If you want to know the who’s, what’s, why’s, when’s and where’s of the trumpet, AVID Records has just reissued some 2 cd sets that are going to put you onto the Yellow Brick Road on the way to the…
Author: George W. Harris
WHAT CAN’T HE DO? Terence Blanchard: Magnetic
Trumpeter/composer Terence Blanchard is nothing if not restless. He’s released music ranging from soundtracks to straightahead jazz, and he’s even currently working on a jazz opera. Here, he returns to Blue Note Records with a vengeance, using his team of…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Sigurdur Flosason & Kjeld Lauritsen: Night Fall
A long time in a galaxy far, far away… There was a jazz label called Blue Note that truly put out “The Finest in Jazz Since 1939.” Every release was a 40 minute treat of some of the most heavenly…
Kendrick Scott Oracle: Conviction
Best known for his work with Terence Blanchard, drummer Kendrick Scott has quietly built up an impressive catalogue of his own as a leader. This latest one is most intriguing, as it reveals a spiritual journey that seems yet to…
Antonio Adolfo: Finas Misturas
Pianist Antonio Adolfo has a charming touch and delivery, and his selection of songs is as stylish as his choice of fellow musicians on this latest release. He joins together a fragrant and mobile team of Leo Amuedo/elec g, Claudio…
EARTHY 6 STRINGS-Robb Cappelletto Group: !!!, Melvin Taylor: Taylor Made, John Stein: Bing Bang Boom!
Here are a few releases by guitarists who have a glint in the eye for a bit of bluesy rock to still their jazz drink Robb Cappelletto leads a trio with Jon Maharaj/b and Amhed Mitchel/dr on his debut disc and…
Steve Coleman & Five Elements: Functional Arrhythms
Back in the 80s and 90s , there was a burgeoning of artists like Steve Coleman and Greg Osby that were trying to create a new sound and direction for jazz. Haven’t heard from Osby in awhile, but alto saxist…
Lisa Kirchner: Umbrellas in Mint
Singer/songwriter Lisa Kirchner puts out a session with a strong set of musicians here, with Xavier Davis/p, Sherman Irby/sax, Ron Jackson/g, Bill Schimmel/acc, Vincent Archer/b and Willie Jones III/dr. Unlike last year’s Charleston For You, this one has a more…
Ian Carey Quintet +1: Roads & Codes
Ian Carey leads a small band in which he plays trumpet, flugelhorn and handles most of the writing with a lithe a cirrus cloud team of Evan Francis/fl-ts, Kasey Knudsen/as, Adam Shulman/p, Fred Randolph/b and Jon Arkin/dr. The melding of…
Maucha Adnet & Helio Alves: Milagre
Here’san intimate collection of Brazilian tunes by pianist Helio Alves and the husky-toned Maucha Adnet. Adnet has a wonderful catalogue of material, with this one being the most subdued. The selection rarely veers far from the slow and methodical, with…