Let’s be completely honest and frank with each other, shall we? Yes, the 1969 Woodstock rock fest was impressive historically. Fine. But, truth be told, the musicianship of these (mostly) white artists is fairly shabby and a bit loose and…
Month: March 2023
CALIFORNIA HOT…Doug MacDonald: Big Band Extravaganza
If you live in So Cal and haven’t seen guitarist Doug MacDonald in a club, then you just aren’t hitting the spots, as he’s always somewhere jamming with fellow Angelenos. This latest album has him in the rare big band…
Christopher Lucas Wilson Trio: Solemn Moments
With a touch and sense of swing reminiscent of mainstreamers like Tommy Flanagan, pianist Christopher Lucas Wilson leads a trio with Noah Jackson/b and Jesse Kramer/dr through a rich mix of originals and covers. Of the latter, Wilson changes moods…
Benjamin Lackner: Last Decade
Pianist Benjamin Lackner debuts on ECM with a team of trumpeter Mathis Eick, drummer Manu Katche’ and bassist Jerome Regard on a collection of mellow and pastoral originals. There’s one tune with Eick sitting out, with Lackner getting solemn on…
Wolfgang Haffner: Silent World
Back in the day, this album would have been called “Adult Contemporary” music. In other words, it is accessible jazz, with a dash of pop and soul. Put together by drummer Wolfgang Haffner, the album has mixes and matches with…
Bill Laurance & Michael League: Where You Wish You Were
Taking a leave from Snarky Puppy, leader and bassist Michael League teams up with pianist Bill Laurance for a series of evocative duets that take you on an exotic journey of Africa and The Mediterranean. Laurance sticks to mostly piano…
Mark Lockett: Swings and Roundabouts
It sounds like New Zealand drummer Mark Lockett has been taking his Ornette Coleman pills, as he leads a team of David Binney/as, Duane Eubanks/tp and Matt Penman/b that sounds inspired by the early days of the pianoless quartet of…
Ed Cherry: Are We There Yet?
Best known for his work with Dizzy Gillespie, guitarist Ed Cherry teams up for a nifty Hammond B3 groove fest with organ-meister Kyle Koehler, drummer Byron Landham and Monte Croft on the vibes. Cherry creates a wide swath of colors…
SWINGING CHICKS…Molly Ryan: Sweepin’ The Blues Away
Molly Ryan comes across like a recent incarnation of Swing Era canaries like Helen Forrest or Martha Tilton on this two stepping collection of standards with Dan Levinson/ts-cl, Rossano Sportiello/p, Rob Adkins/b and Kevin Dorn/dr. With Levin’s clarinet, she’s cozy…
Tarmu Jazz Quartet: Tarmu Jazz Quartet
Vibist Eldad Tarmu leads a post bopping team of Adam Hutcheson/as, Sam Bevan/b and Cengiz Baysal/dr through a collection of sophisticated originals. Bevan’s electric bass is a plus here, as he keeps a rich foundation throughout some of the hairpin…