If you want to hear some of the real roots of American blues and jazz, this session my Malian singer/guitarist Mamadou Kelly is just what you’re looking for. Simple, basic and plaintive, the backup of Alpha Ousmane Sankare/perc-voc, Grehima Hama…
Author: George W. Harris
Stranahan/Zaleski/Rosato: Limitless
The trio of Colin Stranahan/dr, Glenn Zaleski/p and Rick Rosato/b deliver an inspired mix of interplay and energy here on a collection of (mostly) originals. Delicate alacrity is on display on “Cyclic” and intricate digital dexterity is shown on “Limitless”…
THINK YOU’VE HEARD IT ALL?!?!? Boban & Marko Markovic Orchestra: Gipsy Manifesto
Tired of the same old stuff going through your ears? Need something to wake up your party? Want something fresh to drive around town with? Pop this sucker into your player. WOW. And I mean SHAM WOW!!! This is Balkan…
The Mike Longo Trio: Celebrates Oscar Peterson
Straightahead pianist Mike Longo gives a fitting tribute to jazz icon Oscar Peterson on this swinging trio date from a 2013 gig in NYC. He’s teamed up with Paul West/b and Ray Mosca/dr and builds up a sweat here with…
IT’S TOP TEN TIME!!!
Those wonderful words “It’s Top Ten Time” take me back to the 70s when that would be the clarion call for all fans of Dr. Demento on KMET. Every Sunday night (so much for a social life!) I’d stay at…
THE BAD PLUS, PLUS…
One of the most difficult aspects of being a musician, or a musical group, is to develop your own unique sound. Bands like Weather Report, Return To Forever and The Yellowjackets have had loyal fans due to the fact that…
HIROMI’S MANY PLACES
Why do we do what we do for a living? To put a roof over our heads? To please our parents or friends? To just occupy time? Some people see their life’s work as a goal. For 30 year old…
Tatiana Parra & Vardan Ovsepian@The Blue Whale 12.29.13
Pianist/composer Vardan Ovsepian regularly performs locally and is making waves not only as a solo pianist but as a creator of some intriguing chamber jazz. His latest foray may be his most successful, as he has found a singing partner…
George Thorogood & The Destroyers: Live At Montreux 2013
The music scene used to be filled with white guys playing the blues, but as of 2013, George Thorogood is one of the last guys standing. He’s been slinging that Gibson around for decades, and through musical and cultural styles…
Dave Sharp’s Secret Seven: Worlds
Bassist/composer Dave Sharp has a good attitude about his music, as he describes his style as “World Jazz for the Jazz World.” Truth in advertising here, as Sharp and his team of Chris Kaercher-Dan Bennet/sax, Elden Kelly/g, Bill higggins/dr, John…