Alto saxist Darius Jones goes it all alone collection of improvisations. The titles on the back liner notes are not in any specific order, but it doesn’t really matter as the songs themselves are as fragmented as their listings. Screeches,…
Month: November 2021
Alex Norris: Fleet From The Heat
Alex Norris plays trumpet and flugelhorn as he leads a classic hard bop session with Ari Ambrose/ts, Jeremy Manasia/p, Paul Gill/b and Brian Floody/dr through a collection of Blue Note-inspired originals. Norris has definitely imbibed from the Horace Silver well,…
BONE TONES…Nick Finzer: Out of Focus, Nick Adema: demiLAN
Not quite 76 trombones, but they are leading the parade here. Trombonist Nick Finzer displays his brassy wares in a variety of settings with a mix and match team of Xavier Davis/p, Jay Anderson/b and Quincy Davis/dr. He brings in…
Ryan Daunt: Essence
Australian drummer Ryan Daunt leads a trio of fellow Aussies Tristan Wills/p and Nick Abbey/b through some interactive originals. Wills shows a rich lyricism as he opens up both “The Clutch” and “Contentment” over Daunt’s guiding sticks with the team…
Carlos Henriquez: The South Bronx Story
Best known for his work with the Jazz At Lincoln Center Orchestra, bassist Carlos Henriquez steps away from Wynton Marsalis’ baton and brings together his own team of Jeremy Bosch/fl-voc, Melissa Aldana/ts, Michael Rodriguez/tp, Anthony Almonte/cong, Marshall Gilkes/tb, Robert Rodriguez/key,…
JAZZ BECOMES AMERICA’S MUSIC…The Glenn Miller Orchestra: The Hits Collection 1935-44
Yes, once upon a time, jazz was not only the best music, but also the most popular. Trombonist and leader Glenn Miller was a product of the Ray Noble orchestra before coming up with his own uniquely voiced band that…
VO-COOL QUEEN…Chris Connor: Singles & Albums 1952-56
Nowadays, we take this style for granted, but back in the early 1950s, vocalists like Chris Connor set the world afire with an icy and restrained delivery of vocals, a little behind the beat and making you lean forward as…
BOOKS FOR LISTENING…Ben Sidran: There Was A Fire-Jews, Music and the American Dream,Chris Jagger: Talkin’ To Myself, Chris Jagger: Mixing Up The Medicine
The literature of music… Composer, musician, writer and raconteur, Ben Sidran republishes his classic There Was A Jew, which catalogues the impressive influence that the 12 Tribes have brought to American culture (and we’re not just talking about Ruebens and…
Ricci/Krown: City-Country-City
Rough and ready vocalist/harmonica man Jason Ricci grinds it out with B3er and piano man Joe Krown along with drummer Doug Belote on a foot stomping mix of original and covers of blues. Ricci’s harmonica is a force of nature,…
Dino Govoni: Hiding In Plain Sight
Full-bodied toned tenor saxist Dino Govoni leads a strong post bopping team of Alex Sipiagin/tp-fh, Henry Hey/p, Michael Pope/b and Jeff “Tain” Watts through some clever originals. Watt’s was born for sessions like this, supporting the leader with nimble drum…