By: Edward Blanco Tenor saxophonist Peter Brainin, pianist Noah Haidu, bassist Marcus McLaurine and drummer Steve Johns are all veteran musicians and stars in their own right. Together, they form one of the most dynamic jazz quartets around. Calling themselves Native Soul, the group follows their most impressive Soul Step …
BOOK REVIEW: AFRICAN RHYTHMS: THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF RANDY WESTON. By Randy Weston and Willard Jenkins. 319 pp. Duke University Press. Pianist, composer, bandleader, National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Master, Randy Weston’s long-anticipated, much-talked-about, consciousness-raising, African-centered autobiography, African Rhythms, is a serious breathe of fresh air and is a …
Glenn Astarita This Scandinavian trio featuring eminent German trumpeter and cunning improviser Axel Dörner strikes a golden chord via a diverse outlook, containing ferocious free-bop jaunts, vivid expressionism, and a treasure trove of guileful deviations. Dorner’s throaty air current manipulations offer a bizarre and unassuming launch to the proceedings on …
By: Edward Blanco Tim Gill is a Los Angeles-based Downbeat award-winning vocalist/trumpeter who leads a power-infused ten-piece ensemble (the All-Stars) on their debut recording entitled Bon Appetit, featuring fourteen selections blending music from the Great American Songbook with jazz cover tunes and four originals. This is good old fashion big …
Glenn Astarita Many progressive-jazz enthusiasts anticipate releases when iconic crusaders converge for a musical summit. The artists have collaborated over the years, such as drummer Jim Black’s historic vital cog-in-the-wheel presence in alto saxophonist Tim Berne’s Bloodcount band. And rounding out the trio is Nels Cline, who may be the …
Glenn Astarita German trombonist Samuel Blaser merges his classical and jazz skills with similes and progressive-jazz arrangements of Italian Renaissance composer Claudio Monteverdi. It’s a manifold sequence of works sans any contrived implications or evolvements. Blaser’s evocative phrasings are alternated with variances in tone and a highly charged emotive element. …
By: Edward Blanco Legendary Bop pianist Barry Harris once cited Larry Vuckovich as “one of the premier West Coast pianist” in the jazz world today. On this new release, Vuckovich pays tribute to the classic Blue Note label bringing back the soulful swing jazz that made its recordings so historic. …
by: Geannine Reid Renditions of Cole Porter’s classics have been explored on many jazz albums throughout the ages. So how does a musician take this concept and make a standout concept. The answer is exhibited in the latest release by veteran pianist David Leonhardt. Cole Porter’s music is clearly a …
Glenn Astarita Chances are, and perhaps unknowingly, you’ve heard guitarist Chuck Loeb performing on TV scores and commercial jingles amid his comprehensive career, spanning jazz-fusion, contemporary jazz and music productions. As a first-call session ace, Loeb has been in the thick of matters, hearkening back to the 70s. As a …
By: Edward Blanco Platinum-award-winning vocalist/lyricist Mark Winkler presents his tenth album as leader and follow up to his critically-acclaimed 2009 release, Till I Get It Right, with the sugar-coated twelve-piece Sweet Spot. Winkler surely “Gets it right” with this new album, where he offers a host of new material and …
