Home » Jazz Articles » Various Artists
Jazz Articles about Various Artists
Various Artists: Jazz On The Latin Side All Stars
by Jim Santella
I could listen to this album in my sleep. And sometimes I do. José Rizo hosts a Friday night radio program over FM radio station KLON in Long Beach, California. I never miss it. What a wonderful way to unwind from the rigors of a workweek crammed full of “do this" and “do that" because “it has to be done ASAP!" Rizo always has guests and tributes to Latin jazz artists from around the world. It’s a great way to ...
Continue ReadingVarious Artists: Blue Wave 15th Anniversary Collection
by Ed Kopp
With the possible exceptions of Boston and Providence, there aren't many cities in the Northeast as blues crazy as Syracuse, N.Y. Despite being a relatively small outpost of 730,000 residents, the Syracuse area is home to two big-time summer blues festivals and over 50 working blues bands, including several that are nationally acclaimed. The area has developed a regional blues sound similar to Chicago's but with more of a rock 'n roll edge. (Syracusans need to keep on rocking just ...
Continue ReadingVarious Artists: Organ-ized
by John Sharpe
The mighty sound of the Hammond B-3 can be heard on countless jazz, R&B, gospel and soul classics. Years ago the synthesizer managed to relegate many B-3’s to church basements as the new electronic marvel was much lighter, cheaper and sounded almost as good as the original. Today the acid jazz revival has spurred the re-emergence of the B-3 as the instrument of choice for all pop/jazz/soul keyboardists. Organ-ized is a funky, 13-track collection featuring organists both young and old. ...
Continue ReadingVarious Artists: Encores, Legends, & Paradox, A Tribute to the Music of ELP
by AAJ Staff
If there was some form of progressive CD release recognition like Prog-Grammy or the “Gilded ELP Award” gala event, this tribute album would surely have easily earned “Best of . . .”, “Best Tribute”, “Most Artist . . .”, and “People’s Choice . . .”, etc., etc. It is warming to this old progger heart to hear so many talented artists paying homage to one of the foundational giants of the progressive rock genre. For those who have never heard ...
Continue ReadingVarious Artists: Viva CuBop: Jazz The Afro-Cuban Way
by Jim Santella
Initiated five years ago and dedicated solely to issuing Latin and Afro-Cuban jazz, CuBop now has over 30 releases in its catalog. Their sampler, a full hour and twenty minutes, represents items from the past as well as the near future. The spicy contribution from Columbus, Ohio’s Afro-Rican Ensemble made its way to the compilation directly from a demo. At the other end of the spectrum, the Har You Percussion Group was formed by the Harlem Youth Opportunities Unlimited program ...
Continue ReadingVarious Artists: J-Curve Cincinnati Jazz Collection Volume II
by Jim Santella
Recorded one year after volume one, J-Curve’s second Cincinnati jazz sampler matches the high quality of musicianship and free, swinging attitude of the earlier adventure. Its Midwestern United States location makes Cincinnati an unusual candidate for one who has provided a century of hot jazz. However, three features stand out to allow fair competition between New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, New Orleans, Kansas City, Cincinnati and a few others: (1) the city lies geographically at a point where travelling bands would ...
Continue ReadingVarious Artists: Feeling Sentimental
by Jim Santella
These twelve easy pieces from previous Concord albums (1978-1997) provide a cross section of spiritual charm and tasteful accompaniment. Karrin Allyson caresses a lyric accompanied by Randy Weinstein’s soulful harmonica and Rod Fleeman’s sensitive acoustic guitar melody. Guitarist Jeff Linsky offers a gentle ballad from his 1996 album California accompanied by the soft-spoken wordless vocals of Claudia Villea and a small expressive ensemble. Rosemary Clooney’s lamenting ballad is supported by pianist John Oddo, bassist Michael Moore and drummer Joe Cocuzzo ...
Continue Reading
