Back in the late 50s and early 60s, music fans that weren’t into jazz, Elvis or pretty pop were looking for something a bit more esoteric and “hep” to play in their pads to impress their friends and chicks Enter…
Month: June 2018
Spanish Harlem Orchestra: Anniversary
Pianist Oscar Hernandez leads the formidable Spanish Harlem Orchestra through an exciting collection of material. Vocalists Marco Bermudez, Carlos Cascante and Jeremy Bosch take turns out in front with their passionate vocals while also teaming together for rich choruses, while…
THE STAN GETZ OF COUNTRY VOCALS…Jim Reeves: The Complete Singles As & Bs 1949-62
Few artists have as gorgeous and identifiable voice as Jim Reeves. Like tenor saxist Stan Getz, Reeves had a calm, mellifluous tone that makes any song a balm to the ears. “Gentleman Jim” Reeves’ career, while cut short by an…
HARD BOP, VOCALS AND ELVIS FROM AVID…Kenny Dorham: Four Classic Albums, Jazz Bassists: Four Classic Albums, Nat “King” Cole: Four Classic Albums, Abbey Lincoln: Four Classic Albums, Elvis Presley: Four Classic Albums Plus
Vintage hard bop, wondrous voices and Elvis in the movies are the latest cache released from Uk’s Avid Group. Trumpeter Kenny Dorham had one of the sweetest tones in jazz, and these four albums of him as leader are all…
Darryl Kniffen: Dreamland
Drummer and composer Darryl Kniffen creates a rocking fusion session teaming with Matt Steckler/sax, Dylan Canterbury/tp, Jun Iida/tp, Frank Roberts/p, Shaun McCarthy/g, Jason Schwartz/b and various guests. The mix of trumpet and electric guitar makes for some upbeat post bop…
Esbjorn Svensson Trio: E.S.T. Live in London
The Act label goes into its vaults to release music from the late pianist Pianist Esbjorn. This 2 disc album comes from a concert back in May, 2005 with his team of Dan Berglund/b and Magnus Ostrom/dr. The appreciative London…
NINO TEMPO: SWING, THE WALL OF SOUND AND THE WRECKING CREW
THE LIFE OF A JAZZ MUSICIAN, EVEN IN THE BEST OF TIMES, IS TENUOUS AT BEST. NINO TEMPO, GIFTED WITH A GOLDEN TONE ON THE TENOR SAX, HAD AN IMPRESSIVE START OF A CAREER WITH MAYNARD FERGUSON’S HOT AND TORRID…
DENNIS COFFEE-FUNK BROTHER AND JAZZ JEWEL
UNLESS YOU’VE LIVED IN A HOLE THE PAST 50 YEARS, WHILE YOU MAY NOT HAVE HEARD DENNIS COFFEY’S NAME, YOU’VE GROWN UP WITH HIS PLAYING SKILLS. ONE OF THE GUITARISTS FOR THE FAMED MOTOWN-LABELED FUNK BROTHERS, COFFEY’S STRINGS AND PEDALS…
Jamison Ross@The Blue Whale 06.09.18
At this stage in his career, Jamison Ross showed the packed Blue Whale that he is faced with a problem many dream of. While he won the 2012 Thelonious Monk Award from his drum skills, as he demonstrated Saturday night…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Dave Tull: Texting and Driving
OK, I’ll admit it; I’m a sucker for male singers that aren’t Buble’ clones are stuck in the standards. Dave Tull has a voice and style that is like a mix of Frank Sinatra and Dave Frishberg; swinging yet clever.…