Jazz Articles

Terry Blaine: Lonesome Swallow

by Jack Bowers
March 1, 2003

One of the problems in reviewing an album as thoroughly and unexpectedly wonderful as Lonesome Swallow is that one hardly knows where to begin when parceling out praise and approval. Terry Blaine’s vocals? Irresistible. Pianist Mark Shane’s accompaniment? Brilliant. Tom Desisto / Julie Last’s recording, editing and mixing? Superlative. Blaine’s choice of material? Impeccable. And that’s just for starters.

Blaine is a revelation, a smoky-voiced blues singer in the tradition of Bessie Smith, Ethel Waters, Alberta Hunter ...

Terry Blaine/Mark Shane: Lonesome Swallow

by Dave Nathan
October 7, 2002

Singer Terry Blaine likes to use her album releases as a vehicle for giving a nod to those who have influenced her. Among these are Ella Fitzgerald, Fats Waller, Lee Wiley, Helen Ward, Annette Hanshaw, Martha Tilton, Helen Forrest and Ethel Waters . For their fifth album together Blaine and long time accompanist Mark Shane have structured a program patterned after recordings made between 1929 and 1939 by Ethel Waters and J. P. Johnson for the Columbia label. With James ...

Tom Artin: I've Heard That Song Before

by Mike Neely
September 1, 2001

I’ve Heard That Song Before presents trombonist Tom Artin’s quartet playing a long set of traditional standards. These guys play comfortably together in supportive manner that suggests they’ve a long history playing together.

The third track, “I’m in the Mood for Love" exhibits Artin’s and pianist John Colianni’s contrasting solo styles. Artin typically plays carefully constructed solos from the lower end of the trombone range while Colianni plays in a bright often busy piano style that moves quickly and lightly. ...

Mark Shane: On Treasure Island

by Mike Neely
August 1, 2001

Mark Shane plays piano with a jaunty grace in an outgoing, intelligent style. There aren't many pianists who can both solo and accompany with such sophisticated ease. On Treasure Island features Shane in an excellent traditional band with musicians who play together joyously. Bring together Frank Tate on bass, Joe Ascione on drums, and Mark Shane on piano as a rhythm section, add a group of first-rate horn and reed soloists, and you've got a recipe for some great traditional ...