Category: Ringer of the Week

A few months ago, I stumbled across some very cool soundtracks from 60s “Juvenile Delinquent” movies such as College Confidential and Crime in the Streets that had guys like Maynard Ferguson and Conte Condoli in the studios delivering some wonderfully…

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I just finished reviewing a bunch of ECM albums, so I was ready for something a bit more lined up with the reason I got into jazz in the first place. Popped this puppy in and WOW-I’m in love again!…

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Here’s another duet session that will catch your attention. This time, the unorthodox teaming of guitarist Diego Barber and pianist Craig Taborn (who’s put out some impressive stuff on his own lately) creates four tunes, ranging from almost a half…

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As a doctor and a father, I have had the joy of having my daughters work for me in my office as secretaries and assistants, so I can identify with the joy of seeing one’s own offspring efficiently helping out…

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This album is supposed to be a tribute by tenor/soprano saxist Tim Hegarty to the likes of John Coltrane and Dexter Gordon, but for my money, as soon as you hear this guy’s bluesy/gospel sound, you’re going to flash right…

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If you’re a fan of the Buena Vista Social Club, this guy’s gonna make them seem like a bunch of posers. Composer, vocalist and tres guitarist, Alejandro Almenares delivers the real thing from Cuba here on this two cd set.…

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It’s a pretty good bet that somewhere you’ve got an album with bassist Rufus Reid on it. Not only has he done tons of sessions and gigs for artists such as Freddie Hubbard and Dexter Gordon and  has been the…

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Here’s an exciting release out of The Windy City. Shawn Maxwell plays reeds and woodwinds while leading a creative non-ette that mixes intricate jazz with baroque fugue elements to end up with a unique-sounding force of nature. Besides the rhythm…

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Here’s a pianist that has a touch on the ivories I could listen to for weeks. Randy Ingram leads a quartet with Mike Moreno/g, Matt Clohesy/b and Jochen Rueckert/dr for eight originals that have a sound all their own. I’m…

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Last year’s Magic 101 by the late Frank Wess was on my Top Ten list of releases for 2013, and the second part of that set, issued here, shows beyond doubt that the testimony of the departed can still speak…

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