You get a lot of jazz history on this album with bassist Eddie Gomez, bari man Ronnie Cuber and iconic drummer Steve Gadd joining in with Bruno Muller/g and Bobby Sparks-Simon Oslender/p-key teamed up with the WDR Big Band conducted…
Month: October 2022
Jan Hammer: Seasons Pt 2
Once upon a time, keyboardist Jan Hammer was the match that lit the fusion fuse, playing on albums by Jeff Beck and John McLaughlin. Since those days, he’s delved into soundtracks like Miami Vice and satisfied with breezy smooth tones,…
Chick Corea: The Montreux Years
Chick Corea may be gone, but his inspiration remains. This single disc collects material from various groups that the legendary pianist brought to Europe, reflecting the width and range of Corea’s creativity. Ranging from 1988 to 2010, Corea brings his…
DEEP AMERICAN ROOTS…The Carter Family Collection: Volume 1 1927-34
There are certain artists and groups that are essentially the essence and dna of everything that comes after it. What Louis Armstrong is to jazz, and Bessie Smith is to the blues, the Carter Family is to country and western.…
THIS IS MODERN JAZZ GUITAR…Herb Ellis: The Early Years
Ranked up there with Kenny Burrell, George Benson, Charlie Christian and Grant Green, guitarist Herb Ellis is one of the most important and swinging guitarists of the bebop to bop era. He’s best known for his long run with Oscar…
THE FIRST MODERN PIANO MAN…Earl “Fatha” Hines: An Evening With Earl Hines, Live At The New School, Earl Hines In New Orleans
The man that turned jazz piano into a solo instrument from simply a rhythm one was Earl “Fatha” Hines (1903-1983). His dancing left hand freed up the instrument to become one in which the piano could solo like a trumpet…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Randal Despommier: A Midsummer Odyssey (featuring Ben Monder)
I’ll admit it-I’m a sucker for jazz duet albums, as they are so rare, and they are the epitome of conversant swing. This one is especially delightful on a variety of fronts. First, you rarely get an alto sax/guitar summit,…
The Jones Factor: The Time Is Now
Trombonist John Fumasoli leads a a large band through a sophisticated collection of arrangements. The pieces themselves are wide ranging, going from a soul/rock feel on “All That I Need” to a funkified take of “Summertime” that leans in after…
Brian Lynch and Spheres of Influence: Songbook Vol. 2-Dance The Way U Want To
Since being the last trumpeter for Horace Silver, Brian Lynch has built up a catalogue of exciting Latin-flavored albums, this one being no exception. He brings together a rotating team of Tom Kelley/as, Aldo Salvent-Chris Thompson-Taylor/ts, Kemuel Roig-Alex Brown/p, Rodner…
Antonio Adolfo: Octet and Originals
Pianist Antonio Adolfo creates a warm Brazilian breeze of sound with his bnad of Jesse Sadoc/tp-fh, Danilo Sinna/as, Mracelo Martins/ts-fl, Rafael Rocha/tb, Ricardo Silveira/g, Jorge Helder/b and Rafael Barata/dr on this upbeat collection of originals. The songs have a Jobim/Mendes…