Jazz Articles

The Abby & Norm Group: Melodic Miner's Daughter

by Jack Bowers
July 25, 2003

Melodic Miner’s Daughter, Abby and Norm Zocher’s second album on their own A to Z label, is smooth jazz in the best sense of the phrase; that is to say, smooth yet substantive. Even though for the most part airy and graceful, it’s designed not so much for radio air-play or popularity charts as for the more scrupulous listener. In other words, the talented husband-and-wife team and their able companions simply play their music, often warmly and gently but without ...

Abby & Norm Group: Melodic Miner's Daughter

by Jim Santella
May 5, 2003

The light country air that Abby and Norm Zocher convey for their latest album keeps the session cool and comfortable. And yet they've added just the right amount of tension through many harmonic and rhythmic surprises. The title track stirs up powerful forces and makes your hair stand on end. This is the same band that's been tearin' it up since 1994.

Abby's fingerstyle guitar and sensitive vocals hold something for everyone. When she pairs with George Garzone's ...

Abby and Norm Group: Melodic Miner's Daughter

by Dan McClenaghan
May 1, 2003

Isn't there a saying that goes something like “Those who can, do; those who can't, teach"? Stupid saying, as the Abby and Norm Group's Melodic Miner's Daughter proves.Abby Aronson Zocher and Norman Zocher, husband and wife team, guitar and bass impresarios, teach at the prestigious Berklee School of Music. Melodic Miner's Daughter is their second outing on CD, showcasing the wide range of their musical talents. The CD opens with the four part "Canadian Suite," dedicated to the ...

Abby & Norm Group: Volume 1: The Book of Norm

by Jack Bowers
September 1, 1999

Abby & Norm (who also answer to Mr. & Mrs. and are assistant professors of guitar at the Berklee College of Music in Boston) enclosed a nice personal note with this CD saying they would be “honored to know” what I think of it — as if what I think carries any weight or makes any difference When all is said and done, what I think or write is of no consequence whatsoever; what is important is the music and ...

Abby & Norm Group: Volume 1: The Book Of Norm

by Jim Santella
July 1, 1999

It's fitting that Norman Zocher's “Til Death Do Us Part" lopes along as a loving ballad that pairs his electric guitar with Abigail Aronson's electric bass. The gospel-tinged composition finds the quartet supporting each as they speak out in a conversational style, sometimes in perfect harmony and sometimes seeing things differently. The comfortable 6/8 rhythm includes swirling brushes and gentle piano chords that accompany their stroll down the aisle. Norm and Abby, who met in Advanced Harmony class at the ...