Jazz Articles

Lee Stevens: Living a Dream

by Jack Bowers
March 5, 2004

This delightful album by Chicago-based vocalist Lee Stevens, recorded nearly ten years ago, serves as a conspicuous reminder that there are many talented artists in this vast country of ours who, through no fault of their own, are by and large unknown but would perform for an audience of one if necessary—simply because that is what they do.

Stevens has been entertaining music-lovers at Chicago nightspots and other venues for years because that is what she does, much like another ...

Bill McFarland and the Chicago Horns: Fire Horns

by Jack Bowers
July 1, 1999

Hard–hitting is the word that springs immediately to mind when listening to trombonist Bill McFarland’s Chicago Horns. Although McFarland and his companions aren’t mired in a time warp, their highly rhythmic, no–nonsense approach often recalls the dynamic hard–bopping groups led by Art Blakey, Horace Silver and others during the swinging ’50s, ’60s and beyond. They are carrying on the tradition, and that is good. What the Horns don’t have — and this is not meant to disparage their competence — ...