Playing trumpet and flugelhorn, James Zollar brings fresh and fragrant readings to material both new and known. His team of Michael Rorby/tb, Stefano Doglioni/bcl, David Hazeltine/p-key, Gerand Cannon/b and Willie Jones III/dr swings with fluidity on boppers like “The Fruit”…
Author: George W. Harris
SWING IS IN THE AIR…America’s Greatest ‘Your Hit Parade Hits 1936
To put things in time perspective, Benny Goodman’s 1938 Carnegie Hall concert was the “official” national acceptance of The Swing Era. This four disc, 98 song collection shows that the tsunami of swing was already swelling, with Big Bands, both…
DOO WOP SOUL AND BLUES GUITAR FROM AVID…Ben E. King & The Drifters: Five Classic Albums, Lonnie Johnson & Victoria Spivey: Four Classic Albums Plus
The latest releases from Avid Records feature timeless music from two important artists. During the 1950s, The Drifters were one of the most important Doo Wop bands, with lead singer Ben E. King eventually breaking away in 1960 to have…
Susanne Alt: Royalty For Real
Susanne Alt has a warm and rich alto sax on this soulful album with James Hurt/key-p, Gerald Cannon/b and Willie Jones III/dr. She brings in her flute to create some rich woodwind textures on the soulful pulse of “Roy Allan”…
Alon Farber Hagiga with Dave Douglas: The Magician-Live In Jerusalem
Saxist and leader Akib Farber delivers a concert at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem with special guest on trumpet Dave Douglas along with a local team of Yehonatan Cohen/ts-cl, Oded Meir/tb, Katia Toobool/p, Assaf Hakimi/b and Roy Oliel/dr. The team…
David Friesen: This Light Has No Darkness Vol 1
In an era when most “statement albums” are focusing on the darkness, bassist David Friesen uses his Hemage Bass and faith to shine a b right and encouraging light. He teams up with pianist Paul Lees, percussionists Charlie Doggett and…
Jim Rotundi: Finesse
Frank Rotondi displays his golden tone on both trumpet and flugelhorn on this album with a jazz rhythm section of Kanny Grissett/p, Karol Hadas/b and Mario Gonzi/dr supported by a jazz orchestra of reeds, brass and strings. What sets this…
Bennie Maupin Plays Jewel In The Lotus@The Ebell of Los Angeles 02.10.24
At the tender age of 83, Bennie Maupin Is one of the last living links to a long list of classic albums, having been a sideman back in the day for Miles Davis (Bitches Brew) Herbie Hancock (Headhunters) Lee Morgan…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****LA LEGEND…Buddy Collette: The Classic Albums
While barely known outside of LA, multi-instrumentalist was a local legend. He was the first black to be a member of the previously white-only musicians union, he was a member of the orchestra for the famous Groucho Marx TV show,…
Sullivan Fortner: Solo Game
One of the most in-demand sideman in today’s music scene, pianist Sullivan Fortner is likewise building up an impressive catalogue of his own. His most recent release, his first in a handful of years, has him in solo format for…