For it’s second outing, Colin Vallon and his partners Patrice Moret/b and Julian Sartorius/dr continue to delve into deeply lyrical and contemplative interaction. Subtle, delicate and symbiotic, the trio works like a quiet conversation at Starbucks on pieces like “Juuichi”…
Author: George W. Harris
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****John Clayton: Parlor Series with Gerald Clayton
As a doctor and a father, I have had the joy of having my daughters work for me in my office as secretaries and assistants, so I can identify with the joy of seeing one’s own offspring efficiently helping out…
Mike Marshall : And The Turtle Island Quartet
Here’s a combination of strings that’s right up your alley. Mandolinist Mike Marshall teams up with the eclectic team of David Balakrishan/v, Mads Tolling/v, Jeremy Kittel/vla and Mark Summer/cel for an exciting conglomeration of sounds and visions. The TIQ has…
Cava Menzies/Nick Phillips: Moment to Moment
I’m a sucker for “ballads” albums. Always have been, and always will be. It can be with strings, as in “Clifford Brown with…” or a small combo like with John Coltrane’s quartet. Here, we’ve got a lovely one with co-leaders…
THE REAL TIGHTROPE…Phil Davison: Straight, Bent and Uncut
Very few horn players attempt it, and even fewer succeed. Many are called, few are chosen, as our Lord once said. Saxist Phil Davison takes the Pepsi Challenge and delivers 14 compositions and one traditional piece with just his soprano,…
JOHN CLAYTON: FAMILY VALUES
It’s probably impossible to have seen a jazz concert in Los Angeles that hasn’t either had John Clayton performing, or at lease had an artist who either played with once him or has been coached by the legendary Angeleno. As…
PIANO TRIOS…Shahin Novrasli: Bayati, Sean McCluskey: The Beginning
European-based and Azerbaidjan born, Shahin Novrasli fronts a team with Nathan Peck/b and Ari Hoenig through a collection of originals and traditional tunes from afar. He shows his Chopinesque touch as he delves into “Prelude in E Minor” giving hints…
Gypsy Dream: Featuring Ferenc
Friends of Hot Club jazz are going to have a field day on this quartet consisting of Ferenc Illenyi/v, Erich Avinger/g, Andrew Lienhard/p and Chris Maresh/b as they bring guests into and out of their gypsy caravan for a collection…
FEMME FATALS…Brigitte Zarie: L’Amour, Glennis Houston: I’ll Reminisce You, Natalie Cressman: Turn The Sea
What to sing? What to sing? How to sing it? Here are three two ladies that take different paths. Brigitte Zarie knocked me out with a left hook with her smoking debut last year. This sophomore release is just as…
Amanda Homi: Till I Reach Bombay
Vocalist and songwriter Amanda Homi mixes musical sounds and styles like a flavorful curry on this album. Instruments from the West, Mid-East and Central Asia stand comfortably next to each other like a World Cup Soccer match as guitars, ouds,…