American Idol’s unintended effect on the public is felt at nearly every performance, according to up-and-coming Los Angeles-based singer Jules Day. “There are at least a few people at every gig that insist on trying to mold me into an American Idol-type singer with their after-the-show suggestions. They feel they’ve …
By Bill Donaldson The success of a first album consists not just of a performer’s presentation of his personality, drawing attention from listeners with originality and spiritual kinship, but also of the work of collaborators who believe in the leader’s talent and enhance it with their own. Such is the …
By: Edward Blanco When accomplished composer/drummer and educator Kevin Crabb isn’t behind the drum set producing music, he can most probably be found teaching snare drum technique from his LA studio. Crabb has performed with some of the finest jazz artists in the world from Los Angeles to Toronto, from …
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 …
By John Stevenson It was the era of national reconstruction (after a particularly bitter civil war), Udoji awards, military coups, OPEC-fuelled prosperity, FESTAC, and a naira that reigned supreme. Indeed, the decade of the 1970s represents not only a period when oil money flowed as liberally as palm wine and …
by Glenn Astarita A testimonial from guitar legend Kenny Burrell in the album notes emphasizes that young guitarist Brent Canter’s ability to infuse strong melodies, the element of surprise, and outstanding technical faculties into his musicality becomes clearly evident on his debut album. In effect, Canter offers a many-sided view, …
By: Edward Blanco Leading the Nick Hempton Band on their second album and first on the Posi-Tone label, saxophonist Hempton guides his able quintet through a selection of highly entertaining, hard-driving and solid swinging modern jazz tunes that’s all business. Whether on the tenor or alto saxophones, Hempton is equally …
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 …
Award winning jazz guitarist Gerry Beaudoin and world class jazz saxophonist Harry Allen have joined forces and released a stellar recording of eight Beaudoin compositions and two jazz standards. Titled the “Return” it is the result of a six month hiatus from music by Gerry Beaudoin due to a bout …
In a career that spans five decades, more than 30 recordings as a leader and ten Grammy Awards, the legendary George Benson has used his jazz roots as the foundation for an engaging mix of pop, R&B and other shades that add up to a style that appeals to a …
