Category: Ringer of the Week

It has been argued, fairly  persuasively, that pianist Oscar Peterson was the last American musical artist that achieved fame solely through the virtuosity of his talents. No gimmicks, no special lights and whistles; he was simply the best at his…

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The first question I asked myself after taking in this bopping album was “Would I be as excited about this album if it were not a collection of jazz originals by Prince’s father?” To be perfectly honest, I’m not sure.…

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There are certain albums that everyone needs to own in order to truly appreciate music. If it’s vocals that is your fancy, there is simply nothing  better on this side of heaven than the collection of duets between Louis Armstrong…

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You know that if Quincy Jones discovers and promotes an artist, he’s got to have something extra in his soul. Cuban pianist and composer Alfredo Rodriguez justifies the endorsement, as his previous albums, all focusing on different moods and band…

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Louis Armstrong tends to get the latter part of his career dismissed because his concerts tended to play the same traditional material. To that complaint, I always ask, “Were you expecting him to perform ‘So What’?” Yes, his concerts had…

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Want something fresh and invigorating? Check out this album by the quartet made up of three violinists/violaists  Michelle May, Leah Celebi, and Leslie Deshazorand along with percussionist Jovia Armstrong. The mix and match support, usually with Elden Kelly/b, Marion Hayden/b…

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Pianist Hank Jones is one of the few artists that even if you’re a die hard hater of jazz, you’re going to love him. You can blindfold select any of his albums, and it’s guaranteed to be a winner; they’re…

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This 4 cd set (also available in vinyl) comprises the last concert recordings of Miles Davis’ “First Classic Quintet” with John Coltrane, Jimmy Cobb/b, Wynton Kelly/p and Paul Chambers/b. These concerts from Paris, Stockholm and Copenhagen, while most having been…

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All that is right about Afro-Cuban music is delivered here as Oma Sosa brings his piano, vibes and various sorts of percussion into the fold of the NDR Big Band under the direction of Jaques Morelenbaum. The 13 piece horn…

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Pianist and composer Leslie Pintchik has been slowly amassing an impressive catalog which showcases her compositional and technical acuity. This most recent album teams her in a mix and match situation with Satoshi Takeishi/perc, Michael Sarin/dr, Scott hardy/b-g, Ron Horton/tp-fh,…

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