Jazz Articles

Kevin Hunt Trio: Love Walked In

by J. Robert Bragonier
February 12, 2004

Aussie pianist Kevin Hunt has worked with such varied and stellar performers as Mark Murphy, Herb Ellis, Sheila Jordan, and the astonishing Australian multi-instrumentalist James Morrison, and he has toured regularly with Don Burrows. His playing can be heard on more than 25 albums, at least two of which have been recognized by major awards. (I don’t recognize the awards, but I certainly recognize the recognition!)

Nonetheless, Love Walked In is his first trio recording that has ...

Brendan Clarke: Stay Right With It

by Michael P. Gladstone
February 2, 2004

Brendan Clarke is a young Australian bassist and leads this piano trio through a well chosen set list of standards and fairly obscure jazz standards. I've always suggested in my reviews that in lieu of playing a bunch of original songs, musicians should go for the compositions of well-received jazz masters. Along with the six standards there are tunes written by Ron Carter, Thad Jones, Hank Jones and the title tune (I can still picture the vinyl cover on Riverside) ...

The Sydney All-Star Big Band: Doin' Our Thing

by Jack Bowers
January 1, 2002

Fans of big–band Jazz may rest assured that things are swingin’ Down Under, and here’s the proof — nearly an hour of invigorating straight–ahead Jazz by the talented Sydney All–Star Big Band led by trumpeter Ralph Pyl in its long–overdue coming–out party. All but one of the nine selections on Doin’ Our Thing were written by members of the band including two (“All Clear,” “Wallflower”) by American expatriate and world–class trumpeter Don Rader. The lone exception is Frank Mantooth’s funky ...

Janet Seidel: The Art of Lounge, Volume 2

by Dave Nathan
July 1, 2001

Australia's Janet Seidel continues to work magic on popular songs of the past, many of which have become standards. Like her first volume honoring the art of sophisticated swing and ballad, Seidel chooses to work in small group settings sometimes with sax or cornet added, other times with strings. When the sax is present, it adds a jazzy feel to the music.

There's not a bad track on the album. Each one seems to top the track that preceded it. ...

Janet Seidel: Comme Ci Comme

by Dave Nathan
May 1, 2001

Australian singer, Janet Seidel, continues her exploration of popular music, this time adding a Gallic touch to the presentation. In fact, several of the tunes on the play list have a French origin, “A Man and A Woman" from the 1966 classic French film of the same name and “I Will Wait for You" from the Umbrellas of Cherbourgsound track. All the tunes are sung in French (like a native) and English and for those who need further help, the ...

Janet Seidel: The Art of Lounge

by Dave Nathan
March 1, 2001

Performing since she was 17, Janet Seidel is now one of Australia's more prominent vocalists. Despite the title of her latest effort, this is by no means an album of easy listening, lounge type music. Even though there's the presence strings on several tracks, they are offset by musicians steeped in the jazz tradition like Tom Baker on tenor sax. Also having a jazz flavor, “I've Got Crush on You" is done in a small group setting with Paul Williams ...

Janet Seidel & William Galison: Love Letters

by Dave Nathan
March 1, 2001

With her clear, cool voice, Janet Seidel successfully combines the fluencies of such singers as Chris Connor, Blossom Dearie, Peggy Lee and Doris Day into a style which focuses on delivering the story told by the lyrics rather than making her vocal faculties the message.

This is the Australian's 8th album for the La Brava label and reflects her ability to make each new release as fresh and as captivating as those that preceded it. She does this by adding ...