Here’s a trio that takes its Christmas songs seriously. Ted Rosenthal/p, Noriko Ueda/b and Tim Horner/dr go through the Natal catalogue of standard fare, but with a lot of thought and preparation. “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” has a…
Author: George W. Harris
Jim Self/Hollywood Tuba 12: ‘Tis the Season Tuba Jolly!
Jim Self/Hollywood Tuba 12: ‘Tis the Season Tuba Jolly! Twelve part arrangements for the tuba?!? Gotta love the moxie of Jim Self, and he makes it work on this fun filled and quite varied collection of Christmas tunes. Take heart,…
****VOCAL RINGER OF THE YEAR?****Tierney Sutton: After Blue
I’ve looked at Joni from both sides now From pop and blues, and still somehow It’s Joni’s illusions I recall I really don’t know Joni…at all I grew up listening to Joni Mitchell, and what was most fascinating about…
Peggy Duquesnel: All I Ask For Christmas
I’ve enjoyed vocalist Peggy Duqeusnel’s albums because she always mixes in a few intriguing original compositions with jazz standards. Well, lo and behold, she even does that on this 2 disc set of Christmas songs! Cleverly, she divides the set…
MEDITERRANEAN DELIGHT…Cigdem Aslan: Mortissa
You want a mix of cultures? This lady does what governments have been failing at for years-bringing peace and understanding between Greece and Turkey. Vocalist Cigdem Aslan sings in Greek and Turkish on this collection of songs from the early…
New York Voices: Let It Snow
Here’s an attractive Christmas album that feels artist as well as celebrative. The vocal quartet New York Voices deliver a well rounded collection of Yuletide tunes in a variety of settings, with each one coming off like a selection from…
Matt White: The Super Villain Jazz Band
Golden toned trumpeter Matt White leads an adroitly cohesive hard bop sextet on this collection of originals. The front line of White, Evan Cobb/ts and Don Aliquo/as create some rich tapestries of harmony on pieces such as the rollicking title…
A LITTLE SPICE TO LIFE…Steve Reich: Music for 18 Musicians, Jerome Kitzke: The Character of American Sunlight
If you want some modern music that’s a bit more challenging than the standard jazz fare, but not overwhelming in cacophony, give these two discs a try. Where is Grand Valley State University? Would you believe Michigan? Believe it! They…
Vince Guaraldi Trio: A Charlie Brown Christmas
If you don’t have this classic album yet, here’s ANOTHER chance to get it. What’s different between this one and the 50 other versions that have been released since the debut of the TV show? Well, it comes with a…
PASSPORT, PLEASE…TriBeCaStan: New Songs From the Old Country
If there are musical sounds or instruments from a continent that was missed on this excitedly diverse album, please let me know. The ten piece band TribeCastan is co-led by John Kruth and Jeff Greene, who play instruments ranging from mandolin…