Pianist Carsten Dahl has previously released solo sessions, but this latest release is a bit of a change in a couple of ways. All of the contemplative pieces are numbered, and reflect a child’s fascination and innocence with life. Here,…
Author: George W. Harris
Kurt Rosenwinkel Quartet@Kirk Douglas Theatre 02.22.13
One of the true marks of an artist is that he’s grasped that golden ring of “having your own voice.” Guitarist Kurt Rosenwinkel has developed a recording catalogue and touring career based on not only his unique approach to his…
John Beasley’s MONKestra@Vitello’s 02.20.13
John Beasley wasn’t far off the mark when he half-jokingly stated at the start of the Vitello’s gig that “I’ve been on a city-wide tour this year.” For the past 6 weeks, the keyboardist has rolled back into his tin…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Dan Block: Duality
Maybe it’s because I got into jazz listening to Eddie Lang duets, but I’m just a sucker for when two artists get together and converse together with their instruments. Here, you’ve got Dan Block on saxes and clarinets, and he…
WHY ALWAYS OVERLOOKED? Carmen McRae: Sings Lover Man
When you think of the first tier of female jazz singers, what comes to your mind? The triad of Holiday, Fitzgerald and Vaughan, of course. I’ve never understood why Carmen McRae always seemed like the fifth wheel ; she may…
Ike & Tina: On the Road 1971-72 dvd
Here is a fascinating 81 minute documentary/travelogue of one of the most important R&B teams to ever come around. Ike and Tina Turner had a road show that influenced just about every pop singer around, most notably Mick Jagger of…
Gregg August: Four By Six
Bassist/composer Gregg August evenly divides his material between both a quartet and a sextet on this impressive release of post-bop jazz. All of the songs have a sophistication to their melodies, harmonies and structure, and it’s a coin flip which…
Rudresh Mahanthappa: Gamak
OK, I get it that Indian music is the latest genre to mix with jazz, and many times it has worked amazingly well. This time out, alto saxist/composer Rudresh Mahanthappa teams up with David Fiucynski/g, Francois Moutin/b and Dan Weiss/dr…
Jan Garbarek/Egberto Gismonti/Charlie Haden: Magico-Carta de Amor
ECM Records has been cleaning out its attic lately, and finding some undiscovered joys in the dusty corners. They found a beaut of a Jarrett performance last year, and now they’ve found and put out a double album of a…
The Doobie Brothers: Let The Music Play-The Story of the Doobie Brothers
Where else, but in America could a band that is named after a marijuana joint make a popular hit out of Jesus being all right for them? The quintessential rock band The Doobie Brothers is joyfully chronicled in this in…