You want some swinging strings? Take a look at violinist Ludovica Burtone, who forms a two violin front with Fung Chern Hwei, brings in viola-ist Leonor Falcon Pasquali, cellist Mariel Roberts for a front line along with Marta Sanchez/p, Matt…
Category: Ringer of the Week
SOLI DEO GLORIA …Duke Ellington: Love You Madley/A Concert of Sacred Music
This 116 minute dvd covers two of the most important pieces of music for not only jazz, but western civilization. During the autumn years of his career, Duke Ellington in 1965 delivered the first of a series of Sacred Concerts,…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Eric Reed: Black, Brown and Blue
One of the leading elder voices of the piano, Eric Reed shows himself one of the masters of the trio on this sublime and nocturnal album with drummer Reggie Quinerly and bassist Luca Alemanno. I’ve seen him as a sideman…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Phil Woods: Bird With Strings and More!
If there was anyone born to give a tribute to alto sax legend Charlie Parker, it had to have been Phil Woods, who dedicated his career to keeping the bebopping legend’s music alive. For a concert recorded back in 2005…
****THIS IS A TRUMPET****Chet Baker: Blue Room-The 1979 Vara Studio Sessions in Holland
It’s historical albums like this that make you regret being a Jazz Snob. – I was just starting to get interested in jazz , and my “cool guy” mentor turned me on to guys like Clifford Brown, Miles Davis, Freddie…
*****FILLING IN THE GAPS****…Bill Evans: Treasures
Another discovery by jazz detective Zev Feldman comes to light in this two disc collection of Bill Evans material. Unlike other of the releases that usually captured a single concert or studio session, this one spans a handful of years…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Joe Chambers: Dance Kobina
One of the most welcome events the past year has been Blue Note legendary drummer Joe Chambers returning to his 1960s home label, and he’s back with a vengeance. This time around, he’s with Andres Vial-Richard Germanson/p, Ira Coleman-Mark Leweandowski/b,…
Walter Smith III: return to casual
One of the leading voices of today’s tenor saxists, Walter Smith III makes his debut on Blue Note Records with a strong and lyrical outing with the team of Taylor Eigsti/p, Matt Stevens/g, Harish Raghavan/b, Kendrick Scott/dr and guests Ambrose…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Jane Bunnett and Maqueque: Playing with Fire
One of the best, and most overlooked presenters of Cuban music, Jane Bunnett, delivers another thrilling album with her band Maqueque on this latest release. -What makes this album so special is the inclusion of Zimbabean vocalist Joanna Majoko along…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****WOODSTOCK FOR THE ‘HOOD…WattStax ’72: Soul’d Out-The Complete Wattstax Collection
Let’s be completely honest and frank with each other, shall we? Yes, the 1969 Woodstock rock fest was impressive historically. Fine. But, truth be told, the musicianship of these (mostly) white artists is fairly shabby and a bit loose and…