Universal Music is reissuing an attic’s worth of Bing Crosby’s albums. These three range from the 50s to the late 70s, a period when his music and image was more akin to nostalgia than art. Still, there’s plenty to enjoy…
Author: George W. Harris
Koby Israelite: Blues From Elsewhere
On the back of this cd by Koby Israelite, under the bar code, it reads “File Under Jazz/Jewish/Rock.” The music here is sort of what you’d think Klezmer would be if it started post WWII-rocky, eclecticly electric and flying in…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Tomasz Stanko New York Quartet: Wislawa
If you’re a fan of vintage Miles Davis, which means anything from about ’58 to before he plugged in during the late 60s, trumpeter Tomasz Stanko should be the guy on your must-hear list. He’s put out a number of…
TIMELESS & TASTY-John Pisano and Billy Bean: Makin’ It & Take Your Pick
John Pisano is a living legend here in LA, but for some reason, he’s never become a household name. For the past few decades, he’s had a Tuesday Guitar Night at local venues where guest 6 stringers come to jam,…
Drew Davidsen: True Drew
As the old saying goes, “show me your friends, and I’ll show you your future.” Guitarist Drew Davidsen has made musical collaborations with Bobby Lyle, Eric Marienthal, Gerald Veasley and the Temptations’ Ron Tyson. What do you get when you…
Monica Ramey & The Beegie Adair Trio
Monica Ramey has a throwback voice to the Depression Era, when Tin Pan Alley ruled the music world. Tamed with an in sync trio of Beegie Adair/p, Rger Spencer/b and Chris Brown/dr and a couple guests, Ramey freshens up chestnuts…
Antonio Sanchez: New Life
Best known as the heartbeat and pulse of Pat Metheny’s recent work, drummer Antonio Sanchez shows that he’s got leadership qualities of his own on this exciting and energetic release. He’s teamed with some impressive names here-Dave Binney/as and Donny…
A BIT LEFT OF CENTER FUN-Verneri Pohjola & Black Motor: Rubidium, Barry Altshul: The 3dom Factor
Here are a couple of releases that play games with melodies and meters. Hang on! Finnish trumpeter Verneri Pohjola fronts a quartet with Sami Sippola/ts-ss, Ville Rauhala/b and Simo Laihonen/dr on this collection of wild and wooly originals. Most of…
Bennett Paster: Relentless Pursuit of the Beautiful
Here’s a release by pianist/composer Bennett Paster that lives up to its title. Paster leads a team of Joel Frahm/ts, Tim Armacost/ts-ss, Alex Pope Norris/tp, Gregory Ryan/b, Willard B. Dyson Jr/dr and Gilad/perc through a collection of modern day post…
Ben Sidran: Don’t Cry For No Hipster
Even when it WASN’T hep to be hip, vocalist/songwriter/pianist Ben Sidran has been, was and always will be…hip. He’s been on the scene in various forms for decades, weaving in and out of semi-popularity since his association with Steve Miller.…