Good things come in threes… The threesome of Yago Vazquez/p, Pable Menares/b and Rodrigo Recabarren/dr bring together a collection of impressive originals on this nine song collection. Vazque’s touch is pretty over the rumbling drum on “Santiago” and glides with…
Author: George W. Harris
Reza Khan: Mystical
Sleek and muscular smooth jazz is delivered by Reza Kan, playing both electric and acoustic guitar, with a mix and match team of masters including Jeff Lorber/key, Jimmy Haslip/b, Gary Novak/dr, Mark Egan/b and David Mann/key-dr-fl-ts. Khan’s acoustic nylons run…
TRIOS Jill McCarron: Gin
Pianist Jill McCarron has a confident post bop feel on this album with a core trio of Paul Gill/b, Andy Watson/dr and a handful of guests. With Vincent Herring on tenor and alto sax, the team gets hip on the…
Bob Holz: Night Watch
Once in awhile, you hear an album that reminds you of why you initially got hooked on jazz, and this recent release by fusion drummer Bob Holz is a classic Exhibit A. Like many, fusion a la Weather Report, Return…
Ben Patterson Jazz Orchestra: Groove Junkies
Trombonist Ben Patterson leads a beefy jazz orchestra through a collection of hard hitting charts that make you think what Weather Report or Herbie Hancock’s Headhunters would sound in a big band setting. Paul Henry has a dancing bass through…
Live Edge Trio with Steve Nelson: Closing Time
Sounds inspired by the Modern Jazz Quartet are delivered by the trio of Ben Markley/p, Seth Lewis/b, Andrew Wheelock/dr and guest Steve Nelson/vibes. The comparison to the MJQ is inevitable, but the sound hear has a bit more muscle as…
MODERN COMPOSERS…Juan J.G. Escudero: Ice Door, Robert Carl: Infinity Avenue, Rick Baitz: River of January
The modern pen gets a chance to cut like a sword on these three new releases from Neuma Records. Spanish composer Juan J. G. Escudero has his piece interpreted and performed by a mix an d matching team of Emille-Anne…
LADIES SING THE HUES…Angela Verbrugge: Somewhere, Karrin Allyson: A Kiss For Brazil
Female forms… Angela Verbrugge sings with clarity on this album teamed with Ray Gallon-Miles Black/p, Cameron Brown-Jodi Proznick/b, Anthony Pinciotti-Joel Fountain/dr and Dave Say/ts. In a small group format, she is relaxed and personal on a read of “I Had…
Sergio Pereira: Bossa+
Sergio Pereira creates a rich Brazilian atmosphere that salutes the classic bossa nova sounds of Antonio Jobim on this album of originals and covers. He plays guitar, violao, percussion and sings a bit with his team of Chipi Chacon/tp-fh, Luis…
Olivia Foschi: A Window Within
Vocalist Olivia Foschi delivers originals with a dash of bohemia, not unlike other understated masters like Stacey Kent on this lyrical album with Mauricio Zottarelli/dr, Matt King/p-key-mel, Marco Panascia/b and Vinicius/g. Her flexibility is completely unforced as she veers around…