Articles by Dr. Judith Schlesinger
John DiMartino: Passion Flower: The Music of Billy Strayhorn
by Dr. Judith Schlesinger
Pianist/composer/arranger/producer John DiMartino is a first-call veteran of the New York City jazz scene. This multi-recorded artist has long been a favorite of singers for his gigantic ears and intuitive, uncluttered playing—rare gifts which also enhance any instrumentalist he accompanies or arranges. All of these talents inform DiMartino's splendid Billy Strayhorn tribute, Passion Flower, where he is joined by his ever-superb colleagues: Eric Alexander on tenor saxophone, drummer Lewis Nash and bassist Boris Kozlov. The wonderful vocalist Raul Midon sings ...
Continue ReadingBill Mays and Friends: Mays Plays Mays
by Dr. Judith Schlesinger
In a career that has flourished for more than half a century and shows no signs whatsoever of slowing down, pianist, composer and author Bill Mays has always been known for his immaculate technique, distinctive creativity, swing and wit. Few players on any instrument are this consistently light-hearted, whether it is reflected in spontaneous and funny quoting or the clearly audible fact that this genuinely happy man is, quite literally, “playing" music to delight himself, as well as the listener. ...
Continue ReadingGary Alesbrook: The Stories We Tell Ourselves
by Dr. Judith Schlesinger
It's hard to believe this is only trumpeter Gary Alesbrook's second record under his own name. Like Venus emerging fully-formed from the head of Zeus, Alesbrook's tasteful proficiency is truly startling until you realize it was honed outside of jazz, with years of busy sideman efforts in other types of music. Another surprise is that while The Stories We Tell Ourselves contains all-original tunes, they are actually very good ones. Such collections often mean the kiss of death ...
Continue ReadingUsing the "mad genius" to sell clothing, sheet music, dolls, and ...erasers?
by Dr. Judith Schlesinger
Like Don Quixote, I often find myself smashing against windmills--especially the big, spinning illusion that great creativity requires great craziness. That's why I wrote The Insanity Hoax: Exposing the Myth of the Mad Genius (Shrinktunes Media). Published in 2012, it remains the only book that explains how this fiction began with a misunderstanding of Plato, gathered steam over the centuries, and continues to endure today despite its complete lack of proof. Unfortunately, the “mad genius" image is so popular and ...
Continue ReadingDavid Finck: Bassically Jazz
by Dr. Judith Schlesinger
It's hardly news that David Finck is an eloquent, inventive, and swinging bassist, with a long line of illustrious projects and collaborators. Finck has been on hundreds of top recordings and stages, performing with everyone from Rosemary Clooney to Ivan Lins and George Michael, and was the favorite bassist of the great Andre Previn. While Finck is usually celebrated for his tasteful playing, Bassically Jazz highlights his considerable talents as arranger and producer. This third release under his own name ...
Continue ReadingAndrea Domenici Trio: Playing Who I Am
by Dr. Judith Schlesinger
The traditional road to musical success has been to make and promote a first recording, aiming for the kind of critical and public attention that leads to prestigious bandmates and gigs. But the fine pianist Andrea Domenici paves a new path with his masterful debut Playing Who I Am, since it arrives after he has already performed globally, in top New York City venues like Jazz at Lincoln Center, Dizzy's Club Coca Cola, Smalls, Mezzrow, and Smoke, and with some ...
Continue ReadingDan Costa: Skyness
by Dr. Judith Schlesinger
The gentle piano “Prologue" instantly telegraphs that something rare and luxurious is on its way. These are the opening chords of Skyness, the gifted pianist/composer Dan Costa's 2018 follow-up to his auspicious 2016 debut, Suite Três Rios (also self-produced), which peaked at number one on the iTunes jazz chart and was named one of the year's best albums by Downbeat. Born in London to Portuguese and Italian parents, Costa has studied and lived in Brazil, France, Portugal, and Sweden, and ...
Continue ReadingThe Humanity Quartet: Humanity
by Dr. Judith Schlesinger
This release is from four veteran, first-call jazz instrumentalists who are all concerned about the worldwide loss of humanity (hence, the title of both the quartet and the CD), and wanted to demonstrate what can happen when grown-ups truly connect. As co-producer, bassist, and composer Sean Smith explains in his articulate and passionate liners, ..."the Humanity Quartet represents a fresh sharing of ideas and feelings that bring people together in an increasingly divided world." While neither he nor the others ...
Continue ReadingGary Alesbrook: Jazz In Movies
by Dr. Judith Schlesinger
This excellent debut by British trumpeter Gary Alesbrook is notable for four reasons: 1) he's leaping straight from well-known session musician to frontman; 2) he's been playing for 33 years, mostly for high profile, non-jazz bands in the UK like The Super Fuzzy Animals and The Scissor Sisters; 3) while eclectic in his taste and experience, he says “his heart lies in jazz music," and 4) the quartet is terrific, with three fine vocals as well. The standout there is ...
Continue ReadingSambaranda: Delirios Vol. 1
by Dr. Judith Schlesinger
Sambaranda is an cappella group out of Sao Paulo, Brazil that melds a delicious tropical flavor with the very best of vocal jazz. Their first release was a Christmas album in November 2017. Although their second, Delirios Vol. 1, came out in July of 2017, it only recently arrived here, thanks to a copy sent from a friend in Sao Paulo. This was a lucky event, since there seems to be no publicist in sight (yet!). On Delirios ...
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