Best known for his own working trio with Joe Sanders and Justin Brown, as well as his work with The Clayton Brothers Band, pianist Gerald Clayton expands his borders a bit here with some ambitious and experimental sounds as well…
Author: George W. Harris
MONK’S CLASSIC QUARTET! Thelonious Monk Complete Paris and Milan Concerts (1961)
Frequently imitated, never replicated and always inspiring, pianist Thelonious Monk is featured here on this fun and energetic pair of discs from a pair of concerts that were previously issued as Monk in France and Monk in Italy. His quartet…
A BLAST FROM THE PAST-Pat Metheny Group: We Live Here Live in Japan
One of the most shocking things about this 1995 concert with Pat Metheny’s group that was touring in promotion of the We Live Here album is that during the interview section both Metheny and other members of the band talk…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Boyd Lee Dunlap: The Lake Reflections
Not too many artists put out their first disc at 85, but pianist Boyd Lee Dunlap acutally did that not too long ago. Suffering a stroke not much time after, not only did Dunlap keep his life, but he kept his chops…
****DESERT ISLAND DISC!!! ****Duke Ellington: The Duke at Fargo 1940 Special 60th Anniversary Edition
There are simply a certain number of jazz records that you have to hear and include in your collection. Likewise, there are specific small groups and big bands that everyone, not just jazz fans, but MUSIC and LIFE fans need…
TWO UNDERAPPRECIATED GIANTS-Frank Wess & Johnny Coles: Two At The Top
As a general rule, Uptown Records has focused on releasing material from the 40s to the 60s, obscure radio broadcasts or studio material that got lost in Grandpa’s attic. This time, they are actually bring back one of their own…
Hristo Vitchev Quartet: Familiar Fields
I first heard guitarist Hristo Vitchev on his Heartmony release not too long ago, and was impressed on that collection of duets with Weber Iago/p-key by his sense of understated lyricism. Here, in a quartet format, once again with Iago as well as Dan…
Aaron Diehl: The Bespoke Man’s Narrative
If you’re a fan of the Modern Jazz Quartet, pianist Aaron Diehl is gonna get you in the right mood. He teams up here with David Wong/b, Rodney Green/dr and Warren Wolf/vibe for a collection of tunes that takes the…
Chris Potter: The Sirens
Chris Potter is by far one of the most adroit tenor sax players around these days. In LA alone, within last few months he’s had gigs as a sideman with Pat Metheny and the Monterey Jazz All Stars, and he…
QUINTESSENTIAL! Sarah Vaughan: Divine! The Jazz Albums 1954-1958
Here’s a box set that gets a bull’s eye for accuracy. Sarah Vaughan put out a ton of material during her long career, but if you want the absolute essential of this key vocalist, this is THE place to start.…