When it comes to discussing Joe Bonamassa, my long time buddy and Joe B fanatic Kevin always states after seeing one of his gigs, “Joe needs to mix things up a bit with the band”. Well, Joe finally heard him,…
Month: November 2021
A HIP HOP HOPE IN JAZZ VOCALS…Kurt Elling: Superblue, Nate Smith: Kinfolk 2-See The Birds
Jazz vocalists have always had a kissing-cousin relationship with R&B through the years. With the styles of rap and hip hop becoming part of the scene, jazz has absorbed it as it has done with other styles such as Afro…
THE MICHAEL JACKSON OF THE 1950s? Frankie Lymon & The Teenagers: Why Do Fools Fall In Love?
Childhood pop stars have been a part of our culture ever since there has been recorded music on the airwaves. Unfortunately, many of them go the way of Michael Jackson or Frankie Lymon. They are attractive due to the allure…
RICH VOICES…Irene Jalenti: Dawn, Stacey Kent with Art Hirahara: Songs From Other Places
Unique and alluring ladies and their tones… I grew up listening to Greek folk music, and Italian Irene Jalenti’s voice reminds me of those earthy and husky toned singers. She’s teamed up with Alan Blackman/p, Jeff Reed/b, Eric Kennedy/dr and…
THIS IS A TENOR SAX 101…Houston Person: Live In Paris
Once upon a time, in a land far far away… A tenor saxophone used to actually sound like a tenor saxophone. Big, full, warm and breathy. If you go visit the La Brea Tar Pits, you might come across the…
Nicholas Payton: Smoke Sessions
While generally known as a trumpet player in both acoustic and electric settings, Nicholas Payton has occasionally dabbled on piano and keyboards, but never as much as on this album with Ron Carter/b, Karriem Riggins/dr and octogenarian guest George Coleman…
BLUES HUES…The Mick Shafer Band: Back to the Blues, Willie Jackson: All In The Blues
The great thing about the blues, is that it sounds good whether in a big production like Joe Bonamassa, or here, on casual yet passionate humble productions. It’s all heart, and it beats on these two recent releases. Mick Schaffer…
JAZZMEIA HORN’S DEAR LOVE
FEW JAZZ ARTISTS ARE AS EXCITING TO NOT ONLY HEAR, BUT EXPERIENCE IN CONCERT AS JAZZMEIA HORN. SHE HAS ONLY RELEASED THREE ALBUMS SO FAR IN THIS EARLY STAGE OF HER CAREER, BUT EACH ONE HAS SHOWN A CREATIVE TRAJECTORY…
MADELEINE PEYROUX’S CAREFUL LOVE
I STILL REMEMBER THE FIRST TIME I HEARD MADELEINE PEYROUX’S VOICE ON A RECORD. I WAS DRIVING IN MY VAN BACK IN 2002, AND HEARD THIS MODERN BUT CLASSIC RENDITION OF “GETTING SOME FUN OUT OF LIFE”. INTRIGUED, I CALLED…
STACI GRIESBACH-WHITE LIGHTNIN’ ROD FOR JAZZ SINGERS
AS SONNY ROLLINS ONCE SAID, THE BEST THING ABOUT “JAZZ” IS THAT IT’S NOT AS MUCH A NOUN AS A VERB. WHAT HE MEANS IS THAT JAZZ IS AN APPROACH TO MUSIC; YOU “JAZZ IT UP”, SO TO SPEAK, SO…