Woodwind master Ed Maina has played with some of the masters of jazz during his career in the U of Miami Jazz Department, including Maynard Ferguson, Natalie Cole, Jaco Pastorius and Frank Sinatra. Here, he brings together a mix of…
Month: July 2017
B.J. Jansen: Common Ground
Baritone saxist B.J.Jansen leads a rich hard bop combo with Delfeayo Marsalis/tb, Duane Eubanks/tp, Ralph Peterson/dr, Dezron Douglas/b and Zaccai Curtis/p through a dozen muscular originals. Jansen himself has a strong and bold tone as exemplified on the bluesy “…
Nick Mazzarella & Tomeka Reid: Signaling
Alto saxophonist Nick Mazzarella teams with cellist Tomeka Reid for a collection of expressionistic originals. Both use their instruments in a rich mix of moods and affects, with the reed chirping to edgy bowing on the title track, and mournful…
The New Orleans Swamp Donkeys Traditional Jass Band: Slightly Concussed
For some reason, “traditional” jazz like that served by James Williams and his New Orleans Swamp Donkeys gets short shrift and little respect. The fact is, there are fewer styles more inherently joyful than the pre-swing sounds delivered on these…
Dominique Eade & Ran Blake: Town and Country
Vocalist Dominique Eade teams with pianist Ran Blake for fresh approaches to standards and compositions from varying sources ranging from Johnny Cash to Charles Ives. Eade’s voice is rich and palpable, armed with an expressive vibrato and a tone that…
Dominic Duval-Vincent Loccisano-Chris Covais: The Project
The songs and authority of Michel Petrucciani is emphasized on this cohesive album by bassist Dominic Duval, pianist Vincent Loccisano and drummer Chris Covais. Half the material is from the French master, and the exciting intricacies of pieces like “Regina”…
TODAY’S TRIOS…Mumpbeak: Tooth, Jamie Saft: Loneliness Road, Joe Policastro Trio: Screen Sounds, Guy Mintus Trio: A Home In Between
A mix of progressive rock and jazz is brought by the trio of bassist Lorenzo Feliciati, drummer Torstein Lofthus and Roy Power, who plays keyboards ranging from clavinet B3 and even throws in tubular bells. Thar are some rich moments…
Music Action Ensemble: Foundation
Founder Drew Foxman has put together a team from various parts of the world to address global and social issues. Artists from Pakistan (Farhan Bogra/rubab), Twanda (Teta/voc), Japan (Aisha Fukushima/voc), Togo (Amen Viana/g-voc) and Brazil (Icaro Sa’/perc) join with Americans…
Lori Bell & Ron Satterfield: Blue(s)
Lori Bell and Ron Satterfield mix guitar, flutes and voice on this gorgeous duet album focusing on various hues of the 4th color of the rainbow. The idea carries well throughout the album, mixing and matching C and alto flutes…
Jason Kao Hwang: Sing House
Jason Kao Hwang forms a flexible ensemble with Andrew Drury /dr, Ken Filiano/b, Chris Forbes/p and Steve Swell/tb as the team together with his violin and viola on these four compositions. Each piece has its own mood, and while the…