Here’s a guy that over 3 score years has been involved in some of the most fantastic music in jazz. As this disc proves, the truly great ones get better and better like a fine wine. About 6 years ago,…
Category: Ringer of the Week
****RINGER OF THE WEEK***George Shearing: At Home
Hidden away for almost thirty years, this home recorded session by Shearing with his long time friend/bassist Don Thompson has the two playing music in an intimate and relaxed manner that displays everything that’s right about modern jazz, and like…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Jesper Lundgaard Trio: Walk Tall
Storyville Records is better known for releasing vintage jazz material ranging from Louis Armstrong to Ben Webster, but they are still able to put out some new material by Danish jazz artists (that’s not an oxymoron is it?). This one…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Bob Wilber-Glenn Zottola: The Bechet Legacy
One of my guilty pleasures in music is listening to Bob Wilber on either soprano sax or clarinet. Taught by Sidney Bechet, Wilber’s sound and even his look have an old soul on an appeal. His music is always swinging,…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Joshua Kwassman: Songs of the Brother Spirit
Here’s some music from a guy that sounds like he’s going places. Joshua Kwassman plays woodwinds and leads a rotating format of a band that includes wordless voice (Arielle Feinman), guitar (Jeff Miles/Gilad Hekselman), piano (Angelo Di Loreto/Adam Kromelow), bass…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Cecile McLorin Salvant: WomanChild
Here’s a real find! She just won the Theolonious Monk Jazz Competition with judges no less impressive than Patti Austin, Dee Dee Bridgewater and Kurt Elling. Interested yet? The liner notes have Wynton Marsalis lauding her for her “poise, elegance,…
****ROTW****WHERE’D THIS GUY COME FROM?!? Richard Lanham: Thou Swell
Here’s a fifteen year old recording that’s been hidden in the netherworld for awhile, but like the pearl of great price in the Bible, it was finally found and it’s definitely worth the wait. Richard Lanham has been in the…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****THE REAL BLUES! Albert King: Born Under a Bad Sign
You want the blues? DO YOU REALLY WANT THE BLUES?!? YOU CAN’T HANDLE THE BLUES!!! When you first listen to this classic session by Albert Lee with Booker T and the MGs, you’re gonna think to yourself, “Hey, I’ve heard…
****RINGERS OF THE WEEK****HELLENIC SOUNDS-Eleni Karaindrou: Concert in Athens, Stephan Micus: Panagia
If your only exposure to Greek music is the background music to My Big Fat Greek Wedding, then this pair of music from the cradle of Western Civilization will open your ears to some wondrous sounds and moods. Give me…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****Joanie Sommers: Positively The Most!
If you’ve ever even HEARD of vocalist Joanie Sommers, it’s because of that stupid pop song from the 60s she did, and I even hate to prejudice you by telling you what it was…”Johnny Get Angry” !! Please hear me…