Unlike the syndicated sounds of today, at one time rock music was actually the voice of a generation and not one of a conglomerate. School House Rock, Vol. 2 focuses on songs with school-based themes, and it’s a hoot! All…
Author: George W. Harris
Carn Davidson 9: Reverence
Trombonist William Carn co-leads a nine member band with Tara Davidson on the alto sax and flute on a collection of originals. What makes this band stand out is the big band feel of the three member sax section including…
Ilya Osachuk: The Answer
Bassist Ilya Osachuk shows taste , style and promise on his debut album with a mix and match team of Tyler Henderson-Donald Vega/p and Kai Craig-Billy Drummond/dr on this mix of standards and originals. He demonstrates a rich tone on…
Dan Roman: DVXNS String Quartet No. 3
Composer Dan Roman brings together the Cuarteto Latinoamericano (Saul Bitran/vi, Aron Bitran/vi, Javier Montiel/va and Alvaro Bitran/cel) for an inspired deviation from the usual “theme and variations”. What Roman does is take a three movement suite, and have the quartet…
GENIUS + COUNTRY=JAZZ…Ray Charles: Modern Sounds In Country and Western, Volume Two , Country and Western Meets Rhythm and Blues, Cryin ‘ Time, Best of Country and Western
Part of the genius of Ray Charles was that he found no style of music to be a stranger. It was best exemplified when he took on the sounds and songs of country music and made it all his own.…
Mike Stern: Echoes and Other Songs
This latest album by guitar virtuoso Mike Stern feels like a reunion of sorts, bringing together artists he’s been associated with through the years in mix and match fashioned. Saxists Christ Potter and Bob Franceschini, drummers Antonio Sanchez-Dennis Chambers, bassists…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Michael Mayo: Fly
Not since Gregory Porter have I been as excited about a new jazz singer. This guy Michael Mayo has a rich and supple voice, hinting at Stevie Wonder, but with a jazz flexibility akin to Al Jarreau that is a…
3 Paris of Boots: Boot Scootin’
With vocals by Laura Arias, stringed instruments by Andrew Stern, keys from Dave Cohen, Drums by RandYyCooke or Christian Paschall, the band 3 Pairs of Boots sounds like a rough and ready version of The Judds, with rich vocal harmonies…
Signal Quartet: Approaching
The quartet of Ben Wolkins/tp-fh, Ian Blunden/g, Eric Nachtrab/b and Sean Perlmutter/dr create modern post bop sounds on this release of originals. Wolkins has a bold Freddie Hubbardish sound as on the plodding and dark “Show Me Something Beautiful” and…
Joachim Kuhn French Trio: The Way
Teamed with Thibault Cellier/b and Sylvain Darrifourcq/dr, pianist Joachim Kuhn stretches out over four songs on this wild ride of free range material. A take of Ornette Coleman’s “Homogeneious Emotions” is a white knuckler, while the team ascends and descends…