Men with a message… Soulful baritone Allan Harris works the Blue Llama room with Arcoiris Sandoval/p-key, Marty Kenney/b, Norman Edwards Jr/dr and Irwin Hall/as-fl on this mix of grooved jazzers. He gives a modal read of the 60s classic “…
Author: George W. Harris
Joel Harrison: Anthem of Unity
One of the most prolific of today’s electric guitarists, Joel Harrison goes the groove route here with the classic B3 combo sounds with groovemeisters Gary Versace/B3-p, Gregory Tardy/ts-cl and legendary drummer Jack DeJohnette, who’s in a surprisingly funky chicken mood.…
Jonathan Suazo: Ricano
Earthy Afro-American sounds are delivered by leader Jonathan Suazo, who plays saxes and adds voice to an exciting mix and match of instruments and vocalists. There’s a vocal collection of Tanicha Lope and Genesis Davila that support and join in…
Richard Baratta: Off The Charts
Drummer Richard Baratta brings together the team of Jerry Bergonzi/ts, David Kikoski/p-ke, John Patitucci/b and Paul Rossman/perc for rich reads of jazz standards. The team digs in hard on a modal read of Bobby Hutcherson’s “”Herzog” and Harold Arlen’s “Out…
Danny Jonokuchi: Big Band Voices
Instead of featuring himself or instrumental soloists, trumpeter/leader Danny Jonokuchi puts together a swinging big band to serve as a supporting cast for ten, count ‘em, ten female vocalists and one gent taking on the standards. Each singer has a…
SOMEWHERE THERE’S MUSIC…Hery Paz: Jardinos
Playing tenor sax, flute, piano and the oboe-like corneta , Hery Paz creates 10 sonic collisions with drummer Francisco Mela and percussionist/vocalist Roman Diaz on this spark flying album. Paz goes solo on the tenor on an extroverted “Pensamiento” while…
Mulgrew Miller: Solo In Barcelona
Pianist Mulgrew Miller carved out an impressive career during his all too short life as a sideman for the likes of Art Blakey, Ron Carter and Kenny Garrett. Always displaying a melodic sense of style and swing, he was one…
Carsten Dahl: The Solo Songs of Carsten Dahl
First off, no all of these songs are actually composed by legendary pianist Keith Jarrett. What fellow piano player Carsten Dahl does is take pieces at times inspired or associated with Jarrett and use the string quartet of Ana Feitosa,…
Veronica Swift@Smothers Theatre 10.17.23
It was fitting (in more ways than one) that vocalist Veronica Swift came on stage wearing what looked like an outfit for a trapeze artist for her 90 minute concert at Pepperdine’s Smothers Theatre. The attire fitted her attitude towards…
Azar Lawrence Experience@The Grape 10.14.23
If you’re a jazz fan and feeling lonesome with all of the clubs that have recently closed down, you’re in for a treat, especially if you’re tired of fighting the LA traffic. I’ve been hearing about The Grape in Ventura…