Wonderful Brazilian moods are created by pianist and arranger Antonio Adolfo, leading a rich rhythm team of Lula Galvao/g, Jorge Helder/b, Rafael Barata/dr and Dada Costa/perc along with a warm bodied horn section. The velvety horns add texture to well…
Month: September 2019
Ari Hoenig Trio: Conner’s Days
Drummer Ari Hoenig leads a modern sounding trio of pianist Nitai Hershkovits and bassist Or Bareket through a mix of cleverly arranged standards and some originals. Of the former, Hoenig’s rapid brush work speeds up Ellington’s “Prelude To A Kiss”…
Toft Olsen: Special
Here’s a modern day crooner that you’re gonna like. From Denmark, Toft Olsen mixes some vocool jazz standards with hip originals on this agreeable session with a team of Thomas Vang/b, Heine Hansen/p and Morten Lund/dr. He’s got a sound…
Sharman Duran: Questioning Reality
Sharman Duran is a triple threat here, sing and playing piano on her own clever compositions with a team of Melecio Magdaluyo/woodwinds, Alex Baum-Aaron Germain/b and Bob Blankenship-Alan Hall/dr. Her voice is clear and she enunciates well with Magdaluyo’s tenor…
EARLY FOG…Mel Torme’: The Early Years 1944-47
The original proponent of the male “vo-cool” style was Mel Torme’ aka “The Velvet Fog.” This 3 cd set Finds him in his underappreciated early years, when he was a member of the vocal group The Mel-Tones, as well as…
Miguel Zenon: Sonero-the Music of Ismael Rivera
Alto saxist Miguel Zenon continues his journey of bringing music of his heritage into the modern jazz lore by exploring the music of famed Afro-Puerto Rican singer Ismael Rivera (1937-1987). Zenon approaches material made famous by “El Sonero Mayor” and…
UVA Percussion Ensemble: Speed Of Sound
Directed by I-Jen Fang, the University of Virginia, 200 years young idea of Thomas Jefferson, brings together a seven piece percussion “orchestra” to perform a collection of creative modern pieces. The instruments include vibes, marimba, timpani, glockenspiel, snare and other…
Brunod-Li Calzi-Salvodelli: Nostalgia Progressiva
Ethereal shades of sound are created by Maurizio Brunod, who plays acoustic guitar, electric guitar and live sampling, as he teams with Giorgio Li Calzi on flugelhorn, trumpet, keyboards with electronics and Boris Savoldelli, adding warm tenor voice to electronics…
Rob Laufer: The Floating World
Singer/songwriter Rob Laufer, best known for his work with the Wild Honey Orchestra, is shown here in an intimate and casual mood, carrying on the tradition of like minded artists like vintage Neil Young or Cat Stevens. He gives an…
Dave Miller Trio: Just Imagine
Pianist Dave Miller leads his trio of bassist Chuck Bennett and drummer Bill Belasco like The Dodgers’ Dave Roberts, pulling and switching players to best effect. Yes, there are some wonderful trio moments, with Belasco on swinging brushes for bopping…