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Ted Unseth and the Americana Classic Jazz Orchestra: 20th Anniversary Concerts
by Jack Bowers
The 20th Anniversary Concerts performed by Ted Unseth's Americana Classic Jazz Orchestra were recorded in 1993, when the orchestra's guest artist, alto saxophonist Benny Waters, was a spry 91 years old. And for those who would like to see as well as hear Waters and the orchestra, the audio CD is accompanied by a briefer video that encompasses eight numbers from the concerts, which were held at Bandana Square in St. Paul, Minnesota. The “classic jazz" played by ...
Continue ReadingMelvin Smith: Perseverance
by Jack Bowers
Perseverance, Florida-bred saxophonist Melvin Smith's seventh album as leader of his own group, is a hard-blowing session on which he shows (again) that he is one of the leading bop-based reed masters on today's scene. On soprano or tenor, Smith displays a clarity of purpose and storehouse of astute phrases that serve him well at any pace and in any context. Besides alternating horns (tenor on seven numbers, soprano on four), Smith adds texture and variety to ...
Continue ReadingOrgan Monk: Uwo In the Black
by Howard Mandel
Organ Monk is the inspired--some might say “mad"--project of Brooklyn-based keyboardist Greg Lewis to play the unique compositions of Thelonious Monk as they've never been played before. Lewis throws down Monk's memorable turns of melody and digs into his harmonic insights, mostly at groovin' rhythms, on the Hammond C 3 organ. It's tempting to say Lewis' style on that inimitable instrument is “all stops out"--because he's more than mastered the complex multi-manual and foot-pedaled contraption. He's become an exciting innovator ...
Continue ReadingGreg Lewis' Organ Monk: American Standard
by Howard Mandel
Thelonious Monk was an American original, a unique figure of his time and place. So is Greg Lewis, organist at the helm of Organ Monk, which on American Standard expands upon its mission of interpreting Monk's own compositions, just as Monk did himself. American Standard, Organ Monk's third album, takes up classic songs from the Tin Pan Alley songbook of the U.S.'s early 20th century. These tunes are recognized by virtually everyone raised in North America during the ...
Continue ReadingGerry Eastman Trio: Trust Me
by Jack Bowers
Trust Me embodies more than an hour of tasteful contemporary jazz by a decisively hip guitar/organ/drums trio led by New York-bred Gerry Eastman on guitar with Greg Lewis at the Hammond B3 and Taru Alexander manning the drum set. The program consists of eight of Eastman's original compositions, each of which is polished and credible but a step or two short of memorable. The same is true of solos, which are consistently sharp and steady while at the same time ...
Continue ReadingGerry Eastman Trio: Trust Me
by Richard J Salvucci
Right out of the gate, this is a great recording. Gerry Eastman is the moving force as guitarist, producer, arranger, and photographer. If you dig soul jazz and B3 organ trios, it is a safe bet that you will enjoy this session from start to finish. So many great sounds are conjured up: you hear Wes Montgomery, but Jimmy Ponder too. Charlie Earland and Richard Holmes must have gone into Greg Lewis' ears at some point, and of course, Jimmy ...
Continue ReadingGregory Lewis: Organ Monk Blue
by Jerome Wilson
Organist Gregory Lewis gained the nickname “Organ Monk" due to his specialization in the music of Thelonious Monk. Known for his exaggerated, florid playing, this is the third CD he's done of Monk's music and this time he has teamed up with a musician who can match him flourish for flourish, chameleon guitarist Marc Ribot. Lewis' grandiose organ style, with its long sustains and dramatic sweeps, is a force in its own right but Ribot makes things even ...
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