I never missed an opportunity to see either trumpeter Roy Hargrove or pianist Mulgrew Miller when they came to town. I took in Miller with Blakey’s Jazz Messengers, with Ron Carter and countless other trios, quartets and duos. Every gig…
Category: Ringer of the Week
*****RINGER OF THE WEEK*****John Daversa Jazz Orchestra featuring Justin Morrell: All Without Words
Trumpeter John Daversa brings his orchestra to interpret compositions by Justin Morrell, pieces that are built around various vocalizations created by Morrell’s nonverbal son, Loren. This intriguing and brilliant idea plays out fascinatingly well, with wondrous themes, elegant orchestrations and…
A FORGOTTEN BOPPING TENOR…Harold Land: Westward Bound!
If you haven’t heard of Harold Land, you need to first of all be reminded that he was part of Clifford Brown’s classic 50s quintet. Now, if you haven’t heard of Clifford Brown, then we need to talk. Harold Land…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Mark Lewis Quartet: Naked Animals
Recorded 30 years ago on a “live” half track gig, Mark Lewis’ then team of Willem Kuhne/p, James Long/b and Frans van Grinsven/dr remind us of what a real gig sounded like, with a fresh set of originals in a…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Jane Monheit: Come What May
Blest with one of the purest voices of today’s vocalist, Jane Monheit has always had the “perfect” album that captures her concert essence avoid her. Until now. This one, with her working team of Michael Kanan/p, Rick Montalbano/dr, David Robaire/b,…
THIS IS A HARD BOP TENOR SAX 101…Joe Henderson: The Complete Joe Henderson Blue Note Studio Sessions
First, there has to be a disclaimer about this recent release that captures how jazz was supposed to sound like in the 1960s- The title might imply that this limited edition set by Mosaic Records is EVERYTHING tenor sax titan…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****LAST CALL-Larry Coryell & Philip Catherine: Jazz at Berlin Philharmonic XI
This recording from January 24, 2017 would be important anyway, as it is the last recording done by guitar legend Larry Coryell before he went to eternal life just a few weeks later on February 19. The fact that it…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****SATCHMO’S RENAISSANCE…Louis Armstrong: The Complete Louis Armstrong Columbia & RCA Victor Studio Recording Dates 1946-1966
In retrospect, it’s almost impossible that iconic artists like Louis Armstrong had highs and lows in their careers, but over the half century of his musical life, the man most credited with giving jazz its own sound via horn and…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****REBIRTH OF THE COOL…The David Angel Jazz Ensemble: Out On The Coast
Missing melody, harmony and sublime swing? Me too! Got a cure for you-check out this THREE, count ‘em THREE disc set from tenor saxist and conductor David Angel, as he brings in some of LA’s finest studio studs for an…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Stephanie Nilles: I Pledge Allegiance to the Flag-The White Flag
The music and attitude of sui generis bassist Charles Mingus is captured by pianist/vocalist Stephanie Nilles on this recent release. What she has done is take the music from Mingus, particularly during the fiery time in his career when he…