Moods are created here. Drummer Jerry Granelli forms a lithe rhythm team with 3 stringed-bassist Simon Fisk to create an undercurrent for the horn heavy team of Mike Murley/ts, Dani Oore/ts-ss, Andrew McKelvey/as and Andrew Jackson/tb. As Grenelli describes it,…
Month: August 2015
The Expanders: Hustling Culture
The five piece band The Expanders is comprised of John Asher/drperc-voc, John Burcher/voc-g-perc, Chiquis Lozoya/voc-b, Roy Fishell/org and Devin Morrison/voc-g-perc deliver what we might call “old school” reggae. Earthy and without embellishments, the quintet sounds like vintage Jimmy Cliff, Desmond…
Fred Hersch: Solo
“Holds you in his arm chair you can feel his disease” John Lennon I finally caught Fred Hersch in concert this past year, and while his trio albums are superb, I’m glad I took him in during a solo performance,…
WHO WAS THIS CHICK?!? Rita Reys: The Cool Voice of Rita Reys, Rita Reys and the Pim Jacobs Trio Featuring Kenny Clarke
Just when you think you’ve heard all the singers from the 50s and 60s… Born in Holland, Rita Reys was dubbed “Europe’s First Lady of Jazz.” She had a voice that was a cross of Chris Connor’s vo-cool and Ertha…
Joe Satriani: Shockwave Supernova
“Mirror, mirror on the wall…who’s the biggest gunslinger of all?” Guitarist Joe Satriano walks into Guitar Dodge City looking for a shootout with the local sheriff on his 15th studio album. He’s teamed up with the ultra power trio of…
Curtis Haywood: Smooth Ingredients
Alto and soprano saxist Curtis Haywood keeps it smooth and upbeat on this collection of originals with JJ Sansaverino/g, Travis Milner-Witnel P aul/key, Mel Holder/ts-bs, Jose Asencio/b, Tony Moore/dr and Paul Aponte/perc. He’s got a clear and warm tone displayed…
Manu Katche’: Touchstone for Manu
Drummer Manu Katche’ puts himself in a wide variety of settings here, mixing and matching with a dozen guests that include Mathias Eick-Tomasz Stanko/tp, Jan Garbarek/ts and Marcin Wasilewski/p. Some pieces are quiet things that emphasize gentle and thoughtful piano…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Gillian Margot: Black Butterfly
Record albums are usually invitations to see the artist in concert, but in my case, I happened to hear vocalist Margot sing recently and was so impressed I had to check out to see if she sounded as attractive in…
Will Herrington: Solace
Pianist Will Herrington displays a rhythm touch along with a reflectively soulful team of Jon Richards/b and Andrew Boyle/dr on this released. The trio shows a New Orleanish ability to swing on the bouncy “Jockamo” and meditative reflections create a…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****John Yao and His 17-Piece Instrument: Flip Flop
If you’re a big band fan, you’re in for a treat on this session by composer, conductor and trombone player John Yao. As heleads a pistol packing big band through ten flavorfully swinging charts. He must have grown up watching…