Here’s an intriguing album that either answers the question, or at least delivers it; what if Thelonious Monk went left of center later in his career and embraced free jazz? The team of Eva Novoa/p-key, Michael Attias/as, Max Johnson/b and…
Month: February 2016
AMERICA’S MOST IMPORTANT BAND? Tedeschi Trucks Band: Let Me Get By
Could it be that the husband and wife team of Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi lead the most important blues/roots band in America? I caught them in concert last year, and was dumbfounded by Truck’s understated yet poignant guitar work…
THE FIRST DAY, 50 YEARS LATER…Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra: All My Yesterdays
By all standards, the Thad Jones/ Mel Lewis Orchestra was one of the most important post bop big bands around. It started because co-leader Thad Jones felt constrained under the yoke of the Count Basie Band, as the Count wanted…
Sweet Honey In The Rock: #LoveInEvolution
The vocal team of Aisha Kahlil, Carol Maillard, Louise Robinson and Nitnju Bolade Casel create the heavenly Sweet H oney In The Rock, a female answer to The Persuasions, but with a small difference; they aren’t afraid to add an…
TV LAND! Bill Frisell: When You Wish Upon A Star
You had to see this one coming. Frisell, who’s known more for creating moods than showing off chops (although he does have and display them at intriguing moments) has released albums reflecting various parts of his life. So far, country,…
Peter Erskine: No Beethoven
While drummer Peter Erskine is best known for his years during the halcyon days of Weather Report, this book shows his work with the pen is almost as good as with the drum sticks. He chronicles his time with the…
Jeff Lorber Fusion@The Baked Potato 02.27.16
There’s a reason that keyboardist Jeff Lorber calls his band “fusion” and not “smooth.” While his music has been unfairly associated with ‘smooth jazz’ due to his one-time having Kenny G in his band, the fact is that Lorber has been…
Julia Vorontsova: Over
Is the world ready for Russian “indie” music? Julia Vorontsova will try you out on this album. She writes the material here, and presents it in a variety of settings with Ian Walker/b, Aaron Sterling/dr, Zeke Zima/g and a handful…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****MC Shoehorn: Wingin’ It
Here’s an exciting and in your face disc that dares you to sit still. Michael “Shoehorn” Conley plays alto, soprano and tenor sax as well as the fife and even tap dances on this wildly diverse and yet passionately rhythmic…
WHEN COOL WAS HOT…Gerry Mulligan: The Emarcy Sextet Recordings
While now it seems ubiquitous, back in the early fifties, the idea of a bop band playing without a piano was considered a radical idea. The iconic “West Coast Cool” team of Gerry Mulligan with Chet Baker set the tone…