Saxist Jacques Schwarz-Bart creates a rich world-meets-jazz album that sounds like a modernizing of Chick Corea’s original RTF. Vocalist Malika Tirolien brings wordless tones a la Flora Purim to meld with Schwarz-Bart’s thick Joe Farrell-toned tenor and Privat’s piano/keys to…
Month: August 2021
Kurt Elling w/ John Beasley’s MONK’estra Trio@Catalina Jazz Club 07.31.21
After 18 months of being shut down by the draconian COVID laws, the Catalina Jazz Club finally re-opened its doors, and the appreciative Angelenos packed the house to finally get a dose of live music again. And what a way…
MODAL MORGAN…Lee Morgan: The Complete Live At The Lighthouse
This 8 disc (or 12 lp limited edition vinyl) box set is the complete collection of music that Lee Morgan recorded with his band of Bennie Maupin/ts-bcl-fl, Harold Mabern/p, Jymie Merritt/b and Mickey Roker/dr at the Lighthouse in July, 1970.…
SNARKY’S FIRST PUPPY…Michael League: So Many Me
You’re going to be surprised, albeit ultimately pleasantly, when you take a spin on Snarky Puppy leader Michael Leagues solo album. If you were expecting a groove or jam fest, look somewhere else. Here, the famed leader and bassist/composer reflectively…
Jesse Harris & Vinicius Cantuaria: Surpresa
A mixture of Americas takes place with neo bossa vocalist/guitarist Vinicius Canturaria teaming up with trad American Jesse Harris, best noted for his work with Norah Jones, Melody Gardo and Madeleine Peyroux on this collection of mixed and matched ideas.…
Wayne Alpern: Frankenstein
Hits from the early days of jazz all through the Boomer years and Broadway are given a pair of dancing shoes by NYC based composer and arranger Wayne Alpern, who brings a who’s who list of musicians to add muscle…
Dan Siegel: Faraway Place
Composer and using piano, accordion or keyboards, Dan Siegel brings in a rotating rhythm team of allstar bassists in Brian Bromberg, Abraham Laboriel and Dwayne ‘Smitty’ Smith as well as first class drummers Vinnie Colaiuta, Steve Gadd and Omari Williams…
Ash Luo: The Drifting Soul
Back in the 1970s, there was a jazz label CTI that specialized in soulful swinging jazz tones. This ep led by drummer Ash Luo reminds me of those halcyon days, when good sounds and ideas could appeal to the brain…