There was a time when a pianoless jazz combo was a true novelty. Baker & Mulligan on the West Coast Cool as well as Ornette Coleman’s Change of the Century on the East were watershed ideas. Here, the idea taken…
Author: George W. Harris
Western Jazz Quartet: Free Fall
The postbop WJQ consists of Andrew Rathbun/sax, Jeremy Siskind/p, Tom Knific/b and Keith Hall/dr, and they deliver originals that have multiple themes, directions and rabbit trails. Pieces such as Lighter Than Air” may start with gentle and somber rumblings with…
THE HAMMOND! The Bill McBirnie Trio: Find Your Place, Jerry Vivino: Back East
What’s the difference between a Hammond B3 and a C3? Can’t tell the difference here-if you can, please let me know, as they both make those wondrous sounds that take you on aural trips to Roller Skating Rinks, Church and…
Sounds of Freedom from Ages Past…Creative Music Studio: Archive Selections, Vol 1
This ambitious 3 cd set brings together long lost recordings from 1977-1980 by the likes of free/avant garde jazz giants Ed Blackwell, Leroy Jenkins, Oliver Lake and Roscoe Mitchell. Long lost sessions, these pieces are going to get your blood…
The Awakening Orchestra: Volume 1: This is Not the Answer
Here’s a two disc set that has something for just about everybody. Lead by composer Kyle Saulnier, the Awakening Orchestra touches styles ranging from Johannes Brahms and Samuel Barber to even Radiohead and Low, with a few original pieces thrown…
FOLK MEETS JAZZ…Iain Matthews & Searing Quartet: Joy Mining, Iain Matthews & Egbert Derix: In The Now
Who would have guessed 20 years ago that folkie singer/songwriter Iain Matthews would become a jazzer? Well, back in 2008 and 2011, Matthews cut a pair of albums that make up a winning combination of original tunes and jazz sensibilities…
MOST INFLUENTIAL PRODUCER? Brian Eno-Karl Hyde: Someday World
Is there anyone around that has had more of an influence in modern music than Brian Eno? Back in the 70s it was a BIG DEAL that a guy that fooled around with electronics and tapes was considered a “musician”…
Glenn Zottola: Reflections of Charlie Parker
Long time altomeister Glenn Zottola delivers a tribute to, but not an impersonation of, Charlie Parker on this collection of standards. Sometimes with strings,as on “Moonlight in Vermont,” other times with a gentle rhythm team as displayed on “Oh, Lady…
Alan Chan Jazz Orchestra: Shrimp Tale
Composer and band leader Alan Chan puts together an impressive big band album with some of LA’s top drawer artists like “Wayne Bergeron/tp, Jeff Driskill/ts, Andy Langham/p, Vince Trombetta Jr/reeds and Andy Martin/tb on a collection of original charts and…
B.B. King: The Life of Riley
No one has heard or played modern blues without being influenced by guitarist/singer BB King, and this two hour documentary goes into both rich overview and glorious detail into the life, style and career/impact of Riley B. King, who grew…