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Matt Gordy: Be With Me
by Richard J Salvucci
There is an expression of high regard for playing, in the tradition," which basically means, yeah, that is jazz, music of the highest order. Matt Gordy's Be With Me" is particularly arresting because it is in the tradition, but neither a recreation nor an exercise in nostalgia. Everyone from Charlie Christian to Modern Jazz Quartet has played Topsy" (1937) in one form or another. It lends itself to multiple blues changes and swing to boppish solos, all of ...
read moreThe Matt Gordy Jazz Tonite Sextet: Be With Me
by Jack Bowers
In 2006, drummer Matt Gordy heeded the mandate to go west, young man," moving from Boston to Los Angeles, while he was still young at heart," and quickly becoming a mainstay of the local scene, after years of success as a jazz and classical drummer in New England, and even with the Maracaibo, Venezuela, Symphony Orchestra, where he spent nine years as chief percussionist. After fifteen years gigging in Los Angeles, Gordy decided it was time to record his first ...
read moreThe Jazz All Stars: The Jazz All Stars Volume 1
by Jim Worsley
The gigless times of 2020--the year of the Covid-19 pandemic--could have brought musicians and the industry to their collective knees, gasping for air. Instead, it resulted in more new music than ever before. It filled our lungs with fresh air. It filled our hearts and souls, not to mention our ears. New businesses opening, defying the odds and pursuing their dreams, is a relevant factor. Le Coq Records, emerging in 2020, boldly presents an all-star ensemblefeaturing many of ...
read moreChris Colangelo: Elaine's Song
by AAJ Italy Staff
C'è un grandissimo senso dello swing, un unione d'intenti rara e un'intensità espressiva di sicuro spessore in Elaine's Song, il nuovo lavoro di Chris Colangelo, contrabbassita e compositore di base a Los Angeles. Per dar vita a una scaletta perlopiù strutturata attorno a degli originali, il leader si contorna di musicisti in grado di garantire un'ampia aperura di compasso timbrico - sono tre i fiatisti in squadra (Bob Sheppard, Benn Clatworthy e Zane Musa) pronti ad alternarsi o ad esprimersi ...
read moreChris Colangelo: Elaine's Song
by Edward Blanco
Representing the second album in a decade for Los Angeles-based bassist Chris Colangelo, Elaine's Song documents seven original compositions that he has been working on for two years; time well spent, considering the caliber of the charts. Though the originals are the meat of this musical endeavor, the most ambitious piece of the album, Falling Grace" is borrowed from bassist Steve Swallow, and provides the bassist a platform to showcase his acoustic bass chops. The other non-original tune in the ...
read moreChris Colangelo: Chris Colangelo 2 Trios +1 Live!
by AAJ Staff
Recorded live at Monteleone's in Los Angeles, Colangelo has assembled an all star cast. Pianist Jane Getz's strong Bud Powell influence contrasts nicely with the understated West Coast sound of Tenor Saxophonist Chuck Manning. Add the macho Philly style of Bassist Chris Colangelo and the result is a swing fest. Alone Together" and the best tune on this recording, If I Were a Bell," illustrates Jane Getz's ultra literate yet other wordly approach to her instrument. Getz's blistering runs coupled ...
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