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Kendall Carter: Introducing Kendall Carter

by Jack Bowers
Listening to Kentucky-bred organist Kendall Carter's debut album, aptly titled Introducing Kendall Carter, is akin to taking a pleasant stroll through a park on a warm and sunny day. While Carter is technically flawless, he doesn't overwhelm the listener with waves of sound but plays organ from a pianist's point of view, sacrificing sheer volume on the altar of celerity and tastefulness. That stands to reason, as Carter studied piano at the University of Louisville and is equally at home ...
Continue ReadingDave Stryker: Baker's Circle

by Jack Bowers
On Baker's Circle, guitarist Dave Stryker revisits a format in which he is quite comfortable: an organ-driven rhythm ensemble whose emphasis is on hard-nosed contemporary swing. There is, however, a refreshing exclamation mark this time around in the person of able-bodied tenor saxophonist Walter Smith III, and one more fringe benefit (on three tracks): percussionist Mayra Casales, who adds even more energy to an already vigorous session. Jared Gold is the soulful organist, with versatile drummer McClenty ...
Continue ReadingDave Stryker, Howard Johnson & Steve Slagle

by Joe Dimino
During our second show of 2021, we continue to look at the music and voices giving jazz fans new music and insights in this pandemic world. We begin with veteran guitarist Dave Stryker teamed up with the legendary Bob Mintzer and the WDR Big Band. We also profile the talents of Miki Yamanaka, Dean Tsur, Steve Sagle and Liberty Styles. Finally, we say good-bye to the prodigious Howard Johnson. Playlist Dave Stryker with Bob Mintzer & The WDR ...
Continue ReadingDave Stryker: Blue Soul

by Jerome Wilson
Germany's WDR Big Band has welcomed a great variety of musicians such as Fred Hersch, Michel Camilo, Ambrose Akinmusire and Jimmy Heath as guest soloists over the years. On this occasion they provide an invigorating backdrop for the springy and soulful guitar of Dave Stryker. The set list on this CD finds Stryker and the band tackling a combination of vintage pop and soul hits and the guitarist's original compositions, all arranged and conducted by saxophonist Bob Mintzer. ...
Continue ReadingDave Stryker: The Positive Force Of Blue Soul

by Kyle Simpler
Dave Stryker is passionate about music and its positive energy. From his time working with Jack McDuff and Stanley Turrentine to his years as a solo artist, Stryker has established himself as one of the foremost jazz guitarists around. He also teaches at Indiana University, Montclair State University, Rutgers University, and has an online instructional workshop at ArtistWorks. With the album, Blue Soul (Strikezone Records, 2020), Stryker teams up with Bob Mintzer and the WDR Big Band from Cologne, Germany. ...
Continue ReadingBig Bands, Orchestras and New Sounds

by Bob Osborne
This week we focus on new releases interpreting pop hits in a big band style with Dave Stryker working with Bob Mintzer and the WDR Big Band; delivering solo piano compositions with a cinematic blend of classical, post-minimalist and traditional music courtesy of Kosta Jevtić, from Serbia; or incorporating folk elements into contemporary jazz by Kari Van Der Kloot . Another Serbian, Maja Alvanović, brings a fresh new sound with the third album from her Majamisty Trio. Canada's Sophia Smith ...
Continue ReadingDave Stryker with Bob Mintzer and the WDR Big Band: Blue Soul

by Jack Bowers
Bob Mintzer had an idea. The renowned tenor saxophonist, who serves as principal conductor of Cologne, Germany's world-class WDR Big Band, had made several appearances as guest artist with guitarist Dave Stryker's New York-based organ trio and was so impressed that he thought it would be a good idea to re-orchestrate some of Stryker's music for big band and invite the guitar maestro to return the favor by traveling to Germany and performing as guest artist with the WDR ensemble, ...
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