People have tried, but you can’t ever really escape the roots of jazz, which is the church. Here are two recent samples of Sunday morning sounds. Full toned tenor saxist Javon Jackson fits perfectly the role as a Baptist preacher…
Month: May 2022
Alexander Claffy: Good Spirits
Bassist Alexander Claffy brings together a vintage sounding Blue Note of a recording with fellow hard boppers Benny Benack III/tp, Nicole Glover/ts, Julius Rodriguez/p and Joe Farnsworth/dr through a snappy mix of originals and covers. Farnsworth and Claffy shuffle off…
Hans Ludemann’s TransEuropeExpress Ensemble: On The Edges 1
Hungary-based BMC Records is quietly building up an impressive catalogue of adventurous modern jazz recordings. The latest is an ambitious session led by Hans Ludemann, who plays both piano and virtual piano for the ensemble of Yves Robert/tb, Aleandra/ts-ss, Silke…
TWO VIEWS OF PILC…Jean-Michel Pilc: Alive, Xose Miguelez: Contradictio
Pianist Jean-Michel Pilc is captured in two settings here. One as a leader of his own trio, and the other as a loyal sideman. Both reveal the impressionist charms of this underrated master. Recorded in Montreal, Quebec, when Canada was…
PIANO TRIOS…Roe, Bickley, Kramer: Lucid Dream, Manel Fortia: Despertar
Three’s company… Pianist Rick Roe joins together with bassist Rob Bickley and drummer Jesse Kramer for a mix of originals and bopping covers. Roe shows his hand with a fun take of Thelonious Monk’s “Sixteen” (with a nice solo by…
Kenny Shanker: Vortex
Richly toned alto saxist Kenny Shanker leads his team of Bill Mobley/tp, Daisuke Abe/g, Mike Eckroth/p, Yoshi Waki/b and Brian Fishler/dr through a mix of originals and standards on this rewarding release He also plays soprano for a tune, his…
Kapelle 17: Die Volken Sind Da, Wo Sie Immer Sind
The team of Benedict Jackle/sax-fl-bcl, Johannes Mann/g, Paul Janoschka/p, Jakob Obleser/b and Jonas Kaltenbach/dr create an impressionistic collection of dreamy originals. Jackle’s breathy tenor floats on “Abacaxi” and “Vale” while hovering on the loose as mercury “Ma Beleza I”. The…
Darren Johnston: Life In Time
Trumpeter Darren Johnston leads a post bop ensemble of Geof Bradfield/ts-ss-bcl, Clark Sommers/b and Dana Hall/dr through ten spacious originals. The lack of a choral instrument is not missed with the leader floating well on “Asherah” and plunging deep on…
Atomic Rockers: Crazy Crazy Party-Issue 02, Rockin’ Up A Storm-Issue 03
If you’re looking for some roots of modern rock and R&B that is on the more obscure side, you’ve found a friend on this series called “Atomic Rockers”. Issue 01 came out about a month ago, and these latest two…
WOMAN WITH A WORD…Deanne Matley: The Alberta Lounge, Nicki Bluhm: Avondale Drive, Ce Ce Gable: Next Year’s Song, Nancy Kelly: Jazz Woman, Carol Sloane: Live at Birdland
The female voice in many colors… I last heard vocalist Deanne Matley on an album about 4 years ago and was impressed with her flexibility. She hasn’t lost that quality, creating a rich kaleidoscope of moods with Taurey Burler/p, Morgan…