In what is possibly his last recorded work, Joey DeFrancesco is magisterial is support of legendary vocalist Jack Jones on this John Clayton-produced last testament. Jones, one of the most talented vocalists of the 60s and 70s, has a more…
Author: George W. Harris
The Bix Centennial All Stars: Celebrating Bix!
I remember when this 2003 tribute to the late great Bix Beiderbecke initially came out. It was a festive salute to the man who, along with Louis Armstrong, essentially invented the jazz trumpet before succumbing at a way too young…
VERVE VINYL REVIVAL OBSCURITIES…Nina Simone: Wild is the Wind, La Clave: La Clave, Kai Winding: Modern Country, Joao Donato: A Bad Donato, Stan Getz Marrakesh Express
Stoking the engine of the renewed interest in vinyl reissues are the resurrection of some of the more obscure recordings that haven’t seen the light of day since first being released. Here are some that have come out of the…
Russell Kranes-Alex Levine-Sam Weber-Jay Sawyer: Anchor Points
The co-op quartet of Russell Kranes/p, Alex Levine/g, Sam Weber/b and Jay Sawyer/dr deliver mellow madness to a mix of standards and an original here and there. Sawyer sits out for a bit to let Levine and Weber get into…
Joe Bonamassa: Blues Deluxe Vol. 2
As a companion to his first Blues Deluxe album a score of years ago, Joe Bonamassa asks himself in the liner notes if he’s “still playing hungry” and “does the fire still burn”? He teams up with Josh Smith/g, Calvin…
THIS IS A BEBOP TENOR SAX 101…Dexter Gordon: The Blue Note Collection
If you want to know what a bebop tenor sounds like, start with the guy who invented it. Dexter Gordon took the linear ideas and legato delivery of Lester Young and melded it with the big tone of Coleman Hawkins…
Jon Christopher Nelson: The Persistence of Time and Memory
Electronic music composer Jon Christopher Nelson puts together an intriguing six movement composition that is inspired by Salvador Dali’s painting of the album’s title, along with various reflections on time and perception. The result is a collection of pieces such…
Jeremy Beck: Remember
Composer Jeremy Beck creates eight wide ranging pieces, ranging from solo piano to quartet on this fragrant collection of modern ideas. Conducted by L. Brett Scott, Coro Volante goes a cappella on a liturgical “Inviation to Love” and madrigal’d “Remember”.…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Mitch Woods: Friends Along The Way
Mitch Woods must have a full iphone (or Rolodex, for the Old School crowd), as he invites just about everyone you’d want to invite to sit in for cozy duets and trios on this informal m ix of the blues.…
Jalen Baker: Be Still
Vibraphonist Jalen Baker brings together a te4am of Paul Cornish/p, Gabriel Godoy/b and Gavin Moolchan/dr for an impressive and fresh sounding collection of material. He displays his allegiance to vibe m aster Bobby Hutchers, taking on “Hetzog” and digging in…