Here is an album that captures the heart of jazz, mixing improvisation, melody and, of course the historic “Latin Tinge”. It’s just a duet of Ben Bogart on the bandoneon and Winnie Cheung on piano, but what they do is…
Category: Ringer of the Week
R.I.P…Jimmy Heath: Love Letter
Before leaving us January 19 at age 93, one of the last of the living beboppers, Jimmy Heath, left us one last will and testament, a warm album focused on relaxed and timeless ballads. For this last session, Heath teamed…
21ST CENTURY SCHIZOID MAN…Maria Schneider Orchestra: Data Lords
Every album released by Maria Schneider is a sonic event, but this one is particularly important, as it not only contains two discs of music, but it touches on an important topic, namely balancing the tension between living in a…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****ECHOES OF AN ERA…Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers: Just Coolin’
Blue Note Records dug deep into its vault and found a jazz version of Eugene O’Neill’s Our Town in this March 8, 1959 session of an early edition of Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers, recorded at Rudy Van Gelder’s classic studio.…
MIRROR, MIRROR, ON THE WALL…Denny Zeitlin: Live At Mezzrow
For the past 10+ years, I’ve had the privilege of voting in Downbeat Magazine in the Critic’s Poll for categories such as “Best Pianist” for the year. I’ll listen to Fred Hersch and think, “He’s the one” but then, I’ll…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Larry Willis: I Fall In Love Too Easily
On this album, Larry Willis confirms that he belongs to the group of pianists (including Cedar Walton, John Hicks, Tommy Flanagan and the recently departed Harold Mabern) that are incapable of playing anything less than tasty bop. There’s always a…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Leni Stern: 4
One of the most underrated composers and guitarists, Leni Stern, releases yet another strong album that melds American jazz with West African thoughts. Along with guitar, Stern sings a bit and plays the West African stringed instrument n’goni, but not…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK**** PALEO NEW AGE…Alex de Grassi: The Bridge
Back in the Mercedes 80s, guitarist Alex de Grassi was the poster child for what was then called New Age Music, usually on the Windham Hill Label. This latest album shows that de Grassi has evolved and grown over time,…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Brian Landrus: For Now
Brian Landrus brings together an all star lineup with pianist Fred Hersch, drummer Billy Hart, bassist Drew Gress, Michael Rodriguez on trumpet and a sleek string team of sara Caswell/vi, Joyce Hammann/vi, Lois Martin/va and Jody Redhage-Ferber/cel for a rich…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Lauren Henderson: The Songbook Session
Lauren Henderson has framed her sensuous and lyrical voice in a variety of settings over the years, ranging from Latin to R&B. This time around, she’s reunited with a simpatico teammate in pianist Sullivan Fortner (who’s worked with the likes…