Two overlooked facts about alto saxist Paul Desmond: First, he, and not Dave Brubeck, actually composed the classic tune “Take Five” and second, his best work was actually on his own. Due to a handshake agreement, Desmond never hired a…
Category: Ringer of the Week
*****BLUES ALBUM OF THE YEAR?****AN OCTONGENERIAN IN LOVE…Dion DiMucci: Blues with Friends
YES! It’s the same Dion of “and The Belmonts” that gave us doo woppers like “Teenager In Love” or solo material like “The Wanderer” and “Abraham, Martin and John”. What has happened since is that Dion DiMucci found the roots…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Chip Wickham: Blue To Red
This album led by flutist Chip Wickham is a throwback to the vintage days of Impulse!, when you had advanced and forwardly thinking jazz that was both accessible and exciting. He brings together a team of keyboardist Dan Goldman, bassist/cellist…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****The TNEK Jazz Quintet: Plays The Music Of Sam Jones
I’m willing to bet that 90% of you readers have never heard of bassist Sam Jones (1924-81), but at one time he was the most in-demand hard bop guys around, usually teamed up with drummer Louis Hayes, but always serving…
OH YEAH!****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Andrew Alli: Hard Workin’ Man
Any time you’ve got an album cover with the musician wielding a pick ax, you’re going to get my attention. This guy Andrew Alli plays the harmonica like a Category 4 Hurricane, and sings like he was weaned on vinegar…
****RINGERS OF THE WEEK****WHO IS THIS GUY?!? Vito Dieterle: Anemone, Vito Dieterle/Joel Forrester
As a tenor sax player myself, I’m always on the hunt for some new guy who has an Old School sound but isn’t locked into the past. I think I’ve found someone in Vito Dieterle, who’s got me excited by…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****ENOUGH ‘BONES FOR A CHIROPRACTOR…Nash-Kaplan-Pirone:3 Brosbones
The brass is sliding on this wonderful release by three giants of the trombone, as veteran Dick Nash teams with ‘youngsters’ Alan Kaplan and Massimo Pirone to deliver a workshop with a supporting cast of Allesandro Bonanno/p, Alfredo Bochicchio/g, Flavia…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****John DiMartino: Passion Flower-The Music of Billy Strayhorn
One of the overlooked composers in the history of jazz is certainly Billy Strayhorn, who was not only overshadowed by his boss Duke Ellington, but rarely given the credit for The Duke’s most famous song, “Take the ‘A’ Train”. This…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****CLASSY! Kenny Barron/Dave Holland Trio featuring Johnathan Blake: Without Deception
Just when you’ve just about given up on jazz ever being lyrical and melodic again, up step two vets that bring class and style back into vogue. Bassist Dave Holland, who’s been doing some fantastic duet work of late, teams…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Smoky Tenors: Keith Oxman: Two Cigarettes In The Dark
When push comes to shove, there are fewer things better in jazz than two tenors locking horns, whether in fast bopping swingers, or, as here, in mellow madness. Keith Oxman plays a tenor with warm embers, while veteran Houston Person…