Wanna hear some fresh fret work? Give a listen! Guitarist Jake Hertzog fronts an unorthodox quartet with Randy Brecker/tp-fh, Harvie S/b and Victor Jones/dr for nine originals that mix the lyricism and sophistication of jazz with the rhythmic sensibilities of…
Author: George W. Harris
Alex Cline: For People In Sorrow
One of my favorite jazz festivals is the annual October display of left of center music provided by the Angel City Art Festival located in good ol’ LA. Performed at various venues, a concert at the acoustically wondrous Redcat Theatre…
The DePaul University Jazz Ensemble with Jeff Hamilton: Salutes Woody Herman
Here’s a big band from college that does the wise thing by going back to a familiar and timeless songbook, but brings the harmonies and rhythms a bit more up to date. For the most part it works, particularly if…
LATIN LOVERS…Ali’ Bello: Connection Caracas-New York, Melaza: Melaza
Here are a couple of recent arrivals you may not be familiar with . Two divergent takes of All Things Latin Violinist Ali Bello puts together an attractively lyrical collection of material, much of which he wrote himself. He mixes…
VIBES, BABY…Mr. Ho’s Orchestrotica Quartet: Where Here Meets There, Mika Stoltzman: If You Believe, Project Them: Project Them
Good vibes must be in the air, as THREE recent releases feature the percussive wonder, and in three different moods/environments. Mr. Ho’s Orchestrotica Quartet features Brian O’Neill/vibe, Geni Skendo/fl, Jason Davis/b and Shane Shanahan/perc along with guests Teve Stevig/tanbur-oud and…
Tim Horner: The Head of the Circle
Drummer and composer Tim Horner puts together a thoughtful but excitingly energetic team of Joe Locke/vib, Jim Ridl/p, Steve Allee/key-acc, Ted Nash/woodwinds and Dean Johnson/b. The music is highly rhythmic, with drums, piano and vibes ricocheting in enthusiastic directions on…
Quartet San Francisco: Pacific Premieres
When you think of jazz and violin, you usually have images of Stephane Grappelli or Stuff Smith, but the Quartet San Francisco is trying to change that a bit. Consisting of Jeremy Cohen/v, Matthew Szemela/v, Chad Kaltinger/vla and Kelley Maulbetsch/cel,…
OH YEAH!!! Hugh Laurie: Live on the Queen Mary
I have to confess, I’ve never even HEARD of this UK guy Hugh Laurie. After watching this dvd of him in concert at the Queen Mary, I want to find EVERYTHING he’s ever done. His accent goes away and evolves…
FOR ART’S SAKE: Art Pepper: Unreleased Art Vol. VIII
Few artists have embodied “the jazz life” like Art Pepper. The California bred alto saxist and clarinetist, who left this earth way too young over 30 years ago, had a life of fighting various demons while playing every note as…
****ROTW****WHY I FELL IN LOVE WITH JAZZ…Clark Terry, Buddy DeFranco, Terry Gibbs and Jackie Ryan: Grand Masters of Jazz
After getting tired of the limitations and nihilism of rock, and the lack of progress in classical, I ventured out into the unknown world of jazz. It was the music like such played on this cd/2dvd performed by by Terry…