You know those guys on Sirius Satellite radio that play obscure tunes by equally obscure artist that you love so much and wonder “how come I never heard of this stuff before”? Well, they’ve got NOTHING on the people of…
Author: George W. Harris
Ken Peplowski: Maybe September
During the early days of his career, Ken Peplowski played his clarinet in big bands lead by Benny Goodman. At this stage in his career, he may not be the King of Swing, but he’s got a tone and delivery…
A JAZZ VERSION OF “OUR TOWN”… Kenny Burrell: Special Requests
Like the Thornton Wilder classic play Our Town, this disc of guitarist Kenny Burrell takes a “typical” show at the famed LA nightclub, Catalina’s and delivers a “typical” set of tunes. You get the entire 75 minute set, just without…
SHADES OF THELONIOUS! Ethan Iverson, Lee Konitz, Larry Grenadier, Jorge Rossy: Costumes are Mandatory
Some people are born Monk, some achieve Monk, and others have Monk thrust upon them. The Mehldau-associated Larry Grenadier/b and Jorge Rossy/dr draft The Bad Plus’ Ethan Iverson/p and alto icon Lee Konitz for a series of tunes that has…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Jimmy Amadie Trio: Live! At the Philadelphia Museum of Art
Fighter in and out of the ring (he’s battling Cancer), pianist Jimmy Amadie performs where Rocky Balboa made his famous run up the steps, at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. This rare glimpse to catch the Philly legend was recorded…
Rob Mosher: Polebridge
Here’s a fun one for ya: Rob Mosher brings together an ensemble called Polebridge which includes the intriguing combo of Micha Killion/tp, John marcus/v, StephanieMilles/key, Andrew Small/b-fid and along with his soprano sax, clarinet and English horn, the band goes…
WORLD BANJO? IT WORKS!! Jayme Stone: The Other Side of Air
If you thought that (except for Bela Fleck) that the banjo was relegated to John Ford movies or New Orleans jazz, this album by Jayme Stone is going to open your ears and eyes. He uses his instrument for sublime…
BELLA! Various Italian Artists: Dalla in Jazz
I lived in Italy from 1981-82, and singer/songwriter Lucio Dalla was sort of like the John Lennon of that country while I was there. A deep thinker with a center of gravity towards wondrously reflective songs with a nice melody,…
DO THEY DO 70s HIGH SCHOOL REUNIONS? Misfit Toys: Does Anybody Know What Time It Is?
I’m having the most difficult time figuring out if this cleverly conceived and executed record by Paul Elwood/voc-banj, Robert Paredes/cl, Dan Moore/vibes-marimba and Matt Wilson/dr is to be taken at face value, or with tongue firmly in cheek. What you’ve…
Christian Wallumrod Ensemble: Outstairs
Christian Wallumrod leads a band of Eivind Lonning/tp, Gjermund Larsen/v-vio, Espen Reinsertsen/ts, Tove Torngren/cel and Per Oddvar johansen/dr-vib along with his own selection of keyboards on this latest release. The pieces here all have a very moody, dark and eerie…