Jazz Articles about Cecil Alexander

About Cecil Alexander

Album Review

Ari & Cecil Alexander: Kaleidoscope

Read "Kaleidoscope" reviewed by Katchie Cartwright

by Katchie Cartwright
July 29, 2026

A breezy virtuosity pervades Kaleidoscope from the opening title cut. “I run for the train with you on my mind," vocalist-pianist Ari Alexander sings, “watching the town kaleidoscope by..." She and guitarist Cecil Alexander call their style “rhythmic post-bop," citing Herbie Hancock, Joe Henderson and Betty Carter as influences, but you can also hear a bit of Bob Dorough, Dave Frishberg and Blossom Dearie in their original compositions, pieces like Dorough and Frishberg's “I'm Hip," which Dearie premiered in 1966 ...

Album Review

Chad LB: Time in a Bottle

Read "Time in a Bottle" reviewed by Jack Bowers

by Jack Bowers
May 12, 2025

Sooner or later, jazz musicians--some, that is, not all--who have earned a measure of success decide they would like to try something different. In many cases, that “something different" involves a string section. Among the most recent wayfarers along the string-laden path is New York-based tenor saxophonist Chad LB (shorthand for Lefkowitz-Brown) whose recording, Time in a Bottle, showcases his impressive horn in front of a rhythm section and ten-member string component. The result is much the ...

Album Review

Various Guitarists: The Middle of Everywhere: Guitar Solos Vol. I

Read "The Middle of Everywhere: Guitar Solos Vol. I" reviewed by Glenn Astarita

by Glenn Astarita
September 14, 2024

Produced by laudable guitarist/composer Joel Harrison and the Alternative Guitar Summit, The Middle of Everywhere: Guitar Solos Vol. 1 is a compelling exploration of the intersections between jazz, classical and world music traditions--think of it as a musical United Nations, where six-stringed diplomats from various genres come together to harmonize. In the album liners, Harrison states, “The idea for this project started when I presented a concert of virtual solo performances from around the world during the pandemic." Hence, it ...