The core of jazz is the trio, here delivered in a variety of tones. Pianist Dahveed Behroozi leads a team of Thomas Morgan/b and Billy Mintz/dr through a collection of intuitive originals. Except for the chaotic “Sendoff” the tunes are…
Month: May 2021
Pasquale Grasso: Solo Ballads
Like trio albums are to tenor saxists, solo albums are the ultimate mettle test for a guitarist. Few make it work well, with Joe Pass being the gold standard. Pasquale Grasso comes close on this first of his three-part series…
Marty Elkins and Mike Richmond: ‘Tis Autumn
Spartan moods of voice and strings are delivered by rich toned vocalist Marty Elkins as she teams with bassist/cellist Mike Richmond for some sonata’d standards. You can hear Richmond’s fingers slide up and down the strings on the relaxed and…
Miguel de Armas Quintet: Continuous
Miguel de Armos mixes his piano and keyboards in a wide variety with is core team of Mac Decho/b, Diomer Gonzalez/cong, Michel Medrano Brindis/dr and a variety of guests on this collection of originals. The core team is upbeat on…
STEPHANE WREMBEL: DJANGO AND DIONYSIUS
IS THERE A PLACE FOR CULTURE IN TODAY’S MUSIC? PARTICULARLY IN AMERICA, THE ONLY TYPE OF MUSIC THAT IS CONSIDERED “IMPORTANT” IS THAT WHICH IS THE “NEW” FAD. IT’S AS IF THE MUSIC IS CREATED IN A VACUUM, AND ONLY…
DAVE STRYKER: A BLUE SOUL, 8 TRACKS AND SANTA.
YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT’S GOING TO CLICK WITH THE LISTENING WORLD. GUITARIST DAVE STRYKER HAS CARVED OUT A CAREER AS A ‘GUITARIST’S GUITARIST’, STARTING HIS CAREER WITH BLUESY SOUL PLAYERS LIKE STANLEY TURRENTINE AND BROTHER JACK MCDUFF BEFORE GOING ON…
David Thorne Scott: Thornewood
The challenge for every vocalist is always whether to try and give a personal imprint on tried and true material, compose one’s own tunes, or look for some overlooked material. With an ability to mix ingredients like Bobby Flay, tenor…
DO YOU DO DOO-WOP? The Four Tunes: The Singles Collections 1947-59
During their most popular years, the team of Pat Best, Jimmy Gordon, Jimmie Nabbie and Danny Owen were part of the do-wop team The Four Tunes. Other members came and went during the years of this 3 disc, 75 song…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****UNDERSTATED PLEASURES…Jim Hall: JazzPar Quartet + 4
Veteran Scandinavian label Storyville Records continues its release of vintage concert recordings with this delightful outing of the late Jim Hall back in April, 1998 in Copanhagen’s Holbaek Jazzklub. The iconic stringmaster is with a classy core team including a…
GET A CHIROPRACTOR FOR ALL OF THESE SLIDING ‘BONES…Matt Niess and The Capitol Bones: The Beat Goes On
Seven, count ‘em, seven trombones make up the entire horn section for the rhythm team of Tony Nalker/p, Shawn Purcell-Jim Roberts/g, Paul Henry/b and Todd Harrison/dr to steer on this big, bold, ballsy and brassy collection of “big” band bravado.…