One of the most definitive and sui generic sounds of the trumpet has been that from Cootie Williams, who helped define the original “jungle” sound of Duke Ellington’s Orchestra. This four disc, 92 song anthology covers the famed horn man…
Month: March 2024
Advancing On A Wild Pitch: Disasters Vol II, Acceleration Due To Gravity: Jonesville
Bassist Moppa Elliott is caught here in a pair of recordings in which he is the leader, and while both teams and albums swing, they do so in wildly divergent ways. On Jonesville, Elliott gives a tribute to legendary bopping…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Zach Rich: Solidarity
Yes, there are tones of “jazz and strings” albums out there, but this one by trombonist Zach Rich is vastly different. First, it’s not just a musician blowing around the strings, but the quartet of Anton Smirnov/vi, Rachel England/vi, Mathew…
Chris Potter: Eagle’s Point
It seems apropos that Chris Potter has teamed himself with 2/3 of Wayne Shorter’s rhythm section in John Patitucci/b and Brian Blade/dr, along with pianist Brad Meldau. This album has a feel of Shorter’s albums circa Miles Davis ESP and…
One For All (featuring George Coleman): Big George
The all star team of Jim Rotundi/tp, Eric Alexander/ts, Steve Davis/tb, David Hazeltine/p, John Webber/b and Joe Farnsworth/dr reunite for a vintage hard bop session, in tribute to the feel of music created by guest tenor saxist George Coleman, who…
Matthieu Bordenave: The Blue Land
Playing tenor and soprano saxes, Matthieu Bordenave leads a quartet with Florian Weber/p, Patrice Moret/b and James Maddrem on a collection of impressionistic pastels. Bordenave’s soprano is misty with Weber on”La Porte Entrouverte” and serene during “Cyrus”, with some agitation…
Giorgi Mikadze Trio: Face to Face
Pianist Girogi Mikadze trios up with Francois Moutin/b and Raphael Pannier/dr from some originals that mix jazz ideas with harmonies and melodies from his native Georgia. The team gallops with Mikadze showing a wide stride on “A Magic Egg” and…
Betty Bryant: Lotta Livin’
Kansas City legend Betty Bryant delivers originals and blues with a relentless swing that can only be felt by someone who’s lived it. Sure, her voice is a bit more fragile at this stage, but she can still deliver with…
Emile Parisien Quartet: Let Them Cook
Soprano saxist Emile Parisien brings together his team of Julien Touery/p, Ivan Gelugne/b and Julien Loutelier/dr-el for an album of in house originals. Most of the tunes are focused on creating atmospheres, with the leader using mouthpiece effects to haunting…
Joel Ross: nublues
Today’s generation of the new sounds of jazz is represented on this release by vibist Joel Ross and his recording team of Immanuel Wildkins/as, Jeremy Corren/p, Kanoa Mendenhall/b, Jeremy Dutton/dr and guest Gabrielle Garo/fl. Ross keeps an eye to the…