Articles by Steve Bryant
Steve Bryant's Best Releases Of 2017
by Steve Bryant
My personal favorites from 2017. The best of the best. Joey DeFrancesco + The People Project Freedom Mack Avenue Eddie Palmieri Sabiduria Ropeadope Jazzmeia Horn Social Call Concord Charles Lloyd New Quartet Passing Through Blue Note Arturo O'Farrill / Chucho Valdes Familia: Tribute to Bebo & Chico Motema
read moreJason Marsalis Quartet at SOUTH
by Steve Bryant
Jason Marsalis Quartet SOUTH Philadelphia, PA October 5, 2015 It is difficult under normal circumstances for the youngest sibling in a family. When that family is named Marsalis then the dynamic changes and there exists a whole slew of standards and expectations. That is the environment that Jason Marsalis has had to deal with over the course of his life. Of course it doesn't help that his older brothers, trumpeter Wynton and ...
read moreJohnny Summers: Piano Sessions, Volume 2
by Steve Bryant
Canada's contribution to jazz may not be as well documented as that of the United States, but our neighbors to the North have produced some fine players such as Oscar Peterson, Jane Bunnett, Diana Krall, and Renee Rosnes. Now add to that heralded group a young trumpet player by the name of Johnny Summers who has the talent, voice, and looks which could grant him the potential to become the next Chet Baker or John Pizzarelli. Summers has also paid ...
read moreDuane Eubanks Quintet at Blues Alley
by Steve Bryant
Duane Eubanks Blues Alley Washington, DC July 15, 2015 Duane Eubanks has been fighting to establish a noteworthy identity as a jazz trumpeter for years. One, he's had to dwell in the shadow of his more well-known brothers, Duane and Robin, as well as hustling in the often rough-and-tumble New York jazz scene. 2015 seems to be the year that he has broken out as one of more significant players in modern jazz. His latest ...
read moreYosvany Terry: Yosvany Terry: New Throned King
by Steve Bryant
Yosvany Terry is part of the new wave of young Cuban players who have come to these shores during the last decade and established a solid presence based on their artistry and virtuosity. What has distinguished Terry from his counterparts, however, is that while most of the Cubans are either pianists or drummers, his instruments of choice have been the alto and soprano sax. In the meantime, Terry, who is the scion of one of Cuba's musical first families, Los ...
read moreThe Caribbean Tinge: Live from Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola
by Steve Bryant
Ever since the jazz was created in the clubs and dancehalls of New Orleans, there was always a significant influence from the Caribbean region, specifically from Cuba. The island, which was just a ferry ride from the port city, had such a significant effect on the development of the music that Jelly Roll Morton always spoke of the importance of Afro-Cuban based rhythms (the Spanish Tinge) in creating and performing this nascent music. However, it was the arrival of a ...
read moreBobby Sanabria Spreads The Latin Jazz Gospel
by Steve Bryant
Drummer, percussionist, composer, educator, Bobby Sanabria has gained renown and respect from fans and musicians alike as one of the foremost proponents of what is labeled Afro-Cuban/Latin Jazz. Born and raised in the South Bronx, Sanabria performed with a veritable Who's Who in the world of jazz and Latin music, as well as with his own critically acclaimed ensembles. His diverse recording and performing experience includes work with such legendary figures as Dizzy Gillespie, Mario Bauzá, Tito Puente, Paquito D'Rivera,, ...
read moreRalphe Armstrong: HomeBASS
by Steve Bryant
There must be something in the jny: Detroit water, because the Motor City has probably produced more bass players per capita than any other American city. Not only in sheer numbers and variety, but also in terms of musical style and innovation. While Paul Chambers and Ron Carter would suffice for a locale in terms of civic pride, the city can also claim Motown session man James Jamerson as well as second generation players Robert Hurst and Rodney Whitaker.
read moreBranford Marsalis Quartet at Max Fisher Music Center
by Steve Bryant
Branford Marsalis Quartet Max Fisher Music Center Detroit, MI October 11, 2013 The Branford Marsalis Quartet is arguably the best small unit working in jazz these days, as proven by the performance of the BMQ in Detroit. This concert was the opening event for the superb jazz series presented by the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. The emcee for the concert just happened to be renowned trumpeter and (Marsalis home-boy) Terence Blanchard, who ...
read moreDetroit Jazz Festival 2013
by Steve Bryant
Detroit Jazz FestivalDetroit, MIAugust 30-September 2, 2013You have read the news and heard the stories on radio and TV. Detroit is bankrupt and going into ruin. However, Gretchen Valade definitely doesn't appear to believe the hype, as she managed to fashion the Detroit Jazz Festival (DJF) into one of the largest, most star-studded musical parties in North America, with four stages scattered all over downtown Detroit over the Labor Day weekend.In 2012, newly-appointed artistic director ...
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