Did Brazilian music save jazz? It at least gave it a second wind, with samba and bossa nova being the carrot juice that revived its blood supply. Here, warm toned clarinetist and oozing vocalist Kristen Mather de Andrade melds jazz…
Category: Ringer of the Week
DOES HE EVER RUN OUT OF IDEAS? Pat Metheny: Side Eye V1.IV
Even during the COVID lockdown, Pat Metheny keeps creating new music with new ideas and new combinations of musicians. His collection of classical guitarists was simply a stroke of genius, as is this recent idea that was interrupted by the…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Jonathan Bauer: Sings & Plays
It’s guys like trumpeter/singer Jonathan Bauer that make you love jazz. First of all, he’s got a horn that sounds like a testosteroned Chet Baker. Ditto his voice, that has a sublime swing but also a dash of vintage Louie…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****THE NEXT METHENY? Dewa Budjana: Naurora
Particularly with guitarists, the questions always seems to be “Who is the “next big thing?”. Well, my vote goes to Dewa Budjana, who is slowly building up an impressive and creative catalogue. Obviously, today’s artists are in agreement, as the…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Gerry Gibbs Thrasher Dream Trios: Songs From My Father
Drummer Gerry Gibbs has never built his career under the shadow of his famous vibes playing father Terry, and it’s to his credit. Here, the younger Gibbs finally gives a musical tribute to the bopping big band father and sideman…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****THIS IS A BOP PIANO…Tommy Flanagan: Solo Piano
Tommy Flanagan was one of those pianists that you just never wanted to miss when he came into town. No matter the setting, he was always classy, tasteful and never played a wrong note. Here, in this 1974 recording, you…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Scott Hamilton & Duke Robillard: Swingin’ Again
It’s not well known that tenor saxist Scott Hamilton was actually the guy who refused to plug in during the “fusion 70s” and started the return to vintage acoustic jazz with his breathy blowing with mainstream old timers. Now an…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****The Baylor Project: Generations
I had to go back into my archives to confirm my suspicions, and it was true-The Baylor Project’s earlier release of The Journey also got my RINGER OF THE WEEK award. The husband and wife team of vocalist Jean Baylor…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Jazzmeia Horn: Dear Love
Vocalist and composer Jazzmeia Horn takes a sharp upturn in her musical trajectory on this most recent, her third album. Her first was compiled of standards, the second was a bit of a more personal one, but both in small…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****THE RESISTANCE TO FUSION…Roy Brooks: Understanding
After Miles Davis plugged in and released albums like In A Silent Way and Bitches Brew, jazz became divided into two groups; those like Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter and Chick Corea who joined the fusion revolution, or the shrinking minority…