Jazz Articles

Sisters Euclid: Run Neil Run

by Jim Santella
September 29, 2006

With a program of nine songs by Neil Young, Sisters Euclid offers a tribute that blends jazz and blues with hard-hitting rock. Elements from Young's days with Buffalo Springfield and Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young show up, but the emphasis leans toward his country blues lines.

Sisters Euclid, which is based in Toronto, is Kevin Breit's band. The group's connection with Neil Young runs deeper than an appreciation for his folk and country appetite. Young was born in ...

Mem Shannon: I'm From Phunkville

by Jim Santella
May 5, 2005

Fifteen years as a cab driver in New Orleans gave Mem Shannon the experience that he needed to communicate effectively with his audience. He's gathered a common ground selection of songs for this latest album so that he can relate to folks from both sides of the tracks: those who've grown up with the “Big Easy" jazz tradition, and those who've grown up with blues-rock ringing consistently in their earphones.

Gospel plays a large part in Shannon's delivery. ...

Eddie Turner: Rise

by Jim Santella
January 31, 2005

Blues/rock singer/guitarist Eddie Turner makes his statements loud and clear. A powerful backbeat, throbbing bass pulse and loud drums back up his lead guitar and emotional vocals with a solid wall of sound. His passionate blues message bores its way into Turner's audience without hesitation.

With his cover of Jimi Hendrix's “The Wind Cries Mary," Turner explains a few of the secrets involved in communicating on a personal level. Yet he keeps his distance. His original, “Secret," co-written ...

Dan Treanor & Frankie Lee: African Wind

by Jim Santella
November 2, 2004

Traditional blues travels around the world on this session of emotional music. Except for “Lonesome Road," Dan Treanor wrote all the songs; Frankie Lee sings 'em with passion. While the timbres featured by the band's array of percussion instruments have a worldwide association, it's all about the blues at heart.

A Bo Diddley beat carries “Mean Woman Blues" along urban streets, up and down the countryside, and back. Lee sings about the feelings we own up to when ...

Paul Reddick: Villanelle

by Jim Santella
October 4, 2004

Bluesman Paul Reddick sings about the timeless topics that have traveled with American journeymen for centuries. He and guitarist Colin Linden wrote the songs on Villanelle. Together, they paint pictures of living a working-class life on the go and scratching out one's keep day by day. Pioneers, wanderers, roaming cowboys, and migrant workers have all shared the same thoughts. They've all been able to put these thoughts to music during those times when the workday is done and folks need ...

David Jacobs-Strain: Ocean Or A Teardrop

by Jim Santella
October 2, 2004

The contemporary blues environment combines a traditional manner of storytellin' with up-to-date elements that ring true at first listen. David Jacobs-Strain delivers his message with convincing authority. Surrounded by a band that features blues harp and fiddle, exotic percussion and fiery keyboards, the singer/guitarist brings it home. His slide guitar work stands out as one of the best.

Jacobs-Strain has been playing guitar since age nine. But that was only twelve years ago. At 21, he's in his ...

Janiva Magness: Bury Him At The Crossroads

by Jim Santella
September 9, 2004

The voice gets you right between the eyes. As her powerful interpretation of the blues sweeps you off your feet, Janiva Magness captures your heart and soul as well. She belts 'em out with convincing authority.

Her band provides a little bit country, a little bit traditional Delta blues, deeply passionate moments, and a little bit of modern chemistry. The singer clears the air with her riveting voice and forceful emphasis.

With languorous, back porch, sit-a-spell ...

JW-Jones Blues Band: My Kind Of Evil

by Jim Santella
June 1, 2004

Blues and boogie never went out of style. Bands such as that of J.W. Jones continue to explore the kind of hip-shakin’ excitement that long ago brought Elvis into our lives. Their original program combines early rock & roll with contemporary blues and swing, with a lot of earth-shakin’ goin’ on.

His fat guitar sound gives Jones a leg up on the competition. And what competition would that be? Swinging guys who follow in the footsteps of Jerry ...

John and the Sisters: John and the Sisters

by Jim Santella
April 4, 2004

It’s an odd name for an all male blues band: the Sisters Euclid.

With featured guest John Dickie, the band sets out to show you that the name doesn’t have to fit the music. As long as no one else is using its name, the band is free to carve its own niche.

Since 1999, the Sisters Euclid have earned their stripes in the Toronto area, performing at festivals and favorite nightspots. They released ...

Taxi Chain: Smarten Up!

by Jim Santella
March 3, 2004

Blues bands come in all shapes and sizes, from country roots to urban sizzle and contemporary fizz. Taxi Chain captures all that and more.

Bagpipes and fifes recall early Americana and European music, more so than our idea of the blues. Taxi Chain explores the roots of Great Britain that were imported to North America long ago. These folk anthems, all originals, ring quite familiar. However, the band has wedded this early European folk music with James ...