Leader James Hill plays piano and keyboard in a trio format with electric bassist Rich Brown and drummer Ian Wright. Hints of an influence from The Bad Plus are detected on the stop and start concept of the title piece…
Month: March 2020
SOFT WINDS…Billy Prim: Thalassa, Pat Irwin & J. Walter Hawkes: Wide Open Sky
Gentle sounds and moods prevail on these recent released sessions. Drummer Billy Prim teams with Attila Blaho/p-synth, Andor Horvath/ab, Aron Turcsanyi/eb and Julia Csillag/voc for five delicate atmospheres. Prim is always understated and supportive, using delicate brushes to reflective piano…
Pus N Boots: Sister
The vocal team of Norah Jones, Sasha Dobson and Catherine Popper mix originals and clever covers as they alternate vocals while also teaming up on guitar, bass and drums on a rotating basis. The overall atmosphere is a relaxed long…
Billy Eckstine: If She Walked Into My Life
This reissue of a 1974 album finds the legendary Billy Eckstine trying to find traction in a long career. Caught in a time that was the nadir of jazz vocals (not even Tony Bennett could find a label!), Eckstine turned…
Michael Doucet: Lacher Prise
Wonderful Acadian sounds come from Michael Doucet, who sings with a rich leathered voice and plays fiddle and mandolin with heart and soul. He’s teamed with a core of Chad Viator/g, Sarah Quintana/g, Chris French/b and Jim Kolacek/dr along with…
Elliot Galvin: Live in Paris at Foundation Louis Vuitton
Pianist Elliot Galvin gives a solo recital in Paris for a 2018 concert, showing clever improvisation skills and confidence in his intuition. All of the songs are originals, with a post modern feel with bop roots on the explorative “As…
WILD IN THE STREETS…Dave Sewelson: More Music For A Free World, Tony Irving & Massimo Magee; Vitriol and The Third Oraculum, Daniel Carter-Patrick Holmes-Matthew Putman: Whoadie
Three recent releases by 577 Records deliver spontaneity on the half shell. Bariton saxist Dave Sewelson teams with trombonist Steve Swell, bassist William Parker and drummer Marvin Bugalu Smith for three free and fervent originals. A loose Mingusy pulse is…
Stacey Kent@Catalina’s 03.01.20
It’s been a gap of 14 albums and 17 years since Stacey Kent has grace the LA jazz scene, and the packed house with lines out to Sunset Blvd for both sets on Sunday night proved that she has been…
University of Toronto Jazz Orchestra: Embargo
Some clever charts are put together for this big band led by Gordon Foote and anchored by the thick tones of baritone saxist Alex Manoukas. Some of the songs are familiar, such as “Take The A Train” and “Hi Fly”,…
GEORGE WINSTON: A CAREER IN STRIDE
IF YOU GREW UP IN THE 1980s OR 90s, YOU EITHER HAD, OR KNEW SOMEONE WHO HAD, AN ALBUM BY PIANIST GEORGE WINSTON. AT A TIME WHEN ARTISTS WERE RACING TO SEE WHO HAD THE FASTEST CHOPS, WINSTON JUMPED OFF…