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Daniela Soledade: Pretty World
by Edward Blanco
Brazilian singer and composer Daniela Soledade presents her sophomore release Pretty World continuing a family tradition of exploration into light bossa nova music. Recognized as a proponent for a new bossa nova sound, her unique hushed-styled vocals distinguish this singer from the other vocalists of the genre. Born in Rio de Janeiro where the album was recorded, Soledade co-wrote two originals ("Beijo No Arpoador" and “Nothing Compares") with guitarist and producer Nate Najar and sings lyrics in English and Portuguese. ...
Continue ReadingHarry Allen & Dave Blenkhorn: Play the Music of Phil Morrison
by Jack Bowers
When musicians as accomplished and well-known as saxophonist Harry Allen and guitarist Dave Blenkhorn play the music of Phil Morrison, a question that naturally arises is: why? Although bassist and composer Morrison is a splendid musician in his own right, he has made his home for many years in Brunswick, Georgia, hardly a mecca for jazz, and a city in which even the finest musicians can languish in near-obscurity. But, on a swing through the south, Allen became aware of ...
Continue ReadingNancy Kelly: Jazz Woman: The Reel to Real Sessions
by Hrayr Attarian
Among jazz aficionados in the “real" Upstate New York, that is to say in and around the cities of Syracuse, Rochester and Buffalo, vocalist Nancy Kelly is well known. She has performed at multiple venues, both still extant and defunct, which served as havens for music lovers in the area. Known for her uncompromising artistry and singular approach to standards, Kelly did not limit her activity to her native region. Over half a century she has performed all over the ...
Continue ReadingHarry Allen: Milo's Illinois
by David A. Orthmann
In February of 2019, Harry Allen played a gig at Shanghai Jazz, a restaurant/jazz club in Madison, New Jersey. Allen's contributions to the opening set transpired amid a splendid convergence of circumstances. His tenor sax, an acoustic piano and an upright bass were not miked or amplified in any way. Obliviously noisy diners were conspicuous by their absence. Standing less than five feet from the first row of tables, Allen didn't feel the need to huff and puff and blow ...
Continue ReadingHarry Allen: Milo's Illinois
by C. Michael Bailey
"We baked all our own bread." Daniel Defoe, A Journal of the Plague Year The COVID pandemic has changed many things about daily life, creating something of a new, mutated “normal." This is no more apparent than in many of the “outside-the-box" methods that performance artists have used to subsist and ply their trade during a virtual lockdown. In particular, tenor saxophonist Harry Allen took the pandemic head on by cutting a European tour short in March ...
Continue ReadingHarry Allen: Tenor Saxophone In The Time of COVID
by C. Michael Bailey
The COVID-19 pandemic has given rise to any number of keen improvisations, each manifesting from the necessity of having to “quarantine in place." Tenor saxophonist Harry Allen, the “Frank Sinatra" of his instrument, thinks way outside the box—recording within the friendly confines of his own living room, while under health crisis house arrest. Good for you, Harry Allen. Thank you. Here are his impressive results. Harry Allen The Bloody Happy Song GAC Records 2020 ...
Continue ReadingHarry Allen With Rossano Sportiello At The Jazz Corner
by Martin McFie
Harry Allen with Rossano Sportiello The Jazz Corner Hilton Head Island, SCJanuary 10-11, 2019 At a certain point in a musician's career the shorthand of describing them as influenced by, or sounding like, this or that great player from the past becomes redundant--Harry Allen sounds like Harry Allen. His technique is as close to perfect as a swing tenor saxophone can get. Clear and clean, minimal and traditional, Allen plays mellow in the ...
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