Articles by Dave Dorkin
The Yellowjackets at Blues Alley
by Dave Dorkin
The Yellowjackets Blues Alley Washington, D.C. March 9, 2025 The Yellowjackets' visit to the historic Blues Alley venue in Washington was a valuable opportunity to witness a band which has been active for nearly half a century firing on all cylinders in a warm and intimate setting. The quartet's lineup has been stable since the entry of Australian bass virtuoso Dane Alderson in 2015 and the capacity of the band members to give and take ...
Continue ReadingMike Stern Live at the Birchmere
by Dave Dorkin
Mike Stern The Birchmere Alexandria, Virginia February 8, 2023 Mike Stern brought his band to the Birchmere for a rousing set of jazz and fusion as energetic as Stern has ever been, even at 70 years of age. The set spanned works from Stern's most recent recordings all the way back to an updated version of his classic tune “Chromazone." Mike's rhythm section featured Baltimore-area legends Dennis Chambers on drums and Gary Grainger on ...
Continue ReadingMarisa Monte at Strathmore Music Center
by Dave Dorkin
Marisa Monte Strathmore Music CenterBethesda, MD March 10, 2022 Marisa Monte is a legendary Brazilian artist whose output moves effortlessly across multiple genres and who possesses both a stunningly subtle voice and a decidedly refined musical sensibility. All of these qualities were evident in her show in the Washington, DC area at the stately Strathmore Music Center. For those unfamiliar with Marisa's music, it can be quite a challenge to neatly sum it ...
Continue ReadingSqueeze Live at the Tabernacle
by Dave Dorkin
Squeeze The Tabernacle Atlanta September 22, 2019 Squeeze emerged in the late-70s new wave rock scene but were always so much more than that implied. The band has long combined songwriting mastery which was comparable to that of the Beatles with a seamless amalgam of soul, blues, rock and even some jazzier flourishes (particularly in recent years). Unlike most of their peers, Squeeze never stopped evolving and manage the rare trick of updating ...
Continue ReadingThe Who at State Farm Arena
by Dave Dorkin
The WhoState Farm ArenaAtlanta, GASeptember 18, 2019 The Who have long been one of rock's most enduring bands and its 2019 North American tour found the group in remarkable form, augmented by the presence of a local orchestra along each stop of the tour. Vocalist Roger Daltrey and guitarist/vocalist Pete Townshend have found a compelling way to present the full range and scope of their musical output and aspirations in The Who. The ...
Continue ReadingBoston Roundup: Larry Carlton, Brit Floyd, and Doyle Bramhall
by Dave Dorkin
Larry Carlton Bull Run Shirley, MA December 2, 2017 Larry Carlton came to play in a rare quintet setting at the Bull Run in the Boston Western suburbs. The band featured Carlton's son Travis on bass and drummer Gene Coye, both frequent collaborators, along with the noteworthy additions of Gregg Karukas on keyboards and Brandon Fields on tenor saxophone, both of whom are rarely on the road as sidemen these days. Carlton opened ...
Continue ReadingChuck Loeb & Eric Marienthal at Scullers
by Dave Dorkin
Chuck Loeb & Eric Marienthal Scullers Boston, MA June 17, 2016 Guitarist Chuck Loeb and saxophonist Eric Marienthal came into Boston's noted home for jazz, Scullers, co-leading an ensemble which has been quietly making a name for itself at the intersection of fusion, soul-bop and contemporary jazz. Chuck Loeb may be best known for a string of contemporary jazz albums in recent years including with Fourplay, but Loeb was also the guitarist in more burning ...
Continue ReadingLee Ritenour at Scullers
by Dave Dorkin
Lee Ritenour Scullers Boston, MA October 4, 2015 Guitarist Lee Ritenour has made a career as such a versatile session man (with session work ranging from Joe Henderson to Pink Floyd) and has done so many smooth jazz and pop dates that hardcore jazz fans can be forgiven for not having seen him burn live in the company of a real band on standards and his own originals. Ritenour assembled a vibrant ...
Continue ReadingJohn Scofield and Joe Lovano at the Regattabar
by Dave Dorkin
John Scofield and Joe Lovano Regattabar Cambridge, MA September 18, 2015 John Scofield has appeared in so many different musical settings, particularly in the past twenty years, that it is easy to forget that while he is capable of exquisite blues, funk, rock and fusion, it is in the company of perhaps his finest straight-ahead quartet that he burns brightest. Similarly, though tenor saxophonist Joe Lovano has garnered acclaim for decades now ...
Continue Reading
