Want to try something completely uncategorizable yet simultaneously enjoyable? This guy Brad Hoyt might just be the ticket. He plays piano, guitar, harp and some other peculiar little things in a wide variety of settings ranging from folk to jazz…
Author: George W. Harris
Jim Clayton: Songs My Daughter Knows
Pianist Jim Clayton strikes back to the original reason people are attracted to jazz: they like the tune and want to sing along with the melody. Taking a cue from his daughter’s taste and likes, he brings together Peter Harris/b,…
TRUMPET TONES…Tomasz Dabrowski: Tom Trio, Dabrowski-Sorey Duo: Steps
Here’s a trumpet player that might just get your attention. European born and educated Tomasz Dabrowski has a tone and style that hints at the lyrical fragility of a Kenny Dorham or Blue Mitchell, yet he uses it in a…
Jane Ira Bloom: Sixteen Sunsets
One of the leading soprano saxist, Jane Ira Bloom goes reflective and subdued on this marvelously mellow session with Dominic Fallacaro/p, Cameron Brown/b and Matt Wilson/dr. Her tone is soft and gentle throughout the 14 tunes, and she creates a…
Archie Shepp/Attica Blues Orchestra: I Hear The Sound
Back in 1972, Archie Shepp recorded the classic album Attica Blues in response to the riots and subsequent deaths that resulted from the National Guards in that incident. 40 years later, Shepp returns to the political/social music with some extra …
BEAUTY FROM BRAZIL… Toninho Ferragutti: O Sorriso Da Manu
No, not THAT kind of beauty! Toninho Ferraguti playes accordion and writes all of the wonderfully lovely music on this release that mixes passionate moods with lyrical melodies. The instrument mix makes for a flexible collection of sounds and moods;…
Jake Loden & The Fisherman’s Daughter
Once in awhile, I see what’s out there in the pop/rock field, and came across this little band. Consisting of Jacob Loden/voc-g, Mike Reynolds/g-banj-voc, Tim Mathew/b, Kelsey Mathew/dr, this quartet puts together an album of what is called either “indie…
Shirish Korde: Ka
A mixture of Central Asia and the Western Hemisphere come into play her as Deepti Navaratna/voc-sit, Jan Muller-Szeraws/cello, Amit Kavthekar/tab and The Boston Musica Viva coalesce for a handful of creative sounds and visions. Szeraws’ brooding cello creates a wondrously…
Dee Bell-Marcos Silva: Silva Bell Elation
Vocalist Dee Bell joins together with pianist Marcos Silva for a collection of upbeat and smooth takes of jazz standards along with a few surprises. Scott Thompson/b and Phil Thompson/dr round out the team that has Bell’s husky voice approach…
Herbie Hancock, Christian McBride & Dianne Reeves@Disney Hall 02.09.14
“This is no longer Disney Hall,” joked vocalist Dianne Reeves as she began the 10th year anniversary show for the acoustically adroit theatre. “This is our living room,” she declared, as she turned the hall into an intimate setting in…