Jazz Articles

Jay Geils: Toe Tappin' Jazz

by Charlie Ricci
November 9, 2013

Toe Tappin' Jazz, released near the end of 2009, is the most outstanding new jazz CD I've heard in many years. The band leader is guitarist Jay Geils, formerly known as J. Geils, founder of Boston's famous party band of the 70s and 80s whose biggest hits were “Lookin' For a Love," “Give It To Me," “Must of Got Lost," “Centerfold," and “Love Stinks." Who knew the hard-rocking Geils had this much love for jazz in his heart?

Various Artists: A Bowl of Merry: Music for Holiday Joy and Celebration

by Jack Bowers
November 1, 2002

There’s not much Jazz in this motley Bowl of Merry, but there is an abundance of delightful holiday music from a number of well–endowed groups of various shapes, sizes and forms. As Jazz is my bailiwick I’d not heard of any of them, but must say they are quite good at what they do, which is basically lending an ethnic / folk facade to traditional seasonal music and transposing it into their own distinctive idiom. About the closest one comes ...

Bruce Abbott and the North Star Jazz Ensemble: Mistletoe Sax

by Jack Bowers
November 1, 2002

Listening to this seasonal mélange by saxophonist Bruce Abbott and the North Star Jazz Ensemble (supported by the Hawthorne String Quartet), the word “pleasant” springs to mind. The liner notes portray the album as a “collection of beloved holiday chestnuts” that is “richly romantic, slightly nostalgic and entirely engaging,” and I can’t think of a more appropriate description. Everything is taken at a leisurely pace (even such normally upbeat themes as “Deck the Halls” and “Let It Snow”), and Abbott’s ...

Rosemary Clooney: Sweet Melody

by Jack Bowers
January 1, 2002

What can I say about Rosemary Clooney that I’ve not said hundreds of times before — that she is one of the most charming and intelligent interpreters of popular song that it has ever been my pleasure to hear and appreciate. These fourteen examples of Rosie’s uncommon artistry, recorded between 1949 and ’56, include four from her own favorite album from that era, on which she is accompanied by the marvelous Duke Ellington Orchestra. The earliest selection, “Oh, You Beautiful ...

Rosemary Clooney: Let It Snow: Christmas with Rosemary Clooney

by Dave Hughes
December 1, 2001

Here’s a baker’s dozen of previously released Christmas material by Rosemary Clooney, issued on the North Star label. The fine print indicates that this “compilation” is copyright Concord Records. However, this program seems to be 13 of the 21 songs on Clooney’s Concord CD, “White Christmas.” So, naturally, I would recommend choosing the Concord CD in order to get the remaining eight songs.

Packaging concerns aside, if you love Rosie, you’ll love this. All of her stylistic traits are here. ...

Rosemary Clooney: Let It Snow

by Jack Bowers
December 1, 2001

Released by North Star, this album of Christmas favorites by the fabulous Rosemary Clooney was compiled by Concord Records, presumably from more than one of the many albums she has recorded for that label over the years. Anyone who has read more than a handful of this writer's reviews will be aware of his fondness for Rosie whose distinctive voice and easygoing style have always struck a responsive chord. She is, quite simply, one of the most wonderful pop singers ...

Otis Read: Deck the Halls

by Dave Hughes
December 1, 2001

Acoustic guitarist Otis Read offers up an enjoyable acoustic straight-ahead jazz program of holiday favorites. The program swings along in a laid-back, cool, comfortable groove from start to finish. I wouldn’t call this “groundbreaking,” but it’s good. On some tunes, the band plays it fairly close to the melody, while others feature more adventurous improvization. Interestingly, the primary lead voice on the CD is that of saxophonist Bruce Abbott; the leader assumes a supporting role and rarely solos. Pianist Willie ...