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…
Author: George W. Harris
****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…
Terje Rypdal: Melodic Warrior
This release is going to get your attention The title track is a commission by the Hilliard Ensemble, well known for adventurous classic music, performed in concert in Brucknerhaus Linz back in 2003, and the remaining tracks are from a…
Robin McKelle & The Flytones: Soul Flower
Here’s a lady on a digital only release that sounds like a throwback to the folk-soul of a Bonnie Raitt. Robin McKelle’s got a rich and heartfelt voice, and frames it with a band that’s got some kickin’ boots on.…
Steve Swallow Quintet: Into the Woodwork
Bassist Steve Swallow puts together a cleverly devised quintet here. Instead of the usual piano that he’s so often teamed with, he shifts Carla Bley over to the organ, and it works smokily well with Chris Cheek/ts, Steve Cardenas/g and…