The team of Chieli Minucci/g, George Jinda/perc, Bela Szakcsi Lakatos/p-key, Lionel Cordew/dr and Gerald Veasley/b and are caught in two concerts from 1990 and 19922 on this recent release. Dedicated to the memory of Jinda and Szakcsi, the album is…
Author: George W. Harris
SOFT STRINGS…Sam Wilson: Wintertides
Canadian guitarist Sam Wilson forms a lyrical trio with Jen Yakamovich/dr and Geordie Hart/b on a collection of originals. She plays both nylon and electric guitars always with understated charm. Rocking out a bit only on “Dance of the Funghi”.…
DOWN HOME…Eric Frazier: That Place, Chris BadNews Barnes: Badnews Travels Fast
No need to get dressed up.. Singing, hitting the congas and generally holding court, Eric Frazier moves and shakes with Gene Ghee/ts-ss, Wayne Jeffrey/g, Mamiko Watanbe/key, Nori Naraoka/b, John Cooksey/dr and various cameo guests on this hip moving mix. There’s…
Shawn Maxwell: J Town Suite
Playing flute, soprano and alto sax, Shawn Maxwell plays deep and soulful pulses with his team of Michael Barton/eb, Collin Clauson/key-wur and Greg Essig/dr on this collection of originals. The album alternates between concise funky jams like “Hickory Street” and…
Foreign Affair Trio: Sous Le Vent
Hector Martignon/p Eduardo Dudu Penz/b and Raphael Nick/dr form a trio with guests Luis Bonilla/tb, Jean-Lou Tredoux/vib and Xavier Paternot/fl on this breezy mix of mostly originals. The three create shadowy moods on “Prelude X” graceful on the pretty “Gabriela”.…
MODERN VOICES…Alyssa Allgood: From Here, Gabriela Martina: States
Two ladies singing new songs… Alyssa Allgood has a strong and flexible voice, writing most of her own post-bop material and throwing in a couple of standards with Geoffrey Keezer/p, John Patitucci/b, Kendrick Scott/dr and Greg Ward/sax. She’s bold and…
THESE ARE MODERN VIBES 101…Bobby Hutcherson: Classic Bobby Hutcherson Blue Note Sessions 1963-1970
The lineage of jazz vibes is one of the easiest to trace, essentially starting with Lionel Hampton, handed off to Red Norvo and then bopped along with Milt Jackson. The last link in the relay was Bobby Hutcherson, who is…
JAZZ GUITAR AND NEW ORLEANS R&B FROM AVID…Wes Montgomery: Four Classic Albums, The Big Easy: Five Classic Albums From New Orleans Plus
Timeless music from Louisiana and Indiana are delivered from UK’s Avid Group… Indianapolis’ Wes Montgomery is probably the most influential and loved jazz guitarist of all time. These four albums are an excellent representation of his creativity. The first and…
Bria Skonberg: What It Means
During her career, trumpet and vocalist Bria Skonberg has taken many musical routes and side bars, but she continues to return to her first love, New Orleans styled jazz, and she still sounds best at it. Her, she sticks to…
Lee McKinney: Reflections in Two Shades
Drummer Lee McKinney leads a bopping quartet of Matt Cooper/p, Chris Berg/b and Greg Abate/as-ss-fl on this confident collection of hard bop-styled originals. McKinney’s drums serve as a strong frame for these portraits, dedicated to the likes of drummers such…