In light of a recent report/study that showed that jazz is the least popular music in America, clocking in at only 1.4% of the population, you have to ask yourself, “What is missing in today’s music that was in this…
Author: George W. Harris
Jazz Bakery’s “Moveable Feat” presents: Jane Bunnett & Maqueque@Moss Theatre 05-16-15
“If for no other reason, this is why it’s good that we’ve re-established relations with Cuba!” So beamed Jazz Bakery owner Ruth Price as she summed up the appreciation of Jane Bunnett, who over the past 20+ years has been…
VINTAGE JAZZ FROM AVID…Duke Ellington: With Johnny Hodges, Coleman Hawkins, Count Basie, Duke Ellington: Swingin’ Suites, Teddi King-Carol Sloane-Morgana King: Five Classic Albums, Randy Weston: Four Classic Albums
Here is the latest cache of reissues from UK-based AVID. As always, there are some absolute essentials as well as glorious obscurities. Everything has something to offer. Can you really ever have enough Duke Ellington? NO WAY! The 2 disc…
EIGHTEEN STRINGS OF JOY…John Pattituccci Electric Guitar Quartet: Brooklyn
Here’s a disc that should be on a “Best Of” list for fans of bass, guitar and jazz. Six string electric bass icon John Patitucci takes time off from his stint with Wayne Shorter to put together his first disc…
John Pizzarelli: Salutes Johnny Mercer
Few jazz artists make going to a club more enjoyable than John Pizzarelli. He wins the jazz fans over with his formidable guitar chops on the 7 stringer (which he displays here with elan during “I Got Out of Bed…
Cyrus Chestnut: A Million Colors In Your Mind
Pianist Cyrus Chestnut continues to bring the joyful sounds that he plays at his local church into the jazz world with this winning trio album with David Williams/b and Victor Lewis/drHis fingers show their nimble versatility on the cheerful swing…
Ben Williams & Sound Effect@The Blue Whale 05.15.15
Bassist Ben Williams showed Friday night at the Blue Whale that the 2+ years spent with Pat Metheny were a wise investment. Leading a team of seasoned pros in Marcus Strickland/ts-ss, Alex Wintz/g, Victor Gould/key-p and Jamire Williams/dr, Williams demonstrated…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Anat Cohen: Luminosa
This is the Anat Cohen record I have been waiting for. She mixes some fragrant originals with Brazilian compositions by the likes of Milton Nasciment, Severino Arajo and Romero Lubambo and creates a mix of Latin, Middle East and folksy…
SOUNDS FROM ORIGIN: Chad McCullogh & Bram Weijters: Abstract Quantities, The H2 Big Band: It Could Happen, Scott Hesse Trio: The Stillness of Motion
Seattle-based Origin Records is one of the more diverse independent labels out there. Fresh and vibrant, they never fail to release something worth listening to and talking about, satisfying both red and blue state palates. Warm toned Chad McCullogh/tp and…
Queen Latifah, etc: Bessie-Music From The HBO Film
I have not seen the HBO film “Bessie” which is based on the life and music of Bessie Smith. Judging by this sound track, it seems like a great bet. Queen Latifah plays the role of The Empress of the…