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…
Category: Ringer of the Week
****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…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Jeremy Pelt: The Art Of Intimacy, Volume 1
When I first heard Jeremy Pelt perform back in 2002, I ran into Bobby Shew at the same gig. He said that he hadn’t heard a horn player with such clarity in years and had to hear him in person…
****THIS IS A BEBOP PIANO****CLASSIC! Lennie Tristano: The Duo Sessions
One of the most overlooked giants of modern jazz, pianist Lennie Tristano (1919-1978) is largely forgotten these days, but he was one of the founding fathers of bebop, creating a unique sound and style, influencing everyone from Charlie Parker to…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Albare: Albare Plays Jobim
Yes, there is a plethora of albums giving tribute to the Bossa Nova giant Antonio Jobim, but this one by guitarist Albare is a cut above the fray. He takes the famous pieces that we’ve all grown accustomed to, but…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Connie Han: Iron Starlet
This is the second album I’ve heard by pianist/composer Connie Han, and although her album covers look like something from a graphic novel, the music is vintage Blue Note bopping grooves. She teams up with trumpeter Jeremy Pelt and tenor…
FRANK ZAPPA’S “BITCHES BREW”…Frank Zappa: The Hot Rats Rats Sessions 50th Anniversary
As we’re celebrating the 50th anniversary of the beginnings of fusion , it’s fitting that UME has released in a giant 6 disc format a collection of Frank Zappa’s most important album, 1969’s Hot Rats. 1969-70 were the halcyon days…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****THIS IS AN ALTO SAX 101: Brent Jensen: The Sound of a Dry Martini
You may ask “why would an alto sax player who sounds like Paul Desmond want to do material associated with him?”. Well, SOMEONE needs to remind all of us what an alto sax is supposed to sound like! Brent Jenson…