Jazz Articles

Alma Micic: Tonight

by C. Michael Bailey
February 18, 2014

Vocalist Alma Micic hails from the creatively fertile Balkan area (Belgrade, Serbia) of Eastern Europe. As of late, she has been plying her trade in New York City and has struck up a very productive and creative relationship with guitarist Doug Wamble resulting in her third recording, Tonight, following The Hours (CTA Records, 2008) and Introducing Alma (CTA Records, 2004). A release every four to six years has become a norm for many artists and in the case of Micic, ...

Rale Micic: 3

by Joshua Weiner
May 10, 2010

Rale Micic has emerged over the past few years as one of the most interesting young guitarists on the New York City scene. Beginning with Bridges, a fantastic quintet date from 2003 featuring some exciting saxophone work from Bob Reynolds, and continuing on 2006's Serbia featuring the great Tom Harrell on trumpet, Micic has established a style that, while indebted to giants like Jim Hall and John Scofield, is recognizably his: a clean, rich, classic tone; clarity of line; spaciousness ...

Rale Micic: 3

by Jerry D'Souza
April 13, 2010

Guitarist Rale Micic, who was born and raised in Belgrade, Serbia, moved to the United States after receiving a scholarship from the Berklee College of Music. He later made New York his base. Micic has recorded three CDs for CTA Records. The first, Bridges (2003), featured a quintet that included trumpeter Tom Harrell, followed by the quartet date, Serbia (2006). For his third venture 3--which stands for “rhythm, harmony and melody"--Micic has pared his band down to a trio. Drummer ...

Uros Markovic/Gospel Jazz Trio: Jesus Saves

by Joshua Weiner
December 4, 2008

It's no secret that many roots of the jazz tree burrow deep into the church. There's more than a little gospel influence in the style of innumerable jazz artists, most noticeably in the work of pianists such as, for example, Oscar Peterson and Keith Jarrett. With drummers, perhaps, such traces are harder to discern, but in the case of the remarkable Uros Markovic, there is no mistaking his devotion to the (big G) Gospel. Markovic both serves with Christian missions ...

Alma Micic: The Hours

by Michael P. Gladstone
July 21, 2008

There are no doubts about it. Alma Micic (Mee-cheech) is a first rate jazz singer. On her debut album, Introducing Alma (CTA, 2004), she opened some doors with her seductive style working the Great American Songbook. Giving no hint of what was to follow, the release of The Hours raises the bar, leaving no hesitation about where this vocalist is headed.

The Hours is far from the type of breakthrough bestseller that one might intimate. It is thematically ...

Dayna Stephens: The Timeless Now

by Jim Santella
September 9, 2007

"But Beautiful , the final track from saxophonist Dayna Stephens' debut album, summarizes his session. This modern mainstream performance centers on his warm tenor saxophone conversations, and includes seven originals as well as two standards. Pianist Taylor Eigsti, bassist Ben Street and drummer Eric Harland are seamlessly cohesive throughout and, with guests guitarist John Scofield on three tracks and trombonist Nick Vagenas on one, the disc has variety as well as creativity. When the leader or one of his partners ...

Rale Micic: Serbia

by Ken Dryden
July 20, 2006

Although a relative newcomer as a bandleader, guitarist Rale Micic's studies with the likes of Mick Goodrick, Bob Brookmeyer, Hal Crook and others obviously have enhanced his gifts as a player and composer. His soft, lyrical style of playing complements his superb band, featuring the masterful trumpeter and flugelhornist Tom Harrell, tenor saxophonist Bob Reynolds, bassist Sean Conly and drummer Gregory Hutchinson. Micic opens the session unaccompanied on nylon string guitar, interpreting a Serbian folk song. Throughout ...

Rale Micic: Serbia

by Stephen Latessa
May 4, 2006

Serbia is a lyrical, tightly wound affair that rarely rises above a whisper, but weaves a dreamy spell. Working with a sympathetic band that includes trumpet/flugelhorn player Tom Harrell, Rale Micic's guitar sparkles against lush accompaniment.

Both the album's title and its opening track, “Dimitrije, Sine Mitre, are nods to Micic's heritage. Played solo on nylon string guitar, the Serbian traditional opener is a haunting and spare meditation that finishes all too quickly. “Far From Home, composed by ...

Rale Micic: Serbia

by Jim Santella
March 23, 2006

With his program of nine originals and one traditional Serbian folk song, guitarist Rale Micic paints jazz's modern mainstream with a palette of beautiful colors. His guitar, along with trumpet and tenor saxophone, provides a warm reflection that allows the listener to settle in comfortably for an extended study session. Like all true art, his compositions and the quintet's interpretations leave plenty of room for his audience to explore. His pieces contain variety and an adventuresome sense of swing.

Rale Micic: Serbia

by Glenn Astarita
March 18, 2006

During a blindfold test, it would be hard for anyone to tell that guitarist Rale Micic hails from Serbia--or, for that matter, any other country that isn't noted for modern jazz musicians. With help from notables such as trumpeter/flugelhornist Tom Harrell and drummer Gregory Hutchinson, this quartet packs an unassuming punch marked by soft tones and sleek phrasings.

As an electric guitarist, Micic resides somewhere between Kenny Burrell and Jim Hall. He possesses a dark yet warm tone and is ...