Drummer Ralph Peterson has had an impressive career as sidemen for the like of Terence Blanchard, Charles Lloyd and Walter Davis Jr. Here, he leads a trio with Zaccai Curtis/p and Luques Curtis/b that focuses on compositions by post bop…
Month: June 2016
Jeff Guthery: Black Paintings
Drummer Jeff Guthery takes you on a tour similar to Rod Serling’s Night Gallery on this free from mix of jazz and strings. The team of Kenny Werner/p, Georeg Garzone/ts, Bruno Raberg/b and David Fiuczynski/dr team up with the leader…
Pharoah Sanders w/ Harold Mabern Trio @ Catalina’s 06.10.16
This is why I love jazz… I get to the club early to meet tenor sax legend Pharoah Sanders in order to get a “set list” from him for this review. He’s in his room sitting and fingering his sax…
Cyrille Aimee Quintet @The Blue Whale 06.09.16
The first time I heard vocalist Cyrille Aimee on an album, I thought she was from the Midwest, as her diction, dialect and sense of swing seemed to have come right out of the Kay Starr-Mildred Bailey school of hot…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Renato Braz: Saudade
If you’ve been looking for some fresh Brazilian music, look no further. Grade B Maple Syrup of a voice Renato Braz teams up with Paul Winter and his famed Consort along with guests like Dori Caymmi and Ivan Lins for…
Axel Tosca Laugart: Tosca
Cuban pianist/composer Axel Tosca Laugart delivers a stunningly enjoyable album that comes out of nowhere to grab your attention. The music ranges from attractive trios with James genus/b and Jeff “Tane” Watts/dr on the CTI soulful “Estrella” and funky “3Rio”…
Danny Green Trio: Altered Narratives
Pianist Danny Green’s trio has been a solid team, backing up artists such as vocalist Roberta Donnay. Here, Green shows his composing and arranging skills match his tactile talents with Justin Grinnell/b and Julien Cantelm/dr as his pieces such as…
Marcos Varela: San Ygnacio
Houston raised and NYC based, Marcos Varela brings his bass to lead a team of adroit all stars on this rich collection of material. The core rhythm team of himself with George Cables/p and Billy Hart/dr are a force unto…
Roberta Piket: One For Marian
Pianist Roberta Piket delivers a successful “celebration” of pianist/personality Marian McPartland which focuses on the famed lady’s compositions along with a couple of songs inspired by her. She brings together Steve Wilson/as-fl, Virginia Mayhew/ts-cl, Bill Mobley/tp-fh, Harvie S/b and Billy…
Rex Cadwallader-Mike Asetta-Arti Dixson-Tiffany Jackson: A Balm In Gilead
Can gospel music coincide with free jazz? That’s the question delivered and somewhat answered by the team of Rex Cadwallader/p, Mike Asetta/b and Arti Dixson/dr as they deliver elastic and flexible originals as well as traditional spirituals with classical vocalist…