This album is subtitled “The exciting, swinging piano music of…” and with a gauntlet thrown down like that, pianist Joe Alterman has some work ahead of him. He more than lives up to the brand, as he tems up with…
Month: July 2015
Phil Maturano: At Home Everywhere
Unlike certain presidents, drummers are able to “lead from behind.” Phil Maturano does an excellent job of it as he mixes originals with covers with a rotating trio team of Phil Palombi-Michael O’Brien-Irio O’Farril/b and Matthew Fries-Christian Torkewitz/p. his brushes…
BRAZILIA…Antonio Adolfo: Tema, Nicole: Raizes/Roots
Here are a couple ways Brazilian music can be exported. Pianist Antonio Adolfo delivers music that is classic and classy in the samba style on this album. He’s teamed with Marcelo Martins/fl-ss, Leo Amuedo/eg, Claudio Spiewak/ag, Jorge Helder/b, Rafael Barata/dr…
Voo Davis: Midnight Mist
Voo Davis takes the blues from the back porch to the city streets here with a team of Craig Borchers/dr, Michael Burkart/B3, Reggie Winterland/b, Calvin Conway/f-harp and Carolyn Broussard-Dorian Rush/voc. As for himself, Davis handles mandolin, pedal steel, keyboards and…
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN…Harvie S & Sheryl Bailey: Plucky Strum, Ana & Milton Popovic: Blue Room
There is no Battle of the Sexes here. The co-lead teams here make wonderful music together. Bassist Harvie S teams up with guitarist Sheryl Bailey for a cozy and intimately swinging affair of originals. Harvie’s lyrical bass dances with Bailey’s…
BUSY! BUSY! Antonio Sanchez: Three Times Three, Antonio Sanchez & Migration: The Meridian Suite
Drummer Antonio Sanchez took some time off touring with Pat Metheny and making soundtracks for Birdman to put out two impressive and completely divergent releases, promising something for everyone. The two disc Three Times Three has Sanchez in trio settings…
Claire Ritter: Soho Solo
Pianist Claire Ritter delivers an intriguing solo album here of mostly originals, and what makes it most appealing is the no-frills approach to each song. Nothing is over four minutes long, and not a note or bar is wasted. “I’ve…
Ran Blake: Ghost Tones
Pianist composer Ran Blake delivers a tribute to jazz icon George Russell by presenting many of the pioneer’s pieces (or pieces associated with him) in a series of piano solo or small orchestra ensembles. His piano touch has hints of…
Todd Marcus Jazz Orchestra: Blues For Tahrir
Dedicated to the revolutions in Egypt that finally settled in peace for the secular Muslims and Coptic/Evangelical Christians, Blues For Tahrir has bass clarinetist Todd Marcus weave an intriguing suite of sounds with rich themes and exciting solos. The team…
Brooklyn Gypsies: Sin Fronteras
Gypsies indeed! These artists come from all over the world, representing Spain, Japan, Russia, Italy, Russia and even the US! Carmen Estevez Calero/voc-perc, Tina Kristina/voc-b, Takuya Nakamura-tp-synth-b, Troy Simms/ss-as, Brandon Lewis/dr and Moreno Visini/oud make up the band, songs and…