A pianist from the Bay area, Anne Sajdera delivers an impressive release here, mixing some Brazilian flavored originals with modern standards. Her team of Gary Brown/b and Paul van Wageningen/dr is supplemented with appearances by percussionists Airto Moreira and…
Month: October 2012
Tony Monaco: Celebration: Life-Love-Music
You think you like the Hammond B3? ARE YOU SURE?!?!? You’d better be, as this double portion of a 2 disc release by Tony Monaco serves up a blue plate special of blues, boogie, brazil and gospel that is going…
THE ALMA OF MIGUEL ZENON
When you see an artist perform, it’s easy to forget that not only are you getting the performer’s music, but his or her entire background as a human being. Alto saxophonist Miguel Zenon, who has a resume that includes Charlie…
TERENCE BLANCHARD’S CHOICES
Few jazz artists are able to cross the barrier between playing bona fide and creative jazz while also able to communicate musically with the mainstream world. Terence Blanchard has been able to live in these two world due to his…
LISA HILTON: AN IMPRESSIONED AMERICAN
Malibu based pianist Lisa Hilton’s latest release, American Impressions (with Nasheed Watts/dr, JC Allen/tenor, and Larry Grenadier/b) is a sonic tribute to the unique sounds of this wonderful country. In her liner notes, which also includes photos of archetypal US…
AHMAD JAMAL: REAL SUCCESS
What would it take for you to consider yourself “successful?” When do you think you will finally “arrive?” Is success a destination, or simply a journey? What is your measure of a “successful” life? Pianist Ahmad Jamal has seen and…
CHICK COREA : FURTHER EXPLORATIONS OF THE CONTINENTS
If you want to do a history of post modern jazz, an easy way might be to simply follow the career and six degrees of separation of pianist Chick Corea. Initially working as a sideman with Stan Getz, Willie Bobo,…
Denise Donatelli: Soul Shadows
Here’s a singer that is unjustly under the radar. Denise Donatelli simply does everything right. Even better, her taste in material is immaculate. Her first record was of standards, but since then, while still including a well known tune here…
Angel City Jazz Festival@Ford Amphitheatre 10.07.12
It’s quite amazing: I’m not the biggest fan of left of center jazz that stays outside more than in. I’m more of a Getz than Coltrane kind of guy. But I’ve got to tell you, I always have a great…
Marcus Miller@Catalina’s 10.04.12
If soulful jazz with a loose necked backbeat is your thing, then all that was missing from Marcus Miller’s show with his air tight band this October evening was Eddie Murphy “getting’ in the hot tub,” as every other aspect…