THIS WEEKEND AT SMOKE JAZZ CLUB, DRUMMER CARL ALLEN IS GIVING TRIBUTE TO MENTOR ART BLAKEY BY BRINGING IN JAZZ MESSENGER ALUMNI LIKE BOBBY WATSON AND BRIAN LYNCE ALONG WITH GEOFF KEEZER, ROBIN EUBANKS AND PETER WASHINGTON TO PUT A…
Month: February 2024
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****THE GREAT DAVIDIC SONGBOOK..Peter Jonatan and Metrople Orkset: Psalms Symphony
Why write your own lyrics when you can quote God? That is the conclusion that inspired composer Peter Jonatan as he found (literally) inspiration from the various Psalms from the Bible. Mixing a jazz trio of Jasper Soffers/p, Aram Kersbergen/b…
Antonio Gavrila: Tango Suite Buenos Aires
Romania-based pianist Antonio Gavrila creates an album of Argentina’s Nuevo Tango, mixing his own originals with interpretations of master Astor Piazzola on this thrilling album. He’s joined by Walther Castro/bandoneon, Quique Sinesi/g and Horacio Hurtado/b for a recording focusing on…
Josh Sinton: Couloir & Book Of Practitioners Vol. 2 Book W
Baritone saxist Josh Sinton goes solo in a tribute to hero Steve Lacy (and others) on this double album. The discs are evenly divided by personality, with the first beig 15 free and loose improvisations, with lots of harmonics as…
Satoko Fujii Tokyo Trio: Jet Black
Pianist Satoko Fujii goes remarkably lyrical on this trio album with Takashi Sugawa/b and ITtetsu Takemura/dr during a March, 2023 concert in Tokyo, Japan. The team prances through a richly fragrant “Along The Way” with Fujii creatingwide open spaces on…
The Rob Dixon/Steve Allee Quintet: Standards Deluxe
Playing tenor and soprano sax, Rob Dixon teams up with Steve Allee/p, Nick Tucker/b, Amanda King/voc, Greg Artry-Kenny Phelps/dr and Derrick Gardner/tp for a collection of originals and jazz standards. Amanda King brigs rich vocals to a cozy read of…
Kinga Glyk: Real Life
Sounds akin to Weather Report and Headhunters are delivered by electric bassist Kinga Glyk and her team of Casey Benjamin/earophone, Robert Searight, and a four keyboard team, count ‘em, of Brett Williams, Julian Polack, Nicholas Semrad and Snarky Puppy’s Michael…
Rob Susman: Top Secret Lab
Rob Susman plays trombone, keyboards, percussion and something called the “theremin” as he lead a team of Chris Hemingway/as-ss, Stan Kilian/ts, Maximilian Schweiger/bs, Seneca Black-Chris Anderson/tp, Jane Getter/g, Dan Asher/b and Uichi Hirakawa/dr through some post bop originals and a…
Adam Schroeder & Mark Masters: Celebrate Clark Terry
It’s fitting that trumpet and flugelhorn legend Clark Terry should have his compositions interpreted in big band fashioned, as been has done here by arranger Mark Masters and baritone saxist Adam Schroeder. The all star team of Angelenos include Bob…
Dr. John: Solo Piano-Live in New Orleans 1984
Mac Rebennack, aka the late “Dr. John”, is in his element in more ways than one on this vinyl/download release from the Reagan years. First, he’s home in New Orleans, home at the famed local club Tipitina’s, and home at…