Racha Fora is the name of a quartet lead by Hiroaki Honshuku/fl-ewi, forming a core team with Mauricio Andrade/g, Rika Ikeda/v and Rafael Russi/b and along with guests Benhur Oliveira/perc and Dave Liebman/ss the whole band delivers a clever tribute to Miles…
Category: Ringer of the Week
12 STRINGS OF JOY!!! Larry Carlton & David T Walker: @Billboard Live Tokyo
Larry Carlton once told me that his dream was to play hip and casual guitar in front of small crowds. That’s all he wanted. Unfortunately for him, but beneficial for us, was that he became world famous for his work…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK*****Scott Hamilton & Jeff Hamilton Trio: Live in Bern
Hard to believe it’s been over 40 years since tenor saxist Scott Hamilton set the jazz world on its heels in the 70s and eschewed the popular jazz fusion and returned to swinging acoustic jazz years before the Marsalis family…
BEST VOCALIST YOU NEVER KNEW…Jackie Paris: Sings the Lyrics of Ira Gerswhin/The Song of Paris
On the documentary ‘Tis Autumn, jazz journalist Will Friedwald states that the way to separate “real” jazz fans from the rest of the crowd is if they have any Jackie Paris albums. Paris was the rare combination of being both…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Kirsten Edkins: Art & Soul
Confession time: On first glance of the album cover, I first thought “ANOTHER singer?!?” Upon closer look I saw a tenor sax sitting next to her. OK, she plays, but it’s probably smooth jazz. How can I be so wrong?…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Ike Sturm + Evergreen: Shelter of Trees
In this day of nihilistic secularism, it’s easy to forget that at one time music was created to worship God. Remember Him? Oh, yeah, the one that made you, loves you, provides for you and will one day call you…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK***Gerry Gibbs Thrasher Dream Trio: Live In Studio
Drummer Gerry Gibbs proves that the acorn doesn’t fall far from the tree. The son of bebopping drummer/vibist Terry Gibbs, the younger sticks with the drums and brings together a tasty all star team with Kenny Barron/p and Ron Carter/b…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK*****Oded Tzur: Like A Great River
If your idea of great music is something that quietly moves your soul, you’re going to find a friend in tenor saxist Oded Tzur. He leads a quartet with Shai Maestro/p, Petros Klampanis/b and Zv Ravitz/dr through a collection of…
100 YEARS OLD AND STILL GOING STRONG…Frank Sinatra: A Voice On Air
Here’s a Centennial celebration worth celebrating about. In honor of Old Blue Eyes’ 100 birthday, Columbia/Sony Legacy have put together a glorious 4 disc set that features Sinatra’s radio broadcasts from 1935-1955. Going back all the way to his debut…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Mort Weiss: Mort Weiss Is a Jazz Reality Show
He doesn’t release a lot of material, but when he does, clarinetist Mort Weiss makes it count. Each of his albums has a uniquely personal touch and feel to it. This latest one opens with Weiss discussing his recent personal losses…