There was joy in the air Sunday night as Westlake’s Bogie’s Bar finally opened its doors to live music. The packed house for both shows was in a celebrative mood, as was headliner Carl Verheyen, visibly enjoying the chance to…
Month: August 2021
Framework: Cognitive Dissonance
The team of guitarist Chris Olson, bassist Chris Bates and drummer Jay Epstein join together for a dozen various trio moods. At times Olson has a sound and drive sounding influenced by John Scofield, giving some nice post bop licks…
THE MOST IMPORTANT LIVING ALTO SAXIST? Kenny Garrett: Sounds From The Ancestors
A new album by alto saxist Kenny Garrett is always a reason to celebrate, as it is sure to include fresh ideas, creative soloing and a look into the brilliant mind of an artist. Garrett doesn’t disappoint on this outing,…
MUSICAL SILHOUETTES…Stephan Micus: Winter’s End
Stephan Micus continues his spiritual musical pilgrimage, creating starry night atmospheres while playing a variety of lesser known instruments, combined with ethereal voices. The twelve songs here have Micus creating dreamy environments of wonderment on exotic things like the tongue…
Marc Johnson: Overpass
So, what do you do next if you’ve been Bill Evans’ last bassist, done work with every top line drummer like Erskine, DeJohnette and Motian, teamed with guitarists ranging from Metheny to Scofield, and even did some sessions with pianist/wife…
Andrew Cyrille: The News
Best known for his adventurous left of center work, drummer Andrew Cyrlle shows his more delicate, soft and lyrical side with this album teamed with Bill Frisell/g, David Virelles/p-synth and Ben Street/b. The songs have a gentle, folksy atmosphere, even…
Jim Snidero: Strings
Last year, alto saxist Jim Snidero rebelled against the draconian lockdown and snuck in a hip concert performance of standards that won my RINGER OF THE WEEK award. This time around, he goes back into the studio with a string…
Robben Ford: Pure
Blues-rock legend Robben Ford adds another notch to his catalogue with a tasty collection of instrumental originals that make you beg for the list of guitars used. With a rotating spartan rhythm section that includes Patrick Ford-Casey Wasner-Keith Wasner-Shannon Forrest/dr…
THE GATOR’S GOT HIS GRANNY….Johnny Ray Jones: Way Down South
With the death of Tony Joe White, the Swamp Rock baton sounds like it’s been passed to Johnny Ray Jones, who has the growl of Tony Joe on this greasy Memphis BBQ dry rub collection of tunes. Jones is backed…
Jake Baldwin: Where You’re Planted
Jake Baldwin gives everyone a chance to stretch out between vintage Blue Note post bopping material on this recent release. Baldwin plays trumpet, flugelhorn, cornet and even sings a dash along with Nelson Devereaux/ts, Ted Godbout/p, Ted Olsen/b and Adam…