Jazz Articles about Marty Ballou

About Marty Ballou

Album Review

GA20 with Charlie Musselwhite: Blues Now

Read "Blues Now" reviewed by Doug Collette

by Doug Collette
July 31, 2026

The contemporary blues community is densely populated with posers long on affectation and short on authenticity. Not so GA20 or Charlie Musselwhite, for whom the blues speak truths that resonate in such a deep and abiding way, their respective musical expressions become truly personal statements. Boston-based trio GA20--fittingly named after a vintage Gibson amplifier--have always specialized in that genre style born in Chicago, so it only stands to reason--and suggests a certain level of destiny--that the group would ...

Album Review

Chris Humphrey: The Voice of Clark Terry

Read "The Voice of Clark Terry" reviewed by Nicholas F. Mondello

by Nicholas F. Mondello
August 29, 2022

With the possible exception of Louis Armstrong, Clark Terry was probably the most unique trumpet “stylist" in jazz history. Hearing one note you would bet the farm that it was CT. Chris Humphrey's The Voice of Clark Terry, Vol. 1 is a marvelously unique salute. This recording presents a dozen Terry-composed originals. They are sung superbly by Humphrey with brilliant original lyrics provided by drummer Les Harris, Jr. As an additional treat, Humphrey s(w)ings “vocalesed" lyrics— again ...