Randy Weinstein comes up with a brilliant idea that almost works perfectly the whole way through the album-take the tunes of Thelonious Monk and interpret them through both the diatonic and chromatic harmonicas, backed only by the most Spartan of…
Category: Ringer of the Week
****THIS IS JAZZ VOCALS 101****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Nat King Cole: Live At The Blue Note Chicago
If you don’t know that Nat “King” Cole is one of the top 3 jazz vocalists of all time, then here’s a great place to get acquainted. By the time of this 1953 collection of concerts from Chicago’s Blue Note,…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Adonis Rose Trio + One: For All We Know
Drummer Adonis serves up an impressive trio of his own, and brings in a ringer for most of the album in a guest vocalist. For the instrumentals, Rose guides Ryan Hanseler/p and Lex Warshawsky/b through a sleek modal rounder of…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Hyeonseon Baek: Longing
If you want a unique singing style that still hits home, check out Korean vocalist Hyeonseon Baek. He is backed by a bopping team of Kevin Hays/p, Linda May Han Oh/b, Jochen Rueckert/dr and guest Lucas Pino/ts for a mix…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****WHEN IT WAS HEP TO BE HIP…Chet Baker & Jack Sheldon: In Perfect Harmony-The Lost Album
Trumpet-wise, there is a nary a thumb width of difference between the two in terms of rich tone and style. Both are in love with melody and clarity, and while the two have similary vocal deliveries, there is no chance…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Abdullah Ibrahim: 3
Still going strong at 89, Abdullah Ibrahim continues to grow as a pianist and composer, with a two disc album recorded both directly to tape in concert (one with and one without an audience) with Cleave Guyton Jr/fl-pic and Noah…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Mike LeDonne- Groover Quartet + Gospel Choir: Wonderful
Hammond B3er Mike LeDonne goes to church with the baptized team of Eric Alexander/ts, Peter Bernstein/g, Joe Farnsworth/dr, Daniel Sadownick/perc, guest Vincent Herring/as and the addition of a Sunday morning mooded choir. The entire ensemble boogaloos and the swaying “Put…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****PREACH IT!!…Sister Rosetta Tharpe: Live In France
Just to let you know…. Every Sunday morning when I get dressed for church, I put on some Sister Rosetta Tharpe, just to get me in that “feelin’” as they say. One of the pioneers of black gospels of the…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Brian Bromberg: LaFaro
Well, he’s done a tribute to Jaco Pastorius and Jimi Hendrix, so why shouldn’t add to his impressive catalogue with a salute to the legendary bassist Scot LaFaro. Bromberg focuses on the Bill Evans trio time of LaFaro’s short career,…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****THIS IS SWING PIANO…Art Tatum: Jewels in The Treasure Box-The 1953 Chicago Blue Note Jazz Club Recordings
Sometimes, you forget what true artistry sounds like. This three disc set from Resonance Records has three hours of piano majesty delivered by Art Tatum, who essentially defined swing piano. At times sounding like two and even three players at…