Here’s a singer that reminds you why you fell in love with jazz in the first place. This cd/dvd combo is comprised of various concerts by The First Lady of Song, ranging from 1965 performances at “Show of the Week,”…
Author: George W. Harris
VINTAGE GEMS FROM AVID…Chris Connor:Four Classic Albums Plus, Kenny Drew: Four Classic Albums, Junior Mance: Three Classic Albums Plus, Bud Shank, Four Classic Albums
This UK label is cranking out timeless jazz from post WWII to Pre Beatles like there’s no tomorrow. I’ve yet to come across one of their 2 cd sets that isn’t a treasure. Start digging for gold! Chris Connor was…
UNDERRATED BOPPERS…Barry Harris: Newer Than New, Billy Bean: The Trio
There was once a time when jazz was untouched by the leaven of rock music; those days are gone, as these two wonderful time capsules testify. Pianist Barry Harris was one of the many artists to come out of the…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Joshua Kwassman: Songs of the Brother Spirit
Here’s some music from a guy that sounds like he’s going places. Joshua Kwassman plays woodwinds and leads a rotating format of a band that includes wordless voice (Arielle Feinman), guitar (Jeff Miles/Gilad Hekselman), piano (Angelo Di Loreto/Adam Kromelow), bass…
A TRIO OF DUETS! Benjamim Taubkin & Adriano Adewale: The Vortex Sessions, Hamilton de Holanda & Andre Mehmari: Gismontipascoal, Omni Uno: Duets
At its most finest and intimate, a jazz duet can capture everything good about melody, swing and improvisation. Here are three recent releases, two from Adventure Music, and one from a small indie which is endorsed by none other than…
CREATIVE VOCALS Rondi Charleston: Signs of Life, Davell Crawford: My Gift To You
Want to try something that’s got some extra flavor and originality. Here are a couple for you! Rondi Charleston is one of the few jazz singers that also writes a good portion of her own material. She’s got a chocolate…
Bill Frisell: Silent Comedy
Bill Frisell’s latest release claims to be “produced (and nurtured) by John Zorn.” Hmmm. What you’ve got here audibly is a collection of eleven themes ranging from 2-9 minutes. What it sounds like is experimentation with finger pickings, electronic tapes…
FEMALE VOICES Miki Purnell: Swingin’ to the Sea, Diane Marino: Loads of Love
Here are a couple more female singers that bring divergent ways of delivering music. Miki Purnell’s light and flexible voice fronts a band with Tamir Hendelman/Dave MacKay/p, Bob Magnusson/b, Kevin Koch/dr, Lori Bell/fl, Joey Carano/g and Tomy Aros/perc on a…
Noah Preminger: Haymaker
Post bop tenorist Noah Preminger brings his latest release with the group of Ben Monder/g, Matt Pavolka/b and Colin Strnahan/dr for a collection of originals. His tenor sound has a bit of a dryness to it, which works well on…
POWER OF THE SONG Elsten Torres: Waiting For Clouds, John Batdorf & James Lee Stanley: All Wood and Stones II
You’ve got to start with a good composition. After that it’s up to the musicians and arrangers. Here are two cases in point. Singer/songwriter/guitarist Elsten Torres fronts a stripped down band with Brendan Buckley/perk/vibes/key/g and Joe Ayoub/b along with a…