Jazz Articles about McClenty Hunter

About McClenty Hunter

Album Review

The Dave Stryker Trio: Groove Street

Read "Groove Street" reviewed by Jack Bowers

by Jack Bowers
December 25, 2023

Guitarist Dave Stryker's latest album, Groove Street, is in fact “The Dave Stryker Trio with Bob Mintzer," a combination that is a sure bet to enhance its merit and heighten its import--a sentiment that is equally true when applied to any album on which the acclaimed tenor saxophonist sits in. Stryker and Mintzer are longtime friends who somehow never recorded together, although Mintzer furnished the arrangements for Blue Soul, Stryker's splendid album with Germany's WDR Big Band. ...

Album Review

Javon Jackson: The Gospel According to Nikki Giovanni

Read "The Gospel According to Nikki Giovanni" reviewed by Angelo Leonardi

by Angelo Leonardi
February 24, 2023

Nikki Giovanni è una delle scrittrici afro-americane più note al mondo. Emersa alla fine degli anni sessanta come innovativa poetessa della Black Revolution entro il Black Arts Movement (c'erano anche Amiri Baraka e Ishmael Reed) ha pubblicato numerose raccolte di poesie e opere su questioni sociali, insegnando al contempo in varie università statunitensi. Giunta alla soglia degli ottant'anni ha un enorme curriculum di riconoscimenti prestigiosi. L'idea d'incidere quest'album col gruppo del sassofonista Javon Jackson nasce nel ...

Album Review

Stan Killian: Brooklyn Calling

Read "Brooklyn Calling" reviewed by Richard J Salvucci

by Richard J Salvucci
August 17, 2022

Years ago, a group of folks were having dinner at a Westside San Antonio, Texas, restaurant known as Los Barrios. Occasionally, some restaurants there would start a jazz policy. In a place better known for mariachis, this would be a pleasant surprise. One Friday evening, some kid was playing tenor sax, quite a bit of tenor sax, in fact. The guy's name—because getting his card seemed like a good idea—was Stan Killian, not a familiar one among the roll of ...

Album Review

Dave Stryker: Baker's Circle

Read "Baker's Circle" reviewed by Jack Bowers

by Jack Bowers
February 11, 2021

On Baker's Circle, guitarist Dave Stryker revisits a format in which he is quite comfortable: an organ-driven rhythm ensemble whose emphasis is on hard-nosed contemporary swing. There is, however, a refreshing exclamation mark this time around in the person of able-bodied tenor saxophonist Walter Smith III, and one more fringe benefit (on three tracks): percussionist Mayra Casales, who adds even more energy to an already vigorous session. Jared Gold is the soulful organist, with versatile drummer McClenty ...

Album Review

McClenty Hunter: The Groove Hunter

Read "The Groove Hunter" reviewed by C. Andrew Hovan

by C. Andrew Hovan
June 27, 2018

Drummer-led recordings are a rare item in most genres, yet there have been many memorable ones over the years. And what comes as a surprise to the uninitiated is how musically rewarding these efforts can be. Fact is that the best drummers are not only masters of manipulating rhythms, but are also highly skilled in understanding the harmony and theory of music as well. Having worked with an elite list of musicians including Eric Reed, Kenny Garrett, Lou ...

Album Review

McClenty Hunter Jr.: The Groove Hunter

Read "The Groove Hunter" reviewed by Dan Bilawsky

by Dan Bilawsky
May 24, 2018

Drummer McClenty Hunter Jr. has left an indelible mark on the scene in the years since his move from the Washington D.C. area to the New York proving grounds. Whether taking to the studio with Jim Snidero, tearing it up on stage with icons like Curtis Fuller and Lou Donaldson, or holding down the fort during his lengthy stays in the respective bands of Kenny Garrett and Dave Stryker, Hunter has continually shown his true musical mettle and risen to ...