Pianist JC Hopkins puts together a swinging big band that features punchy reads of swinging standards, and with vocalists including Andy Bey, Jon Hendricks, Queen Ester and newcomer Jazzmeia Horn, a solid hour plus of toe tapping tunes makes the…
Month: August 2017
WHY DID HE DROP OUT? John Jenkins: 1957 Quintet Sessions
I know that I belabor the point, but Spain-based Fresh Sound Records continues to amaze me by bringing to surface bona fide jazz artisans that were simultaneously creative and overlooked both during their time and afterwards. This time, we get…
Jackiem Joyner: Main Street Beat
Jackiem Joyner plays various saxes and produces this sleek R&B infested smooth jazz album that is filled with upbeat moments. The core team of Raymond Johnson/dr, Carnell Harrell/key and Kyle Bolden-Daryl Williams/b are augmented by guest vocalists, horns and guitars,…
Adam Rogers: Dice
Tensile toned guitarist Adam Rogers has carved out an impressive career being an anchor leg for artists ranging from Chris Potter to John Patitucci and Alex Sipiagin while also taking some time out for an occasional album of his own.…
ROOTS! Maurice Tani: The Lovers Car, Sean Wheeler: Sand In My Soul, Chris Cain: Chris Cain, Xochitil Morales: Descansos, Guy Belanger: Tracers & Scars
Here’s a handful of albums that take you back to the roots of modern music and thought. Four of albums can be found on the label Little Village Foundation, organized by keyboard legend Jim Pugh, who’s been with everyone from…
Denny Zeitlin & George Marsh: Expedition
This is not the first collaboration between pianist/keyboardist Denny Zeitlin and drummer George Marsh, but it’s the strongest. Zeitlin, known for his highly personal touch on the piano, takes a huge artistic risk by ridding that aspect of his talent…
John Pizzarelli & Jessica Molaskey@Catalina’s 08.17.18
A family affair delivered as pair of tributes Thursday night, as the husband and wife team of John Pizzarelli and Jessica Molaskey brought their oldest production on stage, daughter Madeleine, to add voice and guitar in promoting music from both…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****George Thorogood: Party of One
Guitarist George Thorogood has always been associated with the electric guitar boogie and blues with his Destroyers band since the ‘80s. He strips down, sits down and gets down with vintage and modern blues as he plays acoustic, electric, slide…
Quinsin Nachoff: Quinsin Nachoff’s Ethereal Trio
Thick toned tenor saxist Quinsin Nachoff forms a supple trio with Mark Helias/b and Dan Weiss/dr to create an album of six sleek and spacious originals. Nachoff relies on his rich sound to glide along the pulses created by his…
The Brett New York Orchestra: Gold Jazz
Composer/arranger Brett Gold leads an impressive and modern jazz orchestra through a rich mix of textures and themes. The rhythm team of Ted Kooshian/p, Sebastian Noelle/g, Phil Palomi/b and Scott Neumann/dr is flexible enough to work successfully through pieces like…