This album proves the point that “if it isn’t classical, pop or rock, it must be jazz”. But is it? You have Rebecca Shrimpton on voice, reeds by Rick Stone, Lihi Haruvi, Phil Scarff and Melanie Howell Brooks. Strings by…
Month: February 2022
TRIOS…Steve Amirault/Adrian Vedady/Jim Doxas: Montreal Jazz Trio
Three is not a crowd in jazz.. Pianist Steve Amirault, bassist Adrian Vedady and drummer Jim Doxas mix originals with some clever takes of jazz standards on this recent release from north of the border. The team interplay deftly on…
Rick Braun: Rick Braun
Trumpet vet Rick Braun celebrates 30 years of recording since first hitting the jazz scene. For some reason, the Lee Morgan-influenced horn man has been pigeonholed into the “smooth” jazz label, but if you’ve heard his material with BWB (teaming…
Azar Lawrence: New Sky
Throughout his exciting career, tenor/soprano saxist Azar Lawrence has carved a niche for keeping the candle burning first illuminated by the likes of John Coltrane and Pharoah Sanders. This time out, however, he sounds like he’s inspired by the tones…
ME, MYSELF AND I…Adam Glaser: Excursions
Best known for leading a traditional piano trio, Adam Glaser goes completely solo, using a combination of keyboards to create his own working unit for 15 clean and concise originals. A few of the tunes like “Double Hellix” and “Blues…
RADIO DAYS…Thomas Heflin: Morning Star
Trumpeter Thomas Heflin comes up with the clever idea of making an album sound like an hour’s worth of a radio broadcast, complete with static with the switching of stations and a deejay/announcer to keep it all together. It reminds…
Kristen R. Bromley Quintet: Bluish Tide
If you’re a guitar fan of the straight-ahead variety, get a load of this lady Kristen R. Bromley. Her style is a melding together of vintage Wes Montgomery, Pat Martino and a dash of Pat Metheny-what more do you want,…
THE HARDEST SWINGING TRIO…Oscar Peterson: The Classic Verve Albums Collection
A number of years ago I did a survey of musicians as to what they thought the all time greatest duos, trios, quartets and quintets were. At the photo finish for trios was Oscar Peterson’s because as trumpeter Carl Saunders…
SOLO EXCURSIONS: Jacqueline Kerrod: 17 Days in December, Josh Sinton: b.
Usually when you think of solo albums, the piano or guitar comes to mind. Not so fast-here are a couple intriguing outings by artists all alone. Jacqueline Kerrod plays “Solo Improvisations for Acoustic and Electric Harp” on 17 pieces for…
*****RINGER OF THE WEEK*****…Bola Sete: Samba In Seattle-Live at the Lighthouse (1966-1968)
Just when you thought you’d discovered all of the Brazilian sounds of vintage samba… Musical detective/producer Zev Feldman has unearthed a collection of rare and still essential recordings from Brazilian artist Bola Sete. This three disc set brings to light…