily originals from members of her band, the music is essentially a rhythm-based session of modern light jazz covering nine tunes with Cole Porter’s “So In Love,” and the familiar Jimmy Webb chart,” Up, Up and Away” being the only standards.
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CD Reviews: Zlatko Kaucic & Special Guest: Peter Brotzmann - “Tolminski Punt”
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, September 12, 2007 - 04:21 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
CD-2007 Splasc(h) Records
Slovenia-reared drummer/composer Zlatko Kaucic has infiltrated the Euro jazz and avant-garde circuit, but as a solo artist, the totality of his musical mind bears much more. With residences in Italy, Portugal and Holland, the artist has been affiliated with the best and brightest of fellow, adventure-seeking progressive-jazz artists. On this live outing, he does battle with German tenor sax legend Peter Brotzmann: think of two heavyweight boxers engaging in a finalist match. But the free-form element is encircled by a three-piece strings section to round-out the off kilter instrumentation that also spawns a snaky and far-reaching chamber-jazz vibe.
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CD Reviews: Steve Dooks-Cocktails, Heartaches and Cigars
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Posted by: muzikman on Monday, September 10, 2007 - 09:00 PM |
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Artist: Steve Dooks
Title: Cocktails, Heartaches and Cigars
Genre: Jazz-Blues
Label: Limelight Productions
Website
Source Link
In 2004 I discovered Steve Dooks through his album Two Days on the Floor. Three years later he offers his listeners something entirely different with Cocktails, Heartaches and Cigars. I know it sounds more like the title of a blues album; however, this is jazz with a little bit of the blues around the outer fringes and stuck in between (“It’s Called The Blues”). Jazz and blues - blues and jazz; whatever way you want to look at it they are kissin’ cousins, and Dooks goes down that path more than once.
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CD Reviews: HELENE ATTIA - THE EYES OF LOVE (2004)
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Posted by: pcarbo on Monday, September 10, 2007 - 07:00 PM |
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Review by Paul J. Youngman - KJA Advocate for WWW.VINILEMANIA.NET
Helene Attia is a multi-lingual vocalist, lyricist and composer, she sings in English, French, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish, she blends smooth jazz, with even smoother Latin and world music. The Eyes of Love features Ms. Attia, flowing through thirteen songs of love, loss, passion, pain, romance and promise with a voice rich in soft velvety tones. The recording is well produced with great arrangements and splendid accompaniment on all of the tracks.
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CD Reviews: Quartet Equinox - “Flamenco Jazz” - CD-2007 DIP Records
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, September 08, 2007 - 10:23 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
Recorded live at a Los Angeles studio and with all-world percussionist Brad Dutz on hand, this quartet’s self-proclaimed flamenco-jazz stylization is aided by a soft touch and nicely-placed dynamics. Led by guitarist Dirk K’s nimble voicings, the band seamlessly merges a world music vibe with fluent, jazz-based arrangements amid variations of flamenco music. With Andy Suzuki’s intermittent injections of blissful flute lines and soul-searching sax choruses, the unit generally maintains a peppery yet artfully executed sequence of flows.
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The Christine Spero Group, “My Spanish Dream”
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, September 08, 2007 - 10:20 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Pianist and vocalist Christine Spero launches her new release of exciting Latin jazz grooves that blend Brazilian and pop rhythms producing an intoxicating and vibrant sound guaranteed to shake the shoulders and move the hips. “My Spanish Dream,” delivers nine original songs with catchy melodies and rich harmonies that will have you hitting the re-play button often.
Hailing from Tannersville, New York, Christine Spero has for years performed with her quartet and has one previous recording to her credit (“We Call It Music” 2002). On this recording she is joined by her core group consisting of Elliot Spero (tenor, soprano sax and percussions), Mike Woinoski (bass) and Jody Sumber (drums). Others appearing on the recording include Rich DeCrosta (trumpet) on “Therapy,” husband Buck Spero (bass) and Curtis Watts (drums) on “Therapy”, “The Festival” and “I remember.”
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Allan Harris, “Nat King Cole: Long Live The King”
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, September 08, 2007 - 10:18 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Allan Harris is one of the great baritone jazz vocalists around who through out his career has always been compared to the legendary Nat King Cole. Recorded live at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., Harris pays tribute to Nat King Cole with this latest release.
Harris sings thirteen jazz standards including the immortal “Unforgettable,” on which if you were to close your eyes and just listen, you could almost hear Nat King Cole come alive through Harris’s voicing of the tune. Other beautiful songs given special treatment here by the singer are, “L-O-V-E,” “The Very Thought of You,” “(I Love You) For Sentimental Reasons,” and of course, “Mona Lisa.”
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CD Reviews: CD Review/Marsha Heydt/One Night
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Posted by: editor on Friday, September 07, 2007 - 11:28 AM |
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Hey look......It's not like women can't play!! Marsha Heydt can certainly play. In fact, she's a flat out reed savant. Containing a lovely tone, she introduced me to her talent with her take on the eternal classic ''Green Dolphin Street.'' I'm blown away. Heydt 'sections' her pieces allowing for nice long ample space for improvisation. Her style is what I might classify as poppy or pastel, certainly assertive & authoritative. It's a very creative experience for any listener as she develops her musical ideas
for our edification.
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CD Reviews: The Music of Antonio Carlos Jobim and Stan Getz at Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola in New York City
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Posted by: admin on Wednesday, September 05, 2007 - 11:01 AM |
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By Marcia Hillman
As part of their two week long celebration of the music and spirit of Antonio Carlos Jobim and Stan Getz, Trio da Paz (consisting of Duduka Da Fonseca on drums, Nilson Matta on bass and Romero Lubambo on guitar) augmented by Joe Locke on vibes, Harry Allen on tenor sax and vocalist Maucha Adnet performed at Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola on Thursday, August 23, 2007.
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CD Reviews: The E.S.P. Project
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Posted by: emenari3 on Wednesday, September 05, 2007 - 11:01 AM |
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The ESP Project-’Visionaries’/’Flow’-Transitions East 001/002
Reviewed by Lofton A. Emenari, III
Chicago’s dearth of post- AACM experimentalist's continues to thrive as documented in pairing CD volumes. Led by Drummer/percussionist Su Ra Ramses, E.S.P.’s vision mines the depths of heretofore unmined musical terrain. Or so it would seem. Suffice it to say their musical forefathers laid pathways bridging the 60s to now and the results therein are up for grabs.
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CD Reviews: Music Review: Manhattan New Music Project - Jazz Cycles
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Posted by: eJazzNews Reader on Wednesday, September 05, 2007 - 10:59 AM |
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Written by Pico, Blogcritics
Published August 21, 2007
http://blogcritics.org/archives/2007/08/21/093613.php
Orchestral jazz seem to be a dying art these days. Oh sure, there are Ellington, Monk and Mingus tribute bands, but there seems to be a dearth of composers creating new works. Well OK, maybe that's a little dramatic. In reality, such jazz composers still do exist today, but they toil in relative obscurity. One of the more notable contributors to the under-appreciated art of classical jazz among contemporaries was Paul Nash.
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CD Reviews: ASCANIO SCANO - LATIN JAZZ LOUNGE MORROCOY (2006)
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Posted by: pcarbo on Wednesday, September 05, 2007 - 10:56 AM |
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Review by Paul J. Youngman - KJA Advocate for WWW.VINILEMANIA.NET
Ascanio Scano is an Italian keyboard player, composer and arranger, he has numerous recordings under his belt and has worked with many of the top Latin jazz artists in the world, his most recent recording Morrocoy features his Latin Jazz Lounge big band, actually it’s an octet, but it has a grand sound. The band screams through just over an hours worth of music, eleven tracks, that are generally speaking, straight ahead Latin inspired - jazz fusion tunes. The constants are found in superb percussion and drumming, by Leo Angel Rodriguez and Marco Catinaccio, as well as a rock solid rhythm section, with bass playing duties shared by Pasquale Cosco and Paolo Andriolo, inspired guitar playing by Giuseppe Bertolino is ever present and the keyboard/piano playing of Ascanio Scano.
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CD Reviews: MATT FINLEY - BRAZILIAN WISH (2006)
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Posted by: pcarbo on Wednesday, September 05, 2007 - 10:56 AM |
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Review by Frank Villafañe for WWW.VINILEMANIA.NET
Brazilian Wish is Matt Finley’s induction into the world of Brazilian latin jazz, and is a well-produced, beautiful showcase of his skill as a composer and performer. Consisting of nine original compositions (all composed by Matt himself), Brazilian Wish is a stunning achievement, given the fact that Matt’s background is similar to my own (a career in computer programming), and not music per se; nevertheless, as a world-class trumpeter, Matt holds his own with some renowned jazz performers featured on this CD. It is interesting to note that Matt attributes the inception of his “Brazilian wish” to an epiphany of sorts, when he successfully married both music (his love) and computers (his profession). Judging by the stellar result, I would have to applaud the union and consider it “very good, indeed”.
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CD Reviews: Jack Reilly Trio..Innocence..Green Spring Suite..UN12010.. 2007
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, September 04, 2007 - 08:30 AM |
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By John Gilbert
Jack Reilly's music can best be described as jazz in the classical mode.
He has fashioned his unique style from years of experience, study and
performing the world over.
The life of Reilly was interrupted in 2002 with the dreaded onset of
cancer. His recovery came to pass and in a salute to Johns Hopkins
Cancer center, Reilly composed this suite and dedicated each piece to
individual Doctors and staff at Hopkins.
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CD Reviews: Pietro Tonolo – Gil Goldstein – Steve Swallow – Paul Motian - “Your Songs – The Music Of Elton John”
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Posted by: editor on Monday, September 03, 2007 - 06:03 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
CD-2007 ObliqSound
Pianist Ted Howe did it with his superb 2005 release titled “Elton Exposed,” and now four jazz giants embark upon a similar path with this newly issued album. One of the noticeable attributes of this endeavor resided within the band’s implementation of a temperate flow throughout. Dynamics are nicely-placed amid the artists’ thematic dissections and spaciously crafted improvisations. However, this isn’t a total deconstruction project. It’s more about jazz-based re-workings of a select portion of Elton John’s songbook.
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CD Reviews: Matthew Shipp - “Piano Vortex”
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Posted by: editor on Monday, September 03, 2007 - 06:01 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
CD-2007 Thirsty Ear
The latest project by pianist Matthew Shipp is something akin to a homecoming party. With his voluminous discography, including recent jaunts into avant hip-hop, electronica, and other cutting-edge tendencies, he goes full circle back to his modern jazz roots during this sprightly trio session.
With Joe Morris once again swapping his six-string guitar for the bass duties and drummer Whit Dickey handling the often-scrappy time signatures, the trio delves into a string of fluid musical events. Shipp raises the bar within several fractured movements but is also apt to wind the band down a few notches. It’s largely about spirited improvisation via asymmetrical rhythmic patterns, staggered flows and free-form type maneuvers.
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CD Reviews: Bev Kelly..Live At The Jazz Safari..2007
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Posted by: editor on Monday, September 03, 2007 - 06:00 PM |
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John Gilbert
Bev Kelly Vocals
Leroy Vinnegar, bass
Dwight Dickerson, piano
Al Williams, drums
Richard Madariaga, guitar
Rudy Johnson, tenor sax
This project was originally done in 1979 and performed live at the Jazz
Safari in Long Beach, California and hasn't stopped swinging one iota to
date.
"Lonesome Road" Between Leroy Vinnegar's strong walking bass and Bev
Kelly's romping vocal, this tune goes right into orbit up in the
rarefied air where few dare to venture.
"
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CD Reviews: Marsha Heydt, “One Night”
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, September 01, 2007 - 09:06 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
A woodwind expert who plays the reeds with a touch of class, Marsha Heydt delivers an electrifying performance on her first outing as leader with “One Night.” Al album containing a mix of originals and standards that after one listen will leave you wanting more.
A multi-instrumentalist, Heydt plays the alto, soprano and the flute through out the thirteen tracks. The music stretches beyond straight ahead jazz and includes slices of Latin jazz, funk and a bit of jazz rock promising diversity that will please everybody’s musical taste.
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CD Reviews: Mat Marucci – Doug Webb Trio featuring Ken Filiano - “Change-Up”
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, September 01, 2007 - 09:04 AM |
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Glenn Astarita
CD-2007 CIMP Records
Drummer/educator Mat Marucci and his saxophonist of choice, Doug Webb flew in from California to join first-call jazz bassist Ken Filiano at this record label’s upstate N.Y., studio to record this session. As a drummer, Marucci’s solid comps largely, feature memorable themes amid variable rhythmic structures. And it’s a democratic engagement, where all parties enjoy ample soloing space.
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CD Reviews: Steve Dooks..Cocktails, Heartaches And Cigars,,2007
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, August 28, 2007 - 07:10 PM |
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John Gilbert
Things start off swinging with a supple as silk arrangement of "Smooth
And Easy" there is a vocal that adds a lot to an already hip tune, but
unfortunately the singer (Dooks?) is not named. I would hazard a guess
that Dooks is the vocalist. At any rate the first track is a winner.
Solid solos by Martin on 'bone and C. Mitchell, sax are a cool addition.
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CD Reviews: Marlon Simon, “In Case You Missed It”
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, August 28, 2007 - 07:07 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Drummer and percussionist Marlon Simon crafts another Latin Jazz album full of Afro-Cuban rhythms featuring a heavy percussive sound with his long time band he calls the Nagual Spirits. Playing with Simon on this project are his brothers renowned pianist Edward Simon and trumpeter Michael, tenor man Peter Brainin, trumpeter Alex Norris, whom I’ve had the pleasure of seeing many times when he played with the University of Miami Concert Jazz Band, bassist Michael Boone, and Roberto Quintero on congas just to name a few.
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CD Reviews: Donny McCaslin, “In Pursuit”
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, August 28, 2007 - 07:06 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Presenting a modern mainstream jazz sound, Donny McCaslin issues his sixth album as leader with the help of friend, alto saxophonist and producer Dave Binney. McCaslin plays tenor, alto and flute on the album and is joined by Binney, Ben Monder (guitar),
Scott Colley (bass), Antonio Sanchez (drums) and Pernell Saturino (percussions).
If you’re looking for light rhythms and identifiable melodies you won’t find them here.The music is intricate full of improvisation and direction changing lines and colors. There’s a touch of the classical jazz sound, a taste of Latin rhythms and a heavy dose of the improvised free jazz style.
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CD Reviews: CD Review/Falkner Evans/ARC
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, August 28, 2007 - 07:04 PM |
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George W. Carroll
This is a fine intellectual pianistic treatise in the vernacular of Bill Evans by his namesake, jazz pianist Falkner Evans. In falkner's own words, this project is a study in ''freedom of expression.'' Falkner has the ability to passionately improvise his
music with an enormous sound & in a jazz language that he can render
intelligably to his listeners. Falkner is certainly a wamred toned jazz pianist who respects both harmony & melody........With a sound that sometimes recalls the great Bill Evans........Yet his style is distinctly personal.
George W. Carroll
The Musicians' Ombudsman
George W. carroll
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3 Comments
1241 Reads |
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CD Reviews: SEBASTIAN SCHUNKE - MOUVEMENT (2004)
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Posted by: pcarbo on Tuesday, August 28, 2007 - 10:33 AM |
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Review by Paul J. Youngman - KJA Advocate for WWW.VINILEMANIA.NET
Sebastian Schunke’s second CD, Mouvement, released in 2004, continues along the same lines as his debut CD Symbiosis, released in 2002. On Mouvement he further explores his classical roots and composes songs that are complex, yet easily listened to. The style of music is in the Latin jazz groove, his band Orchestral Expression is made up of a diverse group of musicians that span the world. On this recording we see the addition of a string section, viola and cello by Yofat Miron and Johannes Hentschel respectively. The addition of vocals by Olvido Ruiz Castellano also adds a new dimension to the compositions, the CD is comprised of six songs, four of which are composed by Mr. Schunke. There are some exceptional instrumental breaks, the trumpet playing of Mario Morejon Hernandez “El Indio” is one of the highlights of the recording.
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CD Reviews: SATURDAY NITE FISH FRY: DIRT BAND BLUES (7 ARTS)
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Posted by: editor on Monday, August 27, 2007 - 08:16 PM |
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Real Blues Magazine: Review September 2007
Saturday Nite Fish Fry for all intents and purposes is a creation and labor of love from Toronto Blues/R&B veteran and jack-of-all-trades, Bill King. While many gifted artists and musicians seem to be somewhat one-dimensional and flounder outside of â€just’ making music, there are those fortunate souls who realize if-you-want-to-achieve-success, then it’s up to you to create 90% of it (kind of like, “God helps he/she who helps him/her-selves”) and Mr. King epitomizes diligence and discipline besides having focus and total clarity of what it is that Saturday Nite Fish Fry should be and do. One must then surround themselves with individuals who are extremely talented, positive, productive and “coachable” and a quick glance at the line-up assembled tells me that King has succeeded also in this department. The final piece is, of course, the music itself and you know right away that “Dirt Road Blues” will be unique, entertaining and well-received by critics and fans alike. Mind you, when I read the list of songs a little voice inside me went “Oh, oh!” But, once you hear each and every song, there is no sign of cynicism or negativity left as the creative re-arrangements of well-worn classics always gets kudos from me (in most cases).
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Soul Tracks Review of Natalie Cole "Inseparable" Reissue
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Posted by: eJazzNews Reader on Monday, August 27, 2007 - 08:14 PM |
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Natalie Cole has had the type of career and longevity that is the envy of nearly any musical artist. Cole has been making music for some 30+ years and shows no signs of slowing down. And one the most critically acclaimed debuts of the mid-seventies, the newly re-released Inseparable, proved to be the beginning of a phenomenal singing career that would encompass the genres of R&B, pop, jazz, and gospel.
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CD Reviews: Fats Domino: Greatest Hits: Walking To New Orleans
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Posted by: editor on Monday, August 27, 2007 - 01:21 PM |
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Until now, the best introduction to the music of Fats Domino -- an artist every bit as essential to rock's development as Elvis or Chuck or Buddy, but underrated due to his low-key personality and, ironically, his sheer ubiquitousness -- was 2002's Fats Domino Jukebox: 20 Greatest Hits the Way You Originally Heard Them or 1990's 20-track EMI comp My Blue Heaven: The Best Of Fats Domino. Both were good buys, but not quite definitive for an artist who scored almost as many Top 40 hits as James Brown or The King himself (34, to be exact!).
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CD Reviews: Maria Schneider Orchestra - “Sky Blue”
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, August 25, 2007 - 04:41 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
CD-2007 Artist Share
Grammy-award winning composer, arranger and band-leader Maria Schneider’s new release is arguably one of her finest offerings to date. As that notion would certainly signify that she has created something, ever so special here. And she provides a lengthy historical perspective on the how’s why’s and basis behind this project. Dappled with world-music shadings and multipart horns, Schneider fuses great depth into this body of work, all performed with optimism, deep-emotion and more.
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CD Reviews: Bob Stewart..Did I Remember..City Hall Records 2007
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, August 25, 2007 - 09:52 AM |
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John Gilbert
Bob Stewart has fashioned a fine recording. Singing standards with a
formidable group of musicians, He ably interprets each song with care
and dignity.
"Gone With The Wind" is brightly done with the magnificent backing of
the Mel Lewis Jazz Orchestra. Stewart is a throwback to the fabulous
singers of yesteryear ie; Sinatra, Darin et al. His phrasing is a plus
and he sings in tune which is more than a plus.
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CD Reviews: Mimi Patrice Meyer-Snyder, “Thank You, Merci”
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, August 25, 2007 - 09:45 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Mimi+ More (as written on the cover of the CD) is another Canadian songbird that sings her way into your heart with a gem of a recording simply titled “Thank You, Merci.” The album contains compositions from Randy Weston and Jon Hendricks as well as several standards presented in new light leaving one a heck of an impression. Unfortunately the liner notes are sparse and provide very little information about the artist. Nevertheless, the music is what’s important and here the sound and performance by the vocalist and musicians is quite good.
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CD Reviews: Jamie Fox/When I Get Home
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, August 25, 2007 - 09:43 AM |
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George Carroll
Jazz guitarist Jamie Fox reflects the true spirit of jazz, even down to how he sets the tone of his guitar. His sound output almost commands you to listen, etc. Fox's melodic and linear innovations & improvisations are important in that he seems to free himself from the more mundane occurrences of bebop changes & bar lengths. Jamie seems to reach for the more individual approach, & succeeds in doing so in my humble opinion.
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CD Reviews: Westchester Jazz Orchestra/Mike Holober
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, August 25, 2007 - 09:42 AM |
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George Carroll
Big Band Jazz.... World class....Modern jazz style. This is certainly my cup of tea in light of my own ''Thad Jones'' oriented big band which I feel is world class as well. I note my charts & the book of band leader Mike Holober & his Westchester Jazz Ochestra are similar. His choice of tunes leaves no doubt. The band's stunning verion of Horace Silver's ''Peace'' is compelling. I'm saddened that for all that I say that is very positive about the band, the 'mix'could have been given more attention.
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CD Reviews: CD Reviews: Carol McCartney, “A Night In Tunisia”
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, August 23, 2007 - 01:25 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
From Ontario, Canada comes the latest terrific jazz vocalist from what seems to be one excellent crop of singers from these northern parts. Carol McCartney presents us with her first solo album and what an album it is! “A Night In Tunisia” features ten oft heard standards delivered with spice and electricity from a heck of a vocalist. McCartney, a great looker as well, possesses a sexy voice that projects and reaches high notes with effortless ease.
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CD Reviews: Franck Vigroux & Elliot Sharp -“Hums 2 Terre”
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, August 21, 2007 - 08:40 AM |
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Glenn Astarita
CD-2007 Radio France
French experimental guitarist Franck Vigroux finds a partner who is up for the occasion in American guitarist Elliot Sharp for this rather outrageous set, recorded in two separate sessions. The artists share similar concepts and backgrounds as they have respectively delved into avant/jazz-rock, mutated-jazz, space music and other genre-stretching articulations. This newly issued effort released for Radio France, proclaims a democratic approach as the musicians use turntables, and electronics to aid these complex and generally free-form works.
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CD Reviews: Susan Rancourt self titled CD
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, August 21, 2007 - 08:38 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Originally from Maine and now a San Francisco-based jazz vocalist, Rancourt has kept busy honing her skills in many of the Bay Area jazz clubs and is intent on making a name for herself. In 2005 she released her debut recording “Live At Kelly’s,” one of the finest jazz settings in the Bay Area, where she recorded ten tunes from the Great American Songbook.
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CD Reviews: CD Reviews: Dan Fogel, “15 West”
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, August 21, 2007 - 08:20 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Jazz organist Dan Fogel presents his sixth recording with “15 West,” released this year but recorded live in July 2006 from a nineteenth century wooden church with a fifty foot ceiling located in Ventor, New Jersey, with no overdubs. The result is a stand out recording full of energy and electric charm that flows from every track. The album contains eight standards and the lone Fogel original, the title piece.
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CD Reviews: ALISON DEWAR - NATURAL (2007)
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Posted by: pcarbo on Monday, August 20, 2007 - 01:42 PM |
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Review by Paul J. Youngman - KJA Advocate for WWW.VINILEMANIA.NET
Alison Dewar is a vocalist who is based in the United Kingdom, she has released her debut album Natural, the recording is a diverse mix of material performed in a smooth jazz style. Ms. Dewar has a distinct voice, she sings in a style that is almost in a lyrical spoken word manner. The accompaniment is polished and brings out the best in Ms. Dewar’s vocalizing, especially the flute playing of Andy Panayi and the piano playing of Graham Harvey.
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CD Reviews: SEBASTIAN SCHUNKE - SYMBIOSIS (2002)
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Posted by: pcarbo on Monday, August 20, 2007 - 01:42 PM |
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Review by Paul J. Youngman - KJA Advocate for WWW.VINILEMANIA.NET
Latin jazz meets European sensibilities in a classically glorious debut album from Sebastian Schunke; Symbiosis is a fine first effort that this German born and raised pianist released in 2002 after a visit to New York City. While in New York Mr. Schunke studied jazz and met some like minded young jazz musicians who were based in New York and incorporate their Latin heritage into their playing. The results are a classically modern take on a Latin jazz groove with excellent sounding compositions, musicianship and production. The CD is five years old yet it sounds as fresh and exciting as if it was released this year. If like me, you were not aware of Sebastian Schunke and the CD Symbiosis then you really must get this CD as soon as possible, you won’t be disappointed.
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CD Reviews: Franck Vigroux & Elliot Sharp “Hums 2 Terre” CD-2007 Radio France
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, August 19, 2007 - 06:02 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
French experimental guitarist Franck Vigroux finds a partner who is up for the occasion in American guitarist Elliot Sharp for this rather outrageous set, recorded in two separate sessions. The artists share similar concepts and backgrounds as they have respectively delved into avant/jazz-rock, mutated-jazz, space music and other genre-stretching articulations. This newly issued effort released for Radio France, proclaims a democratic approach as the musicians use turntables, and electronics to aid these complex and generally free-form works.
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CD Reviews: Steve Hall Quintet..Better Late..Moovealong 2007
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, August 19, 2007 - 06:00 PM |
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John Gilbert
Steve Hall, Hammond Organ
Cal Hudson, Saxes
Patrick Nearing, Trumpet
Pete Schwimmer, Guitar
Kenny Morse, Drums
This group swings like the Flying Wallenda's. The first track was a
portent of things to come. Nearing's trumpet led the way with artful
comping by Steve Hall on "Better Late" ..Hall's driving solo got right in
the mud on this one.
"Livin' The Blues" More drive from the five. Some backbeat soul was the
goal and they achieved it.
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CD Reviews: CD Review/Illinois Jacquet/Swinginn' Live
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, August 19, 2007 - 05:58 PM |
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George W. Carroll
Musical history, swing, laid back, fluid........These are words that enter into the musical lexicon as one thinks of the major
sax talents of Illinois Jacquet. This was Illinois's last
perforance @ Lincoln Center in 2004 with a fine big band, & it's
almost appropriate that this perfomance took place in lieu of it being his final volley, etc........National treasure & legend he was. And unique sound & delivery he had. However, the man & the musician was one who could play authoritively in all manner of idioms. possessing a monstrous tone, Illinois played with immense expression & urgency.....his style rooted in inflexions of the blues, bent notes, funk, swing, & certainly with an attendant rhythmic momentum.
George W. Carroll
The Musicians' Ombudsman
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CD Reviews: Allan Harris..Long Live The King..Love Production Records..2007
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, August 18, 2007 - 01:25 PM |
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John Gilbert
Allan Harris's Nat Cole impression is quite good, and perhaps swings a
bit more than Nat.
This recording was performed live at the Kennedy Center with a solid
quintet ensemble.
Jesse Jones on the saxophone has some hip solos as does Jim Gasior at
the piano.
There are 13 tunes on this album all of which were Nat Cole 's standard
fare.
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CD Reviews: Mitch Marcus Quintet
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Posted by: admin on Friday, August 17, 2007 - 02:56 PM |
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The Special - 2007
Reviewed By: Geannine Reid
Mitch Marcus founded the Mitch Marcus Quintet in 1999. The Mitch Marcus Quintet delivers a unique brand of original jazz, taking you through a labyrinth of ever-shifting textures and destinations, comprised of some of the SF Bay Area's finest musicians, a dynamic collective that features the extended compositions of saxophonists Marcus and Sylvain Carton, as well as the rumbling opuses of drummer Ches Smith.
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CD Reviews: CD Review/Eddie Daniels/''Homecoming''/Live @ The Iridium
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Posted by: editor on Friday, August 17, 2007 - 01:48 PM |
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George W. Carroll
Super-star & woodwind savant....That's the Eddie Daniels we all know & love. And, his current CD effort 'Homecoming' will attest to his propensity to shower us with great art. In Eddie's case, his
basic woodwind talent & his ability to get around his horn is in a word.......stunning!! Check out the I'st track ''Falling In Love With Love.'' Eddie means business. Eddie's passion and energy & harmonic tension in his solos speaks almost 'alone' in this maelstrom of reed players that are out there today.
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Press Releases: PJ Parker's "Intimate" CD a hit with critics
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Posted by: eJazzNews Reader on Friday, August 17, 2007 - 07:56 AM |
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Jazz vocalist PJ Parker’s debut CD, “Intimate,” has been met with praise across the United States, in Europe and Canada.
Selections from “Intimate” have been aired on radio stations such as WGBH in Boston, KSDS in San Diego, KMDH in Portland, Or., WPFW in Washington, D.C., WWUH in Hartford, Ct. and WPRB in Princeton, N.J.
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CD Reviews: Thelma Houston-A Woman’s Touch Review
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Posted by: muzikman on Friday, August 17, 2007 - 07:56 AM |
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Artist: Thelma Houston
Title: A Woman’s Touch
Genre: R & B-Soul-Pop
Label: Shout! Factory
MySpace
Website
Amazon Link
Thelma Houston may have been a diva in the â€70s but the title still applies several decades later. She has a smoldering soulful album out now titled A Woman’s Touch. The CD features tracks originally recorded by male singers including Luther Vandross, Marvin Gaye and Sting, to mention a few.
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CD Reviews: Saro Tribastone-Fanusa
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Posted by: muzikman on Thursday, August 16, 2007 - 10:43 AM |
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Artist: Saro Tribastone
Title: Fanusa
Genre: Popular Sicilian-Spanish Flamenco-Latin
Label: Quango Music Group
MySpace
Website
CD Baby Link
Saro Tribastone has spent much of his career composing music for documentaries and touring with various Sicillian music groups; now he introduces his music to audiences around the world with his new EP CD Fanusa. This debut album boasts a modest four tracks, and a running time of approximatly fifteen minutes, and two of the tracks are actually alternate versions of the same song titled “Fanusa”.
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CD Reviews: Aaron Dugan & Jeff Arnal - “Dog Day” - CD-2007 C3R Records
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, August 15, 2007 - 07:11 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
Jeff Arnal is one of the premier improvising drummer/percussionists on the globe. With this newly issued outing, he teams with Philadelphia-reared guitarist Aaron Dugan for some zealous episodes containing fun, frolic and masterful invention. They extend the probabilities of standard duo fare via highly rhythmic jaunts and counterbalancing dialogues. Moreover, Dugan’s odd-tunings and distortion laced maneuvers often complement Arnal’s pulsating rhythmic exercises as they generally expand and contract the free-form element.
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CD Reviews: Hector Martignon, “Refugee”
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, August 15, 2007 - 08:03 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Columbian pianist Hector Martignon offers his third CD as leader and the first on the ZOHO label with the very percussive light Latin Jazz album in “Refugee.” Except for the last two tracks, Martignon provides six original new and exciting Latin- flavored charts full of Afro-Cuban rhythms and percussive lines. The music is splendid from the opening percussive beats of the title score “Refugee,” to the intriguing finale, “Nothing Personal.”
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CD Reviews: Boots Randolph, “A Whole New Ballgame”
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, August 15, 2007 - 08:02 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Seventy-nine year old master saxophonist Boots Randolph has recorded nearly fifty albums during his illustrious career but had never recorded some of his favorite standard tunes from the Great American Songbook until now! “A Whole New Ballgame” represents just that, an album of splendid old standards given new interpretations from Randolph’s unique approach.
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CD Reviews: Ultimate Kirk Whalum - AMG Review
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Posted by: MosaicContemporary on Tuesday, August 14, 2007 - 10:45 AM |
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Review by Thom Jurek
Mosaic's Contemporary series does it right with this 12-cut retrospective of tenor saxophonist Kirk Whalum. Ultimate contains cuts covering nearly 20 years in the enigmatic Whalum's recording (from his 1985 debut Floppy Disc on Columbia through his beautiful 2002 album, Hymns in the Garden for Warner Brothers). The hallmark of Whalum's sound is his unmistakable voice as a soloist. Matt Pierson, who wrote the liner notes, rightly asserts that along with the late Grover Washington, Jr. and David Sanborn, Whalum's sound on the horn is utterly individual in contemporary jazz. But it's more than tone and phrasing (which owe as much to Arnett Cobb, Booker Ervin, and Illinois Jacquet than his forebears in the genre), it's the inherent ability to convey emotion, imagination and technique no matter what he plays.
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CD Reviews: MATT FINLEY - BRAZILIAN WISH (2006)
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Posted by: pcarbo on Tuesday, August 14, 2007 - 09:57 AM |
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Review by Paul J. Youngman - KJA Advocate for WWW.VINILEMANIA.NET
Brazilian Wish, the debut recording by trumpeter and flugelhornist Matt Finley is an independent release of a quality to rival any of the big labels. A fantastic production, with top-notch accompanists, great arrangements, well written, catchy Latin flavoured songs – all composed by Mr. Finley and performed in a high energy joyful spirit that flows from the opening track and throughout the nine songs that make up this truly fine first effort.
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CD Reviews: Cassius Khan on Ellen McIlwaine's "Mystic Bridge"CD
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Posted by: eJazzNews Reader on Tuesday, August 14, 2007 - 09:52 AM |
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Cassius Khan totally outshone Ellen McIlwaine on the album "Mystic Bridge." McIlwaine's voice was OK, but if this is the most prolific female slide guitarist in the world, then whoever gave her that title must have been high on crack.
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CD Reviews: Review: ASCANIO SCANO - MORROCOY (2006)
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Posted by: pcarbo on Tuesday, August 14, 2007 - 08:57 AM |
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Review by Fabrizio Ciccarelli for WWW.VINILEMANIA.NET
Ascanio Scano is a versatile musician, capable of adapting, in a Caribbean language, various climates and styles according to a well defined artistic personality that is intended to propose original grafts on a rhythmic weaving going from funky to even rock, happily matching tradition and modernisation.
The care in the arrangements appears attentive: without ever making too much of the tones, translating it into a melodic freshness that is often, wrongly, interpreted as dance music.
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CD Reviews: CD review: NEIL C. YOUNG - MY CRAZY PONY EP (2007)
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Posted by: pcarbo on Tuesday, August 14, 2007 - 08:57 AM |
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Review by Paul J. Youngman - KJA Advocate for WWW.VINILEMANIA.NET
A jazz guitarist based in the United Kingdom, who displays influences of rock, rockabilly and blues. The My Crazy Pony EP has five tracks and the total length of the recording is just shy of twenty minutes. The liner notes indicate there are only two musicians on the recording; Mr. Young is joined by his brother Richard who handles the drumming duties. All other instruments, bass and synthesizers are taken care of by Neil Young. The CD sound quality is satisfactory, the mix is not great. There are moments when this recording sounds like a practice session.
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CD Reviews: Jude Johnstone- Blue Light
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Posted by: muzikman on Monday, August 13, 2007 - 11:13 AM |
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Artist: Jude Johnstone
Title: Blue Light
Genre: Jazz-Vocals
Label: Bojak Records
CD Baby Link
Jude Johnstone’s Blue Light is one of the better jazz vocal albums I have heard this year. She had two previous releases prior to this, and like many artists I have enjoyed over the years she has a broader catalog of music than I could have imagined. Such is the life of a music lover in the world of cyberspace and digital downloads, and whether you happen to be a listener or critic it does not matter considering how many indie artists there are these days.
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CD Reviews: David Hughes, “Foreign Shores”
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, August 09, 2007 - 02:03 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Bassist David Hughes has played with the best of them including the Jazz Crusaders, David Benoit, Kiko Matsui and many others. Striking out on his own recording as leader,
Hughes produces an extraordinary session blending smooth and modern jazz grooves resulting in one exciting album with “Foreign Shores.”
Hughes assembled a cast of first-call musicians for this recording. They include Michael Bluestein (piano) the tandem duo of Jamey Tate and Graham Ward (drums), Andy Suzuki (flute& saxophones), Brian Price and John Depatie (electric and acoustic guitar), Nate Tschetter (keyboards & Hammond B3 organ), Billy Hulting (percussions & vibes), Larry Williams and Mindy Cabral (trumpet & flugelhorn) Robert Anderson (violin), and Jeff Askew (banjo).
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CD Reviews: CD Reviews: Arturo O’Farrill & Friends, “Wonderful Discovery”
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, August 09, 2007 - 02:01 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Composer/arranger and educator, Dr. Eugene Marlow has always had a fondness for Latin jazz music and long desired to produce an album of Latin-flavored originals. “Wonderful Discovery,” is the culmination of this aspiration with the help of virtuoso pianist, Arturo O’Farrill, educator and musical director of the Chico O’Farrill Jazz Orchestra in residency at the world famous Birdland Jazz Club in New York.
After listening to the CD only once, I concluded that this is one first-rate Latin Jazz album sure to garnish critical acclaim. The music is just “wonderful,” from beginning to end with no less than stellar tracks to be heard. Except for two improvised tunes, one from O’Farrill, “Arturo’s Reverie” and one from Bobby Sanabria, “Raices (Roots)” and George Gershwin’s classic “Summertime,” the other nine tunes are Marlow compositions and arrangements.
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CD Reviews: Les Rose Quartet..Jazz Takes..2007
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, August 08, 2007 - 12:35 PM |
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John Gilbert
Les Rose, Alto, Clarinet
Jon Kurnick, Guitar
Jeff Takiguchi, Bass
Brad Anderson, Drums
Les Rose has always brought us sensible jazz (in an age of cacophony and
dissonance). This album has 9 superb standards performed in an ear
pleasing style.
"The Way You Look Tonight" is done in a jaunty tempo which brings a new
twist to this tried and true gem. Rose's muscular tone is omnipresent in
his solo which features some hip changes. Brad Anderson on drums brings
absolute time to the table, never over playing.
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CD Reviews: BARK! - “Contraption” - CD-2007 psi records
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, August 07, 2007 - 07:53 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
Recorded for British free-style and jazz sax great Evan Parker’s record label, the trio’s second outing is a progression of EFX treatments, spiced with avant-garde improvisation. And with intermittent doses of playful wit and minimalist-like vistas, the trio generates a wide-ranging program, cleverly nestled within the sum of the overall parts.
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CD Reviews: Greg Chako, “Paint a Picture, Tell a Story”
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Posted by: editor on Monday, August 06, 2007 - 10:13 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
American-born guitarist Greg Chako now lives and plays regularly in Tokyo, Japan and has seven previous recordings produced in Asia from Malaysia to Singapore and China.
“Paint a Picture, Tell a Story,” is Greg’s eighth album and clearly one of his best. A master composer as well as guitarist, Chako provides six original charts and includes standards from Frank Wess, Billy Higgins and the legendary tandem of Rodgers/Hammerstein covering ten wonderful tunes.
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CD Reviews: Novecento, featuring…
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, August 04, 2007 - 10:21 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Novecento is an Italian-based group from the Nicolosi family that produces some of the finest smooth jazz recordings in the jazz world today. This album contains eleven sensational smooth jazz tunes including “Let Me Breathe,” from Billy Cobham’s Drum â€N’ Voice Duo 2 recent release. There is also one gorgeous instrumental classical jazz rendition of an original Nicolosi tune, “Tell Me Something.”
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CD Reviews: Fred Frith & Chris Brown-“Cutter Heads”
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, August 04, 2007 - 04:16 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
CD-2007 Intakt Records (Switzerland)
One of music’s greatest improvisers; guitarist Fred Frith’s bag of tricks is always a source of amazement, hearkening back to his days with the cutting-edge, avant/prog-rock band “Henry Cow.” Recorded at the Mills College Concert Hall in Oakland, California., Frith and pianist/electronics ace Chris Brown engage for a string of duets, that contains semi-controlled noise-music movements and more.
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CD Reviews: CD Review: Paul Nash, Jazz Cycles
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Posted by: eJazzNews Reader on Saturday, August 04, 2007 - 08:09 AM |
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Manhattan New Music Project performs Paul Nash, Jazz Cycles [MNMP Records]
Shane Endsley-trumper, Bruce Williamson-soprano & alto sax, Tim Ries-tenor sax, Jim Ridl-piano, Vic Juris-guitar, Jay Anderson-bass, Grisha Alexiev-drums
Paul Nash, the cat that gave breaks to Mark Isham, Tim Reis, Dave Samuels, Vic Juris and many more decided to create some lasting works before being fallen by a brain tumor. Some of his proteges got together and really kicked it out on some high octane works that are long on energy, deep chops and a general hot playing that serves as a fitting tribute to a cat that gave a lot while being in the background to most. A real jazz ear opener, contemporary jazzbos will dig this in a big way. There's a lot going on, it's the kind of set that you have to listen to more than once and more than casually to really get all that is going on. Well worth your time.
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CD Reviews: Chris Humphrey-“Nothing But Blue Sky”
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, August 01, 2007 - 07:57 AM |
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Glenn Astarita
CD-2007 Cadence Jazz Records
These days, it seems that male and female jazz vocalists are sprouting up faster than weeds going through concrete. But to some extent, the post-bop milieu has perhaps run its course as well. Here, educator/arranger and vocalist Chris Humphrey’s debut record offers a proverbial breathe of aromatic air that goes against the norm. Yet he doesn’t reinvent the norm. On the contrary, the vocalist sings these largely; standard works with a sense of ownership. With a crack rhythm section providing sympathetic and at times frisky support, the vocalist sings these works as though he’s not merely reciting verse into a studio mic.
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CD Reviews: The Stryker/Slagle Band, “Latest Outlook”
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, August 01, 2007 - 07:56 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Guitarist Dave Stryker and saxophonist Steve Slagle have developed their own unique music over the years capturing this sound in their third album as a group with this “Latest Outlook.” Providing seven originals and one cover tune of contemporary straight ahead jazz, the duo combine forces with bassist Jay Anderson and drummer Billy Hart for this recording. Also included as special guest here is the great tenor man Joe Lavano who plays on the third and fifth tracks.
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CD Reviews: Saturday Nite Fish Fry, “Dirt Road Blues”
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Posted by: editor on Monday, July 30, 2007 - 10:26 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Miami, Florida
Ejazznews publisher Bill King completes a labor of love with the release of “Dirt Road Blues,” the latest from his Saturday Nite Fish Fry band of brothers and sisters. The album combines the soulful blues of the Deep South with rebellious lyrics and messages from the freedom rights struggles and anti-war movement of the past. With six of the twelve tracks taken from Bob Dylan, the album succeeds in conveying what King writes in the liner notes that the album is a tribute to “…all who still believe living free of fear and hate is the better option…”
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CD Reviews: JazzTrenzz - Til it Happens to You (Self 2007) Jessica Johnson
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Posted by: editor on Monday, July 30, 2007 - 10:19 PM |
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Karl Stober
“And the young shall set the course for the next stage of excellence in art” such a quote has been proven time and time again but never so frequent as on the music front. The stage again is set for a young and vibrant vocalist who has the foundation to set a career on fire. R&B siren Jessica Johnson debuts her new self release “Til it Happens To You” capturing the appetites of those searching for new stimulation. Young only in years this fine tuned vocalist has power in her voice and drive in her heart!
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CD Reviews: JazzTrenzz - Darbi Dizard - Down for You (One Soul Records 2007)
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Posted by: editor on Monday, July 30, 2007 - 10:17 PM |
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Karl Stober
Touches of brilliance with bits of confusion best describe the 2007 self-release of one Darby Dizard called “Down for You”. Talent comes from all directions and diversity can be a true gift but one must know their limitations. Ms Dizard has a wonderful gift however this disk also has some left of center moments.
Ms. Dizard has a voice -- a very good one in fact but she needs to find it's consistency. Off key at times she tends to go down roads that should not be traveled as of yet. One will notice with performances like “So Many Stars” her voice fits with the charm the spin deserves. On the flip side “That Old Black Magic” needed some magic for the classic lost something in that particular performance!
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CD Reviews: Machan - Motion of Love
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, July 28, 2007 - 10:04 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Born in Yokohama, Japan and now based in New York, vocalist and guitarist Machan has just released her second album and first on the Nu Groove label with the exciting Motion of Love. There are ten songs on the album all original compositions from Machan except for the Warren Haynes/Danny Louis tune “Beautifully Broken,” which is one of the best songs on the disc.
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CD Reviews: Greg Chako..Paint A Picture, Tell A Story..CP88-8 2007
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Posted by: editor on Friday, July 27, 2007 - 05:36 PM |
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John Gilbert
There are ten tunes on this album and one in particular swings and has
all the ingredients necessary to make it worthwhile.That number is Billy
Higgin's composition "Marilyn's Dilemma" which features the tenor solo
of Greg Lyons in a bop mode and the solid brushwork of Mark DeRose.
This recording would be better served by more songs of this type
(mentioned above) that have that swinging quality lacking in the other
pieces.
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CD Reviews: CD Reviews: Lisa Hilton, “The New York Sessions”
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Posted by: editor on Friday, July 27, 2007 - 08:54 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Malibu-based pianist and composer Lisa Hilton loves New York so much that she decided to record her ninth album there (The New York Sessions) containing seven originals, two versions of a Joni Mitchell chart and some uncommon standards. The music is warm and gentle definitely made to appeal to one’s softer side. Joining the pianist on this endeavor are first-call musicians, Christian McBride (bass), Lewis Nash (drums), Jeremy Pelt (trumpet, flugelhorn) and Steve Wilson (saxophone).
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Katie Eagleson..Once Upon A Time..Walking Path Records 2007
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, July 26, 2007 - 05:54 PM |
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John Gilbert
Katie Eagleson articulates nicely and has gives her all on the tunes
contained in this album. Her tone is a bit thin but her presentation
makes up for this minor flaw.
"A Little Taste" is the showcase number with ultra hip lyrics by Dave
Frishberg. Eagleson stretches out a bit and the ensemble swings behind
her.Len Pierro's tenor solo is certainly apropos to the arrangement.
This a great addition to the recording.
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CD Reviews: CD Review: Irene Atman, Jazz Vocalist Self Titled CD
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, July 26, 2007 - 11:28 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
From Toronto, Canada, vocalist Irene Atman releases her self titled debut album presenting eleven time-honored classics from the Great American Songbook. Most definitely one of the best jazz vocals recordings I’ve ever heard. Possessing a voice that brings to mind some great singers, I asked myself where has she been and why has she not let the world hear her sooner.
I concluded that if the legendary Barbra Streisand ever decided to sing jazz, she would sound like Irene Atman. That’s how good I believe this lady’s voice really is, truly mesmerizing. Let me add, that I have had the privilege of seeing Streisand live in concert (October, 2006, Bank Atlantic Center, Sunrise) so I know of what I speak.
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CD Reviews: CD Review: Wil Swindler/Stephen Smith’s “Chamber Jazz Ensemble”
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, July 24, 2007 - 10:07 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Alto saxophonist and composer Wil Swindler joined forces with trombonist and fellow graduate/alumnus of UNT’s “One O’Clock Band” Stephen Smith, and together founded the ten piece Chamber Jazz Ensemble in Austin, Texas. The band consists of professional players from the Austin area and forms one of the most exciting and sophisticated light big bands in the South. This self titled CD is their debut containing seven sparkling original tunes from both Swindler and Smith.
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CD Reviews: BR6
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Posted by: editor on Monday, July 23, 2007 - 10:18 PM |
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John Gilbert
BR6 is a Brazilian a cappella group sans any instrumentation.
After a very lengthy verse, ":Someone To Watch Over Me" is sung in a
somewhat choppy mode, however the lead singer has a nice voice texture
which more than makes up for the unusual style.
"They Can't Take That Away from Me" The male singer has great pitch and
he sings the melody with style. When the female lead has her time at bat
she again swings it in fine fashion.
"Fascinating Rhythm" is the highlight of this recording as the group
gets it all together and then some.
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CD Reviews: Ricardo Silveira - Outro Rio
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Posted by: editor on Monday, July 23, 2007 - 10:16 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Grammy-nominated Brazilian guitarist Ricardo Silveira has crafted one of the most beautiful contemporary bossa nova style albums to be released this year. Recorded
in Rio de Janeiro the album features an all Brazilian cast including the great Joao Donato on the piano, vocalist Maria Rita, Jurim Moreira on the drums Jorge Helder and Romulo Gomes sharing the bass just to mention a few.
Silveira, who is one of Brazil’s most respected international musicians having been around for 25 years, marks his 7th album as leader with this release. Containing twelve exciting original tunes, the album starts off with one of the best cuts and title track “Outro Rio” (another river) featuring Renato Massa on the drums and Andre Rodrigues on acoustic bass, Silveira peels off some delightful crisp chords on a sensitive and soft piece of music.
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CD Reviews: Rob Garcia's Sangha - Heart's Fire
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Posted by: editor on Monday, July 23, 2007 - 08:29 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
A creative drummer with musical ties and tendencies to a variety of styles including R&B, pop and world music, the drummer and his eclectic group produce a new album that bridges these genres and leans a bit on the Latin jazz sound. The group Sangha is essentially a sextet with vocals provided by Yoon Sun Choi. The band consist of Michel Gentile (flute), Adam Kolker (tenor, soprano), Kenny Wessel (guitar), Daniel Kelly (piano), Dave Ambrosio (bass) and the leader on drums.
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CD Reviews: CD Reviews: Russ Spiegel, “Chimera”
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Posted by: editor on Friday, July 20, 2007 - 08:23 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
New York-based guitarist and composer Russ Spiegel releases his fourth album as leader and the first under the SteepleChase label with Chimera. Except for one standard the album features original compositions in an essentially progressive mainstream style delivering a generally up-tempo sound with sophisticated melodies and colors. Spiegel assembled a fine sextet incorporating an excellent blend of instruments. Joining the leader here are David Smith (trumpet), Arun Luthra (saxophones), Nick Mancini (vibes),
Gary Wang (bass) and Anthony Pinciotti (drums).
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CD Reviews: Martin Speicher – Georg Wolf – Lou Grassi-“Shapes And Shadows”
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Posted by: editor on Friday, July 20, 2007 - 08:21 AM |
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Glenn Astarita
CD-2007 Clean Feed
This trio’s impetus is designed upon a cornerstone of free-improv and spontaneous composition. Here, reedman Martin Speicher darts around the rhythm section with jabs, upper-cuts and soaring frenzies. They circumnavigate various pulses amid quiet moments that often bust out into pounding accents and tumultuous storylines. On the piece titled “Le Star,” drummer Lou Grassi and bassist Georg Wolf anchor Speicher’s free-form blues lines, consisting of a sequence of pops, squeaks and topsy-turvy upper register phrasings. In spots, Speicher pronounces notions of loneliness and desolation, but more often than not, the rhythm section comes to the rescue as they encircle his parameters with boisterous escapades. Then on “Alors! Bill Dit,” Speicher generates minimalist-type panoramas via softly uttered lines, nicely counterbalanced by Grassi’s world-music percussion groove. Overall, the band pursues a credo that rings loud and clear as they enter discovery mode amid synergistic interplay and a ballsy approach – it all translates into something rather special. – Glenn Astarita
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CD Reviews: CD Reviews: Joan Stiles, “Hurly-Burly”
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, July 19, 2007 - 09:48 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Pianist/arranger Joan Stiles presents her sophomoric effort with the very lively and hip sounds of this her second album (Hurly-Burly). Titled after an original composition of the same name, Stiles pays tribute to the music of Mary Lou Williams though the album is not designed as a homage to the late great composer. Stiles leads a sextet of first-rate musicians that include Jeremy Pelt (trumpet, flugelhorn), Steve Wilson (alto), Joel Frahm (tenor) Peter Washington (bass) and Lewis Nash (drums).
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CD Reviews: Album Review: Prashant Aswani Revelation Fully Loaded
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Posted by: eJazzNews Reader on Sunday, July 15, 2007 - 02:51 PM |
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Album Review: Prashant Aswani Revelation Fully Loaded
My album review of Prashant Aswani’s New Album - Revelation: Fully Loaded.
I was on MySpace a few months ago and came across this artist / musician / guitarist Prashant Aswani. I think I was checking out Steve Vai’s page or Satriani’s page on Myspace and clicked on Prashant’s picture on the message board. His music loaded and man was I floored! Why haven’t I heard of this guy? I was kind of ticked at myself that I hadn’t heard of him before now! “Prashant is the thinkin’ man’s guitarist!” His arrangements are definitely mind expanding. As for the guitar playing…. If you like Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Jeff Beck, Eric Johnson, Mike Stern, Al Dimeola, then this is the music for you.
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CD Reviews: Los Angeles Jazz Ensemble - “Expectations”
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, July 15, 2007 - 02:50 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
CD + DVD 2007 Kind of Blue
This lineup features some of the top West Coast session aces and solo artists in the business. With a companion DVD of the session, the music snugly fits within the modern-mainstream mode, enhanced by a radiant glean that emanates from the superb audio engineering. Many of these works are designed upon airy swing vamps, where the soloists make use of space and occasionally break out into heated forays.
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CD Reviews: Steve March Tormé.. So Far..2007
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, July 15, 2007 - 02:48 PM |
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John Gilbert
This album is a compilation of the first three CDs of Steve March
Tormé. The bands (filled with all stars) are swinging and driving as
is Tormé. He illustrates that the apple doesn't fall far from the
tree. His voice texture bears some resemblance to Mel's but is
definitely his own.
"Swinging At The Blue Moon Bar And Grill" is indeed a swinger with the
band ripping and roaring behind Tormé's ultra hip vocal.
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CD Reviews: Irene Atman..Jazz Vocalist..2007
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Posted by: editor on Friday, July 13, 2007 - 01:48 PM |
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John Gilbert
The seductiveness of the female voice in song, courts the soul of any
man who listens. It is the lure of the siren and the irresistible call
of the muse, Euterpe
Irene Atman has wisely chosen the tunes on this album for their
melodious content and superb lyrics. She has parlayed this into one gem
of a recording.
"Shall We Dance" After a clarinet intro Atman struts her way through a
softly swinging version of Rodgers and Hammerstein's old chestnut.
"That's All" is a bouncy ear pleasing number that is hip (and then some)
featuring a rousing piano solo by McErlain matched by a stirring vocal
by Atman.
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CD Reviews: Porter/Di Castri/Sferra Trio - “Italian Encounter”
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Posted by: editor on Friday, July 13, 2007 - 08:21 AM |
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Glenn Astarita
CD-2007 Altrisuoni (Italy)
Author and jazz pianist, Lewis Porter is a “Professor of Music” at Rutgers University in New Jersey. This recording captures him performing with a laudable Italian rhythm section at a Siena, Italy venue. Simply stated, there’s a lot going on under the hood. As Porter’s animated voicings are built upon variable swing vamps and bassist Furio Di Castri’s limber lines/solos. And they occasionally venture into free terrain, while offsetting the mix with spunky bop motifs and multihued contrasts.
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CD Reviews: Dennise Neill-“One Kiss” Is Not Enough
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Posted by: muzikman on Friday, July 13, 2007 - 12:00 AM |
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Artist: Dennise Neill
Title: “One Kiss” Is Not Enough
Genre: Jazz-Vocals-Latin
Label: DNP
Myspace Site
CD Baby Link
Dennise Neill’s “One Kiss” Is Not Enough is a multi-lingual jazz vocal album mixedwith Latin vibes featuring vocals in English, Italian, French, and Spanish. Now how is that for worldly coverage? Jazz is a universal language and it only seems fitting that you have the opportunity to hear it in several different languages all at once on one album. I cannot say it is very common to find a recording like this and I must say it was a nice change from anything else I have heard for quite some time.
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CD Reviews: SEBASTIAN SCHUNKE - VIDA PURA (2007)
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Posted by: pcarbo on Wednesday, July 11, 2007 - 05:43 PM |
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Review by Fabrizio Ciccarelli for WWW.VINILEMANIA.NET
Well noted on the Latin Jazz music scene, Sebastian Schunke publishes “Vida pura” choosing an énsemble of International character, with artists that have frequented many styles and, of which, all have in common – deep down – the same Koiné, the Latin-American culture, a sonic universe both prismatic and complex, that is not always easily decipherable, by who is not used to it, and in places where it is usually proposed.
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CD Reviews: Nad Neslo-Back From Gone
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Posted by: muzikman on Wednesday, July 11, 2007 - 05:43 PM |
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Artist: Nad Neslo
Title: Back From Gone
Genre: Rock-Blues
Label: Independent
Website
CD Baby Link
Finding an artist like Nad Neslo is a real discovery for this listener. The Internet affords so many opportunities for the performer and listeners now, the choices are endless, and at times, it can be confusing. I found Nad on CD Baby, listened to some samples and that was all she wrote. I needed to hear the entire CD.
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CD Reviews: Alex Rosselli's Instrumental Fusion
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Posted by: muzikman on Wednesday, July 11, 2007 - 05:41 PM |
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Artist: Alex Rosselli
Title: My Red Guitar – 2005, Arlekkino – 2004, Moonlight – 2003, Walking Through the Gates – 2002 Impression – 2000-2001
Genre: Instrumental-Rock-Jazz-Fusion
Label: Independent
Myspace
CD Baby Link All Releases
Alessandro “Alex” Rosselli is a versatile guitar player from Italy. Fans of instrumental rock will enjoy all of his current recordings. It so happens I have a proclivity for this kind of music so I seek it out. Finding an artist with 5 albums worth of material, and all of it instrumental, for this listner was like being a kid in a (ear) candy store. I was poking around CD Baby one afternoon and started sampling this man’s music and was intrigued by what he had to offer.
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CD Reviews: Tony Adamo's Straight Up Deal
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Posted by: rocarmani on Wednesday, July 11, 2007 - 05:38 PM |
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Artist: Tony Adamo
Title: Straight Up Deal
Genre: Jazz-Pop-Funk-R & B
Label: Urban Zone Records
Myspace Website/www.myspace.com/tonyrocadamo
It has been four years since I heard from Tony Adamo and the last time he was Up In It (2004 EP). However, this time out there is a long player to check out. The soul brother of jazz, the one who epitomizes the word cool, is back with his groove on again. He is laying down those smooth soulful vocals to woo the women and give the gents a reason to give this CD a spin with their partners present to get them in mood. This music really does set up a pleasant frame of mind if you are alone or with someone, it does not really matter, it does the trick.
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CD Reviews: Mike Longo Trio album, FLOAT LIKE A BUTTERFLY
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, July 11, 2007 - 05:23 PM |
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On the new Mike Longo Trio album, FLOAT LIKE A BUTTERFLY (already in your hands), the jazz pianist continues his deep exploration of the possibilities of rhythm based on lessons learned from his two greatest teachers –- Oscar Peterson (whom Mike studied under early on) and Dizzy Gillespie (Longo performed with him for 25 years). This new recording, utilizing jazz stalwarts Paul West on bass and Jimmy Wormworth on drums, showcases always-evolutionary playing of acoustic pianist Mike Longo.
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Donald Brown, Knoxville Jazz Orchestra..BC1040 2005
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, July 08, 2007 - 11:39 PM |
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John Gilbert
This is a big band of monumental proportions. They swing behind solid
arrangements and hip solos.
"Blues For Brother Jerome" is highlighted by a slick vibes soliloquy by
Stephon Harris and super sax messages by Bill Scarlett on tenor and
MarkTucker,alto. Donald Brown adds a tasty blues filled solo. This tune
is the hallmark of this fine recording.
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Mike Longo Trio..Float Like A Butterfly - Cap1006 2007
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, July 08, 2007 - 09:10 PM |
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John Gilbert
Mike Longo, piano
Jimmy Wormworth, drums
Paul West, bass
It seems like ages since I've gotten a true jazz recording. This one is
a joy to listen to and you can take it to the musical bank of your
choice. Mike Longo, influenced by Dizzy and Oscar Peterson, with whom he
studied, is true to the art form and then some. Swing is prevalent, his
ideas flow and his sense of melody and rhythm are magical.
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CD Reviews: Various Artists - “Homecooking – Soulfood served by Jazzanova & Friends.” CD-2007 Sonar Kollektiv
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, July 08, 2007 - 12:40 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
This Germany-based record label specializes in house-beat, DJ, remix fare and electronica genres as this compilation features various artists fusing EFX with jazz-tinged motifs. They cook up a mélange of aural tidbits via works by Extended Spirit, Leon Ware and eleven other artists. And in various regions of sound, you’ll hear quaint synth lines interspersed with electronic-percussion and sublime passages.
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CD Reviews: Caminhos Cruzados = Crossroads (Impetus Records 2007)-Masha Campagne
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, July 08, 2007 - 12:33 PM |
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JazzTrenzz
Karl Stober
“Brazilian jazz has its own flair for the dramatic romantic for with every note, the sound captures a heated response. The passion of the Brazilian flair is an international feel. Strong and vibrate are the sounds performed by both the vocalist and the musician which in the case of Masha Campagne debut project “Caminhos Cruzados = Crossroads” is true to form. With the 2007 release by Impetus Records comes a wonderful groove filled exhibition of the Brazilian attitude sung by one who embraces such a mood.
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CD Reviews: CD Review: John Vance, “Dreamsville”
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, July 05, 2007 - 01:01 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Vocalist John Vance is primarily a character actor who has built a successful career with credits in television, movies, numerous theatrical productions and commercials. But it is his passion for music that inspires the release of this recording and follow up to his debut album ( It’s All Right With Me). Except for the song “If You Go,” which he co-wrote with pianist Jeff Colella, Dreamsville contains a treasure trove of jazz standards and classic tunes re-energized with the singer’s Mel Torme-like vocals and a superb group of players.
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review: ANDY GARCIA AND THE CINESON ALL-STARS
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Posted by: pcarbo on Wednesday, July 04, 2007 - 07:37 PM |
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review by Pietro Carbognani for WWW.VINILEMANIA.NET
ANDY GARCIA AND THE CINESON ALL-STARS - The “Two Worlds” Festival (Spoleto - Italy) Saturday June 30 , 2007
Invited directly by the Master Danilo Lozano and by the Colombian saxophonist Justo Almario, Saturday, I managed in just under 5 hours to do 400km that separate Parma from Spoleto to go to the first of two concerts by Andy Garcia and his band. I was sure that I would be assisting in an event that…well….it has been a day of rich emotions and some really nice surprises that duly merit to be told about here.
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CD Reviews: Reviews: Shimon Ben-Shir Group, “Ways”
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, July 04, 2007 - 09:21 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Boston-based bassist, composer and educator, Shimon Ben-Shir has been a fixture on the local scene performing regularly with his group at Ryle’s Jazz Club, Action Jazz café and many other notable venues in the Boston area. Originally from Israel, Ben-Shir was a member of several Middle Eastern musical groups and has performed all over the world, which explains the influence of world jazz grooves in his music.
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review: GARY FARR - MOVIN' THRU L.A. (2007)
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Posted by: pcarbo on Wednesday, July 04, 2007 - 09:17 AM |
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Review by Paul J. Youngman - KJA Advocate for WWW.VINILEMANIA.NET
Gary Farr’s newest CD, Movin’ Thru L.A. is a smooth jazz, easy listening recording with some polished arrangements and some fine musical interludes. Farr, a pianist and composer marks this as his fifth release for the SFR label. The CD has the production style of a slick hit-making machine; all of the songs are either under four minutes or in the close to four-minute category, perfect for radio airplay. The tracks stick to a theme of catchy rhythms and flashy short solo’s.
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CD Reviews: The Vinson Valega Group - Awake
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Posted by: editor on Monday, July 02, 2007 - 10:23 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Drummer Vinson Valega is a consummate professional musician with strong political convictions. This latest release is essentially a lively musical statement attempting to link jazz, defined as a pursuit of freedom through individual expression, with the pursuit and the maintenance of democracy through vigilance and by being “awake,’ as opposed to falling a sleep at the wheel.
A lofty and noble ideal, but frankly who cares? Jazz is about music not politics and the real important message Valega succeeds in making here is, that Awake is one heck of a musical statement. A sensational session of progressive mainstream grooves with shades of hard bop, Valega’s group delivers an outstanding performance.
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CD Reviews: Gary Willis - Llibert Fortuny - Kirk Covington - Slaughterhouse 3
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, June 30, 2007 - 06:23 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
CD-2007 Abstract Logix
Co-founder of the jazz-fusion ensemble Tribal Tech, Gary Willis has blossomed into one of the finest post-Jaco bassists and has few peers in the business. On this hyper-mode session, Willis and fellow Tribal Tech drummer Kirk Covington align with up-and-coming Spanish saxophonist Llibert Fortuny for a pleasantly twisted, hi-tech jazz-fusion romp.
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CD Reviews: Max Nagl - Wumm! Zack! Vol II
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Posted by: editor on Friday, June 29, 2007 - 02:35 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
Austrian saxophonist/composer Max Nagl is one of the top musical minds in jazz. He’s recorded for reputable outfits in Europe yet possesses an impressive discography on his “Rude Noises” label. This second volume of his playful Wumm! Zack! unit features shifting personnel caught live at venues in Belgium and his native land. Think of unequal parts circus and parade music interspersed with slapstick-like musical wit, farcical interludes and cutting edge, progressive-jazz type improvisation.
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FABIANA PASSONI - E' MINHA VEZ (2007)
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Posted by: pcarbo on Tuesday, June 26, 2007 - 03:39 PM |
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Review by Paul J. Youngman - KJA Advocate for WWW.VINILEMANIA.NET
E Minha Vez, Portuguese for It’s My Turn is the first CD for Fabiana Passoni, a Brazilian singer who now makes her home in California. The recording displays a vocalist who has great potential; there are moments throughout the CD when her voice is sounding excellent. Ms. Passoni is joined on the session by a fantastic group of supporting musicians. An easy listening Latin jazz album with bossa nova, samba and jazz fusion grooves that peak through in various tunes.
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CD Reviews: The Nels Cline Singers - “Draw Breath” - CD-2007 Cryptogramophone
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Posted by: editor on Monday, June 25, 2007 - 05:28 PM |
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If I were a young guitarist learning the ropes, I’d probably take a few cues from West Coast denizen Nels Cline. For my money, he’s perhaps one of the top five or so guitarist’s in the biz. And we’re not talking genre-specific here… With the musicians’ third trio date they extend previously executed concepts and methodologies, as they span grunge-rock, pop, skronk, metal and jazz-improv. Moreover, the band’s moniker is a lark: there are no singers.
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DVD Reviews: Santana - “Hymns For Peace” – Live at Montreux 2004
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, June 24, 2007 - 07:06 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
2-DVDs 2007 - Eagle Rock Entertainment
Legendary guitarist Carlos Santana and his band are caught live at Montreux, featuring a cast of jazz-based superheroes such as keyboardist Chick Corea, guitarist John McLaughlin and many others. Santana prefaces the footage with comments stating that this mega-musician gathering was a “spiritual event.” And he seemed to derive great joy by performing with many peers while serving as the traffic director throughout.
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CD Reviews: JazzTrenzz - Distant Borders Revisited - Glen Helgeson and Axis Mundi
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, June 24, 2007 - 10:31 AM |
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Karl Stobers
If one is worldly by nature so will ones craft take similar form! Life’s current experiences mirror many times the events of the past. This is how I understood and appreciated the sound of Glen Helgeson. I got this feeling as I listened to the intro piece called “African Song” off of the 2006 release of guitarist Glen Helgeson and Axis Mundi labeled “Distant Borders Revisited”, an experience molded jazz splendor.
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CD Reviews: Billy Martin & John Medeski - “Mago”
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, June 21, 2007 - 08:10 PM |
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CD-2007 Amulet
Glenn Astarita
Two-thirds of acid-jazz/fusion heroes, Medeski (keys), Martin (drums) & Wood (bass) generate some fun and folic on this newly issued studio set. John Medeski uses his Hammond B3 organ while Billy Martin lays out the hyper-mode grooves, where the duo kicks out the jams via free-flowing improvisation and frenetic funk vamps. They let the tapes roll and the sparks fly. Not as structured as MM&W, yet it’s more about two musical buddies letting the chips fall where they may, sans any austere dictum. It’s a wild ride amid a potpourri of in-the-pocket and fractured motifs that are seemingly aimed towards interstellar space.
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CD Reviews: CD Reviews: Masha Campagne, “Caminhos Cruzados - Crossroads”
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, June 21, 2007 - 08:08 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Moscow-born jazz vocalist Masha Campagne moved to the Bay Area in 1991 and by the year 2000 pursued her passion for Brazilian music by immersing herself in San Francisco’s music industry becoming a fixture in the local Brazilian music scene. With the help and collaboration of Rio de Janeiro-raised pianist/arranger, Weber Iago, who arranged and served as co-producer, Masha Campagne releases her long-awaited debut album with Crossroads.
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CD Reviews: Charmaine Clamor.. Flippin' Out..Freeham Records 2007
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, June 21, 2007 - 04:37 PM |
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By John Gilbert
On the third track, "Candy" there is a lot of unnecessary fluff and
extraneous persiflage in the introduction. When Clamor gets to the
melody she handles this tune nicely. She has a natural voice and doesn't
need the "over the top sensuality" prevalent in the message. The slow
scat is a nice addition. Tolentino's sax solo is a potent addition to
this heady musical libation
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CD Reviews: Daryl Stuermer - “Go” CD-2007 InsideOut Music America
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, June 21, 2007 - 04:35 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
Sometime back in the â€70s, I saw the relatively unknown guitarist Daryl Stuermer performing with eminent jazz-fusion violinist Jean-Luc Ponty at a now-defunct New York City venue. Simply put, I was blown away! And after years of touring with progressive-rock icons “Genesis,” and then with the band’s famous crooner Phil Collins, the guitarist’s jazz-rock-fusion solo career surges onward here.
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CD Reviews: Brian Patneaude Quartet - “As We Know It”
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, June 21, 2007 - 01:37 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
CD-2007 WEPA Records
While many of the recognizable names in New York City’s jazz scene receive kudos from the consuming public, tenor saxophonist Brian Patneaude and his quartet receive honors as the top upstate NY jazz unit. Their workmanlike mode of attack resides within a progressive jazz ideology, although it’s not about bombast and flexing inordinate amounts of muscle. On the contrary, the quartet kicks into turbo mode on select works, but many of these pieces are constructed upon mellow themes and often accentuated by Patneaude’s mood-evoking sax lines.
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CD Reviews: CD Reviews: Antonio Adolfo and Carol Saboya, “Ao Vivo/Live”
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, June 21, 2007 - 08:43 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Brazilian pianist and composer Antonio Adolfo joins forces with daughter Carol Saboya for the making of Ao Vivo/Live, essentially a live performance in 2005 recorded in the Maurice Gusman Concert Hall at the University of Miami, of which I am very familiar with since I frequent the place for various jazz concerts by the UM Concert Jazz Orchestra from time to time.
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CD Reviews: Jerry Bergonzi - “Tenorist”- CD-2007 Savant
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, June 20, 2007 - 01:20 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
East Coast tenor sax titan and educator Jerry Bergonzi’s resume pronounces affiliations with a who’s who of modern jazz VIP’s. And when you’re “that good” you will command the respect of your jazz peers, such as guitarist John Abercrombie, drummer Adam Nussbaum and bassist Dave Santoro -- all performing on this superfine effort.
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CD Reviews: Terje Lie - Traveler
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, June 19, 2007 - 03:10 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Norwegian-born saxophonist Terje Lie latest project combines smooth jazz melodies with a select few contemporary jazz tunes to produce one beautiful album with Traveler. Lie plays the tenor, soprano, alto, the synthesizer bass and provides vocals. Joining him are David Garfield (keyboards), Ernest Tibbs (bass), and Jeff Olson (drums).
The music starts off with three smooth jazz numbers with the funky R&B opener, “Pier Avenue,” followed by the title track featuring Lie on vocals and the tenor sax then capped by another smooth funk number showcasing the leader on the soprano with “Warp 7”.
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CD Reviews: CD Reviews: Misha Piatigorsky, “AYA”
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Posted by: editor on Monday, June 18, 2007 - 08:18 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Innovative pianist and composer Misha Piatigorsky’s latest recording captures a session of powerful melodies and hard driving rhythms that brings out the best of this artist. Playing the piano, the Hammond B3 and a tad of percussions, Piatigorsky lays down a combination of twelve original instrumentals and vocals. The instrumentals reveal exciting new material that make the majority of the album a burner to hear.
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CD Reviews: JazzTrenzz - Flippin' Out (FreeHam 2007) Charmaine Clamor
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, June 16, 2007 - 11:07 AM |
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Karl Stober
Charmaine Clamor
“Take a look at my skin….it’s brown!” and from those first words of the first spin I knew this artist was someone who jazz would embrace. Charmaine Clamor will catch you as she did me with her 2007 release from FreeHam called “Flippin’ Out”, a multi-genre, multi-directional emotional spin. “Flippin’ Out” takes you by surprise and draws you in quickly…
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CD Reviews: JazzTrenzz - Very Early (Mystic Lane 2006) Octobop
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, June 13, 2007 - 02:23 PM |
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Karl Stober
How to build cool is not so much a science but an art! The foundation is the concept, what makes it happen is the artists, what makes it all work is the inner “feel”. In total this all has to be communicated to the audience which dictates the success of the process. Geoff Roach and his select band of masters as a whole are Octobop introducing their Mystic Lane 2006 release “Very Early” which accomplishes all the above and more. “Very Early” is eclectic cool with a diversified attitude!
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CD Reviews: Thomas Heflin..Symmetry..2006
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, June 12, 2007 - 03:52 PM |
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The drums are conspicuous by their loudness. The percussion overrides
the ensemble. Thomas Heflin has a low key approach on the trumpet and
there is a lack of good old fashioned swing in the tunes.
The drums incessant beat is distracting and takes away from the intent
of the composer, ie;"Night And Day" and "Sketch In Pop" are prime
examples.
Less percussion and more of a melodic approach would make this album a
bit more listenable.
2 Stars
Visit California Coast Jazz At:
http://community-2.webtv.net/johnnyjazz/johnnyjazzsjazzpage
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12 Comments
1036 Reads |
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CD Reviews: Eberhard Weber, “Stages of A Long Journey”
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, June 12, 2007 - 09:44 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
World renowned bassist Eberhard Weber celebrated his 65th birthday in 2005 by performing in two concerts in his native Stuttgart from which this live recording for the ECM records label is drawn. Weber produces an album of rich classical jazz music recorded with the SWR Stuttgart Radio Symphony that provide lush orchestrations through out.
The bassist also enlisted the help of vibraphonist Gary Burton, Swiss percussionist Reto Weber (no relation) and Nino G. as well as Stuttgart’s own pianist Wolfgang Dauner and other Stuttgart-based players.
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CD Reviews: Geoff Lapp Trio..Stained Glass..Elephant Records 2007
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, June 12, 2007 - 09:42 AM |
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The showcase tune on this album is "With A Song In My Heart" and it is
performed in the acceptable jazz format. Geoff Lapp's piano solo is done
gracefully with a hip message.
"Sweet Lorraine" struts along hand in hand with Lapp's sweetly swinging
solo. The drums are not so oppressive as in other tracks. nice version
of a tried and true number.
This ensemble shows some promise and has much to offer the jazz world.
4 Stars
Visit California Coast Jazz At:
http://community-2.webtv.net/johnnyjazz/johnnyjazzsjazzpage
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14 Comments
1092 Reads |
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CD Reviews: Dee Daniels’ JAZZINIT: Interpreting a New Lyrical Canon
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Posted by: eJazzNews Reader on Monday, June 11, 2007 - 08:09 PM |
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By John Stevenson
Every now and then, the art and craft of jazz gets a kick up its rear end. Put more politely, it is updated from time to time.
A small number of jazz instrumentalists and vocalists do this by planting melodic flags on altogether higher harmonic peaks. With Bebop, for example, Charlie Parker and John Birks Gillespie upended swing’s sway with dizzying feats of individual improvisation; Ella Fitzgerald single-handedly transformed the role of the jazz songstress with spellbinding scat singing; Ornette Coleman and Cecil Taylor reconfigured melodic maps aplenty; Sun Ra was one of the first all-round jazz keyboardists, utilising electric instruments long before they were fashionable in a jazz context. These are but a few instances of the way jazz musicians, on their unending quest for creativity and artistic uniqueness, enable fresh breezes to blow through stuffy rooms of aesthetic appreciation.
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CD Reviews: Paul Motian/Bill Frisell/Joe Lovano - “Time And Time Again”
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Posted by: editor on Monday, June 11, 2007 - 06:16 PM |
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Glen Astarita
CD-2007 ECM Records
Entering their twenty-third year as a trio, these respective stylists have set down a paradigm unlike any other jazz entity. And of course the superstar tag doesn’t always translate into great collectives. Merging finesse, class and distinct chops, the musicians use space and depth as a vantage point.
With the piece titled “Wednesday,” drummer Paul Motian lightly taps the pulse on his cymbals and snare drum to counterbalance tenor saxophonist Joe Lovano’s mournful lines and guitarist Bill Frisell’s ethereal phrasings. Shifting winds and the semblance of a sultry ocean breeze come to fruition during many of these works. They often exercise a relatively simple motif into deceptively complex parameters, where Lovano’s popping notes and Frisell’s nimbly articulated progressions project dense frameworks.
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CD Reviews: CD Reviews: The Jeremy Siskind Trio, “Prophecy”
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, June 10, 2007 - 08:44 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Twenty-one year old pianist Jeremy Siskind from Irvine, California is clearly intent on being recognized as one of the new and hungry young lions of jazz. With the debut of Prophecy, presumably his first CD as leader, Siskind enters the major leagues of the jazz world in impressive style. His new group includes bassist Jesse Brehenzy and drummer Dave Tedeschi who have been together only a short while but play tight and well off each other.
Playing a contemporary mainstream style of jazz, Siskind provides fresh material in recording eleven originals for this disc. The program takes off with one of the best scores in the percussive influenced and catchy “Jennifer.” One of the livelier and swinging numbers is the second offering, “It’s Not Like I’m Going to Get Addicted.”
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DEATH OF A BEBOP WIFE
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Posted by: eJazzNews Reader on Friday, June 08, 2007 - 11:01 PM |
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Death of a Bebop Wife
by Grange (Lady Haig) Rutan
Published by Cadence Jazz Books, Redwood NY 13679
http://cadencebuilding.com/cadence/cjb.html
A review by James Riley {alto sax player and band manager}
Grange "Lady Haig" Rutan did it, and I'm so proud of her. I recently bought a copy of "Death of a Bebop Wife," and finished it yesterday. I think Rutan neatly accomplished her objective, to give a comprehensive overview of an interesting, but quite complex man, this Al Haig. There's nothing quite as attractive as an intelligent mystery, as this man undoubtedly was. He was an unusually accomplished pianist, and this in spite of his personality flaws. And when I say "flaws," I'm being generous, of course. Love and Marriage (as the song goes!) go well together, but so do sex, booze and violence in some quarters. Al didn't quite end up destroying his own life with his stupid strong-arm tactics, but he almost did. He did, however, destroy one life entirely, and left an indelible mark on others, all members of what are surely the "weaker" sex. What a shame! This Al Haig, this mystery man.
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CD Reviews: MICHAEL SIMON & ROOTS UNITED - REVELACION (2004)
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Posted by: pcarbo on Friday, June 08, 2007 - 07:00 PM |
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Review by Fabrizio Ciccarelli for WWW.VINILEMANIA.NET
Thirty year old composer and trumpeter of Venezuelan origin, the globetrotter Michael Simon finds way in his "Revelaciòn" (published in 2004, in truth not long available in Italy) to exhibit atmospheres of warm origin, distinguished from the shining tones for whose common denominator is found in its Latin rhythms, the intense passion for the Caribbean aromas between which - in a refined and utmost intelligent way – inserts its blues and bop fragments in a type of continuous fermentation, offering moments that space more from the pure lyrical worth to the eye-catching, winning performance, with homogenous outcomes, that demonstrate a technical ability of the first order, be it in the instrumental mood or be it in the organization of the synthetic arrangements.
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CD Reviews: JACK GATES - BOULEVARD (2006)
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Posted by: pcarbo on Friday, June 08, 2007 - 01:00 PM |
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Review by Fabrizio Ciccarelli for WWW.VINILEMANIA.NET
Composer and guitarist, Jack Gates publishes a cd for single guitar: 5 are the original compositions, one sixth written with his wife Sharyl (painter of refined sensitivity) and 8 propositions of some of the most significant tracks on the contemporary musical panorama.
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CD Reviews: Miroslav Vitous - Universal Syncopations 11
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Posted by: editor on Friday, June 08, 2007 - 12:15 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
A follow up to his first Syncopations album that featured soloist like Chick Corea, Jack DeJohnette and John McLaughlin, Czechoslovakian bassist Miroslav Vitous presents the second edition of Syncopations blending a free jazz and fusion style of music for ensemble, orchestra and choir with Universal Syncopations II for the ECM label.
The material contained on this disc will appeal to the more opened minded free jazz spirit than those interested in the more contemporary straight ahead jazz genres. While there is a touch of the classical jazz sound here, it is not enough to cover the free style/fusion and improvisational music that marks this album.
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CD Reviews: Janine Gilbert-Carter.. A Song For You JKR925.. 2007
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, June 07, 2007 - 04:59 PM |
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John Gilbert
This album was recorded live at the 15th. annual FMJS East Jazz Festival
and what is immediately striking is the fine ensemble backing Janine
Gilbert-Carter. The opening number is is a bright and jaunty version of
"There Is No Greater Love" Softly swinging is JGC's vocal followed by a
rocking tenor solo by Paul Carr. This tune is a precursor of things to
come.
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CD Reviews: Alex Garcia's AFROMANTRA - UPLIFTING SPIRIT (2006)
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Posted by: pcarbo on Thursday, June 07, 2007 - 07:48 AM |
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Review by Fabrizio Ciccarelli for WWW.VINILEMANIA.NET
A drummer influenced by not only the Caribbean style rhythms but also from the hardbop language style, Alex Garcia is the idea behind the Afromantra project, a band active and on the screen for a long time between the celebrated Study 54, Arka Lounge, the Jazz Gallery and the entire Newyork area. On a constant search for expression that seems to assume the shapes of a type of progressive spiritualism, with its aim to dynamically enrich ones mind with the groove, even explosive at times, and with his own musical choices, they place themselves under the spotlight of one of the more interesting ensembles in the Latin Jazz arena.
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CD Reviews: ELLIOTT CAINE - BLUES FROM MARS (2006)
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Posted by: pcarbo on Thursday, June 07, 2007 - 07:48 AM |
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Review by Fabrizio Ciccarelli for WWW.VINILEMANIA.NET
Animated from an obvious verve and an inventiveness and fiery enough to appear sometimes a little too uninterested to the structural cure of his piece, "Blues from Mars" is the third album from Elliott Caine.
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CD Reviews: MIKE BARONE - METROPOLE (2006)
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Posted by: pcarbo on Thursday, June 07, 2007 - 07:47 AM |
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Review by Fabrizio Ciccarelli for WWW.VINILEMANIA.NET
Mike Barone, son of the trombone player Joe (active between the 20’s and the 60’s with the Bob Crosby Orchestra and other groups of such fame), after the first experiences of being alongside the high ranks with personalities such as Louis Bellson, Lalo Schifrin, Dizzy Gillespie, Pete Jolly, Oliver Nelson, in 1964 decided to form his own band, beginning on compositions and very soon after many of these being made into popular themes to certain noted television shows. In 1987 it was time to begin to collaborate with Ernie Watts, the tenor saxophonist influenced by John Coltrane, master in endowed improvising and of a sensitive luminous speed yet staying personal: from this encounter, they carried on with this melodic turning and "step" which is distinguishable in both players. An, intuitive, shining, sound; marked from a determined and exuberant style, in a position to conjugating in a convincing way that the natural inks of the instruments help put the results into a more jazz sounding style.
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DVD Reviews: Bill Bruford's Earthworks - DVD's: Video Anthology Vol.1 & Vol .2
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, June 07, 2007 - 07:43 AM |
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Glenn Astarita
2007-Summerfold Records
These separately packaged DVDs provide a glimpse of influential jazz & rock drummer Bill Bruford’s jazz-fusion outfit Earthworks and its transformation of style, sound and shifting personnel, spanning the 90s through 2005. And for my money, this band is one of the top-five or so, jazz units in the biz.
Bruford’s acoustic drum kit is set up on a horizontal plane, where his somewhat legendary stick control technique enables him to conserve vast amounts of energy during his infamous timekeeping and soloing exercises. Volume 2 provides color footage of the band’s performance at New York City’s Bottom Line venue with saxophonist Patrick Clahar and pianist Steve Hamilton residing as the primary soloists. Complete with knotty time signatures and compositionally oriented shifts in momentum, many of the endearing melodies are reformulated into robust forums for improvisation. Throughout, Bruford anchors the quartet with strategically placed dynamics and shadings, to complement his rather poetic soloing workouts.
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CD Reviews: Steve Cole-True
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Posted by: muzikman on Thursday, June 07, 2007 - 07:41 AM |
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Artist: Steve Cole
Title: True
Genre: Instrumental- Jazz
Website
Label: Narada Jazz
Amazon Link
True is Steve Cole’s fifth album. I like the title because the feel of the entire recording is that Cole is being True to his own musical self-portrait throughout the run of this CD.
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CD Reviews: CD Reviews: Eberhard Weber, “Stages of A Long Journey”
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, June 06, 2007 - 05:37 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
World renowned bassist Eberhard Weber celebrated his 65th birthday in 2005 by performing in two concerts in his native Stuttgart from which this live recording for the ECM records label is drawn. Weber produces an album of rich classical jazz music recorded with the SWR Stuttgart Radio Symphony that provide lush orchestrations through out.
The bassist also enlisted the help of vibraphonist Gary Burton, Swiss percussionist Reto Weber (no relation) and Nino G. as well as Stuttgart’s own pianist Wolfgang Dauner and other Stuttgart-based players.
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CD Reviews: Lance Reegan-Diehl-Chasing My Reflection
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Posted by: muzikman on Monday, June 04, 2007 - 09:17 AM |
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Artist: Lance Reegan-Diehl
Title: Chasing My Reflection
Genre: Instrumental Rock-Blues-Jazz-Fusion
Label: LRD Music
Website
CD Baby Link
Lance Reegan-Diehl gave me what I have been asking for, an entire album of instrumental tracks. Chasing My Reflection is a compilation of tracks dating back to 1992 all the way through 2006.
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CD Reviews: JUDY BARNETT'S "TOO DARN HOT" IS A TRIUMPH!! Rating: 5 stars.
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Posted by: eJazzNews Reader on Monday, June 04, 2007 - 09:14 AM |
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Cole Porter's Too Darn Hot is the first song on the CD. In this song, Barnett displayed a captivating innovation characterized by a joyful tempo, a vivacious mood of musical virtuosity...a splendid splash of musical lights and sensual cadence bursted out of the magnificent brass section, the elegance of Ted Kooshian on the piano like drops of diamonds over the face of a lake
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CD Reviews: The Saltman/Knowles Quintet Has Something to Sing About
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Posted by: eJazzNews Reader on Monday, June 04, 2007 - 09:13 AM |
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"It's About The Melody", by Saltman/Knowles Quintet {Blue Canoe Records}, brings tight jazz harmonies and elegant lyrics together in a pleasing, sophisticated fashion. By combining compelling, interesting jazz arrangements and a sense of poetry in a friendly, non-pretentious manner, the group offers a comfortable program of songs that is sure to be in step with listeners and contemporary jazz radio formats world wide.
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CD Reviews: Bobby Sanabria - Big Band Urban Folktales
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, June 03, 2007 - 08:46 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Master mamboist, percussionist extraordinaire and Nuyorican jazz wonder, Bobby Sanabria crafts a special big band album fusing the sounds of Afro-Cuban, samba, blues and jazz in one package full of fine orchestrations and heavy percussive beats. The personnel is a mixture of talented youths and experienced virtuosic veterans like tenorist Peter Brainin and trombonist Chris Washburne in all comprising a twenty two-piece orchestra including those who provide only vocals.
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CD Reviews: Beep - Short Stories
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Posted by: editor on Friday, June 01, 2007 - 08:06 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
A Bay Area-based trio, Beep, a new band formed in 2001, releases its debut album with Short Stories containing thirteen tracks of primarily straight-ahead jazz covering a blend of new material with a sprinkle of standards and pop. Pianist Michael Coleman leads the group and contributes most of the original compositions. Rounding out the cast are Nate Brenner on the bass and Rob Schwartz playing the drums.
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CD Reviews: CD Review: Georgette Fry, “Back in a Moment”
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, May 31, 2007 - 08:51 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Canadian songbird Georgette Fry is far better known as a lady who sings the blues evident from her previous blues oriented recordings and the various awards for her music in the genre (Great Canadian Blues Award, JUNO nomination). Back in a Moment represents her first album of jazz with a collection of time-honored standards captured in a live recording at The Regent Theatre in Picton, Ontario.
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CD Reviews: CD Review/Brian Pastor Big Band/Common Men/BPO music
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, May 31, 2007 - 11:04 AM |
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This is a true 'big' ''BIG'' band & the dymanics of having an extra horn in each section affirms this. Brian is a devotee of the wonderful ''macho'' sound that only a big band can proffer, & the arrangements affirm this as well. The rhythmic underpinnings & sharp dymanic contrasts contained with the charts (legato staccato, etc) offer much charm to Brian's project, bringing yet a tenser dynamic level of performance to the effort.
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CD Reviews: Kendrick Scott Oracle - “The Source”
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, May 30, 2007 - 04:20 PM |
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CD-2007 World Culture Music
Glenn Astarita
Drummer/educator Kendrick Scott possesses an in-depth vernacular of modern jazz music-making. Not so much about engineering themes consisting of memorable hooks. His primary focus is rooted within variable structural components and his acuteness for generating dynamics that flourish and refresh a given theme. As a drummer, Scott is a multitasking, mover and shaker.
The album is predominately built upon forward-moving rhythmic maneuvers to complement soul-stirring horns parts. He affords the soloists room to breathe and strut their stuff. On “107 Steps,” Myron Walden’s bass clarinet lines provide a launching point for a song that gravitates into a series of contrasts. In other segments, Scott throttles the rhythms within Latin-jazz motifs, swing and vivacious spots by the frontline.
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CD Reviews: Irene Nachreiner..Irene And Her Latin Jazz Band.. Self Produced 2007
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, May 30, 2007 - 03:19 PM |
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John Gilbert
Irene Nachreiner has recently returned form a long tour of Club Med
resorts to record this, her second album.
Nachreiner has an educated vocal style with clear articulation and an
proper interpretation of Latin jazz.
Always an intriguing song, "Whatever Lola Wants" is given the smoky
ambiance it so richly deserves.
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CD Reviews: CD Review: Tangria Jazz Group, “Mebane’s Eleven, Tunes for Two”
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Posted by: editor on Monday, May 28, 2007 - 01:30 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Acclaimed as one of the up and coming jazz bands of the Bay Area jazz scene, Tangria Jazz group’s latest recording is sure to be noticed by critics and jazz fans alike. Containing light straight-ahead jazz in the rich tradition of a Bill Evans, Ellington and other greats, the music flows quite well with sparks of energy. Drummer and composer Sheryl Mebane is the leader of the group, essentially a trio with Justin Hellman on the bass and Simon Rochester on keyboard and sax.
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CD Reviews: CD Review/Ben Aronov/Alone Together/WRZ6001
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, May 27, 2007 - 01:27 PM |
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As the old (adjusted) cliche goes: So many great players.....So little time!! One often wonders why some people with immense artistry don't enjoy viable fame. And, why folks with lesser talent(s) enjoy undeserved notoriety. It's a puzzlement! However, both jazz pianist Ben Aronov & Jazz bassist Jay Leonhart have no reason to be apologists for what they do. To me, they're roll models (in each one's craft) for the jazz idiom.
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CD Reviews: Mark Sherman - “Family First”
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, May 27, 2007 - 08:36 AM |
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CD-2007 City Hall Records
Glenn Astarita
New York City vibraphonist Mark Sherman shouldn’t reside as one of the jazz world’s best kept secrets as his latest solo endeavor provides credence to that viewpoint. With his sextet, he merges power, finesse and a budding sense of movement. On his original composition “Fantasia,” Sherman sparks remembrances of vibe-master Gary Burton’s â€70s ECM records via the song’s lightly-flowing tempo and his gently thrusting mallet work. Moreover, trumpeter Joe Magnarelli serves as a strong foil for the leader as he fuses surging-like sentiment with lyrically-charged phrasings.
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CD Reviews: CD Reviews/Judi D/Nightshade
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, May 27, 2007 - 08:34 AM |
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If one is the summation of all that he/she has heard
as well as who one prefers to work with musically,
Then Judi D is the vocal personification of this premise.
Judi D, Frank Wess-reeds, Kenny Barron-Piano, Nuff said!! The combined effort of Judi plus group is like observing the snow fall gently......Gradually, it multiplies, bringing a defined nostalgia & ease to ones world......Dervish-like.......The music diminishing & returning to it’s defined poetic charm........And we, her listeners are astonished at the pure wonder of her music. Last, it is interesting to note the subtle dynamics of her craft with it’s total rhythmic, harmonic & melodic variety. Lovely stuff Judi.
George W. Carroll/The Musicians Ombudsman
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8 Comments
1195 Reads |
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CD Reviews: Clef Notes - Soul Eyes
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Posted by: editor on Friday, May 25, 2007 - 06:54 PM |
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Karl Stober
Maria Guida (2007 Larknote Records)
Maria Guida debuts this 2007 jazz season with the Larknote Records release of “Soul Eyes, a very unique effort parceled up with cool. Two things should come to the listener’s attention on this spin. First the crisp, sharp, and innovative expression of this vocalists delivery, secondly the craftsmen joining her in the studio, a very gifted group of sound!
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CD Reviews: The Bad Plus - Prog
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Posted by: editor on Friday, May 25, 2007 - 07:08 AM |
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CD-2007 Do the Math Records/Heads Up
Glenn Astarita
Many of the stodgy jazz critics out there take exception to this trio’s jazz-centric renditions of rock and pop hits. Driven by youthful vigor, the band’s new effort stands as a viable “progression,” where the group-based concept presides as the chief concern. And with the unit’s hefty touring schedule – periodically opening for famous rock acts -- the jury may still be out as to whether they are converting the young pop crowd into the extensive jazz vernacular. Take for example, the trio’s spin on Tears for Fears pop hit “Everybody Wants To Rule The World.” Here, they recycle a bouncy and catchy theme into an introspective ballad that intimates a dreamy soundscape, as drummer David King acts as an instigator toward the finale via his revved-up attack.
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CD Reviews: Bill Charlap Trio - “Live at the Village Vanguard”
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, May 23, 2007 - 09:47 AM |
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CD-2007 Blue Note Records
Glenn Astarita
An accompanist of choice, and revered solo artist – pianist Bill Charlap’s latest trio endeavor captured live at this historical New York City venue is all about eloquence, depth and an all-encompassing study in swing. And of course, the trio works as a precision machine, while actuating a loose vibe when required.
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CD Reviews: Sandy Dennison - Jazzed
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Posted by: editor on Monday, May 21, 2007 - 07:58 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Jazz vocalist Sandy Dennison presents her second CD interpreting thirteen standards freshly “jazzed” up and packaged in a very special album simply titled Jazzed! Possessing unique vocals with a tender almost raspy quality to her sound, Dennison’s softer phrasings serve to separate her from the pack in creating an identity all her own.
She employs this authentic sound in providing a new approach to the great selection of standards, some of which do not get the attention they deserve.
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CD Reviews: Sandy Dennison.Jazzed..2007
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Posted by: editor on Monday, May 21, 2007 - 03:27 PM |
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John Gilbert
Sandy Dennison, here backed by a quintet, has the good jazz acumen to
select some great tunes, on this her second album.
Derek Sims (trumpet) opens matters with a (muted) rip roaring intro on
"A Wonderful Day Like Today" His solo is a study in cohesive jazz
trumpeting. Dennison takes the safe course in a laid back vocal. Sims is
the lead dog on this tune.
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CD Reviews: Elton Dean & The Wrong Object” - The Unbelievable Truth
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Posted by: editor on Monday, May 21, 2007 - 03:25 PM |
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CD-2007 Moonjune Records
Glenn Astarita
During his lifetime, British saxophone great Elton Dean made a huge impact, hearkening back to those historic days with Soft Machine and his contributions to British free, modern and progressive jazz-rock movements. Dean performed with the crème de la crème of international artistes prior to his passing on Feb 8th 2006, as this live recording with a Belgian band stands as one of his final concerts.
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CD Reviews: Sandy Dennison.Jazzed..2007 - Octobop..Very Early..Mystic Lane 2006 -Maria Guida..Soul Eyes..Larknote 1001
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Posted by: editor on Friday, May 18, 2007 - 04:54 PM |
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Sandy Dennison, here backed by a quintet, has the good jazz acumen to
select some great tunes, on this her second album.
Derek Sims (trumpet) opens matters with a (muted) rip roaring intro on
"A Wonderful Day Like Today" His solo is a study in cohesive jazz
trumpeting. Dennison takes the safe course in a laid back vocal. Sims is
the lead dog on this tune.
"A Sunday Kind Of Love" is a special song with hard hitting lyrics and
Sandy Dennison sings the bottom out of every note. Singing in tune is a
blessing to hear and Dennison sure does that in no uncertain terms.
Sandy Dennison pays homage to the composers of this fine tune in fine
fashion. David Evans' sultry sax solo is a nice touch. I congratulate
whomever selected this number. It shows hip jazz sense.
A tight swinging ensemble plus Dennison's fine vocals make this a solid
jazz album, worthy of the discerning ear.
5 Stars
Visit California Coast Jazz At:
http://community-2.webtv.net/johnnyjazz/johnnyjazzsjazzpage
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CD Reviews: The Mahavishnu Project - “Return to the Emerald Beyond”
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Posted by: editor on Friday, May 18, 2007 - 11:00 AM |
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CD-2007 Cuneiform Records
Glenn Astarita
I haven’t listened to the 1975 release since wearing out the original LP and never purchasing the CD-issued copy. Otherwise, drummer Gregg Bendian iterates that the basis for this live recording emanates from the band’s policy to perform the music from a Mahavishnu Orchestra album in succession, from start to finish. Therefore, the core quintet is augmented by strings, reeds and vocals, heeding to the musicality of the initial session.
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DVD Reviews: Frank Zappa -“Apostrophe 1974 & Over-nite Sensation”
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, May 17, 2007 - 01:00 PM |
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DVD-2007 Eagle Rock Entertainment
Glenn Astarita
This DVD highlights the making of Frank Zappa’s “Over-nite Sensation” (1973) and “Apostrophe” albums, which stand as his most commercially successful recordings. Complete with interviews and insights provided by Zappa’s son Dweezil, the film shows trippy, mid-late â€60s footage of the “Mothers of Invention” and events leading up to the aforementioned albums. Commentaries by actor Billy Bob Thornton, Alice Cooper, guitar-hero Steve Vai and many others generate interest, where they offer insight and first-hand musings concerning Zappa’s imaginative talents.
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CD Reviews: Steve Swell – David Taylor Quartet-“Double Diploid”
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, May 17, 2007 - 11:03 AM |
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Glenn Astarita
CD-2007 CIMP Records
The unique instrumental makeup of this quartet looms as a testament for those seeking out newer improvisational methodologies and cross-genre stylizations, largely rooted within the jazz idiom. Here, trombonists Steve Swell and David Taylor help instill a solid group-based framework as they align with percussionists, Warren Smith
and Chad Taylor.
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DVD Reviews: Review on Panchito's fantastic album "ResurrecciĂłn"
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Posted by: eJazzNews Reader on Thursday, May 17, 2007 - 08:02 AM |
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by Dr Ana Isabel Ordonez
The Netherlands is definitely a nest of new things. The Dutch have a creative ability in the jazz scene, bringing about their fine music. Despite the band's name, Panchito is formed by young Dutch and German talents.
Panchito's release Resurrection is a solid, pulsating creation of Latin jazz and funk rhythms, always vividly exploring and being strung together with impeccable musicianship; wholly cooking with a knack of humour and an endeavored energy.
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CD Reviews: Jazz, Gospel and Beyond: John Stevenson’s 20 CD Review, May 2007
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, May 16, 2007 - 07:31 PM |
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John Stevenson
Bishop Wayne Malcolm: The Business of Life (MOP)
Melodious singing and inspired song writing are but two of Bishop Malcolm’s many talents. On The Business of Life, these specific gifts emerge delightfully and with potent impact. Produced by UK gospel heavyweight Noel Robinson, this platter places the goodly Bishop’s vocals front and centre in the thick of varied genres. Superman, the opening cut, is a catchy salsa number, while the title track’s funky horns (featuring smooth jazz saxman Mike Parlett) punctuate an arresting call-and-response chorus. Elsewhere, solid old-fashioned soul and swing impart a much-appreciated spiritual message.
Michael Brecker: Pilgrimage (Heads Up)
Probably one of the most eagerly awaited discs of 2007, with the recently-departed Brecker’s passionate, fiery and technically challenging manner of blowing remaining unchanged on this outing. This summit of jazz music’s heavyweights (Pat Metheny, Jack DeJohnnete, Herbie Hancock, Brad Mehldau and John Patitucci), is marked by an astounding level of energy, musical imagination and sensitivity, which is consistent over the CD’s nine tracks. Numbers such as The Mean Time (featuring Metheny’s almost combustible guitar soloing and comping), and When Can I Kiss You Again demonstrate Brecker’s compositional genius: Ars Longa Vita Brevis.
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CD Reviews: CD Reviews: Glen Helgeson, “Distant Borders, Revisited”
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, May 15, 2007 - 09:39 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Guitarist Glen Helgeson is a prolific composer who draws from his experience traveling and performing in more than 25 countries throughout South America, Europe and Africa to record this new album. The result of course is a unique blend of world and contemporary jazz styles that flow quite well here. The twelve original compositions touch on a range of themes from percussive Afro rhythms to Latin and Indian colors.
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CD Reviews: Mace Hibbard - “When Last We Met” CD-2006 Independent
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Posted by: editor on Monday, May 14, 2007 - 05:03 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
Texas reared and saxophonist Mace Hibbard calls Atlanta, GA., home these days. His broad jazz vernacular, evidenced here, substantiates his first-call session status with the likes of Wynton Marsalis, Phil Woods and others. On this outing, Hibbard flexes some muscle while showing a softer side, namely when performing on soprano sax. He’s an articulate phrase-meister with fluid support from his band, as they cover post-bop, jazz-funk grooves and moody ballads. Hibbard’s full-bodied tone on tenor is nicely contrasted by his acute use of vibrato and lyrically-charged choruses amid sprightly unison lines with pianist Louis Heriveaux and special guest -- guitarist Bryan Leitch.
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CD Reviews: Ganelin Trio Priority - “Live at the Lithuanian National Philharmony Vilnius 2005”
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, May 12, 2007 - 08:22 PM |
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DVD-2007 Nemu Records
During the â€70s and â€80s, The Ganelin Trio released some truly stunning LPs, subsequently reissued for CD format on Leo Records. Keyboardist/composer Vyacheslav Ganelin spearheaded an avant-garde jazz unit that excelled in musician-based multitasking, while deriving influences from classical music, Russian folk and modern jazz. This wondrously filmed event of the band’s 2005 performance at an ornate Lithuanian theater showcases the current lineup, featuring saxophonist Petras Vysniauskas and drummer/percussionist Klaus Kugel.
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CD Reviews: Ellen Ross - You Are There
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, May 12, 2007 - 06:59 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
One of the finest jazz vocals recordings to grace the airways since its March 2007 release date, You Are There is an impressive attention-grabbing debut for Denver-based vocalist Ellen Ross. The singer presents a mellow and swinging sound with a selection of nine known standards given fresh new interpretations through creative new arrangements provided by Ross and pianist Paul Cotugno. Ross possesses a silky smooth voice that reaches and caresses each note with a graceful elegance.
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CD Reviews: Phil Minton Quartet - “Slur”
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Posted by: editor on Friday, May 11, 2007 - 12:19 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
CD-2007 EMANEM
Avant-garde and improvising vocalist Phil Minton’s glib comments in the CD insert cites that this quartet was formed twelve years ago -- “to perform Mouthful of Ecstasy (Victo 041) an instrumental and vocal impression of James Joyce’s “Finnegan’s Wake.” And with this album, Minton uses his voice as added instrumentation sans conventional lyricism, which of course, falls in line with much of his recorded legacy.
The quartet’s low-key methodology here is perhaps akin to an improvisational focus-group. Minton intertwines with saxophonist John Butcher and pianist Veryan Weston like a chameleon. Featuring microtonal passages and an abundance of contrasts the band executes transient storylines amid percussionist Roger Turner’s shrewd use of small bells, cymbals and unidentifiable objects.
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CD Reviews: Gaea Schell Trio, “For All We Know”
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Posted by: editor on Friday, May 11, 2007 - 08:18 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Though raised in Alberta, Canada, pianist and vocalist Gaea Schell earned her musical credentials in the Portland and New York jazz scenes, and since 2003 has been a fixture in the Southern California jazz community. Released this year on Roadhouse Records, For All We Know is Schell’s second album offering a blend of familiar jazz standards from legendary composers and five recent originals. The pianist leads a fine trio with bassist Chris Colangelo and Albert “Tootie” Heath on the drums.
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CD Reviews: James Blood Ulmer - “In The City – The Piety Street Sessions”
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Posted by: editor on Friday, May 11, 2007 - 08:17 AM |
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Glenn Astarita
CD-2007 Hyena Records
Following up his brilliant and critically-acclaimed 2005 solo acoustic guitar/vocals Blues CD Birthright, James Blood Ulmer returns with a rollicking electric ensemble, produced by guitar hero Vernon Reid. With songs about the desolate circumstances surrounding the aftermath of hurricane Katrina and more, this album was recorded at Piety Street Studio in New Orleans.
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CD Reviews: Valarie King - “Only Time Will Tell”
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, May 08, 2007 - 05:12 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
CD-2006 Kangu Records
West Coast USA flutist Valarie King rekindles remembrances of â€70s and â€80s Creed Taylor produced recordings for CTI Records, namely albums by flute legend Hubert Laws, appearing here on one selection. With that, King’s radiant and adroit talents are highlighted atop jazz ensemble accompaniment and a strings section, with the latter performing syrupy overlays on various works. It’s a pleasant affair featuring tunes constructed upon firm backbeats, medium-tempo swing vamps, Latin arrangements and endearing ballads.
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CD Reviews: Roberto Bonati – ParmaFrontiere Orchestra-“A Silvery Silence: Fragments from Moby Dick”
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, May 06, 2007 - 04:08 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
CD-2007 MM Records (Italy)
Highly-respected Italian jazz bassist Roberto Bonati frequently works with orchestras amid other ensemble-based configurations, and has produced a series of works with this large-scale entity. On this outing, he delves into the mind of Moby Dick author Herman Melville. Bonati embraces Melville’s biblical references and the potency of the sea, amid the journey of Captain Ahab, with Hebrew chanting and Italian folk -- suggesting connotations of the seafaring journey. But it’s not about traditional songs of the sea, as the program is designed with a hybrid, jazz and classical approach.
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CD Reviews: Live At Charlie O's..Van Nuys, Ca. 2006
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, May 06, 2007 - 02:25 PM |
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John Gilbert
Theo Saunders, piano
Benn Clatworthy, tenor, flute
Chris Colangelo, bass
Jimmy Branly, drums
This album was recorded live at Charlie O's in Van Nuys California.
There are 7 tunes on the recording, each performed in an undefinable
style that showcases each artist in a mysterious yet compelling manner.
Theo Saunders is among the elite pianists in the jazz genre and this
album showcases his talents in a ultra modern way.
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CD Reviews: Eugene Maslov..Where The Light Comes From..EM509 2007
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, May 06, 2007 - 02:24 PM |
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John Gilbert
The meat of this album is contained in two tracks.."Last Ray" and "Twin
Waltz" ..Maslov, piano, Bob Shepard on tenor and Dave Carpenter, bass
all are state of the art musicians and it is apparent in the
aforementioned tunes (that) are the swingers of the lot.
Post bop is a term that is an enigma, it would seem every musical
endeavor after Bird is "post bop" However, that is the label put on this
recording. I would say that neo classical jazz is the proper idiom for
this album.
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CD Reviews: CD Review: Jeff “Tain” Watts, Train & the Ebonix, “Folk’s Songs”
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, May 06, 2007 - 02:21 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Folk’s Songs is the debut album from drummer Jeff “Tain” Watts offering ten new compositions of modern mainstream jazz dedicated to friends and influences in his life and career. The music represents a challenging blend of vibrant rhythms and sophisticated grooves that jazz aficionados will appreciate.
The leader records with a quartet he calls, Tain & the Ebonix all veteran first-call musicians like bassist Christian McBride, saxophonist Marcus Strickland and pianist David Kikoski. Also appearing as guest here are guitarist David Gilmore, Henry Hey on the keyboards, Samuel Torres on percussions and Juan Tainish providing vocals on one track.
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CD Reviews: CD review/Chris Jentsch/Group Large/FDSJ59787
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, May 06, 2007 - 02:20 PM |
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Jazz guitarist Jason Steele is making one hell of a musical statement with his all original CD project. Jason's music kicks butt in subtle ways, but his art is also an authoritative commentary on the many ways original music is written & inspired through man's heart & soul. He handles the technical & expressive arena of composing quite well with mood, structure, appropriate tonality, phrasing, et al. In this regard. I relegate my readers to his compelling musicial treatises. Both ''Horn Interlude'' & ''Since Forever'' are special in that the listener will (by default) turn to this man's collosal corpus of music with delight & enthusiasm. Last, I pay kudos to his sidemen who without their help & attentiveness to Jason's craft, this disc could not have been brought to fruition. Bravo Jason! Bravo again guys!!
George W. Carroll/the Musicians' Ombudsman
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12 Comments
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CD Reviews: CD review/Chris Jentsch/Group Large/FDSJ59787
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, May 06, 2007 - 02:19 PM |
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Yeeeeesss!! This ''large'' group takes us on a musical bebop sojourn
from real time to infinity. Chris Jentsch explores his own orig. compositions throught the idiom of his modern jazz big band. He uses guitar (his) instead of piano. This makes for some different yet interesting dynamics.. Chris's music is coy, yet intellectual. The expressive life of his music contains a remarkable construction of harmonic & melodic wealth. He integrates factors of horn lines, pitch, scoring, & instrumentation that are closely ''unified'' in purpose. There is this cogent sense of continuity as it were as well as a music breadth in his scores that is hard to discard. he uses sturdy close knit textures in his music. He has a surprising mobility & motion which he pairs with mysterious & animated musical measures. Last, he exudes an exhuberance & majesty which brings his project full circle.
George W. Carroll/The Musicians' Ombudsman
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12 Comments
1157 Reads |
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CD Reviews: CD Review/Jeff Watts/Folk's Songs
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, May 06, 2007 - 02:18 PM |
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Jeff Watts is the ''people's composer.'' Nothing musically ''dark'' here, rather people friendly, engaging, compelling, etc. Watts's jazz drumming range of color is prodigious in his sphere of sound registration. He delivers his articulation with great resonance. His tension, rhythmic apexes, anticipation, et al all create 'life' in his music, keeping his artistry in a constant viable pulsation. He creates veritable terraces of sound, thematic motifs & arabesques that are quite interesting. All in all, watch for clarity & steadiness of tempo in his performance, plus an attendant exactitude in his rhythmic output. With Watt's amazing sense of proportion & balance, his talents & compositional craft will have to be reckoned with now in real time as well as in the future.
George W. Carroll/The Musicians' Ombudsman
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14 Comments
2821 Reads |
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CD Reviews: CD Reviews: Mercedes Hall, “Pure Emotion”
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, May 05, 2007 - 08:59 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
New York-based vocalist Mercedes Hall releases her second album with Pure Emotion revealing an inner passion behind the music she presents. An accomplished singer with a unique style of her own, Hall evokes comparisons with the great Billie Holliday and Dinah Washington. She is the type of singer that lets it all hang out holding nothing back, in essence voicing songs with feelings and yes, “Pure Emotions.”
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CD Reviews: CD Review/Todd Herbert/The Path To Infinity/MR1126
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Posted by: editor on Friday, May 04, 2007 - 10:13 AM |
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In this Garzone-Esque project, jazz reedman Todd Herbert washes us musically with his take on bebop original music through his advanced artistic intellect. These orig. compositions are balanced, clear, & brilliant showpieces of his artistic prowess for the jazz idiom. There is no monotony here as repetition doesn't exists in his scores........Rather, only this original genesis of art that is unobtrusive & varied harmonically & melodically.
Herbert's compositional style is highly individual with a conceptual bent that can embrace anything from bebop to abstraction as well as from contemporary to jazz. Thanks Todd for your intellectual musical instruction
into our beloved idiom.......JAZZ!!
George W. Carroll/The Musicians' Ombudsman
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6 Comments
1045 Reads |
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CD Reviews: CD Reviews: Andrew Neu, “In Clear View”
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Posted by: editor on Friday, May 04, 2007 - 10:12 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Saxophonist Andrew Neu is a first-call musician who has quickly garnered a reputation as a fine composer and arranger as well. In constant demand as a player, Neu is an active member of the Philadelphia music scene where he leads his own group and is a featured tenor soloist with The Brian Pastor Big Band. Playing a variety of musical styles that include R&B, Latin music and contemporary jazz, Neu embraces the smooth jazz genre with his second album as leader with In Clear View.
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CD Reviews: Alex de Grassi – Michael Manring – Christopher Garcia - De Man Ia
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, May 03, 2007 - 06:38 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
CD-2006 Tropo Records
Here, all-universe bassist Michael Manring tempers his jazz-fusion/rock faculties for the softer side of matters, by teaming with heralded finger-style guitarist Alex de Grassi and percussion guru Christopher Garcia. Articulate, endearing and wondrously recorded, the trio embarks upon a folksy multi-genre excursion as they commingle world music, jazz, pop, blues and shifting pulses into a radiating chain of events.
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Concert Reviews: Charlie O's Jazz Club, May 2, 2007..Los Angeles, Ca.
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, May 03, 2007 - 06:35 PM |
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Carl Saunders, trumpet
Sam Most, flute, bari, clarinet
Chuck Berghofer, bass
Christian Jacob, piano
Santo Savino, drums
It has been said "Show me who you're runnin' with and I'll show you who
you are" and these musicians all ran with best and became the finest
among the finest in the jazz genre.
Up, Up and away was the byword for the opening number (All The Things
You Are) and Carl Saunders' blistering solo was breathtaking (for me)
not Saunders, as his breath control is amazing.His long rapid fire
phrases were up in the stratosphere with the changes parlayed into an
art form within the tune. 8 bar exchanges all the way around made it
spellbinding to say the least.. Saunders ripped and soared, Most
followed suit with a speedy message of his own and Berghofer laid down
bass lines with a tone like silk on cashmere. Santo Savino cleverly
added his imperator. In a word "All The Things You Are" was given a new
lease on life. Christian Jacobs was as slick as quicksilver and his
ideas were not only imaginative but performed with a brilliance one can
only be born with.
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CD Reviews: CD Reviews: Theo Ross, “Cut the Chord”
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, May 01, 2007 - 11:23 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Growing up in the United Kingdom during the 70s, flautist and vocalist Theo Ross established himself in both the straight ahead and smooth jazz genres. Having heard Kirk
Whalum’s “Now â€til Forever” changed everything for Ross; marking a shift in the style, tone and the melodic lines he wanted his music to reflect. Cut The Chord, is his new CD of original compositions, which in essence breaks with the past and forges a new beginning firmly grounded in the fundamental grooves of smooth jazz.
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CD Reviews: CD Review: Jeff Hackworth - "How Little We Know"
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Posted by: emenari3 on Monday, April 30, 2007 - 07:33 PM |
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Never let it be said that tenor saxist Jeff Hackworth is an artistic 'hack'!
Now that I've got that out of my system. Jokes aside, writer and veteran broadcaster Bob Porter's rather pedestrian liner notes gush that the Buffalo, New York native, "plays in the spirit of master tenor players such as" (Gene) Ammons, (Stanley) Turrentine and his executive producer Houston Person. And while Hackworth is truely 'worth' a listen (no pun there folks), Porter's laurels are a tad misleading.
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CD Reviews: The Pamela Hines Trio..Drop2..Spice Rack Records 2006
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Posted by: editor on Monday, April 30, 2007 - 11:07 AM |
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Pamela Hines, piano. There are two others listed on bass and drums (John
Lockwood and Bob Guilotti) but who plays which is not mentioned.
Pamela Hines exhibits a lot of facility particularly on "It Could Happen
To You" done at racehorse tempo. The drummer is a bit of an overplayer
which detracts from the music.
"Drop" has a dirge like feel that is unimpressive.
"East Of The Sun" is a bit choppy and again the drummer is as busy as a
bee on steroids.
Miss Hines would do well to stick to standards and avoid the morbid type
compositions. To be able to 'swing' is a must in the jazz world. There
is a vocalist on this album.that hasn't mastered the art of jazz
singing.
2 Stars
Visit California Coast Jazz At:
http://community-2.webtv.net/johnnyjazz/johnnyjazzsjazzpage
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4 Comments
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CD Reviews: Spirit Jazz Project - “Square Peg”
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, April 29, 2007 - 01:38 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
2007 - Self-Produced: Internet download
Cited as a band that delves into a postmodern jazz-fusion style of musicality, this Pittsburgh, PA., based trio demonstrates a flair for integrating memorable hooks into groove-centric thematic forays. With fluid bass and drums patterns and multipurpose-like guitar licks, the musicians instill a coherent, wily and tightly-organized sound, solidified by their appealing comps.
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CD Reviews: Oscar Peterson and Friends
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, April 28, 2007 - 12:25 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
Swiss Radio Days Jazz Series Vol. 16 – Lausanne 1953
CD-2007 The Montreux Jazz Label
This live concert recording date has never been released until now. And other than the jazz superstar lineup featuring a young wunderkind pianist named Oscar Peterson, the sonic reproduction of this disc sounds remarkably clear and unsullied. Assembled by famed jazz promoter Norman Granz for his 1953 edition of “Jazz at the Philarmonic” tours, this concert – recorded March 14, 1953 – at a theater in Lausanne Switzerland features an impressive lineup, indeed.
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CD Reviews: Joe Lovano & Hank Jones -“Kids: Duets Live at Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola”
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, April 28, 2007 - 12:23 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
CD-2007 Blue Note Records
Like kindred spirits, these two musical giants follow-up their two quartet dates: “I’m All for You—Ballad Songbook” in 2004 and “Joyous Encounter” in 2005. Jones is in a class of his own as his storied past needs no further elaboration here, where Lovano’s rise to the top echelon of jazz saxophonists is notably documented via his impressive recorded legacy. Here, the duo effortlessly works through jazz standards while each performer contributes one original composition amid renditions of works by Tadd Dameron, Bud Powell and Hank Jones’ late brother, Thad Jones.
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CD Reviews: Alex Skolnick Trio - “Last Day In Paradise”
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Posted by: editor on Friday, April 27, 2007 - 01:31 PM |
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glenn Astarita
CD-2007 Magnatude Records
Commencing his pro career within the heavy-metal vein during his stint with the band Testament, guitar hero Alex Skolnick’s subsequent trio albums have propelled his stature within the jazz-rock realm. Here, Skolnick’s crystalline electric guitar lines help generate a fervent electro-organic type groove, featuring Nathan Peck’s booming double bass lines and drummer Matt Zebroski’s polyrhythmic timekeeping.
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CD Reviews: Hector Martignon with Eddie Gomez, Kenny Barron, Richard Bonam Dafnis Prieto-“Refugee”
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, April 25, 2007 - 12:35 PM |
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CD-2007 Zoho Music
Glenn Astarita
His third album as a leader and freshman statement for this record label, pianist/composer Hector Martignon seemingly enlists the entire New York Latin-jazz musicians’ community for this rather zippy, and upbeat endeavor. These tracks feature bass heroes such as Eddie Gomez, Richard Bona and Matthew Garrison laying it all out within a variety of tempos and dynamically-inclined opuses. Oh, and let’s not forget drummers Dafnis Prieto, Jeff “Tain” Watts, Horacio “El Negro” Hernandez; pianist Kenny Barron, and guitarist Mark Whitfield lending their formidable wares as the list goes on.
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CD Reviews: The Pamela Hines Trio, “Drop 2”
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, April 24, 2007 - 10:08 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
A gifted composer and pianist, Pamela Hines releases her latest album of time honored familiar standards and original tunes in a beautiful session of rhythm-based straight ahead jazz instrumentals and vocals. The Hines Trio includes John Lockwood on the bass and Bob Guilotti on the drums, information gathered from the press notes and not the liner notes which are so deficient that, while they state the musicians, they do not reveal who plays what instrument. In addition, April Hall, with whom Hines has had a long standing collaboration on previous projects, provides the vocals appearing as a guest.
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CD Reviews: Rob Fried, “Wind Song”
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, April 24, 2007 - 07:57 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
From Redding, Connecticut, bassist Rob Fried has been playing professionally for the past 20 years performing in clubs and music festivals in the Connecticut area and has been the opening act for various groups among them, the rock group YES, blues man BB King and the jazz vocalist group, Manhattan Transfer. Appearing as a sideman on other CDs, Wind Song is the bassist debut as leader. Fried provides ten original compositions in an album that blends smooth jazz tones with Brazilian and Afro Cuban Latin jazz rhythms that sparkle all over.
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CD Reviews: Morrie Louden/Time PieceMSP33366
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, April 24, 2007 - 07:44 AM |
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This new CD project is truly a study in artistic beauty.
...Truly a modern, contemporary, & haunting expression of one man's heart & soul!! Morrie's compositions are ''2007 & beyond.'' And, like a Thad Jones, his visionary approach to music will always feel & be ''fresh.'' Louden demands clarity, logic & aesthethics
in his music...Never straying from the romantic tradition......Never inserting chaos or disorderliness in his art......On the contrary, there is structure & logic & subjectivity in his craft. His powerful original ''Time Piece'' reflects all that I suggest above without any morbid exploration of musical ideas, melody, harmony, etc. This is a composer-player with a 'signature' that will have to be reckoned with now & in the future.
George W. Carroll/The Musicians' Ombudsman
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10 Comments
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CD Reviews: Holly Hoffmann/Mike Wofford/Live @ Athenaeum Jazz/Capri
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, April 24, 2007 - 07:43 AM |
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CD Review/
Raw, Rare, exquisite, intellectual, etc...These are things that move me as I peruse the fine talents of both flautist Holly Hoffmann & her hubby Mike Wofford, (jazz pianist extraordinaire). I have reviewed both these colossal talents before. I was gassed then...I'm gassed now. Both Holly & Mike are capable of exploiting the romantic & classical side of these two aesthetic disciplines....Adding their own artistic embodiment, perceptivisim & technique, etc....This assures a signature to what they do, giving their music a sense of transcendance. It's interesting to know how both impression & beauty are made.....And, how both Holly & Mike's art are integrated into the fabric of their being....Beautifully transformed into the art that they produce. Their music is an alchemy of sound and ideas that can only fascinate, move & edify one musical sensibilities.
George W. Carroll/The Musicians' Ombudsman
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10 Comments
2419 Reads |
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CD Reviews: No Spaghetti Edition-“Sketches of a Fusion”
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Posted by: editor on Monday, April 23, 2007 - 05:07 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
CD-2007 Sofa Music
With its fourth release, this Norway-based ensemble continues to push the proverbial envelope. Here, the sextet engages in interactive sound designs via Martin Tetreault’s turntables and small electronics combined with Ivar Grydeland’s banjo permutations and much more. In effect, these two lengthy works comprise slow moving buildups, where various musicians seemingly disappear and reemerge while themes occasionally melt into oblivion.
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Sylvie Courvoisier - “Lonelyville”
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Posted by: editor on Monday, April 23, 2007 - 02:52 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
CD-2007 Intakt
In April 2006, Swiss pianist Sylvie Courvoisier realigned this quintet for a series of four performances at a venue in Lausanne, Switzerland. This newly issued CD captures an international meeting of like-minded artistes, performing four lengthy pieces that in no way, seem laborious or overwrought.
Here, asymmetrical components featuring chamber-jazz, improvisation and “new” music provide the ingredients for success. From the sublime and fragility of her exchanges with violinist Mark Feldman, gravitating towards the semblances of navigating through rush-hour traffic, this endeavor doesn’t fail to sustain interest. And the band’s thrusting momentum during semi-free form movements serve as an accelerator and mood-inducer, especially when considering the temperate flows and avant sounds of Ikue Mori’s electronics treatments.
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CD Reviews: Bobby Lyle - Hands On (Heads Up-2006)
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Posted by: editor on Monday, April 23, 2007 - 09:02 AM |
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Karl Stober
Thirty years as the fine wine of jazz pianists, Bobby Lyle has aged musically enough to be considered one of the deluxe artists in the vineyard of jazz! In 2006, Heads Up records offered a tasting of Lyle’s labeled “Hands On” to the public. It is a pure mix of bright contemporary jazz for those with diverse tastes. This is Lyle’s fifteenth spin. Another moment in keyboard excellence has been captured in the annals of fine music.
The attraction goes even further than Lyles’s talents. Guest vocalist, Peabo Bryson, soothes the savage heat of lust with his formula for “Lost in Our Love”. As old friends, Lyle and Peabo co-wrote this cut which enhances the total spin effectiveness of the listen.
This Heads Up debut has Lyle calling it a “celebration” of sorts. He addresses several emotions throughout the disc. I found that to be the case in most of his past work. He is a talent that passionately embraces moods with arrangements, along with an exquisite flair for the appropriate beat.
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Elise Lebec - Possible Dreams (Lebec Entertainment-2006)
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, April 22, 2007 - 07:00 PM |
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Karl Stober
Tender is the touch that caresses the ivory tones. So angelic it brings the flowers to bloom and the sun to set. This, my dear friends, is Elise Lebec. Experience her emotions set to keystrokes! Her 2006, self released “Possible Dreams”, is a cavalcade of compassion built around sound and sentiment created within. Ms Lebec, for all of her experience and talent, has one thing most important…the “Sensation” for the moment sculpted with resonance.
“Possible Dreams” becomes reality as you spin each excerpt from her keyboard.
Arrangements are crisp. Each solo has a story attached to the dreams of the listeners. Most remarkable about this effort is the way she addresses from her heart, the meaning or goal behind the spin.
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CD Reviews: Marguerite Mariama - Wild Women Never Get The Blues (Self-2006)
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, April 22, 2007 - 06:59 PM |
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Karl Stober
Whether the mood calls for blues or jazz, there is a sultry appeal when a vocalist can master both genres with ease. As strong as some of the greats may have been, Marguerite Mariama is in her groove when she offers her new self-released effort “Wild Women Never Get the Blues”. This jewel box has the cool of the blues scene, while also embracing the smooth vibes of jazz. It is a very strong debut endeavor.
Along with her vast array of talents: dance, theatre, education and music…this doctor, yes, Doctor of Afro-American Music Culture, has laid upon us a polished, yet vibrant collection of fine, bi-genre cuts, all for our approval. From the first spin, Mariama has created a fine addition for the most seasoned jazz collector.
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CD Reviews: Darby Dizard..Down For You..2003
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, April 21, 2007 - 09:43 AM |
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John Gilbert
There are a plethora of good tunes on this recording, some of which are
sung a bit off key.
That being said, "This Times The Dreams On Me" is the highlight of this
album.
Miss Dizard it would seem, would be more comfortable in a different
genre, perhaps semi classical or maybe a cabaret mode. There is a
feeling of discomfort that permeates some of the songs. Dizard's ballad
style is perhaps her best form of expression.
3 Stars
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CD Reviews: Howard Leshaw Quartet..Shadow Song EIFIE Records 2004
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, April 19, 2007 - 05:45 PM |
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Howard Leshaw (tenor) Jon Davis (piano) Paul Gabrielson (bass) Dean
Rickard (drums)
All compositions are by Howard Leshaw. Track 3 is the showcase tune
called "Jade" which has a nice loping swing. The drummer is consistent
in time and a lucid piano solo by Davis makes it workable in a no
nonsense mode. Leshaw winds up matters with a Trane inspired soliloquy.
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CD Reviews: Darby Dizard..Down For You..2003
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, April 19, 2007 - 05:44 PM |
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John Gilbert
There are a plethora of good tunes on this recording, some of which are
sung a bit off key.
That being said, "This Times The Dreams On Me" is the highlight of this
album.
Miss Dizard it would seem, would be more comfortable in a different
genre, perhaps semi classical or maybe a cabaret mode. There is a
feeling of discomfort that permeates some of the songs. Dizard's ballad
style is perhaps her best form of expression.
3 Stars
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CD Reviews: Patrick Yandall-New York Blues
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Posted by: muzikman on Wednesday, April 18, 2007 - 10:28 AM |
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Artist: Patrick Yandall
Title: New York Blues
Genre: Blues-Rock
Label: Zangi Records
Website
New York Blues
I had a feeling this was going to happen. Patrick Yandall has decided to play the blues after releasing a series of outstanding jazz releases. New York Blues is a welcome change for the guitarist and as I would expect, a fine recording straight on through.
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CD Reviews: CD Reviews: Mary Ann Douglas, “Unfinished Business”
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, April 17, 2007 - 11:18 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
San Diego-based jazz vocalist Mary Ann Douglas prefers writing and producing to live performances and touring. Her just released album titled, Unfinished Business, is another product of her writing and producing prowess. This wonderful new album contains no less than eighteen new original compositions by Douglas set to a variety of blues, bop, bossa nova and just straight ahead soft light jazz vocals. A product of West Coast Jazz, Douglas assembled a cast of Southern California players to record this gem. The personnel include master guitarist and arranger Mundell Lowe, John Rekevics (sax and flute), Rob Whitlock (piano and keyboards), the versatile Bob Magnusson (bass) and Jim Plank (percussions).
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CD Reviews: Jimmy Hall & The Muscle Shoals Rhythm Collective-“Build Your Own Fire”
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, April 17, 2007 - 04:35 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
CD-2007 Zoho Music
Vocalist with the â€70s Southern-Rock outfit Wet Willie – Jimmy Hall offers a tribute to the revered (and troubled) Muscle Shoals guitarist/songwriter Eddie Hinton on this recent release. With the infamous collective providing support, Hall sings these Hinton pieces with conviction amid Delbert McClinton’s appearance on Still Want To Be Your Man.” Featuring Clayton Ivey’s spicy organ grooves and the rhythm section’s firm backbeats,
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CD Reviews: Lauren Hooker Right Where I Belong (Musical Legands-2006)
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Posted by: admin on Tuesday, April 17, 2007 - 05:03 AM |
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By Karl Stober
Lauren Hooker’s newest entry into the world of jazz is far from mediocre. Powerful in vocals, a positioned flow of acute arrangements, and a vast array of fine selections setting the stage for a highly seasoned musical performance! Musical Legends release of “Right Where I Belong” has numerous attitudes, however, none more profound than that of sultry soul.
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CD Reviews: Andreas Hogiioannu..Far And Wide..2007
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Posted by: editor on Monday, April 16, 2007 - 10:06 PM |
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Andrea Hogiioannu Guitar
Dirk Griffin Bass
Alan Savage Drums
All compositions are by the leader in this easy going swinger.
Hogiioannu shows dexterity and the ability to form excellent ideas in
his solos.The bass and drums are conspicuous by their discretion. Some nice
exchanges with the guitar and drums are a delight.
The tune "Quinine" has a hip melody and is the highlight of this album
4 Stars
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11 Comments
2358 Reads |
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CD Reviews: Darby Dizard/Down For YouPLR2003.12.19
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Posted by: editor on Monday, April 16, 2007 - 09:13 AM |
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CD Review/Darby Dizard/Down For YouPLR2003.12.19
Lovely, voluptuous, animated, talented, sonorous,
certainly sexy, & compelling is the craft of one jazz singer Darby Dizard. And, Like the movie states, she ''had me ''
at her name as well! This is a vocalist who can turn a phrase in favor of romantic fascination, soul, & wit in her phrasing. Plus, there's an aesthetic consideration in her delivery that's hard to discard. She sings the American Songbook with a certain clarity, logic, cause, & effect in her renditions. Darby sings to us with a tremendous range of mental fantasy, encompassing pastoral scenes to moonlit nights. She doesn't intrude on her music. She gives her music a soul...A personality.....And through her objectivity, an ultimate expression to it's end....Namely, interpretation.
George W. Carroll/The Musicians' Ombudsman
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13 Comments
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Obituaries: The Late Hy Weiss
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Posted by: editor on Monday, April 16, 2007 - 08:19 AM |
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One of the most important of 1950's independent label owners passed away March 20. Hyman "Hy" Weiss started the Harlem-based Old Town label in 1953, and over the next two decades introduced a steady stream of artists that helped set the pace for a radical shift in public tastes. Jazz, Country, Pop, and Latin had been gradually coming together around that time, but visionaries like Weiss added deep injections of Blues & R&B into the mix. Old Town Records was there practically from the start, and deserves credit for the type of risk-taking that helped pave the way for the soon -to-arrive Rock 'n' Roll and Rhythm & Blues explosions.
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CD Reviews: Donna Sammarco-On Eagles Wings
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Posted by: muzikman on Monday, April 16, 2007 - 07:53 AM |
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Artist: Donna Sammarco
Title: On Eagles Wings
Genre: Christian-Instrumental
Label: P & J Records
Website
Although On Eagles Wings was released in 2004 the music remains bright and relevant at any time, simply because what the intent and meaning was behind producing it the first place. This kind of Christian new age instrumental sound is for ears that want some relief of daily demands.
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CD Reviews: Sebastian Lorefice-Short Stories Infinite Corridor
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Posted by: muzikman on Monday, April 16, 2007 - 12:00 AM |
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Artist: Sebastian Lorefice
Title: Short Stories Infinite Corridor
Genre: Jazz-World-Fusion
Label: Arc Sound Limited
Website
CD Baby Link
Short Stories Infinite Corridors is a reference to several points of time during the history of film. It could also apply to music because in both cases the art forms have infinite corridors of time that you can relive because of their ability to be preserved infinitely with technology and remasteriing techniques.
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CD Reviews: CD Review/Mark Masters Ensemble/Wish Me Well/CAPRI-74078
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Posted by: editor on Friday, April 13, 2007 - 04:50 PM |
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Mark Masters is the master when is comes to these
small ''big band'' sounding ensembles. I've reviewed
some of his projects in the past, & I note his intended propensity for the modern jazz sound. The lineup is formidable to say the least: Joe La Barbera-drums, Steve Kuhn-piano, Tim Hagans-trumpet, et al. This is an intense & emotionally expressive treatise on how to arrange for the mainstream idiom, & both Masters & his choice of sidemen rally to his call. Please note the rich statement of viable harmony, melody, continuity, as well as an overall polyphonic treatment in Master's writing. Certainly, he re-writes what's was written in the original sense....Reinventing what the composer had in mind in the first sense, a testament to his fine craft.
George W. Carroll
The Musicians' Ombudsman
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4 Comments
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CD Reviews: The Gang Font featuring Interloper
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Posted by: editor on Friday, April 13, 2007 - 10:27 AM |
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Glenn Astaria
CD-2007 Thirsty Ear
It’s a band that rocks the proverbial boat with a punk-ish gait supplanted by youthful vigor. On this outing bassist Greg Norton (Husker Du), keyboardist Craig Taborn, drummer Dave King (Bad Plus) and bassist/guitarist Eric Fratzke (Happy Apple) pursue unbalanced injections of prog-rock, topped-off with angst-ridden licks, pounding beats and more. With numerous guitars-keys driven meltdowns; quirky melodies, minimalist themes and jaunts into the freer state of affairs, the band’s cross-appeal for jazz and rock aficionados looms mightily here.
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CD Reviews: Peter Petrucci Quartet, “Nowhere To Be Found”
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, April 12, 2007 - 08:18 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
From Melbourne, Australia guitarist Peter Petrucci crafts a fabulous album of light gentle sophisticated jazz melodies and warm ballads with Nowhere To Be Found. With several previous recordings to his credit (River Story and From Within), Petrucci is no novice here. Having played with a duet and a trio, this release finds the guitarist with a quartet that includes bassist Nick Haywood, drummer Ben Vanderwal and pianist Sam Keevers who provides masterful collaboration with the leader through out the recording. Aside from Miles Davis’s “Solar,” and two other covers, Pertucci contributes seven original compositions on this disc.
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CD Reviews: Ralph Alessi & This Against That - “Look”
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Posted by: editor on Friday, April 06, 2007 - 08:15 AM |
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Glenn Astarita
CD-2007 Between The Lines
A revered session man and solo artist, trumpeter Ralph Alessi’s newly issued album pronounces an acutely balanced mix of improvisation and composition. His classical proclivities shine during the opener titled “Near Cry,” where he engages pianist Andy Milne for a sequence of complex unison choruses that elicit notions of Mozart-meets jazz – with a rock solid groove. Nonetheless, the quartet comes at you from disparate angles, augmented by guest artist and tenor saxophonist Ravi Coltrane, appearing on two tracks.
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CD Reviews: Stephen Gauci Quartet-“Wisps Of An Unknown Face”
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Posted by: editor on Friday, April 06, 2007 - 08:14 AM |
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Glenn Astarita
CD-2007 Creative Improvised Music Projects
Forty-one year old saxophonist Stephen Gauci’s fast-track jazz status began around 2004 as a group-leader and session artist. Along with trumpeter Nate Wooley, the quartet sports a robust methodology, aided by drummer Lou Grassi and bassist Ken Filiano’s thrusting and fluent undercurrents.
On the opener titled “Unless you got lost on purpose, you would never get this far,” the rhythm section’s blitzing cadence provide a buoyant foundation for the soloists’ slashing lines. Here, the primary melody is designed with extended notes, where notions of Ornette Coleman surface atop Grassi’s ball-of-fire rhythmic frenzy. Then on “Loneliness sounds like That,” Gauci’s haunting and mellow-toned phrasings intersect with Filiano’s bowed-bass maneuvers, topped-off by the musicians ascending crescendos. In other regions of sound, the quartet renders medium-tempo free-bop passages, accelerated by Wooley’s soaring notes and Gauci’s rousing attack.
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CD Reviews: Push The Triangle - “Repush Machine”
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, April 05, 2007 - 03:11 PM |
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Glenn Astarita
CD-2007 D’Autres Cordes Records
This band pushes the envelope upon each subsequent release amid variations in personnel. Adventure-seeking guitarist Franck Vigroux performs on fretless, fretted guitar and electronics here, amid the band’s bass-less format. Its asymmetrical parts; loud, King Crimson like progressive-rock interjected with wild and zany free-jazz, often abetted by Stephane Payen’s punishing sax lines. The unit navigates through difficult time changes and blitzing crescendos with a preponderance of twists, turns, peaks and valleys. Drummer Michel Blanc is an accelerator here, due to his energized rhythmic forays. Nonetheless, the trio pulls out the stops with a turbo-mode demeanor where anything is likely to occur within a nanosecond’s notice, to complement the offbeat structural components.
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CD Reviews: Lenore Raphael Live..Swingin' Fox Music..2007
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, April 04, 2007 - 07:31 PM |
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John Gilbert
Lenore Raphael, Piano
Rudy Lawless, Drums
Hilliard Greene, Bass
This is a live recording, from St. Michael's Theater in NYC, That being
said this is pure jazz with no frills or affectation.
"Blues For O.P." is an original by Raphael who utilizes some tricky
machinations on the keys. This 'original' has no bare bones as one is
wont to hear these days. This a 'scooter' in jazz parlance, meaning it
struts nicely and swings cooly.
"They Can't Take That Away From Me" In her patented style Lenore Raphael
treats this tune with due deference to the Gershwins' (with her own
inventiveness in full bloom)...This is a number played with some muscle
and with gentle admonitions thrown in for good measure, as well as a
whisper of a quote from "Louise".
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CD Reviews: Hill Briggs-Solo Album
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Posted by: muzikman on Wednesday, April 04, 2007 - 12:00 AM |
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Artist: Hill Briggs
Title: Solo Album
Genre: Jazz-Rock-Fusion-Instrumental
Label: Blue Pie Records
Website
Hill Briggs is a one man show on his simply and fittingly titled Solo Album. I find it difficult to begin to articulate all the feelings and complete satisfaction I felt listening to this music. Briggs is an outstanding musician. He spent two years putting this amazing project together. What I find astonishing is the fact that Hill composed all 16 tracks and then played all the instruments, live off the floor, except the saxophone on “Jez G.” He is currently rehearsing a band to play the project live. Too bad I am not in UK to see this event unfold, I would find it very interesting after listening to this CD several times, knowing that he played everything himself except one sax part. It is hard for me to fathom this but every time I hear it, it becomes more real and that much more incredible.
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Concert Reviews: Youman Wilder And Weird Stories Bring Soul And Serious Swagger To Ct
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Posted by: eJazzNews Reader on Tuesday, April 03, 2007 - 11:06 AM |
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Youman Wilder And Weird Stories Bring Soul And Serious Swagger To Ct
Reviewd by:
Michelle Charles
If I hear any more complaints about how Soul and R&B music is dead,
I am gonna just scream!!!!
And scream is what I and about 700 loyal followers of serious Soul Music did this past weekend at
Connecticut's Powerhouse Performing Arts Center In New Canaan.
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CD Reviews: Jen Porter-Moving On
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Posted by: muzikman on Tuesday, April 03, 2007 - 11:04 AM |
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Artist: Jen Porter
Title: Moving On
Genre: Blues, Rock, Singer/Songwriter, Adult Contemporary
Label: JJP Productions
Website
CD Baby Link
Moving On, the third album from Chicago-based artist Jen Porter, showcases the singer's sultry, gutsy voice and ability to seamlessly blend rock and roll, blues and country-folk influences into a contemporary sound. Featuring a solid backing band, this collection of songs is polished, down-to-earth, and full of energy, the perfect soundtrack to a dinner party with friends or a night out on the town. Residents of Chicago can easily catch a live performance, as the hard-working Porter plays four to five shows a week around her hometown; for the rest of us, Moving On brings Porter's powerful vocals right to our living rooms.
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CD Reviews: Press Review "Bobby Pizazz & The RhythmTrain Band"
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Posted by: eJazzNews Reader on Tuesday, April 03, 2007 - 11:04 AM |
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Press Review
03/24/2007
Free/Lance Writer
Bill Jacobs
Review Bobby Pizazz & The RhythmTrain Band
The White Horse Tavern
621 W Court St
Flint Michigan
What a rare find, a dinner show in the heart of Flint Michigan. It was great night at The White Horse Tavern, a little cozy place in the heart of Flint Michigan. It's a great place for a dinner show, and What a Show Bobby Pizazz and friends put on!
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CD Reviews: CD Reviews: Andreas Hagiioannu - “Far and Wide”
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, March 31, 2007 - 02:02 PM |
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By Edward Blanco
Guitarist Andreas Hagiioannu (pronounced â€Hajianu’) of Greek heritage comes to us from the UK and delivers his first professional recording of original light harmonies and just all around beautiful music. The liner notes of the CD only state fourteen tracks but there is one additional hidden treasure appropriately titled, “Hidden Road.” Performing as part of a trio, the guitarist is joined by bassist Dick Griffin and drummer Allan Savage.
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CD Reviews: Emily Hay / Brad Dutz / Wayne Peet
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, March 31, 2007 - 11:00 AM |
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Glenn Astarita
CD-2007 pfMENTUM
Here, we find three West Coast musicians projecting an abundance of ideas while letting the proverbial tape roll. Emily Hay (flutes, vocals), Brad Dutz (percussion), and Wayne Peet (keys, theremin) are prominent forces within California’s new music, jazz and improvisational scenes. And with this title-less studio effort, they shine forth as multitasking artistes. These works feature jangling percussion, variable undercurrents and an intertwining sequence of subtle surprises. Hay’s ethereal and oscillating flute lines on “Metamorphafasize,” is wittily contrasted by Peet’s nimble piano phrasings and Dutz’ regimented cymbal swashes.
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Tony Scott Passes
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Posted by: editor on Friday, March 30, 2007 - 05:45 PM |
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The clarinetist Tony Scott died on March 28th in Rome, Italy, at the age of 86. The cause was prostate cancer. He died at his home in Rome.The memorial service will be 5pm tomorrow (Rome time) at the church of the artists.
Then the body will be flown to Sicily, the family ancestral home (Scott's family name was Sciacca).
He had started playing the clarinet at the age of 12 and with 14 had founded his first quartet. While studying music he participated in jam sessions at Minton's Playhouse in the early 40s and soon was one of the few clarinetists actively participating in the bebop movement. Scott had his own sound which was neither classical oriented nor reflected the New Orleans clarinet tradition but, if anything, was influenced by the sound ideal of the tenor saxophonist Ben Webster.
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CD Reviews: Shoup / Burns / Radding / Campbell-“The Levitation Shuffle”
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, March 29, 2007 - 09:31 AM |
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Glenn Astarita
CD-2007 Clean Feed
This session was recorded by jazz improvisers hailing from the Seattle area. Ultimately, alto saxophonist Wally Shoup and bassist Reuben Radding should be near-household names within the realm of freely improvised jazz-based music. And with drummer Greg Campbell and pianist Greg Burns, this quartet cuts to the chase as the album title serves as a paradigm for the ensemble’s modus operandi.
The musicians often gravitate towards crescendos designed upon piercing improvisational maneuvers: they wind up, rotate duties and revert back to various plateaus. And in some instances, Burns executes childlike phrasings, counterbalanced by Radding’s gravelly-toned arco passages.
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CD Reviews: CD Reviews: Tom Beckham, “Center Songs”
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, March 29, 2007 - 09:30 AM |
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By Edward Blanco
New York-based vibraphonist Tom Beckham is an accomplished musician recording with several other groups and debuted as a leader with his 1999 Suspicion CD. This outing represents his follow up effort as a leader and from this appraiser’s view, a winner of an album in all respects. Providing nine tracks of some very boppish tones, Center Songs will not disappoint you. Beckham assembled a rhythm-based quintet for this recording providing ample space for solo passages by fellow band mates. He is joined here by Chris Cheek (tenor saxophone), Henry Hey (piano), John Herbert (bass) and Diego Voglino (drums).
Though the liner notes are quite spars revealing nothing about the music, they do manage to state that the selection are all originals. The music begins with what I believe is one of the best scores with “Zero Gravity Situation,” a superb melody taking advantage of the leader’s play with rich interludes by Hey and Cheek. Beckham opens up the second track (Visitation) with some beautiful warm lines containing mellow solos by the leader and the saxophonist on one of the lighter harmonies on the album. Drummer Voglino weighs in on the slightly percussive “The Mansions.”
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CD Reviews: Stew Cutler - Trio/Live
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Posted by: editor on Thursday, March 29, 2007 - 09:29 AM |
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By Edward Blanco
Guitarist Stew Cutler may not be a household name in the jazz world but when one is compared to the likes of Jazz greats John Scofield and John McLaughin, only time will tell. This album is Cutler’s third recording and of course, as the title suggests, was recorded live and with his trio of Gary Bruer on the drums and Gene Torres on bass.
Serving up ten tracks of instrumentals that one can assume to be all original compositions, the music reflects the guitarist unique style that the press notes refer to as “sounds of jazz, blues, avant garde, melody and noise.”
The music on Trio/Live is not an easy listen but an interesting experience that I believe will be best appreciated by aficionados that relish the different mix of styles including some elements of rock and fusion all in one package. Cutler can definitely play the strings and does so with superlative fast licks and improvisational changes throughout.
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CD Reviews: CD Review/ Mark Sherman/ Family First /MHP/ City Hall8600
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Posted by: editor on Monday, March 26, 2007 - 08:48 AM |
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George Carroll
CD Review/Mark Sherman/Family First/MHP/City Hall8600
Modern.....Contemporary....Compelling......These are words that are brought to the forefront when you listen to jazz vibist Mark Sherman's new CD jazz project effort. Some added musical fodder are the fine originals offered by both Sherman and jazz pianist-sideman Allen Farnham. Sherman's improvisations can be easily described as ''individual'' as he accurately connotes form, harmony, tonality, modality, melody & rhythms in his musical interpretations.....And, certainly doing these things justice I might add. The group's expressive output is never pompous....Rather refined, concise, & compact....Adhering to a precept of romantic, artistic, ''listener hypnosis'' for our benefit.
George W. Carroll/The Musicians' Ombudsman
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14 Comments
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CD Reviews: CD Review/ Wayne Escoffery/ Veneration/ SCD2081
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, March 24, 2007 - 05:23 PM |
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George Carroll
Wayne Escoffery plays the soprano & tenor sax like
a man citing chapter & verse on how to make a horn
sound credible...And, so he does while you sop up
the cogent talent of this sax savant....Check out his take on ''I Waited For You,'' (jazz ballad extraordinaire).
In general, the technical aspects of his performance are in a word awesome. As he plays & interprets his musical passages, he gives them artistic significance by default.
Last, may I suggest that his dynamic & interpretive
palette is wide-ranged, free of any melodic or harmonic taboos. On the contrary, this guys art is very real!
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14 Comments
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CD Reviews: CD Review/Towner Galaher/Panorama/Self
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, March 24, 2007 - 11:10 AM |
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George W. Carroll
Jazz drummer Towner Galaher has the ability to
re-invent the American Songbook. Just listen to his take on both ''Have You Met Miss Jones'' & '' I'm All Smiles.'' Both Towner & his group have no qualms about dispensing charm, passion, & sensitive abandon in their song artistry....A veritable burst of musical joy, sonority, & color! Galaher's syncopated accents as well as the group's overall dynamic sense is infectiously gay as they bring their art to fruition for our instruction. Without undue presumption, I believe Towner & his sidemen have succeeded in creating a project that is both harmonic & melodic, as well as expressive in the strictest sense of the definition of music...Performed in a most remarkable fashion.
George W. Carroll/The Musicians' Ombudsman
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10 Comments
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CD Reviews: CD Review/Andreas Hagiioannu/Far & Wide/Self
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Posted by: editor on Saturday, March 24, 2007 - 07:56 AM |
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George W. Carroll
Nothing obtrusive, overbearing, proud, or tasteless.....On the contrary, jazz guitarist Andreas Hagiioannu offers his music in a sane, artistic, informative...And, certainly in an understated manner! I'm hearing an enthusiastic delivery with exotic melodic colorings & sensitivity. In addition, Andreas plays his guitar with a supple dexterity, & by default he enriches our musical senses....A formidable talent indeed. Andreas is a fine jazz guitar example of one who can tickle our imagination with his pictorial & emotional artistry. His palette of tonal patterns is in a word, complete..And, his contrapuntal mastery is a breath of fresh air.
George W. Carroll/The Musicians' Ombudsman
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10 Comments
1232 Reads |
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CD Reviews: Paul and Friends-Smooth Sailing
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Posted by: muzikman on Friday, March 23, 2007 - 09:00 PM |
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Artist: Paul and Friends
Title: Smooth Sailing
Genre: Jazz-Pop-Rock
Label: P & J Records
Website
After hearing Smooth Sailing for the first time, my first impression was that it might be a little too contemporary and syrupy for these ears. I do listen to a wide variety of music but I always find myself reaching for my 70’s classic rock when I really want to unwind. Never being one to dismiss a recording after merely one listen, unless its completely horrible for the first 3 or 4 tracks, I endeavored to open my mind and ears once again to really â€hear’ the music.
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CD Reviews: Phil Soussan VIBRATE review
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Posted by: eJazzNews Reader on Friday, March 23, 2007 - 06:44 AM |
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PHIL SOUSSAN
VIBRATE[/i] [Puss In Blue, 2006]
by Will Minting[/b]
For those of you who haven't yet heard it, I think many of you will enjoy Phil Soussan's [i]Vibrate[/i] CD, featuring Steve Lukather, Ritchie Kotzen, Simon Phillips, David Paich, Steve Porcaro and other LA rock greats!
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CD Reviews: Kemp Harris-Edenton
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Posted by: muzikman on Friday, March 23, 2007 - 06:42 AM |
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Artist: Kemp Harris
Title: Edenton
Genre: Blues-Gospel
Label: Righteous Mischeif LLC
Website
Kemp Harris titled his new album after his home Edenton North Carolina. It makes sense to me, use your “home is where the heart is” philosophy, and turn it into music and lyrics that come from the very core of your soul. Harris sings about much more than his former hometown (he resides in Boston now) but I cannot help feeling that was the foundation for everything else that happened on this recording.
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CD Reviews: Bob DeVos - Shifting Sands
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, March 21, 2007 - 07:30 AM |
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Glenn Astarita
CD-2006 Savant
At times, an artist’s original sphere of influence can be redirected into a newfound terrain, resulting in output that might seem either muddled or inspiring. Take for example guitarist Bob DeVos, who launched his musical career as the touring guitarist for pop icon, Frankie Valli and his “Four Seasons” band. Subsequently, DeVos caught the spell of jazz icons/guitarists, Kenny Burrell, Pat Martino and other VIP’s. Here, DeVos morphs the classic jazz-organ combo ideology into a grooving and airy sequence of events, assisted by tenor sax hero Eric Alexander performing on three tracks.
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CD Reviews: Ted Howe - Love Song -featuring Lainie Kazan & Giacomo Gates
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Posted by: editor on Wednesday, March 21, 2007 - 07:28 AM |
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Glenn Astarita
CD-2007 Summit Records
Jazz pianist/arranger Ted Howe’s 2005 “Ellington” and 2006 “Elton (John) Exposed” releases garnered positive reviews and accelerated his stature within jazz circles. With this newly issued endeavor, the pianist prophesizes the Arlen, Porter and Van-Heusen songbooks, where love is the first order of the day. Howe’s penetrating and sharply focused performances once again convey the steadfast commitment he injects into his respective projects.
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CD Reviews: Tri07...Whaling City Sound..2007
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Posted by: editor on Tuesday, March 20, 2007 - 03:47 PM |
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John Gilbert
Joe Beck on guitar heads a trio with Santi Dibriano on bass and Thierry
Arpino, drums.
There is not a lot of 'swinging' quality on this recording, perhaps that
is the purpose.
"You And The Night And The Music" seems to (almost) reach a hip feel,
but alas, the manner of playing lacks the toe tapping happy ambiance
that jazz thrives on. The drums get a bit out of control on occasion and
drown out the guitar on this tune.
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CD Reviews: CD Reviews: David Binney- Edward Simon, “Oceanos”
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Posted by: editor on Sunday, March 18, 2007 - 07:53 PM |
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By Edward Blanco
Although recorded in October 2004, this just released album is altoist David Binney’s latest CD on the Criss Cross Jazz label and follow up to his most recent recording, Cities And Desire. Binney partners with pianist Edward Simon with whom he has had a long professional association. Binney and Simon record this project with bassist Scott Colley and drummer Brian Blade forming one very tight quartet. The group enlists the help of additional players appearing on selected tracks. They include Luciana Souza on vocals, guitarist Adam Rogers, Shane Endsley and Jesse Newman on the horns, trombonist Alan Ferber and Pernell Saturnino on percussions.
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Organist Rod Phillips Passes
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Posted by: editor on Friday, March 16, 2007 - 06:33 AM |
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After a lengthy battle with cancer, Rod Phillips, passed away comfortably in
his sleep, last evening in the hospital, amongst family and friends.
Service arrangements will be made available in the coming days.
Thoughts and well wishes to the family may be forwarded to them through this
email.
Goodbye my friend, my brother.
Steve Grisbrook
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8 Comments
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CD Reviews: Swampdawamp-Self Titled CD
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Posted by: muzikman on Friday, March 09, 2007 - 12:00 AM |
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Artist: Swampdawamp
Title: Swampdawamp
Genre: Blues-Rock
Label: Big Penny Entertainment
Website
Amazon Link
With a tongue twister of a name like Swampdawamp you may not know what to expect for music. I figured it had to be at least southern flavored, and I was partially right. This band plays rock and blues and their sound is something like the Allman Brothers meets Lynyrd Skynyrd or some facsimile thereof. Ok enough with the comparisons and trying to figure who and what they sound like, when the day is done they create a sound that is all their own.
Gig Michaels has a hefty whiskey like vocal style that lends itself nicely to the lyrics and the sounds the band generates. Right at the outset “I’m Feelin’ Saturday” sets the tone and they grab hold and take control of the steering wheel, never once veering off track. As they move through each track you become increasingly entertained and engrossed in what they have to offer.
The one track that really says who they are lyrically and musically is “Sunday Southern Tradition.” It is all about backyard barbeques and pretty girls and the thrill of NASCAR racing. The south is veracious in their appetite for racing and the culture that has grown up with the sport. This tune tells the tale. It all sounds so darn real when you listen to the Swampdawamp wailing blues-rock machine pump out the music and Michaels starts churning out those vocal workouts. Then they hand out a “Little Pill Called The Truth” with a little ditty called “Tastes Like Chicken To Me.” This is a play on words and more than hints that what we are going through in Iraq right now tastes an awful like the last go round we had in Vietnam, accept this is much more complicated and difficult to get out of, but in the end it still taste like chicken. Yup, I heard that message loud and clear.
This is a very entertaining CD in many ways and well worth your time to check it out. If you have a hankerin’ for the blues-rock southern style, I have just the ticket for you, a little old band called Swampdawamp. You may not be able to say it or spell but you sure you can hear it.
© MuzikReviews.com
Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck-March 6, 2007
Tracks:
01. I'm Feelin Saturday (3:18)
02. Sometimes (3:33)
03. Birthday (4:38)
04. Blind Crippled and Crazy (4:56)
05. Backporch (3:55)
06.The River (6:06)
07.Sunday Southern Tradition (4:50)
08.Miss Becky (3:32)
09. Little Pill Called The Truth (4:24)
10.Tastes Like Chicken To Me (5:25)
Credits:
Gig Michaels: lead vocals & acoustic guitar
Marty Hill: lead & acoustic guitars and dobro
Duke Rivers: B3 & piano
Michael Hough: guitar & backup
Robbie Hegler: bass & backing vocals
David Lee: drums & backing vocals
Additional Musicians & Vocalists:
Michael Brignardello: bass
Eric Darken: percussion
Zippy Dokes: B3
Sabra Callas, Lokie Cloud, Vicky Hampton: background vocals
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15 Comments
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CD Reviews: Eric Kamen-Eric 2.0
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Posted by: muzikman on Friday, March 09, 2007 - 12:00 AM |
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Artist: Eric Kamen
Title: Eric 2.0
Genre: Instrumental-World-Fusion
Label: E*Traxxx Productions Inc.
Website
Eric Kamen has returned with a continuation of his Native Unit project with Eric 2.0. Once again, Kamen plays all the instruments, composes all the tracks, and produces the final product.
He is nothing short of a magician with the Spanish guitar, dazzling us once again with a distinct blend of Latin and Middle Eastern flavored rides that last long into the desert evening. As the sun sets in your mind’s eye, you can picture a mysterious stranger riding off into the sunset, just like in the old spaghetti westerns. It sounds cornball but this wonderful music is simply destined for each individual listener to evoke his or her own images. Surely, only the creator could truly convey what it all means but it allows us to let our imaginations run wild as the wind and make up our own stories complete with handpicked actors to play out the drama.
There are 14 tracks on this CD and it sounds as if it’s a long story continued within each track. The flow of tracks 1-7 is similar in style but differ in tempo. Track 8 is “1001 Nights,” it starts and changes up the entire pace that you just became accustomed to hearing then suddenly it feels like another chapter or segment of the story begins. This beautifully textured composition comes filled with airy guitar parts and sitar, and then when the bongos come online it is like a trip into a dark and dusty Arabian night. During the song a gently ringing bell lures you in and relaxes you, which sets you up for a little more Middle Eastern atmosphere and intrigue with “Etude for Flute and Sitar.” Another one of my favorites is “La Gitane,” it has a hook filled melodious stretch that I cannot get out my head and I love it.
Kamen is a master for setting up a mood and keeping you entranced and on course. His fluidity with his compositions and ability to hold steady a common theme is what keeps you hanging on for the next track. The gift that the artist holds close to his heart is the innate ability to take a bare bones guitar track and fill in all the missing pieces and layers to make one complete song. He is a one-man band, a solo artist that sounds like 3 or 4 individuals playing their parts. This is another splendid performance by Eric Kamen, that will likely get people’s attention in a more dramatic fashion than the last release and have them wondering what they may have missed the first time around.
© MuzikReviews.com
Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck-March 5, 2007
01. Paco-san (2:43)
02. Rambling on Las Ramblas (2:43)
03. Goin Down (4:18)
04. Left Eye (3:09)
05. Mumbai Mami (2:55)
06. The Belly Dancers of Sedona (3:26)
07. Emotion L (3:46)
08. 1001 Nights (4:37)
09. Etude for Flute and Sitar (3:05)
10. Bonehead (3:40)
11. Dirty (3:29)
12. 7 Days 6 Nights (3:35)
13. La Gitane (3:16)
14. Dirge (4:08)
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LOCAL TORONTO JAZZ MUSICIAN AND U of T MUSIC GRADUATE ORGANIZING NATION-WIDE RALLY FOR KYOTO
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Posted by: editor on Friday, March 02, 2007 - 07:26 AM |
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LOCAL TORONTO JAZZ MUSICIAN AND U of T MUSIC GRADUATE ORGANIZING NATION-WIDE
RALLY FOR KYOTO
Toronto Rally to take place at Nathan Phillips Square at 12 noon with guest
speakers and musicians
The warmest Canadian winter on record certainly has people talking, and the
Canadians for Kyoto Rally aims to get the government moving. This
independent, volunteer, citizens' movement wants Canada to recommit to its
Kyoto targets and help fight climate change. The rally, which will be held
in cities across Canada on Sunday, March 11, 2007, intends to build
consensus and positive action rather than point fingers and lay blame. A
wide range of speakers from the government, environment agencies and green
businesses will join musicians, entertainers, writers, and journalists to
share their thoughts and concerns with the public. So far, hundreds of
people from all walks of life have visited www.canadiansforkyoto.com to
pledge their support and join the Rally.
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CD Reviews: Beatle Jazz ''All You Need' LTY54796
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Posted by: admin on Saturday, February 24, 2007 - 06:00 PM |
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Actually.....All you need are talents of the likes of 'Toots Thielemans' (jazz harmonica) & 'Joe Lovano' (reeds) to insure a successful, dynamic & viable CD project...And, so it is that jazz drummer Brian Melvin has succeeded in creating a treatise of 'Beatles' music for us to peruse. Having both Toots & Lovano on any CD effort means in any sense the insurance of an ultimate homogeneous delivery, while retaining great intensity. The music of the Beatles has never sounded more richly emotional with the combined efforts of these collectively artistic & consumate musical craftsmen adept at propelling music on the 'cusp' or the 'edge' as it were.
George W. Carroll/The Musicians' Ombudsman
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9 Comments
1850 Reads |
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CD Reviews: Jane Stuart..Beginning To See The Light..JSM001 2006
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Posted by: admin on Saturday, February 24, 2007 - 12:00 AM |
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By John Gilbert
This a hot album from start to finish. Stuart is a splendid singer with
a true sense of jazz (a rare commodity) She articulates nicely with a
tone as clear as moonshine and twice as potent.
"I'm Beginning To See The Light" A bass line opens this tune and Jane
Stuart struts her stuff in her finest musical finery. A solid piano solo
caps off this sassy song
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CD Reviews: Ron Polson "That Old Feeling"
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Posted by: admin on Friday, February 23, 2007 - 03:14 PM |
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''Saloon singer down under''..Under the guise of one Ron Polson American Songbook vocal interpreter extraordinaire. Ron's a wonderful exponent of our classic 'standards' with his melodic treatment of some of our more reverent old chestnuts as it were. His vocal talents are admirably straight ahead. His phraseology & feeling for a song are both emotive & compelling. Ron along with his group delivers his music with a lyrical lushness, while the group tenders their backup with a soft complementing dynamism. We need his type of vocalese here in the USA.
George W. Carroll/The Musicians' Ombudsman
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15 Comments
1617 Reads |
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CD Reviews: Jose R. Duque’s ZUMBATRES “Far Away”
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Posted by: admin on Friday, February 23, 2007 - 03:14 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Zumbatres is a seasoned Latin Jazz group led by Venezuelan-born percussionist Jose R. Duque who penned seven original tunes for this second album of upbeat Latin Jazz rhythms influenced by Venezuelan grooves. The CD contains three bonus tracks recorded live at the Press Room in Portsmouth, NH. The last two tracks being repeat live versions of the first two studio recorded tunes.
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CD Reviews: Jeff Alkire, “One Summer In Winters”
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Posted by: admin on Friday, February 23, 2007 - 03:13 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Saxophonist and educator, Jeff Alkire has produced two previous albums as leader and while still teaching at Sierra College in Northern California, continues his professional musical career with work on television, film and studio recordings on the West Coast.
For this album however, Alkire chose to cross the country and record with the next generation of talented New York musicians.
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CD Reviews: Facing East..Scott Kyle Quintet..2007
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Posted by: admin on Friday, February 23, 2007 - 03:12 PM |
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By John Gilbert
This is an easy going quintet led by trombonist Scott Kyle, who rips
through some nice changes in this recording
The showcase tunes on this album are "Punjab" and "Moontrane" both are
done in a jaunty mode with solid solos by all contributors and these
numbers epitomize the strong suit of this quintet.
4 Stars
Visit California Coast Jazz At:
http://community-2.webtv.net/johnnyjazz/johnnyjazzsjazzpage
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11 Comments
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CD Reviews: Alain Bradette 'State of Mind' AB-1001-04CD
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Posted by: admin on Monday, February 19, 2007 - 07:09 AM |
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Whoa!!....Double whoa!!!....And, whoa again to the immensity of color, feeling, panache, & just overall utter jazz craft contained in the talent(s) of Orlando, Fla. based reedman Alain Bradette. Alain is a transplant from another great jazz oriented musical town..Montreal Canada. To the enormity of his artistry, I say an enthusiastic....Oui, Oui!! Alain plies his wares like a gifted polymath...And, in particular his lyrical sax jazz voice is firmly based in the classic bebop tradition. He represents an uncommon classical crossover style as he improvises for our instruction. His gentle, pleasing, and almost meditative music contains a mettle that is definitely worth seeking out.
George W. Carroll/The Musicians' Ombudsman
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15 Comments
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CD Reviews: Ellen Honert, “Breath of The Soul”
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Posted by: admin on Monday, February 19, 2007 - 07:08 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
A songwriter, pianist and singer, Netherlands-born Ellen Honert makes her debut CD with this recording of six originals and six covers in a smooth light jazz fashion surrounded by a cadre of excellent musicians. Breath of The Soul is in fact a breath of fresh new material and interpretations of some classic scores all arranged by Frank Martin who also contributes on the acoustic piano, keyboards and the Hammond B-3 organ. Among the other notables appearing on this album are Alex Acuna (drums/percussion), Andy Narell (steel pans), Tuck and Patti (guitar/vocals),Dori Caymmi (guitar/vocals) and the Turtle Island String Quartet.
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CD Reviews: Elisabeth Lohninger “The Only Way Out is Up”
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Posted by: admin on Friday, February 16, 2007 - 10:29 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
A long time fixture of the New York jazz scene, Austrian-born Elisabeth Lohninger releases her second album with The Only Way Out is Up ( Beneath You Surface, 2004 was her debut CD). A faculty member of the Jazz Department at The New School, of which I’m proud to be an alumnus, the professor penned seven of the ten tracks offered on this new project.
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CD Reviews: Miles Okazaki “Mirror” CD-2006 Independent
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Posted by: admin on Friday, February 16, 2007 - 06:50 AM |
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By Glenn Astarita
Well-schooled and well-armed as a serious technician and composer, guitarist Miles Okazaki has produced an intriguing and irrefutably, captivating set here. He firms up his methodologies with some of the best and brightest modern jazz artists. With these fourteen tracks, Okazaki pursues harmonically attractive choruses tied into contrapuntal horns and odd-metered rhythmic forays.
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CD Reviews: Johnny O'Neal Jazz Trio "Live In Concert"
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Posted by: admin on Friday, February 16, 2007 - 06:49 AM |
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Johnny O'Neal 'struts his stuff' on stage & begins his jazz concert like a seething volcano waiting to explode. And, so he does in the vernacular of Art Tatum. Each solo he takes on the first track continues to evolve into a first rate treatise into the art of strong improvisational jazz. This is Johnny's forte & his sidemen are part & parcel of this virtuosic performance with a quicksilver technique reminiscent of Tatum. O'Neal delivers his craft with an effortless familiarity with several jazz styles from bebop to total abstraction.....He brings a fresh dynamism to the art of jazz.
George W. Carroll/The Musicians' Ombudsman
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9 Comments
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CD Reviews: The Laurie Lewis Quintet..With Heather Stewart..A Sense Of Wonder..LORCD001 2005
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Posted by: admin on Friday, February 16, 2007 - 06:49 AM |
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By John Gilbert
Eleven tunes on this album and all are composed by Laurie Lewis who also
plays tenor. The lyrics by Alwyn Lewis carry a strong message, . These
songs are not the usual fare one hears on 'original' material these
days. A sense of wonder is indeed prevalent at the magical arrangements
that are quality works of art.
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CD Reviews: Andy Narell: Music for Steel Orchestra “Tatoom” CD-2007 Heads Up
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Posted by: admin on Wednesday, February 14, 2007 - 12:00 AM |
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By Glenn Astarita
Steelpan acolyte Andy Narell recorded one instrument at a time for this album, featuring special guests; guitarist Mike Stern, saxophonist David Sanchez and percussionist Luis Conte. Here, Narell layers all the pans, i.e. tenor bass and bass steel pans amid other tone-centric variations of this resonating, rhythmic instrument. And with the jazz element intact, the artist looms as a one-man pan orchestra, where pulsating and thriving rhythmic elements loom as a common denominator throughout.
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CD Reviews: Nobuki Takamen “Bull’s Blues” CD-2006 What’s New Records
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Posted by: admin on Tuesday, February 13, 2007 - 12:00 AM |
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By Glenn Astarita
Upon graduating Summa ***** Laude from Boston’s prestigious “Berklee College of Music,” Japanese jazz guitarist Nobuki Takamen, penetrated the New York and New Jersey area jazz scenes. With his first effort as a leader, the artist steers his quintet through a modern jazz set, awash with medium tempo swing vamps, often dappled with snappy choruses and melodic hooks. No frills or revelations here, as it’s more about jazz with a feeling via the ensemble’s straightforward mode of attack.
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CD Reviews: Jane Stuart "Beginning To See The Light" JSM001
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Posted by: admin on Monday, February 12, 2007 - 04:09 PM |
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This chick singer will 'rub you the right way' with her song(s). Like the Tom Cruise movie is prone to state: ''She had me at 'For All We Know'.'' Jane Stuart
& her group serve us their music with a freedom & plasticity on an even keel with their propensity to ply their wares with variety, originality, & tonal textures.
These are all things a discriminating ear looks forward to hearing. This project is an amalgam of musical strength, sensitivity, and individuality. Good show folks!
George W. Carroll/The Musicians' Ombudsman
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13 Comments
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CD Reviews: Brittany Allyn..Like A Butterfly..MPMG20071 2007
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Posted by: admin on Monday, February 12, 2007 - 02:57 PM |
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By Jon Gilbert
Brittany Allyn is a throwback to the western swing era with maybe a hint
of R and B. Her articulation is strictly in the country genre. The
guitar in the ensemble is pure twangy grits and gravy.
Allyn has a nice voice and does justice to this particular idiom. Maybe
a standard or two would get her message across more emphatically. She
wisely did not include "Crazy" on this record.
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CD Reviews: Toph-E & The Pussycats - Self
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Posted by: admin on Monday, February 12, 2007 - 02:52 PM |
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We are treated to a rollicking sojourn of tight swinging jazz, plus the frosting: Some taut vocal harmony by Will Lee on vocals with his (I will have to assume) digital vocal assist by machine. Trust me when I say that this prior statement
Isn't offered to lessen the impact of this fine project. Leader Chris Parker as his own liner notes so aptly state: ''Take no prisoners in Motown.''
George W. Carroll/The Musicians' Ombudsman
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CD Reviews: Victor Saumarez, “Swing Strings”
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Posted by: admin on Monday, February 12, 2007 - 12:09 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
British-born jazz guitarist Victor Saumarez, based in Pasadena, California, is primarily a self taught musician who has been playing the acoustic guitar for two decades. With three previous recordings to his credit, Swing Strings leaves no doubt that this man knows how to pluck a mean string with grace and elegance. This album is an acoustic journey and in part, a tribute to the Gypsy style of Django Rheinhardt with beautiful renditions of Rheinhardt’s “Swing 39” and the classic “Minor Swing” where Saumarez demonstrates his ample talents on the acoustic guitar.
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CD Reviews: Pablo Aslan Buenos Aires Tango Standards CD-2007 Zoho Music
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Posted by: admin on Monday, February 12, 2007 - 12:05 PM |
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By Glenn Astarita
In 2005, bassist/bandleader Pablo Aslan returned to Buenos Aires after a 25 year hiatus. During his ten-month stay he summoned musicians who were well-versed in both modern jazz and tango. Aslan’s latest outing signifies a somewhat jazzier integration of tango music, firmed up by his poignantly executed lines and heartfelt arco passages. He establishes a limber foundation for the hornists’ jubilantly communicated choruses, steeped within punctual phrasings and melodic overtones.
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CD Reviews: Elliot Sharp & Reinhold Friedl “Feuchtify” CD-2006 EMANEM
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Posted by: admin on Tuesday, February 06, 2007 - 12:00 AM |
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By Glenn Astarita
New York City downtown acolyte, modernist and globe-trotter Elliot Sharp, spins a personalized aura into whatever genre he tackles. A world-class guitarist within blues, avant-garde and jazz-rock environs, he can run with the best of them. Here, Sharp reunites with German pianist/bandleader Reinhold Friedl for a sequence of unearthly duets, as the latter, performs on prepared and inside piano.
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CD Reviews: Landon Knoblock, “Listening Between”
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Posted by: admin on Monday, February 05, 2007 - 07:10 AM |
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By: Edward Blanco
Landon Knoblock is a young jazz pianist and composer working in the South Florida area for the last eight years. I have had the pleasure of seeing and hearing Mr. Knoblock many times when he performed as a member of the University of Miami Concert Jazz Orchestra and most recently during a stint with the New South Florida Jazz Orchestra.
Listening Between is Knoblock’s debut album recorded in February 2006 and just released.
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CD Reviews: Nick Moran Trio “The Messenger” CD-2007 – CAP
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Posted by: admin on Monday, February 05, 2007 - 07:09 AM |
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By Glenn Astarita
New York City reared guitarist Nick Moran grew up as a rocker while subsequently discovering the jazz vernacular. He leads this superb organ-combo effort with undeniable charm and lots of gusto. Featuring pumped-up grooves, Moran -- armed with his custom made German electric guitar -- renders crystalline licks with capaciously melodic overtones and up-tempo pulses. While organist Ed Withrington serves as a near-perfect foil here. Meanwhile, drummer Andy Watson pushes and accentuates his band-mates with discernible buoyancy. They cover funk, shuffle motifs, snaky time signatures and swing, as they make the most out of dynamics amid a few softly woven passages.
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CD Reviews: Josephine Livoti "NY City Jazz Singer"
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Posted by: admin on Sunday, February 04, 2007 - 03:00 AM |
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You just never know who you might ''bump into'' at a jazz conference. While my wife & I attended the IAJE jazz conference in 'The Apple' last month, we were
inundated with nothing short of world class music. In the middle of listening to music from the Julliard Big band, Dizzy's big band with Nancy Wilson on vocals, The Village Vangard big band, & Michel LeGrand's musical ensemble, I sat next to a delightful lady, (Josephine Livoti)....And, in the course of some viable networking, I found out she happened to be a journeyman jazz singer. After an exchange of current CDS with her & various/sundry performers, we returned home with a bevy of animated talent, including Josephine's. I must say I was pleasantly surprised at both her level of vocal talent, & the degree of musicianship she obviously demands of her CD projects. Her unobtrusive skill as a singer are matched only by her instinctual hold on interpretation. I feel that her level of talent should be acknowledged positively by a critical fraternity of her peers. Last, she has a great propensity to 'feel' her tunes with a tremendous variety of harmonic, melodic & emotional resonance.....Let me add that she has the ability to incorporate her sonorous 'lament' to what she delivers vocally. It's warming to note that this type of vocalese still prevails nowadays.
George W. Carroll/The Musicians' Ombudsman
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CD Reviews: Chris Crocco "Fluid Trio" Self
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Posted by: admin on Saturday, February 03, 2007 - 05:34 PM |
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By default, Chris Crocco's new CD project ''Fluid trio'' comes together.....Yes....Holds together with the colossal talents of global reedman George 'Garz' Garzone on his project. You'll find an interesting meld of instrumentation on the disc..Guitar, Sax, and drums, yet each consummate in their delivery. Leader & jazz guitarist Chris Crocco offers us a clear predominance of jazz guitar found in his ultimate musical expression
for the music he has chosen. The combined group demonstrates a wide knowledge & versatility of our beloved jazz idiom as expressed through their improvisations. Unique stuff indeed!!
George W. Carroll/The Musicians' Ombudsman
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31 Comments
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CD Reviews: Emilio Teubal, “La Balteuband”
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Posted by: admin on Tuesday, January 30, 2007 - 12:00 PM |
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By: Edward Blanco
The music of pianist and composer Emilio Teubal may not be familiar to you but his debut album hopes to change that a bit. Argentinean-born Teubal captures an interesting session of light jazz incorporating elements of Argentinean music on La Balteuband. Based in New York, the pianist leads a small ensemble of ethnically diverse musicians from all over the world producing a world jazz sound that you will enjoy. Joining Teubal on this first effort are fellow countryman Franco Pinna (drums), Israeli-born Kobi Solomon (clarinet and saxes), from Japan, Moto Fukushima (bass), and Brazilian Felipe Selles (flute and saxes).
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CD Reviews: Shep Meyers..Solo Thoughts..SM0107 2007
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Posted by: admin on Tuesday, January 30, 2007 - 10:00 AM |
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By John Gilbert
Shep Meyers has chosen his tunes wisely and he performs them with style
and finesse.
From "Have You Met Miss Jones" which he swings nicely, to the haunting
Strayhorn piece "Blood Count" Meyers takes command of his instrument and
pays tribute to the composers with due deference to their intent.
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CD Reviews: Brad Shepik Trio “Places You Go” CD-2006 Songlines.
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Posted by: admin on Monday, January 29, 2007 - 02:56 PM |
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By Glenn Astarita
A vital stylistic contributor to New York City’s downtown scene, guitarist Brad Shepik is recognized for his estimable status as a solo artist amid his participation with trumpeter Dave Douglas and numerous project-based sojourns. He takes command of this vibrant organ trio date featuring Hammond B-3 artiste Gary Versace and modern jazz session drummer of choice, Tom Rainey.
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CD Reviews: Chie Imaizumi "Unfailing Kindness" Capri-74081-2
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Posted by: admin on Monday, January 29, 2007 - 02:54 PM |
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Composer Chie Imaizumi enjoys one of the joys of writing one's own music......Having players of consummate talent play one's stuff! And, as Tiger Okoshi (famed jazz trumpet player) asserts: ''Chie & her music have the energy of the sun.'' Her music is hard to classify...Certainly she's on the crossover side....And, Chie will definitely be a composer to ''observe'' as she continues to develop as it were. Chie's prowess & skill as a composer exhibit's a level of artistry that is hard not to acknowledge by her peers...Certainly, this applies as well to her critical musical compositional fraternity too. I suggest that her intimate and harmonically brilliant compositions will continue to reach both a profound and discerning audience now as in the future.
George W. Carroll/The Musicians' Ombudsman
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