The trio of trumpeter Dominick Farinacci, accordionist Michael Ward-Bergeman and vibist Christian Tamburr create soft and bohemian moods on this collection of a wide range of ideas. Nuevo tango is wheezed out by Ward-Bergeman on Piazzolla’s “Libertango” and eerie bohemia…
Author: George W. Harris
Peter Hand: Blue Topaz
Classy mainstream post bop is delivered by guitarist Peter Hand’s team of Eddie Allen/tp-fh, Don Braden/sax-fl, James Weidman/p, David Janeway/p, Harvie S/b and Steve Johns/dr, with smokey tenorist Houston Person sitting in The blues are delivered with ease as Braden’s…
BLUESING IT…Mitch Grainger: Plug It In/Plug It In Acoustic
Singer/guitarist Mitch Grainger delivers the same songs, in the same order, on two albums here. As Marshall McCluhan famously said, the medium is the message, as one album has an electrified team of Arlan Schierbaum/keys, Deacon Marrquin/dr and Ed Maxwell/b…
FOLKSY IDEAS…Adrian Sutherland: Precious Diamonds, Neal Rosner: Kentucky
Old folks at home… Singing, playing acoustic guitar and keyboards, Adrian Sutherland tells rootsy stories on this album with Colin Linden/g, Janice Powers/B3, John Dymond/b, Gary Craig-Jerry Roe/dr, Jeff Taylor/acc, Jim Hoke/sax, MickeyRaphael harm and Brandon Robert Young/voc. There are…
Stephen M Lee: In The Moment
You can tell that pianist Stephen M. Lee has spent time in the church, as this recent release of his with bassist Doc Samba and drummer Marcus E. Finnie is filled with soul-stirring originals. Mixing reflecting meditations with Sunday Morning…
Roger Tilton Trio: Mostly Bossas
Breezy bopping bossas and swinging sambas are delivered by pianist Roger Tilton and his veteran team of drummer Yayo Morales with legendary bassist Henry Franklin. As with the word “jazz”, the term “bossa” is more of an attitude than anything…
The Gary Urwin Jazz Orchestra and Friends: Flying Colors
Pianist Gary Urwin leads a swinging big band through some clever charts and rich solos brought on by an A list of guests including the late Carl Saunders/tp, Wayne Bergeron/tp, Pete Christlieb/ts, Scott Whitfied/tb, Christian Jacob/p and Rusty Higgins/sax-fl. The…
THE HUMMING HAMMOND…Brother Jack McDuff: Ain’t No Sunshine-Live In Seattle
One of the most gospel drenched of the Hammond B3ers, Brother Jack McDuff, is found in concert on a recently discovered set of tapes and released on Cellar Live. Teamed up with McDuff for this 1972 gig at Seattle’s The…
SOPRANO SUMMIT…Mal Waldron & Steve Lacy: The Might Warriors
If you don’t know that Steve Lacy is probably the best soprano sax player in the history of jazz, then you haven’t been doing y our homework. It’s understandable, however, as he leaned toward the left center of music after…
A SMOKING CANNONBALL..Cannonball Adderley: B urning In Bordeaux-Live in France 1969, Poppin’ in Paris-Live at L’Olympia 1972
Believe It or not, once upon a time, jazz musicians actually had “pop” hit song and played music that was creative and accessible. You’ll have to trust me on this one. Elemental Music has recently uncovered a pair of concerts…