Here are a couple variations on two traditions of the piano: Monk and Boogie Woogie. Both of which come from the same roots: stride. Hammond B3 maestro Greg Lewis continues his exploration of the Thelonious Monk songbook with an…
Author: George W. Harris
Luis Conte: En Casa de Luis
You want percussion? You got it here, in bucketloads, lead by Luis Cone, who plays (take a deep breath) congas, timbales, shakers, guiro, cowbell, claves, shekere, quinto, cajon, African water pots, bottle caps, darbuka, finger cymbals, qraqab, cymbal pans, cymbals,…
David Budway: A New Kiss, Opus 5: Introducing Opus 5, Bob Sheppard: Close Your Eyes
Here’s what post bop sounds like in the hands of a term I’ve made up, called “neo-vets.” A “Neo-vet” is someone who’s not an old timer, but has been around too long to be considered a newcomer. Not overly conservative…
Kat Parra: Las Aventuras De Passion
You probably have never heard of this lady, but she’s released some of the most impressive jazz/latin vocal discs I’ve ever heard. Each time I play her stuff for a Blindfold Test, the listener begs to know when she’s coming…
The Very Best Of: Cannonball Adderley, Dave Brubeck, Bill Evans Trio, Vince Guaraldi, Thelonious Monk
Because Concord Music Group swallowed up a ton of small labels, they are able to put out nice little samplers like these for the uninitiated. Let’s face it; if you know nothing about Adderley, Monk, etc, choosing a starting disc…
Elio VillaFranca/Arturo Stable: Dos Y Mas
Here’s an idea that could have been an absolute disaster, but ends up smelling like a rose. Percussionist Arturo Stable, who plays on this disc everything from Cajon, Conga’s and Djembe to a myriad of other things that go bump…
Frank Macchia: Swamp Thang
Tenor saxist/composer/arranger Frank Macchia has been one of my favorite jazz artists. Throughout the years, he’s put out material that is fresh, creative, orginal and, most importantly, enjoyable on a plethora of levels. His humor is exem plified by his…
THE 70s RETURN! Bill Nelson and the Gentlemen : Recorded Live In Concert At Metropolis Studios, London, Van Der Graaf Generator: Recorded Live In Concert At Metropolis Studios, London, The Zombies featuring Colin Blunstone & Rod Argent: Recorded Live In Concert At Metropolis Studios, London
So, did the 70s sound as good or as bad as you remember? Here are three sets of cd/dvd compilations of artists from that era who gave some intimate concerts to appreciative audiences. Some of those there grew up to…
BIG NAMES IN JAZZ-The Cookers: Believe, Curtis Fuller: Down Home, Branford Marsalis Quartet: Four MFs Playin’ Tunes
All three of these releases are by artists that have been, or are, on the forefront of jazz. What do their most recent products reveal? 1) The conglomerate The Cookers is comprised of some of the best of the…
Graham Dechter@Vitellos 09.13.12
Like the title of his latest release, Calabasas’ gift to the guitar Graham Dechter is Takin’ it There, which means like so many other Angelenos, he’s moving to NYC where his chances of paying back his tuition seem the best.…