Jazz Articles

Jim Widner Big Band: And the Beat Goes On

by Jack Bowers
October 12, 2013

Bassist Jim Widner formed his band in 1987 to carry on the legacy of summer jazz camps established by bandleader Stan Kenton in the early '60s. Since then the band has added touring and recording to its resume; And the Beat Goes On, the ensemble's sixth CD for the Chase Music Group, was recorded in June 2012 to commemorate its twenty-fifth anniversary. That's quite a long time in big-band years, especially when one takes into account deaths and other personnel ...

Doug Munro: Big Boss Bossa Nova 2.0

by Ken Dryden
August 7, 2008

Doug Munro's sixth CD for Chase Music Group is a return to a traditional bossa nova trio, dropping the keyboards or sax utilized on most of his earlier projects. He is joined by bassist Michael Goetz, with Jason Devlin and Jason Anderson sharing the drum chair, all who primarily play supporting roles. The guitarist has a light touch and generally stays close to the melody on most tracks, opening with a shimmering treatment of Chick Corea's “Spain" ...

Doug Munro: Big Boss Bossa Nova 2.0

by Edward Blanco
February 9, 2008

Veteran jazz guitarist Doug Munro presents an encore performance to his critically acclaimed Big Boss Bossa Nova (Self Published, 2004), recording another monster of an album with Big Boss Bossa Nova 2.0. With four originals and a select repertoire of uncommon standards, BBBN2.0 is a more bare bones session than the more highly orchestrated BBBN, done in an intimate trio setting and showcasing Munro at his best.

Featured with the guitarist are bassist Michael Goetz and drummer Jason ...

The Jim Widner Big Band: Out of This World

by Jack Bowers
November 18, 2007

Bassist Jim Widner, who set the bar incredibly high on his earlier albums as leader of the Jim Widner Big Band (there have been four), clears it handily again on Out of This World, whose name graphically underscores the ensemble's impressive strength and solidarity as well as the album's abundance of superlative charts and hair-raising solos. There are no poll-winners on the premises, simply a group of anonymous blue-collar workers who park their egos at the door and strive together ...

Lou Marini & the Magic City Jazz Orchestra: Lou's Blues

by Jack Bowers
August 2, 2004

Lou's Blues, an exercise in ultra-modern composing, arranging and blowing by Lou Marini Jr. and the Magic City Jazz Orchestra, may bring a smile to the face of many big-band enthusiasts and leave others shaking their heads in bewilderment. It depends on one's point of view. Marini, whose influences include blues, rock and free jazz as well as more traditional rhythms, harmonies and lyrical devices, lays them all on the table in eight inclusive charts that resist easy appraisal or ...

The Jim Widner Big Band: Flying High...

by Jack Bowers
February 18, 2004

Something was bothering me as I listened to “Juba,” the adrenalizing opening track on the fourth and most recent album by bassist Jim Widner’s world-class big band. It was Phil DeGreg’s piano. Not the comping—Phil’s too capable for that—but the piano itself, unusually clanky and far too prominent in the mix. Rather than chaperoning quietly in the background, the piano was drawing attention to itself—never a good sign—as alto saxophonist Dave Pietro and trumpeter Dave Scott soloed. ...

Charlie Shoemake Trios & Quartets: Vibes Master

by J. Robert Bragonier
July 25, 2003

asked to name favorite vibraphone players—and I am as guilty as anyone here— Charlie Shoemake’s name is mentioned all too infrequently. For more than 45 years, Shoemake has made his home on the West Coast, and word of his abilities seems never to have made it all the way to New York. An artist who eschews vibrato, as did Red Norvo, Shoemake has a glistening sound, exquisite taste, and boppish sensibilities; his biggest jazz influence has been Charlie Parker, with ...

Julie Kelly: Into The Light

by Jerry D'Souza
November 1, 2001

Julie Kelly records all too infrequently. When a new album comes out, it is well worth looking forward to. She has not disappointed over the course of five records that have taken in jazz standards and new tunes with a sure-fire disposition that profiles a singer with heart.

Over the course of her long career Kelly has sung in a band with John Handy and has recorded with Ray Brown, Nat Adderley and Benny Green. Pretty good credentials, but it ...

The Charlie Shoemake Trios: Lands End

by Jack Bowers
October 1, 2001

Talk about your talents deserving wider recognition. Vibraphonist Charlie Shoemake, now in his 60s, has been making beautiful music for more than forty–five years but is almost unknown (except to musicians) beyond his home base in southern California. Perhaps this splendid bop–based album may help change that. Shoemake, a first–call studio musician on the Hollywood / Los Angeles scene for many years, moved more than a decade ago with his wife, singer Sandi Shoemake, to Cambria, CA, where they’ve been ...

Julie Kelly: Into The Light

by AAJ Staff
May 1, 2001

Julie Kelly.."Into The Light"...CMG Release.. It was a Sunday evening a few months ago, when I walked into the 66 California jazz club and heard Julie Kelly sing for the first time. I was immediately taken with the hipness of her style, the choice of tunes and most of all the slick scatting. I came for a beer and stayed for the whole gig. This CD reflects all of the artistry I heard that night. The musicians who accompany Miss ...