David Dunaway

Biography
Articles

Paul Yonemura: First Flight Home

Read "First Flight Home" reviewed by Jack Bowers

by Jack Bowers
September 22, 2026

For a recording that almost did not happen, drummer Paul Yonemura's First Flight Home is a welcome intruder and an undeniable pleasure to hear. As Yonemura tells it, four of his compositions were recorded on a demo tape in 1984, which is as far as they were intended to go. After listening to them, however, saxophonist Larry Honda added a pair of his original compositions and pianist Rick Helzer one, and what was once a demo tape started ...

Album Review

Ralph Simon: As

by Glenn Astarita
March 1, 2000

As represents composer/saxophonist Ralph Simon’s second recording as a leader. Although originally recorded in 1981, As sounds remarkably fresh while consistently conveying a contemporary feel or vibe which is evident from the opening moments of Simon’s piece, “Kalimba”. Here, Simon and his bandmates elicit tropical themes enhanced by the late Gene Adler’s meticulous utilization of the kalimba along with vibraphonist Jeff Berman as Simon provides the ethereal treatments and acute expressionism via his soprano sax. Peppery yet low-key rhythms prevail ...