Articles by Tom Pierce

Sharel Cassity: Manhattan Romance

by Tom Pierce
December 10, 2014

Since she relocated to New York City in 1999, the steadily building career of this Oklahoma native includes a Bachelor's from the New School and a Master's at Juilliard. Sharel Cassity studied under a number of renowned saxophonists and recorded two CDs. The second, Relentless (Jazz Legacy, 2009), received a 4-star review in Downbeat, whose Critics Poll has consistently cited her as a Rising Star on alto sax. Her career includes performances as a leader at well-known venues, as well ...

Paula West: Live at Jazz Standard

by Tom Pierce
July 31, 2012

Devotees of superior jazz vocalists have several reasons to rejoice about this fourth CD by the highly respected San Francisco-based Paula West. First and foremost, the recording is simply a true knockout; but the rejoicing is also because, despite rave audiences and reviews for over a decade, this is West's first release since the impressively executed Come What May (High Horse) in 2001.Recorded during an engagement at New York City's Jazz Standard in 2011, it features stellar but ...

Marty Phillips Quartet: Somewhere in Time

by Tom Pierce
September 29, 2007

The smooth, engaging medium-tempo opener ("It Could Happen to You ) of this impressive CD immediately prompts a string of questions. Just who is Marty Phillips? Why was I just hearing of him? Which of the legendary baritones, including Billy Eckstine, Johnny Hartman, Arthur Prysock, is he most reminiscent of?

Subsequent investigation reveals a 50-something singer/pianist with an extensive music career, who was born, raised and educated with a B.A. in music in the New York City area. A serious ...

Rebecca Parris: You Don't Know Me

by Tom Pierce
February 19, 2007

How does a singer ensure that there's sufficient variety on a fifteen-song record that the attention of even a passionate jazz vocal fan doesn't wander? You Don't Know Me, the tenth recording that Rebecca Parris has appeared on, represents yet another successful response by the revered Boston-area vocalist to this challenge.

The album features two powerfully expressive tenor saxophonists (Houston Person and Jerry Bergonzi) on various tracks. They clearly project the type of strong instrumental voice which is capable of ...

Barbara Lea: Black Butterfly

by Tom Pierce
November 17, 2006

Vocalist Barbara Lea has enjoyed a substantial and respected career presenting lesser-known gems from the complementary and overlapping worlds of the Great American Songbook and jazz. More knowledgeable observers than the general music public, which to this day generally remains sadly unaware of her talents, anticipated this success by choosing her as Best New Singer in the 1956 Down Beat international critics poll.

Black Butterfly, a new recording, pairs her with saxophonist Loren Schoenberg's orchestra, with which she has worked ...

Ella Fitzgerald Live in '57 and '63

by Tom Pierce
September 28, 2006

Ella Fitzgerald LIVE in '57 and '63 Jazz Icons 2006

Ella Fitzgerald--Live in '57 and '63 is one of nine initial DVDs in record company Jazz Icons' series of previously unreleased concerts. All are primarily from the 1950s and '60s and feature, in addition to Fitzgerald, legends such as Louis Armstrong, Art Blakey, Count Basie, Quincy Jones, Thelonious Monk, Buddy Rich, Dizzy Gillespie, and Chet Baker.

Overall, the two concerts ...

Sonny and Perley: Let It Happen

by Tom Pierce
March 9, 2005

A major test of any new recording is whether it avoids a “been there, done that" sound. Sonny and Perley's third release, Let It Happen, consistently escapes this trap, with three numbers ("Estate," “Scarborough Fair" and “Hymne l'Amour") particularly illustrating this fact.

This husband-wife team has long been both impressive and popular as performers of Brazilian favorites, jazz classics and Great American Songbook standards in the upstate New York and New England area. They brightly meld lyricism, passion, and rhythm ...

Francesca Tanksley: Journey

by Tom Pierce
November 1, 2002

Pianist Francesca Tanksley has long captured the respect of musicians and audiences not only in the United States, but also worldwide, as an integral member for many years of the dynamic quintet of saxophonist Billy Harper.

Her career has expanded to include more of her own trio work, with stirring live appearances as well as this CD debut as a leader, Journey (Dreamcaller 7168). It features her arresting original compositions, accompanied by superb bassist Clarence Seay and propulsive ...

Teri Roiger: Misterioso

by Tom Pierce
October 4, 2002

Phrases such as “different", “interesting" and “ultra hip" in a review often reflects a less than a positive assessment. However, vocalist Teri Roiger's Misterioso, simply travels a uniquely compelling road than most conventional jazz vocal recordings.

The absence of a piano allows a distinctive framework of masterful support and interaction by her husband John Menegon on bass, Kenny Burrell and Jack DeJohnette, each of whom function in roles far more pervasive harmonically and melodically than most rhythm sections behind singers. ...

Linda Ciofalo: Take The High Road

by Tom Pierce
July 1, 2001

Timbre, taste and time are three admittedly subjective considerations that resonate most with this listener, with respect to Jazz vocalists.

With Take The High Road, New York based Linda Ciofalo's sparkling clarity of tone, sensitive interpretation of lyrics and consistent ability to swing effortlessly, represent positive examples of these traits.

“You Do Something To Me", a seldom heard Cole Porter song, provides a spirited up-tempo opener. Her distinctly bright sound projects itself immediately, with swinging bass and guitar support.

Abby ...