Pianist Christian Sands stretches out on this most recent release, adding a string section of Andrew Joslyn/vi-va, Ross Gilliland/b and Eli Weinberger/cel along with guests waren Wolf/vib and Gregoire Maret/harm to his core team of Yasushi Nakamura/b, Ryan Sands/dr and…
Author: George W. Harris
WHEN GIANTS ROAMED THE EARTH…Jazz At The Philharmonic: Carnegie Hall Concert, September 13, 1952/Jazz At The Philharmonic: Hamburg, Germany, February 29, 1956
In a day when most jazz artists play in clubs seating 40-150, it’s hard to believe that at one time hard bopping players performed before packed auditoriums without sacrificing any style or substance. Thanks to the vision of producer Norman…
Mike Stern: Echoes and Other Songs
This latest album by guitar virtuoso Mike Stern feels like a reunion of sorts, bringing together artists he’s been associated with through the years in mix and match fashioned. Saxists Christ Potter and bob Franceschini, drummers Antonio Sanchez-Dennis Chambers, bassists…
Joel Frahm Trio: Illumination
Possessor of one of the warmest tones on the tenor sax, Joel Frahm displays his wares on a classy trio album with Dan Loomis/b and Ernesto Cervini/dr on ten post bop originals. Frahm hovers like the Goodyear Blimp on the…
Robin Simone Hollywood Orchestra
Singer/songwriter Robin Simone comes up with the clever concept album of creating her own film project on a single album. Backed by her orchestra, she opens up with an “Overture” and takes us through a variety of standards before “Intermission”…
Teri Parker’s Free Spirits: Peaks and Valleys
Composer and pianist Teri Parker leads a post bop quintet, rotating alto saxists Allison Au and Alison Young with the core of Rebecca Hennessy/tp, Lauren Falls/b and Mackenzie Longpre/dr. The album also features compositions of two important female pianists in…
Snarky Puppy@The Arlington Theatre 10.01.24
Rare is the jazz band and artist that is able to create music that mixes artistic integrity and vision with something that appeals to the head, heart and feet of the public. But, as the packed house at Santa Barbara’s…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Catherine Russell & Sean Mason: My Ideal
Timeless vocals and piano are served by Catherine Russell and Sean Mason as they come together for a cozy and rich read of Tin Pan Alley standards, when songs wre written for and by the likes of stride pianists like…
The Story of Syd Barrett and Pink Flyod: Have You Got It Yet?
Perhaps you’ve heard about founding Pink Floyd member Syd Barrett from the classic song “Shine On You Crazy Diamond”, which was a tribute to the tormented genius. This two Blu-Ray collection from Mercury Studios documents the sad and tormented life…
LOCAL LEGEND TRIBUTE…Matt Dwonszyk: Donny Time-The Music of Don DePalma
Bassist Matt Dwonszyk delivers a salute to legendary Hartford, Connecticut pianist Don DePalma, who succumbed to the effects of COVID a few years ago. The music here is a reflection of that celebration, bringing together sessions of DePalma in a…