Soft, spacious and ambient moods are created by Jon Durant and Robert Jurjenal, who play various electric, acoustic, fretless, synthesized and touch guitars with an occasional guest for added flavor. Lovely drapery wafts on ”Distance Groove” the chunky “Mirage” and…
Month: October 2020
A TRIO OF TWO…Brian Kastan: Continuum Vibe
For this single track, guitarist Brian Kastan plays two parts of a trio with drummer Peter O’Brien, supplying electric bass and guitar on a tune that is part John Scofield, Keith Richards and a dash of Robert Fripp. The just…
CLEAN AX CUTTINGS…Roger Lin: Whisper of the Isolated Ones
These days, it seems like most guitarists are infatuated with playing sounds from their pedals that they forget the actual melody, or they’re afraid to go beyond the tradition created by the likes of Kenny Burrell or Russell Malone. Roger…
Eva Kess: Falling Stars
Bassist and composer Eva Kess lets the strings lead as she uses a rhythm team of pianist Simon Schwaninger and drummer Philipp Leibundgut to support a string section of violinists Vincent Millioud-Susanna Andres, violaist Nao Rohr and cellist Ambrosius Huber…
Joel Ross: Who Are You?
Last year, Joel Ross’ The Kingmaker impressed a lot of people with its mellow interplay and rich sub-currents. This time around, he stretches out a bit by lengthening a few songs, and adding harpist Brandee Younger for a handful of…
3 More Sounds: Live at the Gardenia Club
Here’s the type of music that we’re all missing-swinging and yet relaxed jazz played in a local joint with guys with nothing to prove except a history of classic sounds. Bassist Henry Franklin and drummer Carl Burnett have played with…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Ralph Peterson and the Messenger Legacy: Onward and Upward
There is a lot worse a drummer can do than continue the inspirational legacy of Art Blakey. Ralph Peterson brings back alumni from Blakey’s band like it’s a reunion of sorts along with material penned by the graduates to create…
LADY BIRDS…Sue Anne Gershenzon: You Must Believe In Spring, Carol Welsman: Dance With Me
Sue Anne Gershonzen tackles the standards with a voce that ranges from a sweet “I Thought About You” to a cozy “Straighten Up and Fly Right”. She’s able to take a lyric and be true to the mood, melancholy with…
Collage Project: Off Brand
Electric guitar by Dan Bruce, teamed with nylon strings by Daniel Lippel, Aiden Plank’s bass and Nathan Douds’ drums create bluesy and pastoral sounds not unlike vintage Pentangle days. They put together a gentle and impressionistic “Quartet For Bela” with…
STRANGER IN THE NIGHT…Al Basile: Last Hand
Vocalist Al Basile teams with Bruce Bears/p-org, Brad Hallen/b and Mark Teixeira to tell a twelve song story of a “May-December romance that ends too soon”. Hallen’s thick electric bass is out front in the mix, with Basile giving street…