Articles by Sammy Stein
Phil Raskin: Songs Of The Fathers
by Sammy Stein
Introduction The eye-catching artwork on Songs of The Fathers by Satya (Resonant Artists 2024) is the work of photographer Peter Koppenaal. The image features layer upon layer of people figures outlined against a fiery backdrop of African colors. The picture is, in fact, more representative of the label that might at first be apparent because Resonant Artists was founded on principles of uniting cultures and sharing peace and unity through music. The cover combines two images from two of the ...
Continue ReadingBudapest Jazz Club
by Sammy Stein
The Budapest Jazz Club is a vibrant, colorful place where people meet to eat, drink, and enjoy good music. On the map, what appears to be a narrow lane, turns out in reality to be a wide bustling public walkway, and about halfway along, the small sign for the jazz club sits over a large entrance, complete with a door attendant. Entering the club there is a seating, drinking, and eating area and a small door to the rear reveals ...
Continue Reading606 Club In London
by Sammy Stein
The 606 Club in Chelsea has long been a Mecca for jazz fans who enjoy tasty food and great music. Entered by descending steep steps from the busy, bustling streets in one of London's busiest areas, 606 feels like a secret world where cozy tables, attentive staff, and superb music can be found in abundance. Owner Steve Rubie trained originally as a dentist before going on to study classical flute at Trinity (College, London) and jazz with Peter Ind. We ...
Continue ReadingFire!: The Hands
by Sammy Stein
Rune Grammofon unleashed something special with the great music it has released over the past 20 years, and with The Hands it has surpassed itself. The Fire! trio, which consists of reedman Mats Gustafsson, bassist Johan Berthling and drummer Andreas Werlin, makes music which defies labels and classification. Now, going into a resting phase after ten years of making great music together, Fire! remains a force in jazz. Anything with Mats Gustafsson at the helm is likely to contain music ...
Continue ReadingChris Potter: Circuits
by Sammy Stein
Reedman Chris Potter is one of the most influential and inventive improvisors of these times. Circuits is Potter and keyboardist James Francies, drummer Eric Harland and bassist Linley Marthe For more than two decades Potter's limitless creativity, effortless virtuosity and vibrant sense of swing have wowed critics, musicians and fans. Following three acclaimed albums on ECM, Circuits sees Potter with a new home at Edition Records and a return to groove, echoing his music from his earlier Underground ...
Continue ReadingGideon King: New York and Music
by Sammy Stein
Gideon King is a New York City boy. He was born and raised in the city. He is a composer, guitarist and producer and has worked with some of the finest musicians. He has been involved in projects which cover a range of music genres including pop, funk, jazz and fusion and has produced and collaborated with world class performers including John Scofield, Chris Potter, singer-songwriters Marc Broussard and Grace Weber and James Genus. He has recently made a long ...
Continue ReadingThe People Band: Back and playing again
by Sammy Stein
46 years after their previous release, the People Band are putting out a new CD. Paul Jolly is producing the project and releasing it through his record label, 33JAZZ records. Jolly is also a member of the band. He says, “The reason for a new album is that our last one, released on the Emanem label, covered material from 1969 / 70 and there was nothing current to show that the band is still alive (mostly) and still creating." In ...
Continue ReadingMaro Marconi Trio: Nordik
by Sammy Stein
From the opening of Nordik and the first track “Too High Don't Fry" the prodigious talent of Marco Marconi is clear. The theme is quickly established and then worked on by not only the rapacious delight of the piano but the rhythmic bass line and percussion which underpins the melody. Enzo Zirilli delivers a drum solo in the middle section which provides real contrast to the busy relentless speed of the rest of the number. The title track “Nordik" follows ...
Continue ReadingJohn Kelly, musician, actor, performer
by Sammy Stein
John Kelly is a musician who, with his band 'Rockinpaddy' performs in pubs and clubs around the London area. He is also an actor, campaigner for disability rights and in grave danger of becoming something of a national treasure. He is a freelance performer with Graeae Theatre Company, has performed on major stages around the globe with artists including Herbie Flowers, The Blockheads and Linda Gale Lewis and is an active campaigner for disability rights. He has even been known ...
Continue ReadingKitty la Roar and Nick Shankland at Scarfe's Bar
by Sammy Stein
Kitty la Roar and Nick Shankland Scarfe's Bar London November 13, 2014 With her elegance and style, Kitty la Roar cuts a beautiful, diminutive figure, gracing Scarfe's Bar in The Rosewood Hotel. La Roar is a singer whose confidence is growing, and with it the quality of her voice. La Roar can do quiet, and she does do quiet, but she can also do loud and strong. Her voice has developed a ...
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