Here are two vocalists that take the jazz feel, but combine it with more of a Broadway feel , but the marrow of the tradition is kept intact. Oakland-based vocalist Suzanna Smith puts together a release that has a heart…
Month: February 2014
Past & Present Futures: Past & Present Futures
The team of Jeff Platz/g, Daniel Carter/sax-tp-cl-fl, Francois Grillot/b and Federico Ughi/dr-perc make up the Past & Present Futures Quartet. Their kinship and association with the likes of Sun Ra, Billy Bang, Joe Morris and William Parker is palpably noticeable…
Bobby Watson & The “I Have a Dream” Project: Check Cashing Day
Alto great Bobby Watson puts together a team of musicians Hermon Mehari/tp, Richard Johnson/p, Eric Kennedy/dr and Curtis Lundy/b along with cameo appearances by Horace Washington/fl and Karita Carter for 15 musical themes. The problem is not the music, but…
Craig Yaremko Organ Trio: CYO3
This is not your “Jimmy Smith” styled organ outing; think more “Larry Young” in terms of harmonics and rhythms. Leader Craig Yarenko performs on the soprano, alto and tenor saxes as well as soprano and alto flute along with Matt…
MAINSTREAM HEAVEN…Brian Gephart: Standing on Two Feat
Here is the type of stuff that completely restores my faith in jazz. You get six blue collar workers like Brian Gephart/ts-ss, Tom Garling/tb, Neal Alger/g, Karl Montzka/p, Kelly Sill/b and Eric Montzka/dr. They’re never going to headline the Hollywood…
George Colligan: The Endless Mysteries
Pianist George Colligan has been quietly putting together an impressive catalogue of albums, and this one looks to be his best. It doesn’t hurt that he’s chosen Larry Grenadier/b and Jack DeJohnette/dr to be his stablemates, but the real impressive…
Juakali: Feathers Too Bright
Sometimes, I have these fantasies: What will happen a hundred years from now when our civilization uncovers the rap music of our generation and plays it? What will come to their mind if they hear an album like this, which…
Anne Ducros: Either Way
Subtitled “From Marilyn to Ella” this album by vocalistsAnne Ducros purportedly takes us through a semi history of female singing styles. She does some clever re-arranging of wll known songs, such as giving a Kenny Rankinish 70s feel to “Diamonds…
Sonya Robinson: Whistle
Violinist Sonya Robinson got Miles Davis’ attention number of years ago, comparing her to Ray Nance and Stuff Smith. She indeed does show a love of swing on this record dedicated to the memory of her mother, who is memorialized…
Geoff McBride: Journey To The Soul
Geoff McBride has a rich and flexible tenor voice, and uses it well in this varied collection of soul jazz tunes. The band consists of Trammell Starks/key, Chris Blackwell/g, Scott Meeder/dr and Joseph Patrick Moore-Sam Simms/b along with a rotating…