Back in 1976, an obscure but respected rock/blues guitarist named Peter Frampton put out a two disc set of a typical concert of his own well conceived compositions. Somehow, God’s grace shined on the young man, and the album sold…
Month: February 2013
Poncho Sanchez and His Latin Jazz Band: Live In Hollywood
Essentially, you’re not officially an Angeleno unless you’ve seen Poncho Sanchez in concert. The East LA icon is a living landmark, as much as Tito’s Tacos or Tommy’s Burgers. This cd finds the conga king in his natural environment, and…
VARIOUS SOUNDS AND MOODS FROM ECM-Elvind Aarset: Dream Logic, Benedikt Jahnel Trio: Eaquilibrium, Jose’ Luis Monton: Solo Guitarra
Here are the latest releases from ECM, showing the height, breath, depth and width of music that comes to 21st century ears. If they don’t have it, it may not exist! A duo recording between Elvind Aarset and Jan Bang…
THE YIN AND YANG OF JAZZ-Sam Rivers/Dave Holland/Barry Altshul: Reunion: Live in New York, Dennis Angel: Timeless Grooves
Would someone who listens to one of these releases listen and enjoy the other? Can smooth and avant-garde be friends? Sam Rivers, who just departed from us fairly recently, left us with one last gift, a recording of a reunion…
OTIS WILLIAMS: 50 YEARS OF TEMPTATION
Yeah, you’re right. Technically, charter member of the famed R&B quintet The Temptations is NOT a jazz singer. GET OVER IT!!! Would YOU turn down a chance to sit at the feet and learn from the last living member of…
PONCHO SANCHEZ: CON ALMA
Up there with Tito’s Tacos, Bob’s Big Boy, Tommy’s Burgers, Vin Scully and Pinks Hot Dogs has to be salsa King Poncho Sanchez in terms of LA institutions. If you’ve never been to a club to hear, feel and take…
WHERE WAS THIS HIDING?!? Miles Davis Quintet: Live In Europe 1969; The Bootleg Series Vol.2
I’ve come to the conclusion that, though we tend to put Miles Davis’ career into certain creative segments, (like the First Quintet, the Second Quintet, the Gil Evans period) and everything between those eras being considered a “transition” period, the fact…
Branford Marsalis Quartet@Valley Performing Arts Center 02.02.13
Returning to the town where he used to lead the Tonight Show band, Branford Marsalis reunited with fans and friends by bringing his hard working group of Joey Caldarazzo/p, Eric Revis/b and Justin Faulkner/dr to the acoustically enjoyable Valley Arts…
LA’S SIX STRINGERS
Since the days of Eddie Lang and Lonnie Johnson, guitars have been an integral part of jazz. Before plugging in, guitarists were either part of the rhythm section a la Freddie Green being the pulse of Count Basie’s Orchestra for…