Vocalist Samantha Carlson joins the pantheon of interpreters of the Great American Songbook with an impressive outing with Phillip Burkhead/p, Bill Jackson/b, Dan Dorff/dr and William Brian Hogg/ts-ss. She’s got a bright Broadway style of delivery, throwing in a strong…
Author: George W. Harris
Anthony Branker & Word Play: Uppity
Composer & arranger Anthony Branker has put together an intriguing six piece suite with a sextet and vocalist that can be approached both musically and socially. Of the latter, the theme of the piece is concerning latent and overt racism…
Peggy Duquesnel: Seems Like I Know You
Pianist/vocalist and composer Peggy Duquesnel releases a 5 song ep here that mixes gentle pop and jazz with some of the best LA cats around. Along with Jeff Lorber/key, Jimmy Haslip/b, Rick Braun/tp-fh, Michael Thompson and a collection of background…
YOUR TAX DOLLARS FINALLY AT WORK! Tony Bennett & Dave Brubeck: The White House Sessions, Live 1962
OK, so we all can agree that the government, both local and federal COMPLETELY WASTES our hard earned tax dollars. Well, it wasn’t always like this. Back when the world was different, JFK was in the White House, Marilyn was…
A LONG LOST ART…Mike MacArthur: Feels Like Home
Back in the 70s and 80s, before jazz divided into the two groups (“smooth” and “post-bop”) which we presently have, most of the music we listened to was simply called “Contemporary Jazz” or “Adult Instrumental Music.” Bands from Weather Report…
ON PAPER THIS SHOULD WORK…Bob James & David Sanborn: Quartette Humaine
I really like both these guys, and I almost always like whatever alto saxist Dave Sanborn records. I just can’t put my finger on why this session with all stars like Bob James/p, James Genus/b and the indefatigable Steve Gadd/dr…
OVERLOOKED UK PIANISTS…Dill Jones; Up Jumped Yo With Love, Michael Garrick Trio; You’ve Changed
If you think the fusion infested 70s (when everyone from Hancock to Miles to Corea was plugging in) was a tough time for acoustic jazz musicians to make a living, think how tough it was in the UK where the…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Joanie Sommers: Positively The Most!
If you’ve ever even HEARD of vocalist Joanie Sommers, it’s because of that stupid pop song from the 60s she did, and I even hate to prejudice you by telling you what it was…”Johnny Get Angry” !! Please hear me…
NO CREAM IN THE BE-BOP COFFEE Benny Green: Magic Beans
It’s as rare these days as Catholic Priests with beards, but once in a great while, if you look carefully, you can actually spot a pianist that is a dyed in the wool bebopper. Benny Green, who’s always on the…
Josh Redman: Walking Shadows
The time has come in Joshua Redman’s career to release the required “with strings” or “ballad” album, and it’s quite an ambitious effort. He’s joined by Brad Mehldau along with buddies Larry Grenadier/b and Brian Blade/dr who are augmented much…