Not too many bands are headed by a guy that leads with a laptop computer, but that’s what Neil Rolnick does. Is this going to be a new category in Downbeat? Anyway, this release is divided into two parts and…
Author: George W. Harris
Shlomi Cohen: Breather
If you like your Mediterranean sounds on the smooth side, saxist Shlomi Cohen delivers the goods here on this session that mixes old with the new. Some traditional material ranging from Greek (“Miserlou”) to Israeli (“Eli Ata”) features warm, fluffy…
Greg Lewis Organ Monk: American Standard
For the past few years, B3er Greg Lewis has been leading a trio celebrating the Thelonious Monk songbook, having shed intriguing lights on the jazz icons music. This time around, along with Ron Jackson/g and Jeremy Bean Clemons/dr, he takes…
Eddie “Cleanhead” Vinson: With the Cannonball Adderley Quintet
Here’s a soulful team for you. Eddie “Cleanhead” Vinson who basically defined the blues alto sax, joins together with the bopping funk and gospel specialist Cannonball Adderley with a prime time band of Nat Adderley/ct, Joe Zawinul/p, Sam Jones/b and…
MONTMARTRE RE-OPENS!!! Eddie Gomez & Carsten Dahl: Live at Montmartre, Nikolaj Bentzon Trio: Live at Montmartre
Back in the latter 20th century, Denmark’s Montmartre jazz club was a haven for ex-pats Dexter Gordon and Ben Webster as well as a stopover point for the likes of Bill Evans. It’s recently re-opened, and Storyville (which released a…
WHERE’D SHE COME FROM?!? Tina May: Divas
Ah, a singer that has an original personality in her delivery! I thought everyone was trying to sound like either Diana Krall or Norah Jones. Yes, Tina May here is giving a tribute to various jazz “divas”, but she sounds…
Kuenta i Tambu: Tambutronic
As described in the liner notes, “Tambutronic is an electronic music style which combines various elements from modern dance music.” So, what you’re getting here is lots, of synthetic beats and rhythms, usually in a hip-hop mode, throw in some…
Tommy Emmanuel & Martin Taylor@Smothers Theatre 01.22.14
If you are a guitarist, this past month of performances will either inspire you to increase your hours of practice or to smash your guitar into a million pieces in frustration after being either encouraged or overwhelmed by what you’ve…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Giovanca: Satellite Love
On first glance, this release has at least two strikes against it from the start. Any singer that goes by only one name always worries me. Think “Raffi” or “Madonna”. Second, will someone please explain the outfit of afro, smoke…
The Ghost Train Orchestra: Book of Rhapsodies
There are basically two ways to appreciate jazz. One is to follow the world of improvisation, and the other is to embrace the wondrous arrangements. When the two work together in a symbiotic relationship, the essence of jazz is reached,…