NYC-based pianist Rina was shows impressive ideas and chops on this trio album with bassist Yasushi Nakamura and drummer Jerome Jennings on this collection of originals. The seven three-membered pieces are bookended by solo outings that richly display her warm…
Month: October 2020
Michael Feinberg: From Where We Came
Bassist Michael Feinberg creates an interesting theme for his latest album in that each song is a dedication to the home town of a famous cultural figure. The flexible post-bop team of Dave Liebman/ss, Noah Preminger/ts, Gary Versace/p and Ian…
Nicholas Brust: Frozen In Time
Alto saxist Nicholas Brust has a vintage bebopper’s heart, giving a feel of someone in the Phil Woods or Art Pepper tradition with his team of Ben Eunson/g, Tuomo Uusitalo/p, Josh Allen/b and Jay Sawyer/dr working through some rich originals.…
DOES THIS MASK PREVENT COVID? Frank Zappa: Halloween ’81-Live at the Palladium, New York City
For the second year in a row, we get a “Frank Zappa Mask” with which to celebrate Halloween. This time, 6 cd set includes the gigs that are from both sets of the October 31 and November 1 shows, presented…
Teodross Avery: Harlem Stories-The Music of Thelonious Monk
It’s fitting that Teodross Avery should do a tribute to Bop Icon Thelonious Monk, as his rich and thick tone is reminiscent of perennial Monk sideman Charlie Rouse. He delivers Spherical tunes with two different teams, with Band 1 consisting…
Matt Ulery: Pollinator
Usually recognized for his bass work, Matt Ulery uses the sousaphone to set the beat on this latest album that mixes the street sense of New Orleans marching bands with a dash of modern bop. The fellow parade members include…
Ron Miles: Rainbow Sign
Like his long-time teammate on albums and concerts, guitarist Bill Frisell, trumpeter Ron Miles has used his instrument more as a paintbrush for creating colors rather than flexing musical chops. This latest release teams Miles and Frisell with the like-minded…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Mehmet Ali Sanlikol & Whatsnext? Featuring Dave Liebman: The Rise Up
The best of music is to bring people and ideas together. Mehmet Ali Sanlikol brings his voice and middle eastern instruments of the ney, zurna and ud to team up with guest soprano saxist Dave Liebmen and the 18 member…
Eric Binder Trio: Hard Bop
Even the album cover of drummer Eric Binder’s latest release shows his allegiance to the vintage sounds of Blue Note, with the classic photo, color and lines looking a lot like something from the mind of Reid Miles. He brings…
Peirani-Perisien: Abrazo
Duets by soprano saxist Emile Parisien and accordionist Vincent Periani create warm and Old World conversations in the plaza on this followup to their successful debut session. Atmospheres are lurking on “F.T” while the two joyfully prance during “Army Dreamer”.…