Playing bass and some electronics, Jesper Thorn creates moods similar to ECM in terms of spaciousness, sounding highly influenced by Tomasz Stanko’s classic small group. He’s joined by Marc Mean/p-elec, Tbias Wiklund/ct, Cecile Strange/ts and Andreas Bernitt/vi-va for eight illuminative…
Author: George W. Harris
Silvan Joray: Updraft
Guitarist Silvan Joray forms a trio with Nadav Erlich/b and Jeff Ballard/dr for eleven originals. Joray never overplays a piece, keeping things simple as on tasty pieces like “Kokodrillo” or the folksy “At Long Last Love”. One hears a dash…
CHRISTMAS TIME…David Ian: Vintage Christmas Trio Melody, Nick Lowe: Quality Street
Pianist David Ian joins together with bassist Jon Estes and drummer Josh Hunt for a collection of clear and crystalline takes of Christmas carols. The team is dreamy for the tender moments of “Away In A Manger” and “O Little…
Miguel Espinoza Fusion: Gabriella
Best known for his flamenco guitar work, Miguel Espinoza mixes styles of all types akin to Al Di Meola on this exciting acoustic collection of musical directions. Usually “fusion” means “plugged in”, but while there are no Marshall amps, there…
Jeff Lederer with Mary Larose: Schoenberg On The Beach
Jeff Lederer plays clarinet and flute, co leading with vocalist Mary Larose and a supporting conglomerate of Hank Roberts/cel, Patricia Brennan/vib-el, Michael Formanek/b, Matt Wilson/dr and guest Marty Ehlich, who adds his bass clarinet to the elastic “The Pale Flowers…
Dani Oore & Florian Hoefner: Flying Pooka! The Ecstasy of Becoming
Pianist Florian Hoefner joins with Danie Oore playing the soprano voice or lending his voice to seven spontaneous originals. There are dots and dashes to “Little Awakenings”. Som rich classical piano and warm soprano on “Water to Land” with ethearl…
Myra Melford’s Fire and Water Quintet Hear the Light Singing
Pianist Myra Melford brings together Mary Halvorson/g, Ingrid Laubrock/ts-ss, Tomeka Reid/cdl and Lesley Mok/dr for five “Insertions”. Most of the tunes are comprised of musical jabs and pokes, with Laubrocks soprano swirling around “Insertion One” and her sax gasping on…
JC Sanford: New Past
Trombonist JC Sanford puts together a drummerless band of pianist Michael Cain and bass man Anthony Cox to create some fluid and floating originals and covers. The threesome create some fun moods, with tropical sounds on “Sparrows are Badasses” teaming…
Palle Mikkelborg-Jakob Bro-Marilyn Mazur: Strands
Palle Mikkelborg palys trumpet and flugelhorn both open and muted at a concert at the Danish Radio Concert Hall with guitarist Jakob Bro and percussionist Marilyn Mazur n this recent release. The focus is on ambient arias, tapestries of sound…
Nitai Hershkovits:Call On The Old Wise
Pianist Nitai Hershkovits goes solo for 18 concise etudes on this recent release. The album feels like an intimate recital of originals, with a feeling of Debussy teamed with Satie in soft lillie pads of reflection. There are moments of…