I just can’t figure out if I like Resonance Records more for their wonderful archival discs like the recent classic sessions by Bill Evans, Wes Montgomery and Freddie Hubbard, or for their forward looking original material by the likes of…
Category: Ringer of the Week
****RINGERS OF THE WEEK****Ahmad Jamal: Blue Moon, Oliver Jones: Live In Baden Switzerland
Just when you give up hope for anything fresh to come from the jazz piano tradition, here come two gents from the “Old School,” meaning: melody, rhythm, style, and above all…their own sound. AHHHH! This is why I love jazz!…
****ROTW****Mark Masters Ensemble featuring Gary Smulyan: Ellington Saxophone Encounters
One of the truly indisputable evidences for the existence of an all loving God is when he allowed Duke Ellington to form his orchestra, and let baritone saxist Harry Carney anchor the sax section for 50 years. Whether it was…
****ROTW****THE BEST SINGER IN JAZZ? Luciana Souza: Duos III,The Book of Chet
She’s been out of the music scene for a spell getting married and starting a family in LA, but vocalist Luciana Souza has come back with a vengeance, with two new releases that put her right back on the top…
****ROTW****Chris Brubeck’s Triple Play: Live At Arthur Zankel Music Center
Ok, if you really must know, the ENTIRE title of this disc, AFTER what I’ve already written, includes (take a deep breath)“with Joel Brown and Peter Madcat Ruth and Special Guests Dave Brubeck and Frank Brown.” What you’ve got here…
***ROTW***Peter Appleyard : Peter Appleyard and the Jazz Giants: The Lost 1974 Sessions
Here’s a release that is like finding a precious photo album you thought was lost for years while cleaning out your garage. Vibist Peter Appelyard made his name playing with Benny Goodman’s band in the 70s, and one evening after…
***ROTW***Peter Green Splinter Group: Blues Don’t Change
You’re going to have to trust me on this one, but long ago, on a planet far, far away, a group by the name of Fleetwood Mac was actually an obscure blues band. That was before the Dark Side took…
***ROTW*** Brian Bromberg: Compared To That
Bassist Brian Bromberg (say THAT 5 times real quickly!!!) is one of those “steady Eddie” musicians that has made respectable career as a reliable side for the likes of Stan Getz, Dizzy Gillespie, Herbie Hancock, Diana Krall, George Benson and…
ROTW: Muddy Waters/The Rolling Stones: Checkerboards Lounge: Live Chicago 1981
****RINGER OF THE WEEK**** Oh, Yeah! Everything is going to be all right this mornin’! If you have ANY desire to hear the blues the way they’re supposed to be played, then sit right down and either watch or listen…
Omer Avital: Suite of the East / Daniel Freedman: Bamako by Bus
****RINGERS OF THE WEEK**** ***OF THE YEAR?*** These latest two releases by Anzic records are going to really impress you. If this is the future of jazz, please sign me up. Imagine! New material by younger artists that isn’t cacophony!…