Bassist Lorin Cohen delivers an impressive session here with a team of Ryan Cohan/p-key, Donald Edwards/dr, Joe Locke/vib, Yvonnick Prene/harm, Victor Provost/stl-drm and Samuel Torres/perc.The team waxes and wanes in size, with harp and steel pan making a fun mix…
Month: August 2015
Aretha Franklin@Microsoft Theater 08.02.15
As emcee and pastor Carlton Pearson said during the concert, “Aretha Franklin brings the church wherever she goes.” With luminaries like Berry Gordy in the audience, Ms. Franklin delivered an almost two hour collection of music that shows that the…
Dayme’ Arocena: Nueva Era
What’s the best import from Cuba? Cigars, baseball players or music? Singer/composer/arranger Dayme Arocena makes a good argument for the latter on this very impressive release. Associated with Jane Bunnett’s latest group, she’s got an earthy lilt to her voice…
Mark Winkler: Jazz and other Four Letter Words
One of the most under-appreciated jazz writers as well as composers, Mark Winkler continues to build up his impressive catalogue of songs and albums with an album so hip you’re going to need to visit the chiropractor after a couple…
JD Allen: Graffiti
Post bop tenor saxist JD Allen teams up with Gregg August/b and Rudy Royston/dr for a free flying roller coaster ride of originals. He’s most in the pocket on the bopping “Indigo (Blue Like) and lays down a rich blues…
Johannes Wallmann: The Town Musicians
There is truth in advertising in the Fresh Sound New Talent Label. This Spanish label finds artists that show a hopeful future for jazz. Here, we’ve got pianist Johannes Wallmann leading a flexible team of Gilad Hekselman/g, Russ Johnsoon/tp, Sean…
Blinddog Smokin’: High Steppin’
Known for their work with famed soul-blueser Bobby Rush, the band Blinddog Smokin’ jumps out into the limelight with an impressively hot disc of their own. Lead by Carl Gustafson’s vocals and harp, the team of Chalo Ortiz/g, Rolland Pritzker/b,…
The Who: Live at Shea Stadium 1982
Back in 1982, The Who was without iconic drummer Keith Moon, but for this tour (which was supposed to be their last. Yeah, right) they brought the more than adequate Kenny Jones along with keyboardist Tim Gorman in promotion of…
Robert Cray@The Canyon Club 07.31.15
There are few things that mix together as well as summertime and the blues, and Robert Cray’s band delivered a 1 ½ hour set that was both good for beating the heat and warming the heart. His band of Richard…
BEN WILLIAMS COMES OF AGE
BEST KNOWN FOR HIS WORK WITH PAT METHENY’S BAND, BASSIST BEN WILLIAMS HAS RECENTLY RELEASED HIS SECOND IMPRESSIVE ALBUM, COMING OF AGE. WE RECENTLY CAUGHT UP WITH MR. WILLIAMS AFTER HIS SUCCESSFUL GIG AT THE BLUE WHALE. HIS RISE TO…