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Amber Weekes: A Lady With a Song
by Katchie Cartwright
Irving Berlin wrote “Suppertime" (aka “Supper Time") for As Thousands Cheer (1933), a topical revue with several stars and many musical numbers. Ethel Waters introduced it, making history as the first African American woman to star on Broadway. Berlin wrote it specifically for Waters, who also sang his lighthearted “Heat Wave" in the show. “Suppertime" has a more serious story, told in the voice of a woman who--while making dinner--must find a way to tell her children that ...
Continue ReadingCafé: Café
by Richard J Salvucci
Reviewing an archival album is always a challenge. To do something justice is a matter of both gaining and losing perspective: to hear it as an audience first did, and then, presumably, to find its influence, if consequential. Verifying a band's authenticity is usually not difficult but Café presents just such a problem. Its single release dates from the early 1970s. Contemporaneous documentation of performance and reception is indeed difficult to find. To say that Fania reached deep into its ...
Continue ReadingAmber Weekes: A Lady With a Song
by Richard J Salvucci
It is difficult to know exactly what to do with a recording like this. Amber Weekes is a very good singer, and from the outset, she calls this a “celebration" of Nancy Wilson, not an imitation or a recreation. You can hear Wilson's influence throughout: her articulation, occasional staccato delivery, deep sincerity and emotional heft come through in Weekes' recording. And a good recording it is, make no mistake. Anyone who enjoyed Wilson, or any good female vocalist, will enjoy ...
Continue ReadingOscar Hernandez & Alma Libre: Vision
by Edward Blanco
Multiple Grammy Award-winning Latin jazz pianist/composer and band leader Oscar Hernandez and his group, Alma Libre (Free Spirit) issue another shoulder-moving album presenting more of the rhythms he and his bands are so well known for. A true Latin music legend, Hernandez is best regarded for his direction of the 13-piece Spanish Harlem Orchestra that has gathered three Grammy Awards. This album was, in essence, a product of the pandemic situation. Hernandez says: “Recording this album was a way to ...
Continue ReadingCarol Welsman: Dance With Me
by Edward Blanco
Vocalist and pianist Carol Welsman always had an affinity for Latin rhythms and often included the element in her music. In fact, producing an album where the Latin side of jazz is the main focus has been a longtime dream that she finally fulfills on Dance with Me. The music is a delightful excursion into the Latin jazz genre with arrangements that touch on boleros, salsa, cha cha cha and even calypso. One of the main highlights of the recording ...
Continue ReadingJusto Almario Quartet: L. A. County Museum of Art Jazz Series, May 2, 2008
by Kim Vinson
Justo Almario Quartet Friday Night Jazz Series, Los Angeles County Museum of Art Los Angeles, California May 2, 2008
The weather was just right as a crowd of jazz enthusiasts gathered to experience the glorious and tireless musicianship of woodwind virtuoso Justo Almario and his ensemble May 2 at the Friday Night Jazz Series hosted by Los Angeles County Museum of Art. It was jazz served up with sizzling sound-check appetizers, marvelous main ...
Continue ReadingDavid Ornette Cherry: Organic Groove
by Rex Butters
Recorded in 2000, Organic Groove features a too brief taste of David Ornette Cherry's writing and playing with a Los Angeles dream band, including Bobby Bradford, Roberto Miranda, and Ralph Jones, to name a few. Cherry possesses a broad musical attention span, making a program of his work a musical travelogue. But no dilettante is he, holding legitimate lineage in several musical traditions. A generous leader, he usually limits his contributions to skillfully framing his ace soloists.“Mano opens ...
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