Best known for his work with Charles Mingus in the 1960s, alto saxist Charlie Mariano was one of the proto-boppers, but instead of trying to sound like Charlie Parker, he leaned towards the lilting tone of Lester Young. That combination…
Author: George W. Harris
Roland Kirk: The Classic 1960s Albums
One of the most unique jazz artists has to be Roland Kirk, who first made a name for himself with Charles Mingus, but later on for creating not only unique sounds from playing 2-3 instruments simultaneously, but actually creating instruments…
KEYS TO THE KINGDOM
When I got into jazz in the 1970s, it seemed everyone was playing either electric piano, Rhodes, or some type of synthesizer. Then, things went acoustic and the grand piano was back in style. These days, except for the Hammond…
JEFF BABKO: KEYS TO THE CITY
IT’S EASY TO KNOCK THE CURRENT LOS ANGELES JAZZ SCENE. AT ONE TIME, THE CITY BOASTED OF A PLETHORA OF CLUBS ALL THE WAY FROM MALIBU TO REDONDO BEACH; NOW THERE ARE ONLY A HANDFUL. YET THIS DOESN”T MEAN THAT…
LARRY GOLDINGS: MOOD SWINGS
IT’S A PRETTY GOOD BET THAT IF YOU CHECK OUT ANYONE’S ALBUM/CD COLLECTION OR PLAYLIST, THEY ARE GOING TO HAVE SOMETHING THAT LARRY GOLDINGS HAS APPEARED ON. ONE OF THE MOST PROLIFIC KEYBOARDISTS IN TODAY’S SCENE, HE’S GRACED THE ALBUMS…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK***Randy Weinstein: Harmonimonk
Randy Weinstein comes up with a brilliant idea that almost works perfectly the whole way through the album-take the tunes of Thelonious Monk and interpret them through both the diatonic and chromatic harmonicas, backed only by the most Spartan of…
Dan Pugach Big Band: Bianca
Drummer, leader and arranger Dan Pugach puts together a modern sounding big band with four trumpets, four trombones, five woodwinds, and four team rhythm section and vocalist Nicole Zuraitis. You can feel Pugach’s presence throughout , with his cymbals gouiding…
Michael Arbenz: Classicism-A Point Of View
Pianist Michael Arbenz uses well known classical pieces as starting points for his own original material on this solo album. There is a graceful extension to his read of “Claire de Lune” during his “Brilliant Moon”, with a graceful stroll…
Ron Rieder: Latin Jazz Sessions
Pianist Ron Rieder brings together a sizzling team of Fernando Brandao/fo, Alain Mallet/p, Mark Walker/dr, Claudio Ragazzi/g, Ricardo MOnzon/perc, Mike Tucker/ts, Oscar Stagnaro-Gerson Lazo-Quiroga/b and Ron Reid/Steeldr for a mix of peppy originals. The percussion sizzles with congas and high…
The Wicked Lo-Down: Out Of Line
Rocking blues are delivered by Nick David/voc-harm, Paul Size/g Jeffrey Berg/b, Brad Hallen/b and Nick Toscano/dr with some cameos on this live feelin’ release. The theam shuffles like a deck of cards on “Kill Me Or Keep Me” while David…