Warm toned saxist Walter Smith III is both a throwback to the days of rich toned artists like Sonny Rollins, but he also goes Millennial with his intricate soloing over clever grooves on this collection of trio pieces. The teammates…
Month: March 2018
ORGAN TRIO FOR UK ROCKERS…Hart, Scone & Albin: Leading the British Invasion
The humming B3 trio of John Hart/g, Adam Scone/B3 and Rudy Albin Petschauer/dr take on radio hits from administrations Reagan to Clinton on this swinging set. As with all things Hammond, the selection of tunes is half the battle, and…
UNHERALDED BOPPING PIANISTS OF THE PAST…Lou Levy: I’m Old Fashioned, Terry Pollard: A Detroit Legend, Vander-Michelot-Clarke: Jazz at the Blue Note
In this present era of atonal naval gazing at the ivories, these three reissues by Fresh Sound Records remind us of a time and style when the swing pulse was inherent in every tune, be it upbeat or relaxed and…
Dan Pugach Nonet
Drummer Dan Pugach brings a lot of curb appeal to his compositions with a nonet including Ingrid Jensen- David Smith/tp-fh, Mike Fahle/tb, Jen Hinkle/btb, Andrew Gould/as-fl, Jeremy Powell/ts-cl, Andrew Gutauskas/bcl-bs, Tanmir Shmerling/g, Carmen Staaf-Jorn Sart/p and guest vocalist Nicole Zuraitis…
Michael Waldrop: Origin Suite
Michael Waldrop leads from behind the drumset and vibes as he produces a muscular big band album of fresh material. The charts are all well crafted and quite varied. The major piece is the 3 part title track, with some…
Spanglish Fly: Ay Que Boogaloo!
Here’s a group that knows how to party! Sassy vocalists Mariella Gonzalez and Paloma Munoz belt out the goods along with an extroverted team of Matt Thomas/ts, Rafael/b-g, Kenny Bruno/p-key, Dylan Blanchard/cong, Ronnie Roc/bong, Reddy Acosta/timbales, Vera Kemper/tb-b Jonathan Goldman/tp…
SONGSTRESSES…Dawn Clement: Tandem, Margo Rey: The Roots of Ray/Despacito Margo, Alan & Stacey Schulman: Here’s to Life
Here are three ladies with various approaches to song and mood. – Dawn Clement both sings and plays a Monk styled piano on this post-bop session with a rotating team of Matt Wilson/dr, Michael Glynn/b, Julian Priester/tb, Jonaye Kendrick/voc-harm, and…
Cameron Mizell: Memory/Imagination
Guitarist Cameron Mizell goes solo with just guitar, imagination and a supply of pedals on his collection of improvisations/compositions. At times, he makes the instrument sound akin to a vamping keyboard (“A Turning Point”) or even a piano (“A Toast”)…
Bria Skonberg@Scherr Theatre 03.18.18
At the Scherr Theatre Sunday night, Bria Skonberg demonstrated why she is perfectly equipped to be the next spokeswoman for jazz to today’s generation. During her 100 minute set with her band of Nate Ketner/ts-cl, Mathis Picard/p-vib, Devin James Starks/b…
AVID BOPS AND ROCKS…Jackie McLean: Four Classic Albums, Horace Silver: Four Classic Albums, Jazz Piano: Four Classic Albums, Tenor Sax: Four Classic Albums, Little Richard: Four Classic Albums
The latest cache of reissues by Avid Records has a few surprises, along with some essential hard bop. The bright toned alto saxist Jackie McLean was one of the leading left of center hard bop advocates. 1957’s Lights Out has…