It wasn’t so long ago that I remember seeing Jeremy Pelt as “the next big thing” and was impressed by his gorgeous tone. Fast forward a few decades, and he’s now an elder statesman, being the guiding light for younger…
Author: George W. Harris
Eldad Tarmu: Silver On Aluminum
Here’s a brilliant idea from vibraphonist Eldad Tarmu, as this album takes on the classic hard bop catalogue of Horace Silver and puts them in a trio concept with Marty Isenberg/b and Michael Shapira/dr. The fact that there is no…
Dayna Stephens: Hopium
Playing tenor and alto saxes, Dayna Stephens teams up with Aaron Parks/p, Ben Street/b, Greg Hutchinson/dr and guest Charles Altura/g on a collection of originals. Stephens has a warm and glowing sound on the reeds, soft and mellow on ”Trust”…
Bill O’Connell: Touch
Piano vet Bill O’Connell trios up with Billy Hart/dr and Santi Debriano/b on tis easy to love mix of originals and modern post boppers. Hart shuffles with joy on “Billy’s Blues” and joins in to the playfulness of “Three Little…
Omar Thomas Large Ensemble: Griot Songs
Composer Omar Thomas delivers an ambitious two disc release, bringing in a big band that includes bold and exciting charts surrounding passionate soloists. The seven songs range from 8-19 minutes, filled with segues, solos and rabbit trails. Jason Palmer’s trumpet…
Kenny Wheeler Legacy: Some Days Are Better
The music of the late great Canadian composer Kenny Wheeler is investigated through a collection of scores previously resurface and interpreted by Royal Academy Of Music Jazz Orchestra and Forst Jazz Orchestra,with guests galore joining in the festivities. Ingrid Jensen…
Brian Simpson: Midnight Groove
Brian Simpson comes off as a modern day Antonio Jobim, composing tunes as well as playing piano or keyboards on this album with a lyrical spaciousness that is reminiscent of the bossa nova master. The tunes have a light jazzy…
SINGERS FROM STAGE AND SCREEN…The Best Voices Time Forgot…Anita Ellis: The World In My Arms/Carol Lawrence: Tonight at 8:30
Not all vocalists made a living as strict jazz or pop singers… Back in the day, if you ever saw a voluptuous actress like Ava Gardner, Barbara Stanwyck or Rita Hayworth singing in a club, most likely it was some…
The Bigger Badder Bones Featuring Andre Hayward: Sliders
This album has more ‘bones than a chiropractic clinic, as Andre Hayward leads the brassy sliders of Christopher Leach, Pete Madsen, Brett Stamps and bass horn Steve Wilson through a collection of polished charts. Backed by Jeff Jenkins/p, Bobby Scharmann/b…
Yuval Cohen Quartet: Winter Poems
Playing soprano sax and melodic, Yuval Cohen paints pastel portraits with Tom Oren/p, Alon Near/b and Alon Benjamini/dr on an album of originals. Bringing in his melodica, Cohen wafts on soprano sax with Oren on a gasping “ For Charlie”…