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Cory Weeds: Cory Weeds Meets Jerry Weldon
by Jack Bowers
A proper response to the statement Cory Weeds Meets Jerry Weldon could well be “it's about time!" Although widely separated geographically--Weeds is Canadian, Weldon a native New Yorker--these masters of the tenor saxophone have been brightening stages and delighting audiences at venues in the U.S. and around the world for decades. And even though they have 'met' professionally more than once, it is only now--in 2025--that Weeds and Weldon have joined forces and pooled their enormous talents to produce a ...
Continue ReadingCorey Weeds: Cory Weeds Meets Jerry Weldon
by Pierre Giroux
Tenor saxophone battles are a rich tradition in jazz, dating back to the vibrant days of Gene Ammons and Dexter Gordon and especially the fiery partnership of Eddie Davis and Johnny Griffin. With Cory Weeds Meets Jerry Weldon, the torch is passed with style, swagger, and an infectious swing. Weeds, the Canadian impresario and saxophonist, teams up with seasoned tenor giant Jerry Weldon, whose commanding tone and blues-inflected phrasing offer both a challenge and a source of inspiration. Their interplay ...
Continue ReadingCarl Allen: Tippin'
by Pierre Giroux
Drummer Carl Allen's release Tippin' is an opportune occasion, as it is Allen's first album as a leader in over twenty years. For this storytelling experience, Allen brought together two luminaries of modern jazz: the internationally renowned bassist Christian McBride and the phenomenal horn player Chris Potter. The trio created a cohesive and compelling narrative, resulting in an album that stands out in its ability to balance spontaneity and structure. It is a free-flowing experience that feels both natural and ...
Continue ReadingBrian Charette: You Don't Know Jack!
by Pierre Giroux
Brian Charette's release You Don't Know Jack! is a heartfelt acknowledgement of the influence of the legendary organist Jack McDuff upon his career. This began unknowingly when Charette purchased his first Hammond B3 and learned it once belonged to McDuff. In this spirited endeavour, Charette has enlisted several bold-name players, including tenor saxophonist Cory Weeds, guitarist Dave Sikula and drummer John Lee. This quartet delivers a high-energy tribute while injecting a fresh contemporary vibe into the jazz organ tradition.
Continue ReadingCarl Allen: Tippin'
by Dan Bilawsky
Save for a pair of co-led albums with bassist Rodney Whitaker, it's been more than two decades since master drummer Carl Allen released an album under his own name. Rectifying the situation, he delivers this high-appeal, in-the-pocket trio program with bassist Christian McBride and tenor saxophonist Chris Potter. When choosing the personnel for Tippin', McBride was the obvious bass choice from the beginning. There's tremendous shared history here--McBride appears on more of the drummer's recordings than any ...
Continue ReadingJohn Lee: Second Wind
by Pierre Giroux
Second Wind, which, as the title indicates, is John Lee's sophomore recording, is a vivid example of the art of the trio featuring the estimable rhythm section Peter Washington on bass and Kenny Washington on drums. It had long been Lee's dream to play with these two legends and the result is a collection of favourites and some new material that swings with both vigour and subtle intimacy. The opening track is “It's A Blue World," ...
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