Jazz Articles about Kellin Hanas

About Kellin Hanas

Album Review

Canadian-born and New York-based trumpeter, vocalist and composer Bria Skonberg focuses almost exclusively on the horn on her seventh recording, the aptly named Brass. Even though Skonberg may be a splendid singer, she plays trumpet so extremely well it's a pretty sure bet that no one but the most diehard lovers of vocal jazz may miss her voice, heard here only on the album's last number, Cole Porter's “You'd Be So Nice to Come Home To." Skonberg's solos ...

Album Review

Alliance: Alliance

by Jack Bowers
December 24, 2024

Alliance is an impressive all-female co-op quartet whose self-titled debut album, recorded in 2023, offers a luminous snapshot of their remarkable talent and versatility. Reed virtuoso Sharel Cassity, an alumna of New York City's world-class DIVA Jazz Orchestra, oversees the front line, while pianist Hannah Meyer provides an eloquent reciprocal perspective and shares the essential rhythmic duties with bassist Carmani Edwards and drummer Colleen Clark. Up-and-coming trumpeter Kellin Hanas makes a guest appearance on the session's closing number, Harold Mabern's ...

Album Review

Alliance: Alliance

Read "Alliance" reviewed by Dan Bilawsky

by Dan Bilawsky
July 1, 2024

The eponymous debut from Alliance--a collective quartet spearheaded by saxophonist Sharel Cassity and drummer Colleen Clark, and harmonically hinged on pianist Hannah Mayer and bassist Carmani Edwards-- is a shining example of the strength behind a pact in play. A sorority built on substantial musical prowess and possibilities, this is a band that's locked and loaded for action. Mixing carefully-chosen covers with winning originals, Alliance confidently endears itself to ears across this nine-song program. Opening on Mulgrew ...

Rising Stars

Introducing Trumpeter Kellin Hanas

by Sanford Josephson
January 2, 2024

As a four-year-old, growing up in Wheaton, IL, Kellin Hanas was a fan of the TV show, The Wiggles. “There were four Australian guys in colorful shirts, and they would sing songs," she recalled. “In one of their shows, they brought out this guy with a little trumpet. I guess, from watching that, I had a dream one night that I was playing trumpet on a stage, and I was a soloist." Fast forward three years to when ...

Album Review

Diva Jazz Orchestra: "30": Live at Dizzy's Club

Read ""30": Live at Dizzy's Club" reviewed by Jack Bowers

by Jack Bowers
October 19, 2023

The “30" in the title of the superlative all-woman Diva Jazz Orchestra's latest album stands for 30 years, which, believe it or not, is how long the orchestra and its remarkable drummer and leader, Sherrie Maricle, have been up and running and making beautiful music at home and abroad. Among U.S.-based big bands, it would seem that only Count Basie, Duke Ellington and Woody Herman have had longer runs than that. Fast company indeed. So is Diva ready for comparisons? ...

Album Review

NYO Jazz: We're Still Here

Read "We're Still Here" reviewed by Jack Bowers

by Jack Bowers
October 14, 2022

The “NYO" in NYO Jazz is shorthand for National Youth Orchestra, a marvelous concept that should be cloned and shipped to as many cities, towns and villages as possible. NYO, comprising carefully chosen musicians, ages 16 to 19, from across the U.S.A. is based at Carnegie Hall's Weill Music Institute in New York City, and We're Still Here marks its first full-length recording. The NYO's artistic director is trumpeter, composer and educator Sean Jones who is featured ...

Album Review

Grace Fox Big Band: Eleven O'Seven

Read "Eleven O'Seven" reviewed by Jack Bowers

by Jack Bowers
March 19, 2022

In the long history of jazz, it is rare for a teenage musician to establish a big band, let alone lead one. In fact (historians will have to verify this), it may never have happened. One thing is certain—no teenage woman has ever formed a big band and become its leader. Until now. Meet trumpeter Grace Fox, a nineteen-year-old student at the Manhattan School of Music, founder and leader of the seventeen-member, all-female Grace Fox Big Band, which has recorded ...