Two recent releases of double albums by jazz orchestras that give messages in music. Pianist, composer and lyricist Mike Holober brings together a large ensemble of musicians and voices to delivera “meditation on the beauty of nature and the fate…
Month: August 2024
Roger Kellaway: Live At Mezzrow
Famed swing styled pianist Roger Kellaway is caught in the act at MEzzrow’s on May 5, 2023 with a trio format of Jay Leonhart/b and Dennis Mackrel/dr with guitarist Roni Ben-Hur sitting in for a spell. Kellaway displays his wide…
Eric Alexander: Timing Is Everything
Possessor of one of the beefiest tones on tenor, Eric Alexander plays to his strenthc wit ha core team of Rick Germanson/p, Alexander Claffy/b and Jason Tiemann, with a few guests on some of the tracks. Stan Wetering brings in…
Seth Lee Jones: Tulsa Custom
Playing guitar, vocalist Seth Lee Jones boogies hard with Bo Hallford/b and Matt Teegarden/dr-perc on this power trio special. The guitars are thick on the shuffling “110” and the team hits the 8 bar b eat on “Mr. Evil” and…
David Murray Quartet: Francesca
One of the leading voices on tenor sax, David M urray brings in his quartet of Marta Sanchez/p, Luke Stewart/b and Russell Carter/dr for a collection of mostly originals. There is a Charles Mingusy feel to this album, shown in…
Obed Calvaire: 150 Million Gold Francs
Best known for his work as a sideman for the likes of Dave Holland, drummer Obed Calvaire puts together his own working team for an impressive album that mixes sounds and flavors like a musical gumbo. The team of Godwin…
VINYL REVIVAL…Charlie Parker: Ornithology-The Best Of Bird
OK, so this vinyl album is NOT the reissue of something recorded last century. Instead, Craft Recordings has put together a “greatest hits” of the inventor of modern jazz, alto saxist Charlie Parker, who with the other gents on this…
Nicki Adams & Michael Eaton: The Transcendental
Pianist Micki Adams teams up with tenor saxist Michael Eaton for a collection of duets, featuring standards, originals and a sublime suite. Eaton’s big and wholesome tone is a plus here, and he uses it well on Joe Henderson pieces…
Graham Dechter/Alex Frank Quartet@The Baked Potato 08.06.24
This is why I love the LA jazz scene… So, I just saw guitarist Graham Dechter and bassist Alex Frank a couple weeks ago at Sam First Bar, delivering comfort food bop with pianist Josh Nelson at the helm. Why…
Dred Scott: Cali Mambo
Pianist Dred Scott creates sizzling Latin pulses akin to vintage George Shearing on the bouncy album with Tom Beckham/vib, Matt Pavolka/b and Moses Patrou/perc. Shearing’s own “Cali Mambo” is given a peppy reading with the chiming of piano, vibes and…