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Eric Frazier: That Place
by Richard J Salvucci
Eric Frazier has been at it a long time, the better part of a quarter century. He started out as a public school teacher and administrator in New York City, and became a conga drummer out of his interest in African music. He has, as the saying goes, been around, played at venues like The Knitting Factory and worked with people like Pharoah Sanders and Jack McDuff. This is not his first CD by any means, and some reviews of ...
Continue ReadingDeelee Dube: Trying Times
by Chris M. Slawecki
Five years ago, the annual Sarah Vaughan International Vocal Competition named Deelee Dubé its first British winner and (2016) Sassy Award recipient, landing Dubé a spot at the Montreal International Jazz Festival and recording contract for this Concord Records debut. Trying Times marks a major label debut, but Deelee Dubé is no artistic novice. She started violin lessons when she was four and put together her first band when she was fourteen. Her 2016 release Tenderly was produced ...
Continue ReadingBenito Gonzalez: Sing To The World
by Jim Worsley
Unbridled rhythmic fury fueled by a rich harmonic underbelly is the essence of Sing To The World. Pianist Benito Gonzalez has once again assembled a vibrant cast that flourishes on ten original creations. Inventive and energetic, the ensemble gels in the moment and establishes interplay with rich and intelligent conversation. The depth and articulation comes as no surprise, with reference to his previous works as a leader and the seven years Gonzalez spent as a member of Kenny Garrett's band. ...
Continue ReadingRay Blue: Work
by Edward Blanco
New York-based and bred, tenor saxophonist Ray Blue is no novice but a veteran player who has not received the accolades he so deserves. Perhaps after laying down and documenting an incredible volume of music on Work, the spotlight will shine a little brighter on this unheralded player. A composer and educator, as well as one of the most in-demand musicians in New York, Blue is a soulful performer, a full-throated sax man with a fluid and lyrical style which ...
Continue ReadingBenito Gonzalez: Passion Reverence Transcendence
by Mike Jurkovic
In the grand, giving spirit of the master, pianist Benito Gonzalez, drummer Gerry Gibbs and bassist Essiet Okon Essiet hold absolutely nothing back and pull no punches on their exhilarating tribute to McCoy Tyner, Passion Reverence Transcendence. With each tune taped in a single take, the trio explodes with a bold and proclamatory rush. “Fly with the Wind" (originally written by Tyner for trio and strings in 1976) sets the bar high and never looks back. It's a ...
Continue ReadingBenito Gonzalez: Circles
by AAJ Italy Staff
Circles è il secondo album da leader per il pianista venezuelano Benito Gonzalez, dopo il debutto del 2004 dal titolo Starting Points e dopo una nutrita fetta di carriera caratterizzata da lavori in qualità di sideman. Per l'occasione Gonzalez si avvale della collaborazione di una ritmica spettacolare, composta da Christian McBride al basso e Jeff “Tain" Watts alla batteria, mentre in prima linea si alternano tre saxofonisti dalla grande forza timbrica: Azar Lawrence, Myron Walden e Ron Blake. L'ensemble dà ...
Continue ReadingTake Five With Benito Gonzalez
by AAJ Staff
Meet Benito Gonzalez: The fusion of world rhythms and straight-ahead jazz make this passionate performer an audience favorite all over the world. Benito Gonzalez is being recognized as an exciting pianist and composer for his well-received debut album, Starting Point, (with Christian McBride, Antonio Sanchez, Rene McLean and Ron Blake) and as winner of the 2005 Great American Jazz Piano Competition.Presently, Benito is creating a very personal body of work for his sophomore album as a leader that ...
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