Though recently departed to his eternal reward, Mark Murphy remains arguably the most influential vocalist for today’s generation of male singers. From Kurt Elling to Theo Bleckman, the shadow of Murphy’s smile is found via his ability to play with…
Month: May 2017
Giacomo Gates: What Time Is It?
Giacomo Gates sings like the life he’s lived; he was a blue collar worker before changing careers to sing like a world wise sage. This latest album of his is simply delightful, almost like your hip uncle coming over for…
Romero Lubambo: Sampa
Brazilian guitarist Romero Lubambo continues to build up an impressive catalogue of gorgeous sounds from his home country. This time around he mixes and matches electric and acoustic guitars in solo, duo and trio settings with Sidiel Vieira/b and Thiago…
SWINGING REISSUES…Count Basie: The Atomic Mr. basie, Sidney Bechet & Martial Solal: Together, Django Reinhardt: Nuages
Discovery Records has been reissuing a series of Legendary Jazz Albums which include wonderful picutes by French photographer Jean-Pierre Leloir. These latest three feature albums by artists that made their styles infused with that thing called “swing.” One of the…
SPEAKING FROM THE GRAVE…James Luther Dickinson: I’m Just Dead, I’m Not Gone
Vintage rock and root pianist James Luther Dickinson may have left our planet for his final judgment, but his music still remains for earthly ears. This collection of songs gathered from gigs ranging from 1983 to 2006, with fellow musicians…
Oliver Lake Featuring the Flux Quartet: Right Up On
Alto sax legend teams up with the Flux Quartet consisting of Tom Chiu/vio, Conrad Harris/vio, Max Mandel/vio and Felix Fan/cel through seven free spirited originals. A few of the pieces have Lake sitting out, as the spontaneous “ Sponge”, “2016”…
Diana Krall: Turn Up The Quiet
In what may have been Tommy LiPuma’s last production, Diana Krall’s latest album is a frame-able work of art. She sticks to her strengths here, emphasizing her incredibly strong and seductive voice on this album that alternates between cozy small…
NOT YOUR FATHER’S PHJB…Preservation Hall Jazz Band: So It Is
Throughout time, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band has been known as a bunch of old geezers that would play at the old “Hall” in New Orleans the tried and true pieces like “Careless Love” and “The Saints.” They toured around…
The Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra: The Music of John Lewis
Wynton Marsalis has comfortably found his niche as the gatekeeper of the jazz tradition. His vehicle, the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, has kept the musical flames of artists like Ellington, Morton and Monk alive through the years with their…
Terence Blanchard: The Comedian Soundtrack
I haven’t seen the movie yet, and trust me, you don’t have to in order to enjoy this album by composer/trumpeter Terence Blanchard. Yes, he’s done a number of soundtracks; trust me, this one’s his most “jazzy.” By far! He…