Currently Director of Jazz Studies at Temple University, trumpeter Terell Stafford still gets a chance to show his students and fans the practical side of the trumpet, with this latest album a perfect addition to his curriculum. He’s amassed an…
Category: Ringer of the Week
***RINGER OF THE WEEK****Anthony Hervey: Words From My Horn
Just when you think there’s no one left who “gets it” on trumpet… Anthony Hervey plays trumpet and sings a bit with a swinging yet modern conviction on this release. I’ve never heard anything from him before, but this album wih Sarah Hanahan/as,…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****George Freeman: The Good Life
One thing veteran musicians learn through the years is not what to play, but what “not” to play. Guitarist George Freeman, at 96, has mastered space and time like few before him putting together an album for the ages with…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Gretchen Parlato & Lionel Loueke: Lean In
Vocalist Gretchen Parlato reunites with long time friend Lionel Loueke, both showing much growth since their collaborations almost 15 years prior. The melding of Parlato’s wisp of a voice, at times drifting and other times percussive, works hand in glove…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK***Rovanio: The Music of Nanny Assis
I shudder to think what modern jazz would sound like today if it weren’t saved back in the1950s by Brazilian sounds in general and samba in particular. One of today’s best proponents of the sensuous sounds of Brazil is delivered…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Joe Farnsworth Quintet: In What Direction Are You Headed?
Best known for his work with the likes of tenor saxists Pharoah Sanders, Benny Golson and Eric Alexander, drummer Joe Farnsworth shows how he can stretch out and still swing with a fresh sound of musicians from today’s generation. He…
****THIS IS HARD BOP PIANO****Sonny Clark: The Complete Sonny Clark Blue Note Sessions
Hard bop pianist Sonny Clark is no stranger to Mosaic Records. He was a sideman on three classic units previously reissued, one with Buddy DeFranco , another with Tina Brooks, and the last alongside Grant Green. In this limited edition,…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Stockholm Voices: New Horizon
It’s albums like this that get you excited about jazz again! First, it’s also reassuring that there are other bands in Sweden besides ABBA. Do I get an “Amen”? The group Stockholm Voices consists of Gunilla Tornfeldt/sop, M aria WInther/alto,…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Anthony E. Nelson Jr: Swinging Sunset
Tenor sax man Anthony E. Nelson Jr puts out an album that takes you back to the beefy horn/B3 meetings between Stanley Turrentine or Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis with Shirley Scott. Nelson smokes like a Cohibo throughout, with Koehler humming on…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Lauren Henderson: Conjuring
Following up on her last album, the seductive La Bruja, vocalist Lauren Henderson continues using less to say more on this dishabille-dressed collection of late night moods. She mixes and matches with the cool tones of Joel Ross/vib, Gabe Schnider-Nick…