Those who were fortunate to have seen Chick Corea’s acoustic trio with Brian Blade/dr and Christian McBride are going to need to listento this massive 8 disc collection in order to appreciate what was experienced at those events. The 29…
Category: Ringer of the Week
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Tord Gustavsen Trio: Seeing
Christian pilgrim Tord Gustavsen brings his trio of Steinar Raknes/b and Jarle Vespestad/dr into the world of church themes and hymns on this liturgical meditation. The pianist plays each song like a prayer, soft and reverent on “Jesus Gjor Meg…
****CO-RINGERS OF THE WEEK****THREE FORMS OF JAZZ IN CONCERT…Wayne Shorter: Celebration, Volume 1, Louis Armstrong: Louis In London, Bill Charlap Trio: And Then Again
Three masters performing they way jazz was meant to be played, in front of an audience. Three completely different styles, yet unified by the connection with the audience In what is sure to be the first in a series of…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****THIS IS A HARD BOP TENOR SAX 101…Johnny Griffin: Live In Valencia 92
The confident, hard bopping and muscular yet lyrical tenor sax played by the likes of Johnny Griffen, as recorded here from a 1992 gig in Valencia, Spain, is something that we unfortunately may never hear again in person. Thank the…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****AMEN!****THE LOUIS ARMSTRONG OF GOSPEL…Sister Rosetta Tharpe: The Singles Collection As & Bs 1939-1950
Yes, it’s a bold claim that Sister Rosetta Tharpe was to gospel what Louis Armstrong was to jazz, but it’s simply true. Back in the 1920s, not only did Armstrong transform jazz by being the best trumpet player around, but…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Amina Figarova & Matsiko World Orphan Choir: Suite For Africa
Pianist and composer Amina Figarova brings together a jazz combo of Bart Platteau, Alex Pope Norris/tp-fh, Wayne Escoffery/ts, Yasushi Nakamura/b and Rudy Royston/dr to juxtapose with 23 members of the tender hearted and full voiced Matsiko World Orphan Choir to…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Wayne Escoffery: Alone
It’s important to remember that the word “record” album is just that-an actual record of where the artist is at that specific moment of time, be it musically, socially or spiritually. Tenor saxist Wayne Escoffrey, one of the most important…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****LATIN JULIE LONDON…Lauren Henderson: Sombras
Back in the 1950s and 60s, vocalist Julie London carved out a career by cooing out soft and seductive albums for the late night crowd. Lauren Henderson goes one better than nurse Dixie McCall, as she even composes her own…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Lee Ritenour and Dave Grusin: Brasil
They’ve made a career of creating beautiful music both apart and together. Guitarist Lee Ritenour reunites with pianist-keyboardist Dave Grusin for another gorgeous collection of Brazilia. This time, they employ Ebu Ribeiro/dr, Bruno Migotto/b, Marcelo Costa/perc and some guests for…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****WHEN LA WAS LA…Jimmy Rowles Trio: The Nocturne Session
At one time, Los Angeles/Hollywood was the hub of jazz. Back in the 1950s-60s, with TV and radio soaring in popularity, studios were filled with jazz musicians playing things like the theme song to “Leave It To Beaver” and living…