Canadian pianist and composer Daniel Janke forms a thoughtful trio with Basile Rahola/b and Ariel Tessler/dr on a mix of richly textured originals and spirituals. The threesome have an alluring way of sustaining tension in a piece, with Janke’s delicate…
Author: George W. Harris
Dayna Stephens: Closer Than We Think
Playing a variety of saxes and EWI, Dayna Stephens takes his team of Emmanuel Michael/g, Kanoa Mendenhall/b and Jongkuk Kim/dr through a collection of tunes that emphasize atmosphere and environment. Michael’s guitar is a major presence, forming effects and backgrounds…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Hyeonseon Baek: Longing
If you want a unique singing style that still hits home, check out Korean vocalist Hyeonseon Baek. He is backed by a bopping team of Kevin Hays/p, Linda May Han Oh/b, Jochen Rueckert/dr and guest Lucas Pino/ts for a mix…
Nick Stefanacci: Secrets
I had to triple check the photos of saxist Nick Stefanacci for the cover of this latest ep. As one who plays the tenor sax myself, I was surprised that the big, beefy and deep sound he gets on this…
Lori Bell Quartet: Recorda Me-Remembering Joe Henderson
Flutist Lori Bell revisits the Joe Henderson songbook with Angelenos Josh Nelson/p, David Robaire/b and Dan Schnell/dr on this delightful post bop tribute. Bell brings a lightness to the usual dark tones of Henderson, making his songbook fresh and fragrant,…
Jane Scheckter: I’ll Take Romance
Clear and husky vocalist Jane Scheckter teams up with Tedd Firth/p, Jay Leonhart/b and Peter Grant/dr for a collection of classy standards on this release. She brings in trumpeter Warren Vache/ for an o pen and cozy “Moments Like This”…
Crooners: Bob Anderson: Live!, Jack Wood: The Gal That Got Away
Men at work… Vocalist Bob Anderson is a throwback to the world of smoky nightclugs on this recent release. He’s backed by Vince Falcone/p and Joe Lano along with an orchestra, mixing up various sstandards with the pen of Victor…
Greg Murphy: You Remind Me
Keyboardist and pianist Greg Murphy teams up with Obasi Akoto/b, Steve Johns/dr and guests Malou Beauvoir-Frank Lacy/voc, David Stoller/harp and Zach Brock/vi for a mix of originals and obscure jazz covers. There’s a sweet feel to “Nancy With The Laughing…
Min Xiao-Fen: Metta
Playing a wide variety of traditional Asian instruments, Mn Xiao-Fen teams up with the equally eclectic percussionist River Guerguerian for a collection of alliterative originals. The strings bend on the Middle Eastern “Mello” and “Mantra”, while ther is a gentle…
The Neal Kirkwood Big Band: Night City
Composer Neal Kirkwood brings together a full bodied big band to perform an album of originals on this latest release. There are lots of hints of throughout, as on the reflective “Paddy Harmon’s Dreamland Ballroom” and the classy “Alaskan Serenade”,…