I remember watching this concert on TV and wondering to myself “Is this even possible, or am I experiencing an optical illusion?” The mix of legendary fusion guitarist John McLaughlin taking up the acoustic guitar with flamenco legend Paco DeLucia…
Month: September 2016
TWO DIFFERENT TRIOS…Joe Policastro Trio: Pops, Michika Fukumori: Quality Time
Here are two different formats of jazz trios, one with guitar and one with piano. Bassist Joe Policastro brings together Dave Miller/g and Mikel Avery/dr for a celebration of pop hits of the last few decades. The idea and delivery…
Leon Foster Thomas: Metamorphosis
Most of the time you think of steel pans, your mind goes to vacations in the Bahamas or Jamaica. Leon Foster Thomas turns them into a true jazz instrument here. Along with Martin Bejerano/p, Kurt Hengstebeck/b, Michael Piolet/dr, Jean XCaze/tp,…
Doug MacDonald: Just For Fun
Doug MacDonald has made a successful career as a warm toned mainstream guitarist. All of his albums are rock solid; his last was a (almost) solo adventure that oozed class and style. This time around, he brings a bunch of…
Scott Neumann & Tom Christensen: Spin Cycle
The quartet of Tom Christensen/ts-ss, Pete McCann/g, Phil Palombi/b and Scott Neumann/dr deliver ten post bop originals with a variety of moods. Christensen’s sax gets pungent on “Rainbow Shoelaces” and the band even delves int rock with Neumann hitting the…
Gwen Hughes: Native Land
Gwen Hughes is sweet in both tone and delivery on this cheerful collection of material mostly from her own pen. The two beat guitars and ukulele provided by Steve Cunningham create upbeat moods on “These Years” and “I Fell In…
TOTALLY RETRO…Blue Moon Marquee: Gypsy Blue, The Hot Sardines: French Fries + Champagne
Why look forward when you can sound good gazing back? Here are two groups that mix the vintage with modern. Blue Moon Marquee consists of AW Cardinal, who sings and plays guitar, and Jasmine Colette, who handles the bass, drums…
VOCALS AND VARIETY…Alicyn Yaffee: Someone Else, Cheryl Fisher: Quietly There
Here are a couple of direction for the jazz vocalist; one a bit on the indie side, the other more traditional. Alicyn Yaffee has a clear and cool folksy voice as she plays guitar along with a suavely swinging and…
Todd Hunter Trio: Eat, Drink, Play
I’m not sure if pianist Todd Hunter ever read the book of Ecclesiastes in the Bible, but the title of his trio album fits the attitude. All we can expect from life is to enjoy our labors, so make the…
Rebekah Victoria & JazzKWest: #OldfashionedTwitterTwit
Vocalist Rebekah Victoria keeps it upbeat and perky as she delivers 16, count ‘em 16 snappy reads of standards. The core team of Chuck Manchini/g, Bob Steele/b and Bob Belanski/dr is deft and delightful as Victoria stations herself on “Taking…