Ahhh! Two tenor battles! These kinds of discs were all over the place in the 50s and 60s, but who does them nowadays? But then, you REALLY want to hear two of today’s anemic saxist play together? It might sound…
Author: George W. Harris
Eric Essix: Evolution
Think “Smooth Jazz” is too bland, and post modern jazz too dissonant? Think you might like this guitarist, Eric Essix. He plays both electric and acoustic and has a nice tone and delivery on both ends of the scale. He…
Nancy Harms: Dreams in Apartments
Vocalist Nancy Harms puts together a winning disc with Aaron Parks/p, John Hart/g, Danton Boller/b and RJ Miller/dr on a mix of well chosen covers and impressive originals. She feels like a throwback to the days of 70s singer/songwriters on…
INTERESTING! Eden Rabin: Story Playing
Here is a guy you’ve never heard of before, and Israeli pianist/composer named Eden Rabin. Somehow, he went from playing metal music (which I’ll never understand-must be the synapses of youth) to putting together a jazz team with Roy Oliel/dr,…
Roberta Gambarini w/ Kenny Burrell @ Catalina’s 09.12.13
I don’t know what you’re looking for in a jazz singer, but if you’re left cold by introspective chanteuses, and your blood vessels flow with the swing and style of Ella Fitzgerald, you need look no further than Roberta Gambarini. The…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****June Tabor/Iain Bellamy/Huw Warren: Quercus
If you’re not familiar with the voice of folk singer June Tabor, you’re in for the treat of the week. She’s been a major factor in the traditional folk scene in Britain since the 70s, winning me over with her…
Briga: Contes Turbo Folk Stories
It seems that the next genre of sounds that is influencing jazz is Eastern European folk music. Serbian “turbo-folk” band Briga consists of Briga as vocalist and violinist, along with Tacfarinas Kichou/darbouka/Marton Maderspach/dr, Alix Noel/acc and Jeremi Roy/b melding elements…
OH, SO CLEVER!…Paul Carlon: La Rumba is a Lovesome Thing-A Tribute to Billy Strayhorn
Think you’ve heard the Ellington/Strayhorn Songbook done every possible way? THINK AGAIN! Paul Carlon puts a latin arrangement on a Decalogue of Strayhorn tunes, and with saxes and flutes in tow, leads a cooking band that includes a popping brass…
Jonathan Finlayson & Sicilian Defense: Moment & The Message
Warm toned trumpeter Jonathan Finlayson leads a band wit Miles Okazaki/g, David Virelles/p, Keith Witty/b and Damion Reid/dr. The attractive quality about this collection of originals is the contrast between the leader’s gentle and melancholy quarter to long tones and…
Ron Boustead: Mosaic
Mezzo tenor vocalist Ron Boustead puts together a mix of mainstream and smooth jazz tunes with some of the best gents in town. Bill Cantos/p, Brian Bromberg/dr, Rick Braun/tp, Kirk Whalum/sax, Bill Cunliffe/p, Fred Hersch/p and Pat Kelley/g are just…