Pianist/composer Vardan Ovsepian regularly performs locally and is making waves not only as a solo pianist but as a creator of some intriguing chamber jazz. His latest foray may be his most successful, as he has found a singing partner…
Month: December 2013
George Thorogood & The Destroyers: Live At Montreux 2013
The music scene used to be filled with white guys playing the blues, but as of 2013, George Thorogood is one of the last guys standing. He’s been slinging that Gibson around for decades, and through musical and cultural styles…
Dave Sharp’s Secret Seven: Worlds
Bassist/composer Dave Sharp has a good attitude about his music, as he describes his style as “World Jazz for the Jazz World.” Truth in advertising here, as Sharp and his team of Chris Kaercher-Dan Bennet/sax, Elden Kelly/g, Bill higggins/dr, John…
Duke Ellington and His Orchestra: The Treasury Shows Vol. 17
People always ask me, “Can you have a happy life without listening to every recording by Duke Ellington?” To which I reply, “Of course, but why take a chance?” Here, you’ve got vintage Duke from 1944-46; broadcasts from the Civic…
****RINGER OF THE SETTEMANA****Gary Smulyan/Dominic Chianese: Bella Napoli
Is anyone noticing that bari saxist Gary Smulyan is putting out some of the greatest music the past few years? Last year he did a cooker of a tribute to Ellington’s sax section, and now, well, it’s a different type…
SAX MEN…Joakim Berghall: Dialogues I, Scott Jeppesen: El Guapo
Here are two reedmen that are trying to create a whole new sound and style of their own. Pay attention! Joakim Berghall plays soprano, alto, tenor and bari here on this collection of originals. What is creative here is that…
3 Cohens: Tightrope
So, three Cohens walk into a bar… Ok, so it’s not the greatest start of a joke. What we’ve got here are sister Anat/cl-ts with brothers Yuval/ss and Avishai/tp sharing ideas on 18, count ‘em 18 different different tunes. Sometimes…
CREATIVE GUITARS…Jake Hertzog: Throwback, Phill Fest: Project B.F.C.
Wanna hear some fresh fret work? Give a listen! Guitarist Jake Hertzog fronts an unorthodox quartet with Randy Brecker/tp-fh, Harvie S/b and Victor Jones/dr for nine originals that mix the lyricism and sophistication of jazz with the rhythmic sensibilities of…
Alex Cline: For People In Sorrow
One of my favorite jazz festivals is the annual October display of left of center music provided by the Angel City Art Festival located in good ol’ LA. Performed at various venues, a concert at the acoustically wondrous Redcat Theatre…
The DePaul University Jazz Ensemble with Jeff Hamilton: Salutes Woody Herman
Here’s a big band from college that does the wise thing by going back to a familiar and timeless songbook, but brings the harmonies and rhythms a bit more up to date. For the most part it works, particularly if…