Jazz Articles about Kenny Wollesen

like 375

Norah Jones: Come Away With Me

by Roger Crane
June 11, 2002

Okay--first things first. Yes, in my opinion, the strikingly beautiful, vaguely exotic Norah Jones is worthy of the buzz and publicity that she is receiving. But is she a jazz singer? Probably not but I don't know why anyone should care. Her singing is certainly jazz influenced. Jones does not use her lovely voice as a horn at the expense of lyrics. Jones is a natural storyteller and the stories that she chose to tell on her impressive debut, Come ...

like 161

Norah Jones: Come Away With Me

by Bobby Dodd
May 1, 2002

One can't help being curious about the contents of Norah Jones' music collection after listening to her debut, “Come Away With Me". They would probably not be far off in assuming she grew up singing into various makeshift microphones around her household alongside the vocals of Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Joni Mitchell, and Sarah Mclachlan. Despite the album's various jazz standards, one should not be so naïve to classify Norah Jones as a jazz singer. Hardcore jazz ...

like 157

Norah Jones: Come Away With Me

by Jim Santella
April 12, 2002

Convincing in her storytellin' role, Norah Jones sings popular ballads with an emphasis on the blues. Her delicate voice sparkles gently alongside the band's twangy guitar chorus and straightforward rhythm section. She accompanies on piano. The title song, resembling a spiritual, beckons the listener to waltz away with her to a place where life will be better: better than the tension-filled surroundings we face all too often. Her original, the song belies Jones' fragile persona and warm soul. Country ballads ...

like 106

Norah Jones: Come Away With Me

by Jim Santella
March 1, 2002

Convincing in her storytellin' role, Norah Jones sings popular ballads with an emphasis on the blues. Her delicate voice sparkles gently alongside the band's twangy guitar chorus and straightforward rhythm section. She accompanies on piano. The title song, resembling a spiritual, beckons the listener to waltz away with her to a place where life will be better: better than the tension-filled surroundings we face all too often. Her original, the song belies Jones' fragile persona and warm soul. Country ballads ...

like 196

Slow Poke: Redemption

by Glenn Astarita
September 1, 2000

“Slow Poke” is a quartet featuring innovative slide guitarist David Tronzo, multitalented reedman Michael Blake and the equally gifted rhythm section of bassist Tony Scherr and drummer, percussionist Kenny Wolleson. Here, on this rather clever outing titled Redemption, the band gets down, dirty and a bit craggy while conforming to a leisurely gait; hence, - “Slow Poke”.

The quartet turns in a snarling slow Blues vamp on the opener, “Johnny Hornet” where David Tronzo lays down affable funk induced, oscillating ...

like 169

David Binney: Free To Dream

by John W. Patterson
August 1, 1999

Binney is known to many as the sax genius of Lost Tribe and his skill is no less evident herein — in Binney's chosen dreamworld, a musical vibe, a flow, where he is free. Running his own record label, going the freshly popular independent route, affords total control and thus creativity and style unbounded by the prickly hedges of commercialism's maze.Believe me, this spirit works well to my ears. Binney's eleven compositions echo a fuller, matured Lost Tribe ...

like 292

David Binney: Free To Dream

by Glenn Astarita
February 1, 1999

New York City “Downtown Scene" alto saxophonist David Binney has produced a winner here. Binney has gained some much-deserved recognition due to his dazzling virtuosity with artists such as Drew Gress, Edward Simon and the beloved hard-edged jazz-fusion band, Lost Tribe. Free To Dream is Binney's first solo effort on his newly formed Mythology Records label. Here, Binney is supported by a mini-brass section, exotic percussion, muscular rhythms and long time associate Edward Simon on the piano. Free To Dream ...