Drummer Mark Lomax leads an intriguing trio with Edwin Bayard/ts and Dan Hulett/b on deft and dynamic collection of originals. Connected by thoughtful solos serving as interludes provided by each member, the songs range from a cataclysmic “Chaos” to an…
Month: December 2014
REGGAE GOT SOUL…Giant Panda Guerilla Dub Squad: Steady, Easy Star All–Stars: Dub Side of the Moon
Can Reggae survive the 21st Century? Here are two recent releases that look back, and WAY back, in order to maybe move forward. The GPGDS consists of James Searl/b-voc, Chris O’Grian/dr-voc, Dylan Savage/g-voc, Dan Keller/g-p-voc and Aaron Li pp/key and…
Wadada Leo Smith: Red Hill
Outside trumpeter Wadada Leo Smith teams up with compatriots Jamie Saft/p-key, Joe Morris/b and Balazs Pandi/dr for six band composed pieces.What keeps these explorative pieces together is the rich, warm and clear tone of Smith’s trumpet, whether open or with…
GET ME MEMPHIS TENNESSEE! The Duke Robillard Band: Calling All Blues
Guitarist Duke Robillard has put out a catalog of albums that celebrate the various environments a six stringer can feel comfortable in. This time, he goes to Memphis, home of dry rub BBQ and comes up with a wonderfully swampy…
Debbie Orta: Child’s Play
South Floridian Debbie Orta mixes standards with her own compositions on this upbeat and cheerful session with some top flight sidemen. The team of Mike Orta/key-p, Nicky Orta/b, Ed Maina/woodwinds and Carlomagno Araya/dr mix and match with various guests, making…
Gypsy Hill: Our Routes
Here’s a band that will wake you out of your slumber. Lead by classical guitarist Roi ‘Froik” Erez and tuba meister Omer “Mr. Poo” Plotniearz, Gypsy Hill has a rotating team of bass, drums and a trumpet/trombone section that will…
DJANGO’S DJOY! Joscho Stephan’s Acoustic Rhythm, Joscho Stephan & Helmut Eisel: Gypsy Meets the Klezmer
Want some fun with your frets? Try this Paris-based guitarist Joscho Stephan, who’s put out two recent albums that swing and sway in a winning way. He’s got the Hot Club of France feel, but he doesn’t let it constrain…
The Depue Brothers Band: When It’s Christmas Time
Here’s a mix of Christmas with bluegrass that will make you happy even if you’re the hardest core jazzer. The violin/viola team of Wallace Depue/Jr, Alex Depue, Jason Depue and Zach Depue team up with Mark Cosgrove/g-mand, Mike Mumford/banj-g, Kevin…
SOMI’S LAGOS MUSIC SALON
So, what IS the root of America’s classical music, aka “jazz”? We may say it is ultimately from Africa, but so little of today’s jazz actually hints at any reference to the Mother Continent. Vocalist and songwriter Somi, with blood…
TOP REASONS TO LOVE THE SEASON!
Yes, it can be commercialized, but SO WHAT?!? There’s something about the Christmas season that is special. Yes, you have Chanukah, Kwaanza and a bunch of other holidays that vie for attention, but the Big Cheese of holidays is on…