Home » Jazz Articles » Marcus Elliot
Jazz Articles about Marcus Elliot
Curtis Taylor: Taylor Made
by Jack Bowers
Trumpeter and composer Curtis Taylor's debut album, he writes in the liner notes, “was over twenty years in the making." Ever since he was a teenager, Taylor confesses, he dreamed of recording his music with a group of stellar musicians and calling it Taylor Made. And now he has. The album's cover mirrors some of those that represented such labels as Blue Note and Prestige back in the 1950s and '60s, which is quite appropriate, as Taylor ...
Continue ReadingCurtis Taylor: Taylor Made
by Nicholas F. Mondello
Taylor Made, from trumpeter, Curtis Taylor, presents seven tracks of fine post hard bop jazz. The music here is intelligent, inviting, and, lathered with superb solos. Taylor composed and arranged all seven tracks. “Kham's Dilemma" opens with a lyrical, yet exotic statement with Taylor's trumpet and Marcus Elliot's sax in unison over an energized rhythm bed before it breaks out swinging hard and meaning business. Fine solos follow from Taylor, Marcus Elliot and pianist Theron Brown. “After ...
Continue ReadingCurtis Taylor: Taylor Made
by Troy Dostert
From the classic Blue Note-inspired cover design to the wide range of bop-based jazz influences found within, trumpeter Curtis Taylor leaves no doubt about the vibe he is aiming for with his debut full-length release, Taylor Made. Taylor has been a frequently used sideman by artists such as Gregory Porter, Billy Childs, and Cyrus Chestnut, so it is a welcome occurrence that he is now able to step out on his own more convincingly. Seven well-designed compositions, and accomplished performances ...
Continue ReadingLulu Fall: Between Two Worlds
by Phillip Woolever
This enjoyable album is distinguished by Fall's multi-layered vocal inflections, which shine amidst myriad flourishes of afro-centric rhythms that reach well beyond typical dance tracks or pop tunes. With roots in Cameroon and Senegal, the well-established NYC singer-songwriter has worked at the apex of musical theatre, including roles in Passing Strange and the revival of Hair. Fall definitely understands many techniques of vocally “selling" a song and her compositional chops make for engaging, party playlist pieces. The way ...
Continue Reading
