Back when I was a kid, the way you listened to music was very simple; you popped a 45 (or 78) rpm “single” onto a record changer, and played it over and over until you simply wore the thing out.…
Author: George W. Harris
A Month of Thanks
Yeah, I know. The world is filled with problems. YOUR LIFE is filled with problems. On a global scale, it looks like Europe is imploding, the Middle East is exploding, Africa is stuck in first gear or reverse, and South/Central…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Fred Hersch and Julian Lage: Free Flying
What is it about Fred Hersch?!? It seems like every time the pianist puts something out, it’s a) different than what he’s done before and b) ends up on my RINGER OF THE WEEK list. The guy’s done it again!…
Nicky Schrire: Space and Time
Here’s an artsy folk singer that mixes a pre-swing era feel with a haungingly crystalline voice. Nicky Schrire combines originals with covers in a trio of piano duets with Fabian Almazan, Gerald Calyton and Gil Goldstein. On covers, she brings…
PROOF OF GOD’S EXISTENCE…Stan Getz Quartet: Live at Montreux 1972
No, I do not believe that Stan Getz was God. In fact, most of his life the tenor man had fought many demons, mostly alcohol, which he finally defeated at the very end of his life before leaving this earth…
EXCITING RHYTHMS…AfroHorn: Rare Metal/Francisco Mora Catlett, Manuel Valera & New Cuban Express: Expectativas
If you want some percussion in your discussions and like the Afro Cuban (or just the Afro) groove, sit yourself down and give an ear to these two beauties… Francisco Mora Catlett plays the drums and percussion, writes, arranges and…
JAZZ OR CLASSICAL OR CLASSICALJAZZ? Kaze: Tornado, Natsuki Tamura: Dragon Nat, Satoko Fujii: Gen Himmel
When I was a kid, I was going through the World Book Encyclopedia (remember those?) and came across the section “jazz.” I still remember how they defined it. To paraphrase, it had to have: improvisation, syncopation, “swing” and a connection…
Rick Cutler: From the Silence
Pianist/composer Rick Cutler goes solo here, and he creates a warm and intimate mood with his collection of originals. Reflective and ruminating pieces permeate the release, with patient and private sounds emanating from his hands on “ Painted Air Delusions”…
Cary Ginell: Mr B: The Music and Life of Billy Eckstine
Long overdue, this is a biography of a singer and musician who was one of the game changers in jazz and modern music. Unjustly overlooked because of his influence over hundreds of singers in his wake, Billy Eckstine’s life, music…
OUTSIDE, AND TEETERING OVER THE CLIFF…Mark Dresser Quintet: Nourishments, Mostly Other People Do The Killing: Red Hot
Leaning towards the outside and over the top, these two bands experiment with jazz like a chemist, mixing different ingredients to see what is conjured up. Just make sure the flask doesn’t explode in your face! Bassist/composer Mark Dresser leads…