Sometimes, I just don’t get it. Sure, tenor saxist JD Allen has some impressive credentials, having toured with Betty Carter for a long time. But, there has to be something said about being in a big band for awhile and…
Author: George W. Harris
Branford Marsalis & Joey Calderazzo: Songs Of Mirth And Melancholy
The thing that has always impressed me about both Wynton and Branford Marsalis is that when they play jazz, they sound like jazz musicians, and when they play classical (unlike Benny Goodman) they sound like classical artists. Here, Branford and…
Bastian Weinhold: River Styx
Drummer Bastian Weinhold leads a post bop quintet with Adam Larson/ts, Pascal Le Boeuf/p, Nils Weinhold/g and Linda Oh/b through a collection of band-penned originals. The music divides into edgy and longer pieces like “The Tune” and “Space” and dreamy…
Deborah Pearl: Souvenir Of You
Here’s a clever tribute to an unfairly overlooked giant of the jazz scene: Benny Carter, who not only was one of the great alto sax players ever, but was pretty good with the trumpet and writing pen as well. Here,…
NewFound Road: Live At The Down Home
In jazz, the music is supposed to tell a story; ditto for lyrics to The Great American Songbook. I think that’s what I like about Bluegrass-this band right here, Jamie Booher/b, Joe Booher/mandolin, Josh Miller/banjo-g, Im Shelton/g and Jim VanCleve/fiddle,…
Walt Weiskopf Quartet: Live
Tenor saxist Walt Weiskopf briought a top notch team to the University of South Carolina for an impressive gig back on April 8, 2008. The rhythm team of Renee Rosnes/p, Paul Gill/b and Tony Reedus/dr is flexible and veers towards…
Dan Weiss: Jhaptal Drumset Solo
The title is a bit of a misnomer, as on first glance, you’re probably going to think that this release by drummer Dan Weiss is simply one guy “going for it.” Instead, Weiss teams up with guitarist Miles Okazaki and…
Benny Green: Source
WHERE HAS THIS GUY BEEN?!? At one time, pianist Benny Green was one of THE up and coming pianists. He’d had stints with Woody Shaw, Betty Carter and Art Blakey before putting out some impressive discs of his own, most…
Fred Ho: Deadly She-Wolf Assassin At Armageddon! /Momma’s Song
Well, Fred Ho is nothing if not innovative. The bari sax/bandleader/composer has put out some thrilling releases, and this one, a soundtrack/tone poem with a small band, is just as exciting. The team of Ho, Masaur Koga/as, Art Hirahara/p-key, Wesley…
Chemical Clock: Chemical Clock
There’s a scene in the classic movie The Great Escape, when Donald Pleasance and James Garner are drinking some home made moonshine. They imbibe a sip, and Garner, after gasping, asks “What is THAT?!?” to which understates, “I know what…