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Jazz Articles about Charles Ruggiero
Champian Fulton: Flying High - Big Band Canaries Who Soared
by Richard J Salvucci
If memory serves, Woody Herman was once quoted as saying “it's tough to be a canary," or words to that effect. “Canary" of course, was just one of the many euphemisms used for female big band singers in the 1930s and 1940s. Herman's pointed observation was spot on. He thought, correctly, that most female singers were being evaluated--by male critics, of course--on their physical attributes primarily, not on their vocal prowess. This is no place to go into detail, but ...
Continue ReadingBrian Bromberg: LaFaro
by Joshua Weiner
As much as one can appreciate the astonishing stylistic breadth of music that is gathered under the banner of “jazz" today, for many listeners there remains nothing like a supremely swinging straight-ahead date for listening pleasure. For those folks, Brian Bromberg's gorgeous new album LaFaro delivers on many levels: musicianship, sound quality, thematic cohesion and classic tunes. Bromberg is a master bassist who has done extensive work as a Los Angeles-based session musician in addition to releasing 28 of his ...
Continue ReadingDoug MacDonald: Sextet Session
by Jack Bowers
Guitarist Doug MacDonald records albums like someone who is either making up for lost time or does not have much time to spare. According to his discography, Sextet Session is at least the thirty-second album MacDonald has led or co-led, almost half of which have been released in the past couple of years or so. To keep things fresh, MacDonald has performed with almost every size group from big band to duo, but not often with as sharp and experienced ...
Continue ReadingDoug Webb: The Message
by David A. Orthmann
The trappings of The Message, tenor saxophonist Doug Webb's eleventh release for Posi-Tone Records, are perhaps recognizable to anyone with an interest in jazz conventions. All hands, except for drummer Charles Ruggiero, contribute at least one composition. While some are more adventurous (tenor saxophonist Bob Reynolds' “Where Did You Come From?," and alto saxophonist Greg Osby's “Nekide") than others (Webb's “Caught In The Webb" and organist Brian Charette's “Bonnie Lass"), there is nothing here that pushes the envelope or prompts ...
Continue ReadingCharles Ruggiero & Hilary Gardner: Play The Bird And The Bee
by Dan Bilawsky
If you've encountered drummer Charles Ruggiero's debut, Boom Bang, Boom Bang! (Rondette Jazz, 2014), you might've seen this coming. There, in the penultimate spot on the playlist, is a cover of The Bird and the Bee's “I'm A Broken Heart" featuring vocalist Hilary Gardner. Something of an outlier on the album, it hinted at a great appreciation for the sharp lyrics and artful designs responsible for that indie synth-pop duo's acclaim. That small seed of possibility, pointing ...
Continue ReadingCharles Ruggiero: Boom Bang, Boom Bang!
by Edward Blanco
Though jazz drummer Charles Ruggiero has made many recordings as a sideman over the last twenty-five years, he makes his long-awaited debut with Boom Bang, Boom Bang!, paying a tribute of sorts to Herbie Hancock and Chick Corea, two of his favorite jazz artists. Growing up with the sounds of the flute and the Fender Rhodes, it was only natural that he decides to make his first recording effort using these voices and not make an album with a “drummy" ...
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