One of the true jazz giants, Tom Harrell has developed an impressive catalogue not only for his albums, but his composing and arranging skills deserve status with that of Maria Schneider; he’s that good. The airy and light team of…
Month: May 2019
Judy Wexler: Crowded Heart
SoCal-based vocalist Judy Wexler displays excellent taste in not only song selection, but in the delivery of material beyond the standards or songbooks from the Baby Boomer era. She adroitly teams up with a core team of Angelenos Alan Pasqua/p,…
Mister Goodfaith: Big Mistake
By day a medical doctor, and living an alter ego life as a bluesy musician, Fabien Bonnefoy (“Mister Goodfaith”) delivers a bluesy rocker of an album that’s a good prescription for fans of the Strat. His voice has a rich…
Senor Groove: Little Havana
The core team of Tm Smith/b, Marcelo Perez/dr, Roddy Smith/g, Martin Bejerano/p and Murph Aucamp/perc make up Senor Groove, but they invite a group of guests like the session was a block party. Bopper Brian Lynch sizzles on the peppy…
The Allen Carman Project: Carmanology
Electric bassist Allen Carman brings together a bunch of jazzers both smooth and rough for a funky collection of originals. He brings in an all star cast that includes Andy Snitzer, Marc Antoine, Rick Braun, Nile Rogers and ties it…
Roscoe Mitchell Orchestra: Littlefield Concert Hall Mills College March 19-20, 2018
Music and ideology of the famed Art Ensemble of Chicago master Roscoe Mitchell is captured by the composer and artist as he conducts (along with Steed Cowart) a collection of his compositions in a large band format. Reeds, woodwinds, strings,…
Manx Marriner Mainline: Hell Bound For Heaven
The folksy blues team of Harry Manx on banjo and vocals with Steve Marriner on electric guitar, harp and vocals (no mention the role of the faithful dog on the cover) mixes and matches with Clayton Doley/B3, Moe Duella/dr, Jim…
Jacopo Delfini: Sleeping Beauty
I was weaned on the guitar sounds of Django Reinhardt, so any guitarist that features that influence has already won my heart. Jacopo Delfini drinks from the Hot Club waters with Claudio Ottaviano/b, Mauro Negri/cl, Andrea Aloisi/vi, Michele Frigoli/g and…
Johno: The Road Not Taken
Singer Johno mixes Greek and “Xenos” musicians to create folksy and Aegean interpretations of lyrics by the likes of Frost, Blake and Shakespeare and teaming them alongside compositions ranging from Paul Simon to The Beatles on this wide ranging and…
Gregg Belisle-Chi: Book of Hours
Guitarist and composer Gregg Belisle-Chi creates meditative moods with songs of liturgical titles on this album with Dov Manski/wurl, Matt Aronoff/b and Michael W. Davis. Gentle moments like a light through a stained glass window are created on “Sanctus,” and…