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Alex Norris, Sheila Jordan and More
by Jerome Wilson
This eclectic episode features celebrated jazz musicians such as Stan Getz and Sheila Jordan as well as lesser-known but equally strong players such as Alex Norris and Adam Larson. Playlist The Henry Threadgill Sextett “I Can't Wait Till I Get Home" from The Complete Novus & Columbia Recordings of Henry Threadgill & Air (Mosaic) 00:00 Jim Self/John Chiodini Duo “Lydian Afternoon" from Hangin' Out (Basset Hound) 00:55 Chico Hamilton “Penthouse A" from Twelve Tones of Love (Joyous Shout) ...
Continue ReadingJoe McCarthy's New York Afro Bop Alliance Big Band: The Pan American Nutcracker Suite
by Jack Bowers
Yes, Peter Tchaikovsky's timeless Nutcracker Suite is basically holiday music; and, yes, the 2022 holiday season is squarely in everyone's rear-view mirror. Even so, there is always room for a fresh approach to the annual festive staple, which is what drummer Joe McCarthy's New York Afro Bop Alliance Big Band brings to The Pan American Nutcracker Suite. The Nutcracker has been rhythmically amended before, but never quite like this, as McCarthy and the band use the strong ...
Continue ReadingSpanish Harlem Orchestra: Imagenes Latinas
by Angelo Leonardi
L'ottavo album della Spanish Harlem Orchestra celebra il secondo decennio della formazione e colleziona un'altra nomination al Grammy, dopo averne vinti tre. Guidata dal pianista e compositore Oscar Hernández, la big band è una delle voci più acclamate del latin jazz, e si pone sulla scia dei leggendari Manny Oquendo, Barry Rogers, Andy e Jerry Gonzalez alla cui memoria il disco è dedicato. L'impronta stilistica della Spanish Harlem è ovviamente legata alla quarantennale storia musicale del leader, formatosi ...
Continue ReadingAmina Figarova: Joy
by Dan McClenaghan
Pianist Amina Figarova released an album in 2005 that was about as far away from the theme of “joy" as could be. September Suite (Munich Records) explored the deadly events of September 11, 2001 (she was in New York at the time; she experienced it). It is an album that she called: “An Ode to Mourning striving to articulate the various stages of grief in musical terms." In 2022 Figarova turns 180 degrees to embrace optimism and a ...
Continue ReadingJoe McCarthy's Afro Bop Alliance Big Band: The Pan American Nutcracker Suite
by Richard J Salvucci
"The Nutcracker" is a holiday staple and, as many musical and dance companies around the United States and Europe will tell you, thank Heaven for it. The musicians and performers may eventually lose their sanity from repeat performances, but the ballet is a money-maker as sure as holiday sales generate commercial profits for retailers. Besides, someone is inevitably hearing it for the first time, and children--even some adults--seem to enjoy it. This year, the season starts early with ...
Continue ReadingNelson Montana: Left Turn at Tradition
by Jack Bowers
As a showcase for the New York-based multi-instrumentalist Nelson Montana, Left Turn at Tradition works quite well. As a jazz album, rather less so. Montana, who plays bass, guitar, drums, piano and midi keyboards, uses all manner of special effects (and special guests) to achieve his musical purpose. And, as icing on the inclusive cake, he also sings, on seven of the album's eleven numbers. Although Montana takes pains to say--as on the animated “Jimtown Blues"--that “no ...
Continue ReadingNew Music and Archive Classics
by Bob Osborne
On this week's show we'll feature brand new releases plus some classic Blue Note sounds from 1957 and British Jazz from 1966. You'll hear Jon Gordon, Lisa Hilton, Marc Johnson, Neil Ardley & The New Jazz Orchestra, Caroline Davis, Curtis Fuller, Kazemde George, Roy Campbell, Strange Winds and Alex Norris.Playlist Alex Pope Norris “Fleet From The Heat" from Fleet From The Heat (Steeplechase) 00:00 Jon Gordon “Stranger Than Fiction" from Stranger Than Fiction (Artist Share) 08:47 Lisa Hilton ...
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