Usually, I pick a Ringer of the Week because it is the “best” album I’ve heard, but this time I’m picking this one by bassist Alexis Cuadrado because it is the most fascinating. He brings together a first rate band…
Category: Ringer of the Week
OUR BEST MALE SINGER??? Gregory Porter: Liquid Spirit
The first time I heard Gregory Porter (on his debut disc) I thought he was some obscure old timer from the 70s who was making one last jazz record to show the 21st Century what it’s been missing. Little did…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK***Scott Neumann’s Neu3 Trio: Blessed
Many aspire, but few attain. That holds not only for salvation, but for putting together a tenor trio recording. Drummer Scott Neuman attempts the climb from the North Side of the Mountain, leading a band from behind with Michael Blake,…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Billy Bang: Da Bang!
This Feb 2011 session was the last record that violinist Billy Bang did before finally succumbing to cancer, and if you permit, he definitely went out with a bang. He was usually associated with the avant garde, but each time…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Jimmy Amadie Trio: Live! At the Philadelphia Museum of Art
Fighter in and out of the ring (he’s battling Cancer), pianist Jimmy Amadie performs where Rocky Balboa made his famous run up the steps, at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. This rare glimpse to catch the Philly legend was recorded…
****BEST VOCALIST STILL ALIVE? RINGER OF THE WEEK****Mark Murphy: The Complete Decca Recordings
Mark Murphy has to be one of the most influential if not one of the least known jazz vocalists. Just about everyone that is out there these days has been touched by the style, attitude and delivery of this guy…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****June Tabor/Iain Bellamy/Huw Warren: Quercus
If you’re not familiar with the voice of folk singer June Tabor, you’re in for the treat of the week. She’s been a major factor in the traditional folk scene in Britain since the 70s, winning me over with her…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Carline Ray-Vocal Sides
This is the kind of disc that just makes you glad that there is a God and that He created music. 88 year old Carline Ray, who just recently left this earth for her heavenly reward, had a career that…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Oana Catalina Chitu: Divine
Wanna try something adventurous that will still appeal to your jazz sensibilities? How about ROMANIAN CABARET MUSIC?!? Did I get your attention yet? GOOD! Singer Oana Catalina Chitu delves into a songbook that I can guarantee NO ONE in the…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Thad Jones & Eclipse: The Danish Radio Big Band
Besides being the co-leader of the Famed Jones-Lewis Orchestra, the director of The Count Basie Orchestra and the producer of countless cooking small group sessions, trumpeter/composer/arranger Thad Jones had a career in Denmark as the head of The Danish Radio…