Month: February 2017

Ray Lyon: Trinity One

Once upon a time there was a category of music termed “Modern Contemporary Music” which was more sophisticated than rock and soul, but not as self-indulgent as a lot of modern jazz. Keyboardist Ray Lyon taps into that root along…

Marcello Pellitteri: Aquarius Woman

Drummer Marcello Pellitteri teams up with a core unit of Orazio Maugeri/as, Salvatore Bonafede/p-key and Gabrio Bevilacqua/b and various guests on this clever album of songs and snippets. The team shows an affinity for bop and beyond with Bonafede’s piano…

Quentin Tolimieri: Piano

Yes, there is a piano being played by Quentin Tolimieri on this solo album of 8 pieces, 6 of which are originals. All eight are free form explorations with tension and assertiveness. For 16 minutes, “Changing/Time” is a relentless run…

Stu Harrison: Volume 1

Pianist Stu Harrison creates a flexible and lithe trio with Neil Swainson/b and Terry Clarke/dr for some rich reads of jazz standards. Harrison’s got a nimble touch with rich textures on “Blame It On My Youth” and intriguing chord approaches…

Nu Haven Kapelye: What’s Nu?

Traditional Klezmer gets modernized on this album that will make you swing and shving. You’ve got a minion+ of an ensemble with bassist David Chevan directing traffic of violins, reeds, brass, voices and keys galore. Edda Rubenstein, Jackie Sidle and…

Jerome Jennings: The Beast

Drummer and leader Jerome Jennings delivers a vibrant album that hearkens to the hard bop days of Art Blakey, yet with a modern touch. He brings together a sharp team of Sean Jones/tp-fh, Howard Wiley/ts, Dion Tucker/tb, Christian Sands/p and…