Why this 2012 concert recording between the late pianist Geri Allen and guitar wonder Kurt Rosenwinkel has been under wraps for so long is beyond me. Both artists are caught in intriguing periods of there respective careers, with the guitarist…
Category: Ringer of the Week
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Steve Davis: Meets Hank Jones, Vol. 1
For some reason, this 2088 meeting between trombonist and the legendary pianist Hank Jones (long with bassist Peter Washington) has been hidden in the shelves. This just might be Jones’ last recording, having left for his reward in 2010 and…
A MISSING LINK…Don Byas: Classic Don Byas Sessions 1944-1946
Because he spent most of his career as an ex-patriot living in Europe, tenor saxist Don Byas (1913-72) is overlooked in terms of the important jazz musicians. But during his career, he was considered an important link between swing and…
Steve Gadd@Catalina’s 12.07.23
It was certainly fitting that “Rhymin’” Paul Simon was part of the packed house at Catalina’s on Thursday night, as Gadd’s 90 minute set reminded everyone why the Gadd/Simon collaboration of “Fifty Ways to Leave Your Lover” has stood the…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Olivia Perez-Collellmir: Olivia
Mixing sounds of Iberia and jazz, pianist and composer Olivia Perez-Collellmir has put together an enchanting musical mosaic of an album, blending solo piano sonatas with passionate folk-group ensembles. The solo “Promenades” that are interspersed around the larger piece include…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Aaron Diehl & The Knights: Zodiac Suite
Pianist Aaron Deihl brings his working trio of David Wong/b and Aaron Kimmel/dr to create a chamber orchestra rendition of Mary Lou Williams’ classic Zodiac Suite. The trio is joined by the orchestra named The Knights, directed by Eric and…
THE GREATEST CONCERT EVER? Charlie Parker/Dizzy Gillespie/Bud Powell/Charles Mingus/Max Roach: Hot House-The Complete Jazz at Massey Hall Recordings
When this album was originally released, the May 15, 1953 was called “The Greatest Jazz Concert Ever” because of the all star lineup. On paper, it really was a dream to have the progenitors of bebop together one last time,…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Madre Vaca: Knights of the Round Table
Hey, you gotta take n otice of a jazz album if the music is a concept album about the Knights of the Round Table. I mean, come on!! The music is cleverly composed by Benjamin Shorstein, peformed by Jarrett Carter,…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****FOXY! Jimi Hendrix Experience: Hollywood Bowl, August 18, 1967
One must give thanks to the Experience Hendrix LLC for doing a yeoman’s work of putting the Jimi Hendrix catalogue in repair after years of mis-use. Not only have the respectfully reissued the classic albums, but they’ve put out some…
****RINGERS OF THE WEEK****IT DOESN”T GET BETTER THAN THIS…Bill Evans: Tales-Live In Copenhagen (1964), Les McCann: Never A Dull Moment-Live From Coast to Coast (196601967), Wes Montgomery/Wynton Kelly Trio: Maximum Swimg-The Unissued 1965 Half Note Recordings
Has a star been put on Hollywood Boulevard yet for Zev Feldman? Three discoveries by the detective/producer have resulted in essential “historic” recordings by some of the most important names in jazz, all caught at the peak of there game.…