Rich moods are formed by the team of Michael Levin/ts-ss-fl-cl, Leandro Lopez-Varady/p-key, Heath Chappell/dr, Steven Hashimoto/b, Neal Alger/g, and guests including the Swing City Express Big Band. Levin’s tenor is hip on the boppin g”Soon We’ll Be Togetehr again” and…
Month: July 2018
PULL OUT YOUR 78s…The Glenn Crytzer Orchestra: Ain’t Life Grand?
Jazz and Big Band sounds from the Depression Era are faithfully presented by leader Glenn Crytzer, who sings, directs, and plays banjo or guitar with a two beat big band that reflects the vintage tones of Duke Ellington, Jimmie Lunceford,…
Alexandra Jackson: Legacy & Alchemy
Sensuous vocalist Alexandra Jackson brings in jazz and Brazilian artists both past and present on this smoothly delivered 2 disc set. Artists ranging from Ivan Lins, Hubie Laws and even bringing in old recordings from Tom Jobim and Miles Davis…
GUITARS IN FRONT…Vin Venezia: Fifth and Adams, Bill Hart Band: Live at Red Clay Theatre
A pair of rich sounds with six strings out in front. Warm toned guitarist Vin Venezia delivers some swinging originals out in various group settings on this latest album. On electric guitar, he bops well with Bob Magnuson/ts, David Budway/p,…
A DEFINITIVE TRIO…Denny Zeitlin Trio: Wishing On the Moon
Recorded during a 2009 concert at Dizzy’s Coca Cola, Denny Zeitlin’s trio with Matt Wilson/dr and Buster Williams/b delivers a textbook example of interplay, teamwork and swing that should be used in many a music school. The material is all…
Buster Williams: Audacity
I think a shorter list could be compiled of which jazz stars bassist Buster Williams hasn’t played with during his illustrious 60 year career. This album with the strong team of Steve Wilson/as-ss, George Colligan/p and Lenny White/dr have Williams…
HEY, MISTER TAMBOURINE MAN…Gene Clark: Sings for You, The Rose Garden: A Trip Through the Garden
The sounds and vision of the country-rock band The Byrds is still felt today. In fact, there WAS no musical genre entitled “country rock” until the Byrds )and subsequent spinoffs like the Flying Burrito Brothers) even came into existence. Here,…
Ray Bonneville: At King Electric
Austin-based Ray Bonneville keeps it simple with shadows and colors on this album with Richie Lawrence/ep, Andre Bohren/dr and some cameo guests as he sings and plays guitars in dark sepia tones. Bonneville’s voice is filled with oak tones, and…
CRUISE NIGHT…Manhattan Alley: Big Apple Blues, The Little Red Rooster Blues Band: Lock Up the Liquor
Put on the leather jacket, button up the blue jeans and hop in the car… Instrumental blues bands are a rare treat these days, so Manhattan Alley, consisting of Admir Hadzic/b, Barry Harrison/dr, Zach Zunis/g, Jim ALfredson/B3, Anthony Kane/harp and…
THE GYPSY SPIRIT LIVES…The Django Festival Allstars: Attitude Manouche
For some strange reason, while revivals of Traditional Jazz like New Orleans or Chicago can be stilted or dated, the sounds of Django Reinhardt’s Hot Club is still as fresh as an early morning baguette. This team of Samson Schmitt/g,…