You know you’re getting old when a guitarist like Nir Felder puts out an album that refers to the days of the 80s and 90s as “The Golden Age.” Did I miss something? What Felder does is mix some lyrical…
Author: George W. Harris
Cheryl Barnes: Listen To This
Here’s a singer with a debut disc that sounds fresh on a variety of levels. First, Cheryl Barnes stays away from the “been there, done that” songbook, and instead delivers up material from the likes of Mark Winkler, Joni Mitchell,…
MILES AT THE FILLMORE…Miles Davis 1970:The Bootleg Series Volume 3
Sony Legacy continues to dig into the Miles Davis treasure chest and has come up with another wonderful cache, Miles Davis’ band with Steve Grossman/ts-ss, Chick Corea-Keith Jarrett/key, Dave Holland/b, Jack DeJohnette/dr and Airto Moreira/perc/fl. They are captured here at…
Beata Pater: Golden Lady
If you’re wanting something less like Diana Krall, and more like Betty Carter, look no further than Beata Pater. This latest release has her with the Spartan accompaniment of Hiromu Aoli/p and Buca Necak/b, and they both do a yeoman’s…
Lara Iacovini featuring Steve Swallow: Right Together
Vocalist Lara Iacovini leads a unique band that includes Steve Swallows electric bass combined with the team of double acoustic bassist Paolino Dalla Porta, drummer Adam Nussbaum/dr and pianist Roberto Soggetti as well as guests Andrea Dulbecco/vib and Giovanni Mazzarino/Rhodes.…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Randy Ingram: Sky Lift
Here’s a pianist that has a touch on the ivories I could listen to for weeks. Randy Ingram leads a quartet with Mike Moreno/g, Matt Clohesy/b and Jochen Rueckert/dr for eight originals that have a sound all their own. I’m…
SINGER/SONGWRITERS FROM 2 WORLDS…Lauren Kinhan: Circle in a Square, Sheela Bringi: Incantations
You think you’ve got the lowdown on female singer/songwriters? Here are a pair from two opposite parts of the world! Lauren Kinhan is going to give Lorraine Feather a run for her money for the award for clever lyricist. This…
Craig Handy: Craig Handy & 2nd Line Smith
Tenor veteran Craig Handy gets down and dirty with a smoking tribute to B3 Master Jimmy Smith on this hot session that includes cameos by Wynton Marsalis, Dee Dee Bridgewater sousaphonist Clark Gayton and drummer Herlin Riley. The core team…
Red Mitchell: What I Am
Bassist Red Mitchell has had a long and respectable career, both in America and in Europe. This release is a true one-of-a-kind, as it finds the bassist in the intimate confines of either his apartment or a cozy club in…
TWO REED MASTERS…Russ Nolan: Relentless, Matt Renzi: Rise and Shine
Here are two guys that play the reeds within the confines of the tradition, but bring a fresh sound to the ears. Russ Nolan focuses on the soprano and tenor saxes along with Manuel Valera/key, Michael O’Brien/b and Brian Fishler/dr…