Yes, you’re reading that right. Legendary guitarist Jeff Beck and Beach Boy singer/songwriter Brian Wilson found common ground with Baby Boomers and beyond during a 2 ½ love and song fest. Incongruous? So were ice cream and waffles at one…
Author: George W. Harris
Wynton Marsalis: The Spiritual Side of Wynton Marsalis
I’m sure that one of the last adjectives that would come to your mind when describing trumpeting icon Wynton Marsalis would be “spiritual.” Yet, on second thought, remember that in his gigantic catalogue (he put out 11 albums ALONE in…
THIS IS A SAXOPHONE 101…Ben Webster: In Norway
In the lexicon of jazz tenor saxophonists, there are three main tributaries. Coleman Hawkins is best known for his majesterial harmonies; Lester Young for his linear swing, and Ben Webster mastered the thick, rich and at times raucous tone that…
A FORGOTTEN GIANT…Love and Peace: The Music of Horace Parlan
The probable reason that pianist Horace Parlan never made a bigger name for himself is that in the middle of his career he left America to stake out a better claim and jazz career in Denmark, where he was a revered…
Ralph Alessi: Baida
Trumpeter Ralph Alessi, who’s been a serviceable sideman for the likes of Steve Coleman and Ravi Coltrane, fronts an impressive team of Jason Moran/p, Drew Gress/b and Nasheet Waits/dr for a collection of originals. Alessi’s horn is put in some…
Jacob Teichroew Quintet: Tableaux
Not only does Fresh Sound Records reissues some of jazz’s most important historical sessions, but the Spanish label also scouts out for exciting new talents. Here’s one you’re going to like. Saxist Jacob Teichroew leads a team of Syberen Van…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Alexis Cuadrado: A Lorca Soundscape
Usually, I pick a Ringer of the Week because it is the “best” album I’ve heard, but this time I’m picking this one by bassist Alexis Cuadrado because it is the most fascinating. He brings together a first rate band…
Dave Holland: Prism
Bassist/leader Dave Holland puts together a team of all stars here with Kevin Eubanks/g, Craig Taborn/p-key and Eric Harland/dr. Everyone contributes material and everyone DEFINITELY contributes assertive chops, as this band displays more muscles than Gold’s Gym. Funky grooves on…
Craig Hartley: Books On Tape Vol. 1
Pianist Craig Hartley leads a lyrical trio with Carlo De Rosa/b and Henry Cole/dr through a a collection of standards and originals. Hartley’s mix of melodicism and drimve is apparent on his opening piece “Dial 411” which sounds like the…
SASSY’S LAST HURRAH…Sarah Vaughan: Sophisticated Lady
Someone woke up at Concord Records, as lately the people there have gotten wise and have been reissuing some wonderful material from their timeless collection of vintage recordings from the analog era. They’re finally going into the vaults of Pablo Records, which was known back in…