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…
Author: George W. Harris
Aurallaua: Exetastes
Vocalist and compose Laura Chu Wiens, aka “Aurallaura”, puts together a creative musical curry of sounds on this album filled with a core of Greg Lutz on a wide variety of instruments as well as Nick Costa/dr, Billy Sokol-John Dahlman/b,…
The Flying Horse Big Band: A Message From The Flying Horse Band
Directed by Jeff Rupert, The Flying Horse Big Band puts some large ensemble charts to classic hard bop Blue Note material by the likes of Benny Golson, Horace Silver and Wayne Shorter. The concept works well, with some bold and…
Scott Emmerman: Spheres
Playing guitar, keyboards, bass and drum programming, Scott Emmerman teams up with drummer/percussionist Marty Zevin for a collection of soulful conversations. Pianist Larry Nelson guests on the rollicking “Roanoke” while the rest of the time Emmerman handles the keys, as…
George Gee Swing Orchestra: Winter Wonderland
Bandleader George Gee brings big and bold tones for swinging Yule tunes. There’s a fun latin feel for soloist Freddie Hendrix on “Winter Wonderlad Mambo” and the rhythm team pulsates on “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen”. Joe Williams-inspired vocalist John…
The Gurdjieff Ensemble: Zartir
It’s difficult to be objective in assessing music that one has grown up listening to. Being of Greek heritage, I was weaned on folk music akin to the music directed by Levon Eskenian and performed by The National Chamber Choir…
Michael Costantino: The Song Inside The Tune
Michael Costantino has a blood flow in his fingertips on this trio album with Harvie S/b and Thierry Arpino. His interpretations of standards is sublime, rich in texture as he assuages over the brushes on “Yesterdays” and delivers a soft…
Lisa Hilton: Coincidental Moment
For most of her career, Lisa Hilton has created an impressionistic approach to her piano compositions and playing style. This time around, with trumpeter Igmar Thomas, bassist Luques Curtis and drummer Rudy Royston, she drinks from the well of Horace…
Hiromi: Sonic Wonderland
One of modern jazz’s true explorers, Hiromi creates a fresh sounding alvumplaying both piano and keyboars with Hardien Feraud/b, Gene Coye/dr and Adam O’Farrill/tp on this recent release.She switiches between acoustic and electronic with alacrity, the former showing her rich…
Nils Landgren: Christmas With My Friends VIII
A wide range of Christmas seasonings are sprinkled on this homey and enjoyable album by Nils Landgren. This latest ranges from a cozy “Blue Christmas with Bill Hayes ande Jay Johnson to a New Orleanish festive “O Tannenbaun”. An operatic…