Elliot Mason brings his trombone to team up with a lively core of Sofija Knezevic/voc, Dan Nimmer/p, Carlos Henriquez/b, Ali Jackson/dr and guests Joe Lovano/ts, Tim Hagans/tp, Brad Mason/tp and Cyro Baptista/perc for a wide ranging mix of post modern…
Month: April 2018
Joe Mazzaferro: In Terms Of…
Bopping trumpeter Joe Mazzaferro brings together an all star collection of guests Carl Allen/dr, Jeff Clayton/as and Donald Brown/p along with his regular team of Brenden Lowe/p, Tim Metz/dr, Chris Amberger/b and assorted cameos on this swinging barn burner. The…
Hiro Hinshuku’s Racha Fora: Happy Fire
Leader Hiraoaki Hinshuku plays flute, piccolo and EWI while leading a band that subtitles the album a “New Kind of Jazz.” Strong words, but the feel is fresh here with the rest of the team, Rika Ikeda/v, Andre Vasconcelos/g and…
AJ Ghent: The Neo Blues Project
AJ Ghent plays a strong slide, pedal steel and resonant guitar, meanwhile supplying all of the supporting instruments as well with the addition of Marla Ghent on vocals and percussion for this collection of indigo moods. His voice is urgent…
Eric Valentine & Velvet Groove: Velvet Groove
A mix of soul, smooth jazz and vintage R&B are delivered by Eric Valentine, who writes the material and plays keyboards and drums along with Brian Simpson/p, Gary Stanionis/perc, Benjamin J. Shepherd/b Adam Hawley/g Keith McKelley/sax and various guests on…
The Confabulation: Tunnels and Visions
Composer/bassist David Woodhead mixes and matches originals and clever interpretations with a two teamed band of Confabulators and “Co-Confabulators.” Clever usage of brass/reed sections, strings and rich solos make the Baker’s Dozen of pieces rich in variety and delivery. A…
CREATIVE MIXES…The Stephen Stanley Band: Jimmy & The Moon, Hugh Christopher Brown: Pacem
Here are a couple of albums mixing creative sounds with familiar musings. Guitarist/vocalist Stephen Stanley teams with Chris Bennett/g, Gregor Beresford/dr, Chris Rellinger/g, Hugh Christopher Brown/key and assorted guests on vocals and instruments on this album that mixes vintage sounds…
Fantasy: 3D Rhythm of Life
Lots of energy is emitted by this Latin team lead by drummer Michael Tate and including Chris Amelar/g, Ricky Gonzalez-Lenny Underwood/key-b and a slew of vocalists, percussionists and horn players. The team delivers a pair festive takes of Earth, Wind…
IT DOESN’T GET BETTER THAN THIS…Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong: Cheek to Cheek-The Complete Duet Recordings
There are certain albums that everyone needs to own in order to truly appreciate music. If it’s vocals that is your fancy, there is simply nothing better on this side of heaven than the collection of duets between Louis Armstrong…
FRESH YOUNG GUITARS…Andreas Varady: The Quest, Perry Smith Quintet: New Angel
With the guitar taking over the from the tenor sax as jazz’s leading instrument, two younger voices show intriguing directions that mix the tradition and the future. A protégé of Quincy Jones, guitarist Andreas Varaday brings together a family affair…