I was able to catch The Moody Blues in concert last year, and was impressed on how well their songs have stood up over the years. Just recently, a reissue of bassist John Lodge’s solo album form 1977 came out,…
Author: George W. Harris
Christina Dahl: Life’s Carousel
Tenor saxist Christina Dahl must be the love child of Sonny Rollins, as she’s got that same strong, beefy and voluminous sound that is so endearing and enduring. She’s no mere imitation, though as she writes her own material and…
Male Voices…Perry Beekman: Bewitched, Bill Cote’: Where Do You Start
Perry Beekman got my attention with his last release where the singer/guitarist did a homage to Cole Porter that was disarmingly simple and effective. He revisits the winning formula with the Nat Cole-ish combo of himself with Peter Tomlinson/p and…
PAT MARTINO: UNDENIABLY HERE AND NOW
Who are you? It’s a very simple question, but the way in which we answers it tells a lot about our identities. Did you first say you were a man or woman? A professional? A son? A husband or wife?…
Vardan Ovsepian Chamber Ensemble w/ Tatiana Parra@The Blue Whale 05.28.14
I’m still not sure yet if Vardan Ovsepian is a master musician or chef. I’ve seen him over half a dozen times, and I’ve never been served the same meal by this concoctor of musical meals. Solo, trio, duets with…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Freddie Bryant: Dreamscape-Solo, Duo, Trio
Here’s a winner that you can take to the bank. Freddie Bryant takes four types of guitars, ranging from 12 string to arch top, to electric and nylon, and then mixes and matches with Chris Potter/bcl-ts-ss, Scott Colley/b and guests…
Christian Jacob: Beautiful Jazz
While he might be better known as the pianist in The Tierney Sutton Band, Christian Jacob has made some impressive music on his own. His latest release is from an intimate concert at Zipper Hall in Los Angeles in 2013,…
The North: Slow Down (This Isn’t The Mainland)
Hawaiian locals Romain Collin/p, shawn Conley/b and Abe Lagrimas/dr form an impressive interactive trio that displays flowing originals and clever takes of covers. Of the latter, Monk’s “Light Blue” has an enjoyable peg leg to its rhythm, while Chick Corea…
Yvonnick Prene & Padam Swing: Wonderful World
Yvonnick Prene specializes in the chromatic harmonica and makes it swing with the gypsy-styled band Padam swing on this mix of originals and jazz standards. Homages the Django Reinhardt are felt on the joyful takes of “Coquette” and bohemian “La…
Wilko Johnson & Roger Daltrey: Going Back Home
Here are a couple of old timers that have a few things to teach this current generation of hipsters. Wilko Johnson, guitarist for Dr. Feelgood, teams up with Roger Daltrey from the who, and together get raucous and bluesy on…