Here’s an exciting album by a guitarist you may not be familiar with. Stephen Duros paid his dues teaming with Ottmar Liebert for a number of years, and has lately been putting out flamenco-style albums of his own. This latest…
Month: April 2016
Cecile McLorin Salvant@Campbell Hall UCSB 04.27.16
While most vocalists make the mistake of either strictly adhering to the American Songbook or flailing away in improvisations, Cecile McLorin Salvant showed that it is possible to embrace both worlds of tradition and art as she deftly demonstrated at…
****RINGER OF THE WEEK****THIS IS A JAZZ PIANO 101… Bill Evans: Some Other Time
So, here’s my major worry and concern about Resonance Records. This year alone they’ve released exemplary sessions by Stan Getz, Joao Gilberto, Larry Young and Sarah Vaughan. AND IT’S NOT EVEN SUMMER!! Last year we had those wonderful Wes Montgomery…
Wendy Pedersen & Jim Gasior: We Two
Simple ingredients of voice and piano work wonders here, as rich toned Wendy Pederson teams up cabaret leaning pianist Jim Gasior for clever renditions of standards. Pedersen sounds playful on “The Late Late Show” and includes two of the best…
Roswell Rudd-Jamie Saft-Trevor Dunn-Balazs Pandi: Strength and Power
Left of center trombonist Roswell Rudd teams with a free form group of Jamie Saft/p, Trevor Dunn/b and Balazs Pandi/dr for a wild and wooley collection of conversant originals. Rudd’s horn is in excellent shape throughout, moaning and teetering on…
Ian Shaw: The Theory of Joy
Vocalist Ian Shaw delivers lyrics with the street smarts of a Rolex salesman in Times Square in this session with boppers Barry Green/p, Mick Hutton/b and Dave Ohm/dr. He’s got a flexible Eddie Jefferson-styled of delivery, mixing straight talk with…
Avataar: Petal
The group Avataar is lead by Sundar Viswanathan, who plays sax, flute and bansuri, and teams together Felicity Williams/voc, Michael Occhipinit/g, Justin Gray/b-mand, Ravi Naimpally/perc and Giampaolo Scatozza/dr. Together, a rich mixture of Eastern rhythms and western harmonies. Naimpally’s tables…
Ark Ovrutski Quintet: Intersection
Bassist Ark Ovrutski delivers a snapping session as he leads a team of Michael Dease/tb, Michael Thomas/as-ss, Helio Alves/p and Duduka Da Fonseca through a rich mix of originals and covers. He displays his rich and resonant sound right off…
Allison Au Quartet: Forest Grove
Alto saxist Allison Au brings her compositions in for interpretation and deliver along with Todd Pentney/key, Jon Maharaj/b and Fabio Ragnelli/dr. Her tone is bright, with a slight left of center approach to soloing and melody. She’s got a dreamy…
Philippe Petrucciani & Nathalie Blanc: Remember Petrucciani
Guitarist Philippe Petrucciani delivers a tribute to his departed touring partner and brother, the famed pianist Michel Petrucciani. He brings along vocalist Nathalie Blanc, and along with Manhu Roche/dr, Michel Znino-Dominique/b, and a horn team of Fabrizio Bosso/tp, Stefano Coco…