Of the jazz bands that formed in the 80s, only the Yellowjackets and Spyro Gyra are still standing. I gotta tell ya, these guys still sound GREAT. They’ve grown and changed with the times, and actually sound a bit more…
Author: George W. Harris
Calvin Keys: Electric Keys
You want to know how a bluesy groove is supposed to lay out? Check out this session by guitarist Calvin Keys. He’s got a supple necked team of Matt Montgomery/b-key, Josh Jones-Thomas McCree/dr, and a horn section of Doug Rowan/sax …
Ted Brancato: The Next Step, Florian Hoefner Group: Falling Up
Two jazz composers here, both with accessible pens in hand. Keyboardist Ted Brancato brings to the field a mix of acoustic and electric musicians including Ron Carter/b as well as a reed and brass section for this collection of material…
SOUNDS MELDING TOGETHER…Earl MacDonald & the Creative Opportunity Workshop: Mirror of the Mind, Bombay Dub Orchestra: Tales From the Grand Bazaar, Uri Sharlin and the Dogcat Ensemble: Back to the Woods
Is it a style? Or is it just “music”? Pianist Earl MacDonald wrote and arranged all of the material on this album that includes the intriguing combination of cello (Christopher Hoffman), percussion (Rogerio Boccato) and saxes (Kris Allen). Many of…
Enrico Granafei: Alone (and) Together
Harmonica master Enrico Granafei shows a wide variety of moods on this collection of tunes with guests includeing Vic Juris’g, Wallace Roney/tp and Dave Stryker/g along with a basic team of Amina Figarova/p, Rick Crane/b and Billy Hart/dr. A lilting…
INTIMATE CONVERSATIONS…Laurent Coq: Dialogue, Stephan Crump’s Rosetta Trio: Thwirl
Some of the most attractive aspects of jazz occurs during intimate conversations between musicians. Here are two noteworthy examples. Pianist Laurent Coq meets up with Ralph Lavital/g and Nicolas Pelage/voc (on 5 tracks) for 11 originals to be interpreted and…
Mamadou Kelly: Abidar
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…
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…