For some unjustifiable reason, when you think of the most important piano players in jazz, Earl “Fatha” Hines is rarely on the top 5 list. The fact is that there would be no Mehldau, Tyner, Jarrett, Evans, Peterson or even…
Author: George W. Harris
HOT! The John Kirby Sextet: Biggest Little Band in the Land
Usually, when you think of the Swing Era, your mind goes to the big bands of Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Tommy Dorsey and Chick Webb. But, the fact of the matter is that almost all of these orchestras…
Dexter Gordon: Night Ballads-Montreal 1977
About once or twice a year, this tiny label from New York puts out obscure sessions that are like rummaging through someone’s attic; you’re bound to find a treasure that you never knew existed. This collection of tenor giant caught…
Alex Riel Special Quartet: Full House
It’s difficult to appreciate the influence of Danish drummer Alex Riel on this side of the Atlantic, but since the 60s he’s been one of the most important guys behind the traps when Americans like Dexter Gordon, Paul Gonsalves, Don…
Jon Lundbom & Big Five Chord: No New Tunes
Here’s some new and original music delivered in both an old and new school fashion. Led by Guitarist Jon Lundbom, Big Five Chord releases 6 new songs on both a digital format and vinyl lp here. The team of Lundbom…
Elina Duni Quartet: Matane Malit
I’m willing to bet that this will be the first recording you’ve bought of someone singing in Albanian. Vocalist Elina Duni has actually released a few albums before, but this one is the first to get any sort of American…
Coral Egan: The Year He Drove Me Crazy
Singer/songwriter Coral Egan fits into the indie/folk category with a hint of jazz inflection due to her voice sounding a bit like she grew up on the Norah Jones side of life. Here, she sings with simple guitar, piano, bass…
Pharez Whitted: For The People
I got weaned on jazz through classic hard bop quintets like Horace Silver, Art Blakey and Clifford Brown, and for my money, that’s just the essence of jazz, thank you. Trumpeter/composer Pharez Whitted must be a kindred spirit, as all…
Winard Harper & Jeli Posse: Coexist
Outside of a major worldwide spiritual renewal such as the one prophesied by Isaiah(In his book in the Bible at Chapter 19 and verse 23), I don’t know whether drummer Winard Harper’s vision of a peaceful worldwide coexistence can exist, but…
Monterey Jazz Festival All Stars@The Lobero Theatre 01.15.13
Celebrating 55 years of the finest in jazz, the touring Monterey Jazz Festivals All Stars rolled into Santa Barbara (or “Saint Babs,” as leader Christian McBride joked) and turned the upscale packed house into a its own. Before the entire band of Ambrose…