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The Radam Schwartz Organ Big Band: Message from Groove and GW
by Jack Bowers
Liner notes notwithstanding, the alliance of a big band and organ is hardly unique—Jimmy Smith, Richard “Groove" Holmes and Joey DeFrancesco are organ maestros who have been there and done that; even the great Oscar Peterson once dipped his toes into that water. Having said that, organist Radam Schwartz and his power-laden New Jersey-based ensemble do the concept proud on Message from Groove and GW, burning on all cylinders and swinging as hard and as often as any band has ...
read moreBobby Selvaggio: Way Of Being
by Mark Corroto
Bobby Selvaggio's Way Of Being epitomizes a restless sound, one that belies the alto saxophonist's unflappable nature. His latest release builds upon the groove-heavy folk/pop/funk sound of Grass Roots Movement (Arabesque, 2011).This disc, his seventh as a leader, is split evenly between the electric Grass Roots Movement quartet and an acoustic Shake Trio. Both groups sizzle with the saxophonist's ultra-nimble and penetrating sound. The veteran of Joe Lovano's band and the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, Selvaggio's music is a ...
read moreTheo Saunders and Intergeneration: When The Saints Go Out
by Edward Blanco
Southern California pianist Theo Saunders is a veteran musician/composer with an extensive resume as bandleader, sideman and musical director. The sparkling sophomore effort, When The Saints Go Out, documents the robust sounds of his Intergeneration group on this Arabesque label debut, a follow-up to Intergeneration (CDBaby, 2011). Originally from The Big Apple, Saunders has lived and performed in both New York and the west coast, where he has carved out a successful professional career. As leader of the Intergeneration sextet, ...
read moreBobby Selvaggio: Grass Roots Movement
by Mark Corroto
Bobby Selvaggio's Grass Roots Movement, marks his sixth release as leader and second outing for Arabesque Records. This quintet record follows his 2009 disc Modern Times, recorded with veteran pianist Kenny Werner. Here, the saxophonist employs some new names, an electric groove, but no worries, the musicianship retains the highest standards. Here he switches on the power with an electric ensemble, where only drummer James Johnson is unplugged. He might as well be plugged in, however, because he ...
read moreRadam Schwartz: Songs for the Soul
by Edward Blanco
Hammond B3 organist/pianist Radam Schwartz has an impressive discography, appearing on over 35 albums of primarily instrumental music as both a sideman and leader. Songs for the Soul is a departure from past recordings in that it reveals his most extensive association with the vocal side of jazz to date. For this unique endeavor, Schwartz combines forces with New York vocalist Miles Griffith, along with background singers Kelsey Jillette, Cynthia Holiday, Gary Oleyar and Marcelino Feliciano. Providing the music is ...
read moreBobby Selvaggio: Modern Times
by Jim Santella
Alto saxophonist Bobby Selvaggio carries an expressive torch when he fronts this ensemble. His fifth CD as leader brings nine original pieces and a cover of “You've Changed" into the improvisation arena for a program of acoustic modern jazz that ranges from quirky and dynamic to bluesy and frank. His fluid tone and easygoing articulation carry the alto and soprano on a journey that respects tradition while pumping new energy into the scene. Selvaggio leaps with high-octane drive on numerous ...
read moreNorberto Tamburrino: Prigioniero del Mare / Prisoner of The Sea
by Jay Deshpande
On his sophomore effort Prigioniero del Mare / Prisoner of The Sea, Italian pianist Norberto Tamburrino continues to chart his course through a host of original compositions. Although he tests the waters with more trio arrangements than on his preceding album, Deco (Splasc(H), 2006), his greatest strength continues to lie in his solo work. The album opens with original songs--two takes of the title track with J.D. Allen on tenor, and four other compositions set for trio. ...
read moreEric J. Morones: About Time!
by Jay Deshpande
When Eric J. Morones enters his solo on “Nathan's Up," the first cut of About Time!, it's a little shocking what authority and gusto this first-time bandleader has. As well he should: a seasoned player, a well-published jazz educator, and a veteran of The Brian Setzer Orchestra, Morones has been playing on the Los Angeles scene for ten years. About Time!, as its title indicates, finally shows off his capacities as a leader and a songwriter.
“Nathan's Up" ...
read moreYan Pevzner: Forward Motion
by Glenn Astarita
Born in Russia, and for several years a resident of New York City, pianist-composer Yan Pevzner is a highly educated artist and teacher who launched his recording career with his 2003 solo debut State of Mind. He's performed with a who's-who of jazz artists, as well as large orchestra gigs with Hollywood film scoring legend Patrick Williams. On his superb 2008 outing, Forward Motion, Pevzner attains a fruitful medium by producing top-flight compositions that are designed with a sense of ...
read moreRadam Schwartz / Conspiracy for Positivity: Magic Tales
by Larry Taylor
In Magic Tales, organist Radam Schwartz and Conspiracy For Positivity have delivered jazz to enjoy--straight-ahead, spiced with funk, with creativity to burn.
Like many jazz musicians today, Schwartz also teaches--in his case as a director of the Jazz Institute of New Jersey--while keeping his hand in performing with side gigs. For a number of years, he has led groups composed of former students, with Magic Tales the second release by the current Conspiracy quintet.
Schwartz has been around some 25 ...
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