Articles by Mike Neely

Beleza Brasil: Beleza Brasil

by Mike Neely
March 23, 2010

Genuine joy and exuberance are rare in recorded music. Combine these emotional qualities with savvy vocals and sophisticated musicianship and you've got the beginning of a description of Beleza Brasil. Time To Dream was recorded in Brazil but the band's musical choices reveal a range of styles and influences including jazz, pop, and rhythm and blues. The majority of tracks are Brazilian classics that are delivered with the casual confidence of long familiarity with the material.

The session ...

Lou Blackburn: The Complete Imperial Sessions

by Mike Neely
September 9, 2009

The Complete Imperial Sessions presents a tight West Coast band with a bluesy East Coast sound. There is the best of both worlds in this fine quintet with its well-balanced soloists and outstanding rhythm section. Blackburn is a sharp band leader whose sophistication is evident throughout these sessions; he brings to the table eleven original compositions and a band that can turn on a dime. Blackburn adds to the mix a soulful, full bodied trombone that is at home with ...

Don Byas: Laura

by Mike Neely
July 9, 2009

Don Byas was clearly a rising star when he walked away from fame. He was the first to hold the Lester Young chair in the Count Basie Band, before his 30th birthday. After two years with Basie he moved to New York City, where he played and recorded with the likes of Dizzy Gillespie and Coleman Hawkins. In 1946 Byas toured Europe and decided France was the place he wanted to live, and so he did.

Johnny Varro: Two Legends of Jazz

by Mike Neely
June 29, 2009

Traditional jazz fans are lucky because Two Legends of Jazz catches pianist Johnny Varro and clarinetist Ken Peplowski on an inspired day in the studio. Varro has a light, subtle touch and melodic gift reminiscent of Teddy Wilson. Co-leader Peplowski sets aside his saxophones for clarinet during the entire session, which is a treat because his older style, woody sound meshes well with Varro's bright, precise piano. Peplowski is as shrewd and savvy on clarinet as he is on saxophone.

Attila Zoller Trio: Common Cause

by Mike Neely
May 25, 2009

Among the legions of neglected jazz guitar players, the late Attila Zoller is one of the best. Enja's reissue of Common Cause presents all the evidence needed to make the case. Bassist Ron Carter and drummer Joe Chambers round out this fine trio recording, one that suggests a reassessment of Zoller is long overdue.

Zoller has a big sound oddly reminiscent of Charlie Christian. They were both guitarists who loved the sound of the electric guitar, ...

Larry Ham: Carousel

by Mike Neely
December 18, 2008

Pianist Larry Ham's first release as a leader, Carousel (West Village Music, 2007) is notable not only for the quality of the trio's performance but also for Ham's compositions. In 2008 Ham released a fine solo recording, Larry Ham, Just Me, Just You... for Arbors Records. These two CDs suggest that Ham is an extraordinarily accomplished jazz musician who will likely be an influential presence on the mainstream jazz scene for years to come.

In addition to seven ...

Mal Waldron: One More Time

by Mike Neely
October 12, 2008

One More Time is an intimate portrait of two neglected masters with a third master, Steve Lacy, stepping in to add his low-key tip of the hat. Mal Waldron and Jean-Jacques Avenel are the focus of this release that serves as a tribute to Waldron, one of jazz's most versatile pianists who died in 2002. The highlights of Waldron's career are striking by any standard. Many of his recordings with Charles Mingus, Billie Holiday, Eric Dolphy, and Steve ...

Larry Ham: Just Me, Just You

by Mike Neely
July 31, 2008

Larry Ham's solo release, Just Me, Just You, introduces a pianist well on his way to becoming a jazz master. He's got the touch, the intensity and the intelligence, and he's as good a soloist as an accompanist, as his recordings with the Earl May and Dave Glasser quartets attest. Just Me, Just You provides all the evidence required to cover the solo terrain, with a line-up of familiar tunes and three originals. This is a swinging, thoughtful set of ...

Duke Jordan Quintet: Duke's Delight

by Mike Neely
December 6, 2007

Duke's Delight is a classy recording from a pianist of renown. While the tape was rolling Duke Jordan's playing was inspired, and the band stayed right with him throughout this session, which includes five Jordan compositions and Duke Ellington's “In My Solitude."

Playing piano in a sax and trumpet format is a setting long familiar to Jordon, and his clear, melodic lines rise above a tight band that is consistently up for the challenge. Charlie Rouse ...

Jerome Harris: Rendezvous

by Mike Neely
November 28, 2007

With top notch soloists, a savvy rhythm section, and compelling compositions, what's not to like about Jerome Harris' Rendezvous? Incidentally, with the same instrumentation as Dave Holland's quintet, and the very same Steve Nelson on vibes, one has to wonder what band came first. In addition to Nelson, Rendezvous boasts Marty Ehrlich on alto sax and Arthur Baron on trombone, while session leader Harris on bass and Billy Drummond on drums provide the formidable foundation to this lively quintet.