Jazz Articles about Johnny Rae

About Johnny Rae

Album Review

Cal Tjader: Catch The Groove: Live at the Penthouse 1963-1967

Read "Catch The Groove: Live at the Penthouse 1963-1967" reviewed by Stefano Merighi

by Stefano Merighi
February 5, 2025

Ancora registrazioni inedite dal Penthouse di Seattle, ancora un impeccabile documento editoriale a cura di Zev Feldman, che recupera smaglianti esibizioni del vibrafonista Cal Tjader, datate 1963-1967. Tjader è figura anomala del panorama jazzistico, scomparso anzitempo nei primi anni '80, testimone di una rara versatilità stilistica, considerato un caposaldo da maestri come Terry Gibbs e Gary Burton (le loro note sono parte del consueto elegante libretto interno). Oltre ad avere buona padronanza del linguaggio swing e ...

Album Review

Cal Tjader: Catch The Groove: Live at the Penthouse 1963-1967

Read "Catch The Groove: Live at the Penthouse 1963-1967" reviewed by Troy Dostert

by Troy Dostert
November 17, 2023

It would be unusual to hear vibraphonist Cal Tjader mentioned alongside the all-time greats on his instrument. He is not remembered for being a fearless improviser like Bobby Hutcherson, or as deeply soulful as Milt Jackson, or as hard-swinging a presence as Lionel Hampton. Moreover, one will search in vain in his biography for the hard-fought personal struggles that have typically been the bread and butter of jazz legend: no tortured tales of substance abuse, or bouts with poverty or ...