Currently Director of Jazz Studies at Temple University, trumpeter Terell Stafford still gets a chance to show his students and fans the practical side of the trumpet, with this latest album a perfect addition to his curriculum. He’s amassed an…
Author: George W. Harris
JoVia Armstrong: Inception
Playing a Hybrid Cajon, JoVia Armstrong teams up with Leslie DeShazor/5str, Damon Warmack/b and Sasha Kashpeko/g for a mix of synthy fusion moods. At times, there are Asian tones as on “Embryo” while a folksy violin sweeps through “Hide, Then…
THROWBACK…Benny Benack III: Third Time’s The Charm
Here’s a guy that’s a throwback to the days when trumpeters not only had chops, but could sing, jive and just keep the joint jumping. Benny Benack mixes originals and clever covers on this fun filled album with Chad Lefkowitz-Brown/ts,…
Andrew Synowiec: Fun
LA-based guitarist Andrew Synowiec is the latest in the long tradition of first call studio guitarists (like Larry Carlton and Lee Ritenour) for albums, gigs, TV shows and film, keeping his chops warm with his own music at The Baked…
FOXY! Greg Sover: His-Story
Guitarist and vocalist Greg Sover takes his Jimi Hendrix pills for this album with Jim Salamone/dr-eg, Kyle Perrilli/lspst, Brad Hinton/lpst, David Palan/b, Kenny Aarons/b and others in an Experienced mood. Sovers own songs have the vintage Hendrix sound, and he…
Denny Zeitlin: Crazy Rhythm-Exploring George Gershwin
Bill Evans-inspired pianist Denny Zeitlin goes solo on this rich and melodic album of interpretations of George Gershwin material. Zeitlin is a master of the rabbit trail, and he does some glorious ones, with his left hand wandering on a…
Seth Kibel: Clown With A Stick
Should Seth Kibel’s recent album be better titled Clown with a SCHTICK? Most of the songs here by the clarinet and flute man are in the semi-klezmer form, celebrating the tribal side of swing. He teams up with Harry Appelman-Sean…
Hilario Duran and His Lating Jazz Big Band: Cry Me A River
Pianist Hilario Duran pulls out all of the stops on this exciting Big Band collection that is reminiscent of Dizzy Gillespie’s United Orchestra of the 1990s. The rhythm section includes the fiery Horacio “El Negro” Hernandez/dr and Roberto Occhipinti/b along…
Emily Kuhn: Ghosts of Us
Trumpeter Emily Kuhn delivers rich post bop tones with her team of Erik Skov/g, Meghan Stagl/p, Kitt Lyles/b and Gusavo Cortinas/dr through a series of Milesy moods inspired by the COVID lockdown. Her open horn is wondrous on a lovely…
LADIES SING THE HUES…Catherine Legardh & Sigurdur Flosason: Stilhed & Storm, Heidi Martin: Gifts & Sacrifices, Nicole Zuraitis: How Love Begins
Sandy toned Danish vocalist Catherine Legardh teams up with alto saxist Sigurdur Flosason from Iceland and a supporting team of Anna Greta Siguroardottir/p, Jesper Thorn/b and Espen Laub von Lillienskjold/dr (which will be the last time I use the complete…