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Peter DiCarlo: Onward
by Friedrich Kunzmann
On his debut record, New York-based alto saxophonist Peter DiCarlo establishes himself as a serious straight-ahead composer who skillfully combines an elegant alto tone with intricate reed and horn arrangements that are propelled forward by a swinging rhythm section. Dominated by a majority of self-penned hard and post-bop scores, Onward—in accordance with its title—pushes last century's idioms into this one, exploring new and exciting territory that neither defies tradition, nor resists its modern environment. Swing is affirmed in ...
Continue ReadingPeter DiCarlo: Onward
by Jack Bowers
New York City-based alto saxophonist Peter DiCarlo makes a lot of winning moves on his debut album, Onward, and a couple that seem more puzzling than perceptive. More about them later. First, it should be noted that DiCarlo is a virtuosic player with a burnished sound and enough improvisational ammunition in his arsenal to guide him safely through any encounter, no matter how unforeseen or perilous. He is also a splendid writer whose five original compositions here serve to enhance ...
Continue ReadingJim Ridl: Solo Piano Livestream
by Victor L. Schermer
Jim Ridl: Solo Piano Global Music Foundation Online Concert Series Broadcast Live on ZOOM July 12, 2020 This hour-long Zoom-cast featuring Jim Ridl on solo piano in his home proved to be especially gratifying for a number of reasons. First and foremost, Ridl delivered a set that was enjoyable, stimulating, and at times had the virtuosity and creativity that only a master could deliver. In addition, Ridl was a warm and articulate ...
Continue ReadingJD Walter: Dressed in a Song
by Victor L. Schermer
JD Walter is a consummate vocalist who has devoted himself over many years to evolving a unique style that is nevertheless ensconced in the jazz tradition. The public relations sheet for this new CD states that “this is his first release since recovering from a life-threatening heart condition and surgeries on his heart and vocal cords." It states that this is a “comeback" record. That is a misnomer. In this recording, he takes the music to new levels of structure, ...
Continue ReadingJim Ridl: Project 142 at the DiMenna Center
by Victor L. Schermer
Jim Ridl Tones and Tomes in Tempo DiMenna Center New York, NY October 19, 2017 Jim Ridl is a brilliant and imaginative pianist whose music is true to his North Dakota origins while firmly rooted in the jazz tradition. Versatile and adaptive to almost any situation, he fronts his own groups, is a frequent sideman, and a prolific composer. He occupies a monthly residence at the 55 Bar in Greenwich Village and recently released ...
Continue ReadingJim Ridl Quartet Featuring Zach Brock at Collingswood Community Center
by Victor L. Schermer
Jim Ridl Quartet Featuring Zach Brock Collingswood Community Center Jazz Bridge Neighborhood Concert Collingswood, PA March 2, 2017 The Jazz Bridge is a meritorious organization that not only sponsors outstanding concerts in and around Philadelphia, but also offers support to musicians in distress. Their recently published Philadelphia Real Book contains sheet music for tunes composed by Philadelphia jazz legends as well as lesser known greats such as the memorable Father John D'Amico. Jazz Bridge ...
Continue ReadingJim Ridl: Door in a Field V2, Songs of the Green River
by Victor L. Schermer
This is pianist Jim Ridl's seventh album as a leader, and all revolve around specific motifs involving people, places, things, images, and words. For example, his debut CD, Five Minutes to Madness and Joy (Synergy Music, 1999), is based on a poem by Walt Whitman which Ridl then elaborated upon in a variety of musical expressions. On the one hand, Ridl is a solid, mainstream jazz pianist who has worked with a panoply of cohorts like Dave Liebman, Joe Locke, ...
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