Over three hundred years old and still going strong, the music of JS Bach is interpreted yet another way on this creative disc that includes a myriad of artists shining new lights on the Baroque Believer. Pieces that should be…
Author: George W. Harris
Abdullah Ibrahim: Mukashi-Once Upon a Time
Abdullah Ibrahim goes gentle and pastoral here in an album that mixes ruminating moods. He cuts and pastes with a team of Cleave Guyton/fl-cl-sax, Eugen bazijan/cello and Scott Roller/cello while the leader brings his own piano, flute and voice to…
JAZZ ACCORDION TO ECM…Jean-Louis Matinier/Marco Ambrosini: Inventio, Dino Saluzzi Group: El Valle de la Infancia
At one time only used in bar mitzvahs and weddings, the accordion (or bandoneon, if you prefer as in the case of the Ambrosini disc) has started becoming a much more popular instrument in the jazz and latin scene. Here…
Wolfgang Muthspiel: Driftwood
Guitarist Wolfgang Muthspiel leads a trio with Brian Blade/dr and Larry Grenadier/b through a set of songs that mix Metheny-esque moods with calm and classical nuances. His tip of the hat to Pat is felt as he does some remarkable…
Ron Carter Trio@Catalina’s 07-24-14
The lost art of combining lyricism with improvisation and swing was on display like the a Renoir painting for all to appreciate when Ron Carter and his team of Donald Vega/p and Russell Malone/g gave the packed Hollywood club a…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Kavita Shah: Visions
Looking for some inspiring and creative jazz vocals? Here’s the disc you’ve been dreaming of! A native of New York, of Indian descent and fluent in Spanish, Portuguese and French (don’t you want to meet her parents?!?), Kavita Shah uses…
Percussion Discussions…Tigger Benford & Party: Vessel of Gratitude, Yosvany Terry: New Throned King
Lots of kinetic sounds bouncing around on these two releases, but with enough variety and lyricism to keep you well involved. Tigger Benford composes all the pieces, plays the marimba and other things that you hit with sticks along with…
Clarice Assad: Imaginarium
One listen to this release by Clarice Assad, and you’ll be dizzied by not only the prowess of this multi-talented artist, but by the variety as well. She sings, arranges, composes and plays the piano here on this collection of…
Magos & Limon: Dawn
Vocalist Magos Herrera and guitarist Javier Limon aren’t well known in the US yet, but this disc is a good landing on the beach head. They hail from Mexico, mixing sounds of folk, samba, flamenco and jazz in a alluring…
Ryan Oliver Quartet: Strive!
Here’s a tenor sax player that’s going to go right into the John Coltrane of your heart. Canadian based saxist Ryan Oliver teams up with drummer extraordinaire Victor Lewis as well as ready at the helm Gary Williamson/p and Alex…