There are so many female vocalists out there that simply sound the same that it’s a treat when you find someone as fresh as Lucy Yegiazaryan. She’s definitely in the jazz tradition, with a tone and timing that gives hints…
Category: Ringer of the Week
****RINGER OF THEWEEK****Avery Sharpe: 400-An African American Musical Portrait
Since stepping away from his work with McCoy Tyner, bassist Avery Sharpe has amassed a catalogue of albums dedicated either to strong people (Harriet Tubman, Sister Rosetta Tharpe) or strong causes. This time around Sharp creates a rich tapestry of…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****A TRIBUTE TO AN OVERLOOKED ORIGINAL…Mark Turner & Gary Foster: Mark Turner Meets Gary Foster
When you think of people that were true originals, Lennie Tristano is one of the forgotten renegades of modern jazz. Tenor saxist Mark Turner teams up with alto man Gary Foster to give tribute to the classic front line of…
THE FIRST AND BEST JAM BAND? The Allman Brothers Band: Fillmore West ‘71
Were they a blues band? Rock band? Jazz band? Whatever the label, the original Allman Brothers Band of Duane Allman on slide and electric guitars, B3er and vocalist brother Gregg, lead guitarist Dickie Betts, bassist Berry Oakley and the two…
RINGER OF THE WEEK…Lorez Alexandria: On King 1957-1959
One of the underappreciated vocalists during the era of the heyday of female singers, Lorez Alexandra (1929-2001) had a unique style that successfully mixed jazz and gospel tones. Her long and successful career had her in a variety of settings,…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Charnett Moffett: Bright New Day
Charnett Moffett has carved out an impressive career as bassist for the likes ranging from Wynton Marsalis to Ornette Coleman and McCoy Tyner, but his latest album finds him in a whole new plane. He sticks to fretless electric bass,…
*****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Brandee Younger: Soul Awakening
You can argue until you’re blue in the face as to why the best jazz harpists have been women such as Alice Coltrane and Dorothy Ashby, but you’re going to want to add Brandee Younger to your list, as this…
OH YEAH! OH YEAH! Nappy Brown: The Nappy Brown Singles Collection 1954-62
Back in the 50s and 60s, there were blues shouters like Joe Turner, blues belters like Jimmy Witherspoon and R&B blues jumpers like Lloyd Price. Nappy Brown (1929-2008) was able to sound a little bit like all three, but had…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Phil Ranelin: Collected Works 2003-2019
Detroit-bred trombonist Phil Ranelin has been in the forefront of outside-in music as well as having a background in the Motown scene back in the day. This two disc set is a retrospective of his highly fertile past 16 years…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Tiziano Bianchi (featuring Bill Frisell) : Relate
Blessed with a warm Chet Baker of a tone, trumpeter Tiziano Bianchi creates some clever jazz landscapes as he also plays synthesizer, flugelhorn and even adds his voice to a wonderous album teamed with pianist-keyboardist Claudio ignali, cellist Enrico Ferri…