Jazz Articles about Jay Oliver

About Jay Oliver

Album Review

Rob Silverman: Drumology Volume 3

Read "Drumology Volume 3" reviewed by Jim Worsley

by Jim Worsley
November 17, 2022

The beat goes on. Yes, that was a big hit for Sonny & Cher back in 1967. However, here it references the third volume of drummer Rob Silverman's Drumology series. The formula seems to be working, so why not keep pounding them out? Again all proceeds go to the Neil Peart Fund for brain cancer research at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. And the core band stays intact, with Silverman being joined by brother Michael Silverman on piano and keyboards, bassist Larry ...

Album Review

Rob Silverman: Drumology Volume 2

Read "Drumology Volume 2" reviewed by Jim Worsley

by Jim Worsley
September 18, 2022

It would appear that Rob Silverman is on to something. With Drumology (Autumn Hill Records, 2020) having made some noise, Silverman powers on to Drumology Volume 2. Brother and keyboardist Michael Silverman returned to the scene along with bassist Larry Kornfeld, and keyboardist Jay Oliver, to join drummer Silverman as the core quartet of musicians. The brothers wrote eight pieces of music that were cultivated from a drummer's perspective. Every song is tailored to take advantage of the particular skill ...

Album Review

The Dave Weckl Band: Live in St. Louis at the Chesterfield Jazz Festival

Read "Live in St. Louis at the Chesterfield Jazz Festival" reviewed by Jim Worsley

by Jim Worsley
April 2, 2021

At a time where millions around the world are thankfully being vaccinated, the cure for live music blues has yet to be addressed. While nothing can replace the sound, the energy, and feel of live music, a medicinal record will be on the market in April 2021. While this reunion concert recorded in 2019 would no doubt be impactful sans the pandemic, the timing and dosage is fortuitous. Getting the gang back together, a la the Blues Brothers, Dave Weckl ...

Album Review

Rob Silverman: Drumology

Read "Drumology" reviewed by Jim Worsley

by Jim Worsley
September 15, 2020

Master drum clinician Rob Silverman, known for his explorative drumming and absorbing instructional videos, teamed up with an impressive line-up of top-flight jazz and fusion drummers to collide the study of drumming with the presentation of original songs penned by Silverman and his brother Michael Silverman. The result, Drumology, is a blend of science, rhythm and melody. For the project, Silverman invited an array of drumming superstars that included Dave Weckl, Simon Phillips, Gregg Bissonette, and Steve Smith.

Album Review

Tom Kennedy: Stories

by Jim Worsley
March 25, 2020

It's commonplace that an artist will have a concept or theme in mind when starting a record project. To build from the ground up without any preconceptions could be a recipe for a disaster. However, if it didn't crash and burn and, in fact, went the other direction, the possibilities then become infinite. With no boundaries and nothing to be tethered to, the sky's the limit. Tom Kennedy boldly took that approach to his new record. He took flight with ...