Most of the jazz world knew that the quiet Presbyterian Minister Fred Rogers was a big jazz fan, sneaking in themes and artists into his iconic and low key classic tv show. This album with Kevin Bales/p, Keri Johnsrud/voc, Billy…
Month: June 2018
THE GRINNINGEST PICKER…Tommy Emmanuel: Accomplice One
Acoustic guitarist Tommy Emmanuel is one of the most energetically swinging six stringers around. I’ve seen him in settings ranging from solo to duets with jazzer Martin Taylor and he’s a delight in every setting. Emmanuel creates his own settings…
NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK…The Maguire Twins: Seeking Higher Ground
While only twenty one, identical twins Alan/b and Carl/dr show a maturity that is quite impressive on this debut album. Born in Japan and currently living in Memphis, the boys were taken under the wing of Kirk Whalum, and the…
BOLDLY GOING WHERE NO MAN HAS GONE BEFORE…Ken Walicki: Cyberistan, Stephen Ruppenthal: Flamethrower, Christopher Biggs: Decade Zero, HBH Trio with Julian Priester: Signals from the Mind
Tired of the 4/4 beat and piano/bass/drum standard rhythm section? Have your pick of the four below for new adventures and lands. Composer Ken Walicki creates “Electro-Acoustic” music on this album with a collection of guest artists. A 10+ minute…
RICH AND ROOTSY…Peter Rowan: Carter Stanley’s Eyes, Reverend Freakchild: Dial It In
Here are a pair of artists that hold onto the tradition of America’s sound, but also at times adding a new lemon twist. Guitarist and vocalist Peter Rowan delivers delicious traditional bluegrass on this album with Blaine Sprouse/fid, Patrick Sauber/ban-g,…
David Garfield CD Release@Catalina’s 06.12.18
Although he’s been on albums as a sideman for the likes of Van Morrison, George Benson and Freddie Hubbard, David Garfield’s own albums have been rare treats. The pianist/keyboardist has finally put out a new one, the fresh and vibrant…
****ALBUM OF THE YEAR?!?****WHO IS THIS CAT??! Dave McMurray: Music Is Life
Even if you’re really into sax players, like I am, you’ve probably never heard of this guy Dave McMurray. He’s been a sideman for a long list of artists like BB King, The Rolling Stones, Herbie Hancock and even Bootsy…
Jared Gold: Reemergence
Somewhere in heaven, God decided to create the perfect blend of sounds, and thus teamed the Hammond B3 with a guitar. In this case, Jared Gold teams his Leslies with guitarist David Stryker and the spirited drumming of Billy Hart…
FREE FORM SOUNDS…Yuko Fujiyama: Night Wave, Ah Young Hong: A Breath Upwards
Intuitive sounds are presented from Innova Records on these two releases. Pianist Yuko Fujiyama teams up with a rotating collection of Jennifer Choi/vi, Graham Haynes/ct-fh and Susie Ibarra/dr-perc as well as bringing in some expressionistic solos works. Of the latter,…
A NIGHT WITH A FUNK BROTHER…Dennis Coffey: One Night At Morey’s 1968
Detroit-based guitarist Dennis Coffey made a healthy living as the guitarist for the famed Motown studio band The Funk Brothers, playing the backing music for hits by the Temptations, Edwin Starr, The Supremes, etc. His “other” life was, and still…