One of the truest and purest joys of music has to be the jumping blues, and few guys this side of Joe Turner did it better than Chuck Willis, who unfortunately left us at age 30 back in 1958, way…
Month: June 2017
Kevin Eubanks: East West Time Line
Guitarist Kevin Eubanks is gifted with sublime talents on both electric and nylon acoustic guitar. He splits the album up divided between two bands, the first half with Orrin Evans/p-key, Dave Holland/b, Nicholas Payton/tp and Jeff “Tain” Watts/dr and the…
The Microscopic Septet: Been Up So Long It Looks Like Down To Me
The subtitle of this album is “The Micros Play The Blues,” and the four sax team of Phillip Johnston/ss, Don Davis/as, Mike Hashim/ts and Dave Sewelson/bs make for a formidable front line as they moan along with Joel Forrester/p, Dave…
Sharon Paige & Keith Ingham: Burke Beautiful
The songsmith Johnny Burke is given a spotlight on this collection of material ranging from the classic to obscure. Delivered by pianist Keith Ingham and vocalist Sharon Paige, well known pieces such as the quaint “It Could Happen To You”…
MODERN PIANO TRIOS…Mem3: Circles, Alex Chadsey/Farko Dosumov/Jeff “Bongo” Busch: Duende Libre
The three team trio of piano/keyboards, bass and drum are modernized on these two recent releases. Mem3 is comprised of Michael Cabe/p, Mauk Lau/b and Ernestino Cervini/dr, all of them contributing compositions and ideas on this fresh collection of originals. Lau’s…
GUITAR TRADITIONS…Daniel Weltlinger: Samoreau, David Gilmore: Transitions
Vintage sounds from six strings com in various sizes and shapes. Here are a couple new releases that take and expand traditions. Violinist Daniel Weltlinger composes and plays new material in the tradition of Django Reinhardt, but with a look…
Antonio Adolfo: Hybrido
Subtitled “From Rio to Wayne Shorter,” this album by pianist/arranger Antonio Adolfo asks “What if Wayne Shorter had been born in Brazil?” The fact is that the jazz icon has released some impressive albums that have the Brazilian flavor such…
A RICH VOICE…Lili Anel: I Can See Bliss From Here, Another Place, Another Time
Here is a lady with a voice that gives hints of artists ranging from Phoebe Snow to Nina Simone. Lili Anel sings with soul and vulnerability while also playing a richly textured guitar. She’s recently released a long playing album…
Michael Rabinowitz: Uncharted Waters
You know a guy like Michael Rabinowitz has a corner on the market when his web site is “jazzbasoonist.com.” What other instrumentalist would ever lay claim to that monicker? The major barriers to entry for any aspiring jazz bassoonist have…
PUT ON YOUR DANCING SHOES…E-Life: Miked Up, Flyjack: New Day, The Sextones: Moonlight Vision
Yes, there is still new music out there that is being played for dancing. Wasn’t that why jazz got popular in the first place? Bassist Michael Pennick is the featured lead instrument on this collection of stomping originals with Rodney…