Paquito D’Rivera never seems to lose inspiration for ideas. His latest release finds him exploring the music of Latin Jazz giant Armando Manzanero. Along with Diego Urcola/tp-vtb, Alex Brown/p, Carlos Henriquez/b, Antonio Sanchez/dr and guest Ariel Lud/band, D’Riveraeven brings in…
Month: February 2016
DUETS FROM TUM…Wadada Leo Smith & John Lindberg: Celestial Weather, Juhani Aaltonen & Iro Haarla: Kirkastus
Jazz duets have been around since they started making records about 100 years ago. Here are 21st Century versions that take the tradition “to infinity and beyond!” Wadada Leo Smith’s trumpet teams up with John Lindberg’s bass for three suites…
Carol Welsman: Alone Together
Carol Welsman brings her vocal and piano skills to team up with Rufus Reid/b, Lewis Nash/dr, Wallace Roney/tp, Jay Azzzolina/g and Steven Kroon/perc for some fresh takes of standards and jazz tunes. She’s got a calm and wistful voice, and…
GOD WITH US…Tommy Emmanuel: It’s Never Too Late
No, guitarist Tommy Emmanuel is not God. But, his last name literally means “God with us,” and his playing is a living proof of a benevolent Creator who bestows gifts to people to show that he exists. Tommy Emmanuel has…
Robert Francis: Valentine
Vocalist Robert Francis takes on the songs and mood of Chet Baker on this eight song ep. His voice has a bit more darkness to it, which keeps this collection from being mere imitation. Also, he teams up in a…
The 3.5.7 Ensemble: Amongst the Smokestacks and Steeples
The name of the band is due to the flexible size arrangement. Believe it or not, the core band is a quintet consisting of Nick Anaya/ts, James Davis/tp, Tim Stine/g, Chris Dammann/b and Dylan Andrews/dr. This band sometimes strips down…
Snarky Puppy: Family Dinner Volume 2
The band Snarky Puppy reminds me of my old VW van. I used to tell people, “It’s not a vehicle; it’s an attitude.” The Baker’s Dozen rotating band Snarky Puppy is similar; they come across as a Millennial version of…
FLUID…Jack Mouse & Scott Robinson with Janice Borla: Three Story Sandbox, Malija: The Day I Had Everything
Want some sounds outside the jazz box? Jack Mouse plays drums, gongs, sticks and things that go bump in the night; Scott Robinson takes on various reeds, woodwinds, guitars, whistles and things that go bump in the day; Janice Borla…
THOSE WERE THE DAYS…Don Menza Sextet: Live at Carmelo’s
Once upon a time, the LA jazz scene was jumping. In the 70s and 80s, you had a plethora of clubs that had musicians from the studios jamming until sunset; Donte’s, The Lighthouse, Alphonses, Concerts by the Sea, Pasquale’s and…
Richard Shelton : An Englishman In Love In LA
If you like your vocals delivered in Rex Harrison charm, then Richard Shelton’s your gent. He’s got a disarming dash about himself as he teams up with an impressive lineup that includes Gregg Field/dr, Mike Lang/p, Chuck Berghofer/b and a…