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South Florida Jazz Orchestra: Cheap Thrills: The Music Of Rick Margitza
by Jack Bowers
In 2019, the acclaimed Michigan-bred, Paris-based tenor saxophonist Rick Margitza thought he was being asked to contribute a couple of charts to the University of South Florida Jazz Orchestra's fifth recording in its fifteen-year history as a working ensemble. But when SFJO founder and leader Chuck Bergeron looked at the charts he had an even better idea, and asked Margitza to write and / or arrange everything on the album, which thus became Cheap Thrills: The Music of Rick Margitza. ...
Continue ReadingSouth Florida Jazz Orchestra: Cheap Thrills: The Music Of Rick Margitza
by Pierre Giroux
The concept of a large, tightly-knit big band in a recording studio, on a concert or jazz club stage may just be a plug-in memory in today's environment. Fortunately there is the fifteenth anniversary recording of The South Florida Jazz Orchestra directed by bassist/bandleader Chuck Bergeron, entitled Cheap Thrills: The Music Of Rick Margitza, to remind us what a disciplined inventive big band sounds like. With the exception of George and Ira Gershwin's “Embraceable You," all the other ...
Continue ReadingEd Calle: Ed Calle 360
by Edward Blanco
Miami-based Latin Grammy saxophonist Ed Calle follows up on his award-winning Dr. Ed Calle Presents Mamblue (Mojito Records, 2015) album, with the audacious Ed Calle 360 offering a dynamic selection of music presenting less of the Latin flavor and more of the contemporary side of jazz, with a touch of Nashville, fusion, Afro-Cuban as well as traditional material, tastefully performed with a decidedly boppish flair. A multi-Grammy nominee, who has graced the albums of such legendary artists as Frank Sinatra, ...
Continue ReadingEd Calle: Sunset Harbor
by John Sharpe
Lovers of Kenny G. and smooth jazz may find Sunset Harbor to be a nice place to visit--I did not. Although tenor saxophonist Ed Calle has worked with some recognizable talents over the years, Gloria Estefan, Bob James, Julio Iglesias, etc., I find nothing distinctive or original in his playing or his compositions. This is standard Latin-influenced, feel-good fare, sweetened by this genres ubiquitous vocal choir and heavy doses of layered synths. Sorry Ed, but I won't be docking at ...
Continue ReadingEd Calle: Sunset Harbor
by Jack Bowers
More smooth Jazz, albeit with a more discernible pulse than some we’ve heard. Although axophonist Ed Calle, who was born in Venezuela, blends Latin rhythms to spice his music, it has been no less carefully sanitized for your protection. In other words, it remains closely related to Kenny G, in spite of Calle’s impressive credentials and his assertion that his goal as a musician is “to appeal to as many people as I possibly can without selling out or playing ...
Continue ReadingEd Calle: Sunset Harbor
by Jim Santella
Smooth jazz is comprised of blended sounds, hummable melodies, fluid embellishment, and a steady comfortable one-two-three-four beat. In the same way that the music fades in and out to create 3- to 4-minute excerpts, the listener’s attention tends to come and go. Thus, smooth jazz finds a home wherever and whenever folks want relaxing background music that suits their purpose. Saxophonist Ed Calle includes electronic sounds from bass & keyboard synths, programmed and mechanical drum patterns, and background vocals to ...
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