Still partying and low riding after all these years, War releases their first studio album of new material since Clinton was in the White House, and for good measure they make it a 2cd set by throwing in a remastered…
Author: George W. Harris
QUO VADIS, JAZZ? Interstatic: Arise, Cuong Vu & Richard Karpen: Indigo Mist
Where did jazz come from? Where is it going? These two latest releases from the free form Rare Noise Records label tries to answer the questions. But is it with more questions? The Interstatic Trio, consisting of Roy Powell/B3, Jacob…
Bill Frisell Quintet@Lobero Theatre 05.16.14
Guitarist Bill Frisell has performed four times previously at Santa Barbara’s Lobero theatre, and not only has he never repeated a composition, he’s never had the same band. Talk about improvisation in jazz! This time around, he’s exploring the songs and sounds of…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****HIP SOUNDTRACKS! Johnny Staccato/The Man With The Golden Arm, M Squad/Mike Hammer
A few months ago, I stumbled across some very cool soundtracks from 60s “Juvenile Delinquent” movies such as College Confidential and Crime in the Streets that had guys like Maynard Ferguson and Conte Condoli in the studios delivering some wonderfully…
A CHARMER…Revolutionary Snake Ensemble: Live Snakes
I just finished reviewing a bunch of ECM albums, so I was ready for something a bit more lined up with the reason I got into jazz in the first place. Popped this puppy in and WOW-I’m in love again!…
Ark Ovrutski: 44:33
Titled after the length of the album, this latest release by bassist Ark Ovrutski delivers just under ¾ of an hour’s worth of toe tapping post bop. Along with Michael Dease/tb, Michael Thomas/as-ss, David Berkman/p an dUllysses Owens/dr, Ovrutski sizzles…
PREACH IT!!! The Jones Family Singers: The Spirit Speaks
Bishop Jones has been overseeing the congregation at Mount Zion church in Markham, Texas for over 30 years, and this album of spirituals will make you feel like you’re in the front row. And this music isn’t any of that…
The Clare Fischer Orchestra: After the Rain, Music For Strings, Percussion and the Rest
Composer, arranger and keyboardist Clare Fischer, who passed away in 2012, had a career which crossed many styles of music from classical to bebop with Dizzy Gillespie. These two albums lean more towards his classical side, but still reflect his…
Jim Olsen Ensemble: We See Stars
Composer and arranger Jim Olsen brings together a richly textured and snazzily swinging big band which includes top notch soloists such as Bobby Shew/tp, Dick Oatts/sax and John Harmon/key. The eight originals mix toe tapping swing such as on “Illogical…
FUN TIME! Chris Parker: Full Circle, ES2: AlgoRhythms
Forget getting serious. It’s time to have some good times with jazz, and these two releases get the job done. We need SOMETHING to cheer us up! Pianist Chris Parker writes and arranges this Decalogue of swinging and danceable ditties…