Before a small radio studio audience, the team of Greg Abate/ts-as-ss-fl, Paul Del Nero/b, Matt DeChamplain/p and Gary Johnson/dr drove up the wattage on this swinging collection of mostly originals. Abate shows his bop chops on the alto as Johnson…
Author: George W. Harris
Bill O’Connell: Live in Montauk
Pianist/leader Bill O’Connell mixes his two loves of bop and Latin on this album recorded at Gosman’s Dock, Montauk NY. The core of O’Connell with beefy toned Craig Handy/ts, Santi Debriano/b and swinging Billy Hart/dr are nimble and peppy, with…
ENGLISH ACOUSTIC BLUES AND FOLK…John Renbourn: A Maid In Bremen, Pentangle: Live At The BBC 1967-1968, Bert Jansch: Strolling Down The Highway, Span: , Live at the Demontfort Hall
One of the underappreciated parts of English music was acoustic blues and folk scene on the other side of the pond. Bands like Pentangle, The Incredible String Band and Fairport Convention were a major influence on the American music scene,…
Douye’: The Golden Sekere
Nigerian born vocalist Douye’ does an excellent job bridging the gap between jazz and African sounds on this album of standards, presented through the lens of Africa’s horn. She’s teamed up with American artists like Sean Jones/tp, Buster Williams/b and…
PAGING CHUCK BEDNARIK…Kane Kalas: High Hopes
Dedicating this album to his father and the world of Philadelphia, baritone crooner Kane Kalas delivers a hoot of an album that is as tasty and filling as lunch at Pat’s Steak House. He mixes and matches with various vocalists,…
Adrian Younge and Tony Allen: JID018
I keep trying to figure out the allure of the Jazz Is Dead series, as the albums all seem to be variations of the same theme. Here, Nigerian drummer Tony Allen teams with producer Adrian Younge get together for what…
Kevin O’Connell Quartet featuring Adam Brenner: Hot New York Minutes
Vintage sounding hard bop is delivered by leader and pianist Kevin O’Connell and his bold team of Adam Brenner/as-ts, Paul Gill/b and Mark Taylor/dr through a mix of standards and originals. O’Connell sounds like he’s imbibed from the waters of…
Ryan Keberle’s Collectiv Do Brasil: Considerando
Warm toned trombonist Ryan Keberle creates modern Brazilia with Felipe Silveria/p, Felipe Brisola/b and Paulinho Vicente/dr on this recent release. There are post bop moments as on the darkly driven “Zanzibar” and the tricky groove of “Even Now”, with Vicente…
Jeff Babko & David Piltch: The Libretto Show
Pianist Jeff Babko goes to the wine country of Paso Robles with bassist David Piltch to break in a newly opened jazz venue, Libretto. The two creates some rich conversations and moods, making some New Orleans blues on “Dorothy” and…
Christine Jensen: Day Moon
Christine Jensen goes post bop here playing alto and soprano saxes with her rhythm team of Steve Amirault/p, Adrian Vedady/b and Jim Doxas/dr through an album of originals. The release is dominated by a four part “Quiescence Suite” that has…