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?…
Category: Ringer of the Week
****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…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Romero Lubambo: Setembro
The subtitle “A Brazilian Under the Jazz Influence” could easily describe either this most recent album by guitarist Romero Lubambo or the guitarist himself. He’s best known for his partnership with vocalist Luciana Souza, but he’s making a name for…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****London-Meador-Pramuk & Ross: The Royal Bopsters Project
Just when you are about to give up on jazz vocals, along comes an album that re-invigorates your heart. The team of Amy London/sop, Darmon Meader/ten, Dylan Pramuk/b and Holli Ross/alto sing a song of bebop as they mix their…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Electric Squeezebox Orchestra: Cheap Rent
Here’s a band that avoids the pitfalls of most big band recordings. Modern stuff either sounds like a Gil Evans wanna-be or a musical version of a Jackson Pollock painting. Here, you’ve got a nice sized big band lead by…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Don Braden Organix Quartet: Luminosity
Once upon a time the jazz world was filled with “guns for hire” like tenor saxist and flutist Don Braden. Guys like David “Fathead” Newman, Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis or Gene Ammons..big toned guys that knew how to swing and make…