Tony DaGradi

Biography
Articles

Denise Mangiardi: On the Brink

Read "On the Brink" reviewed by Nicholas F. Mondello

by Nicholas F. Mondello
August 7, 2024

Originally from Freeport, Long Island, New York and now residing on the Isle of Wight in the United Kingdom, multi-faceted vocalist, composer, arranger, and engineer, Denise Mangiardi offers On the Brink, her eighth album as leader. Consisting of seven exceptionally well-performed selections with a handful of vivid originals and two classics, this is a masterful effort that is intriguing, enlightening, and a most enjoyable listen. “The Walk" is a lovely light bossa nova that is lushly beautiful. ...

Album Review

Johnny Vidacovich: Out Da Box

Read "Out Da Box" reviewed by Thomas Cole

by Thomas Cole
July 17, 2023

The jazz tradition is often one featuring drummers leading bands. Gene Krupa headlined a group known by his name as have jazz greats Art Blakey, Buddy Rich, Elvin Jones and the list goes on. Appearing on that same list of the 50 greatest jazz drummers, why not Johnny Vidacovich too? With no explicit intent to break the molds from which jazz drummers emerge and set new standards, his thing comes effortlessly--it is who he is rather than a ...

Album Review

Denise Mangiardi: Brown Book

Read "Brown Book" reviewed by Jerome Wilson

by Jerome Wilson
April 27, 2020

Denise Mangiardi dwells in two musical worlds, as both a jazz singer and an accomplished classical composer. She puts all her talents to good use on this CD, singing a collection of self-written ballads, folk songs and torch songs, over her own haunting arrangements. Mangiardi's moving string-writing appears on the two brief “Soundscape" instrumentals which bookend the album, as well as on the songs “The Exchange," “Waves," and “My Beauty"--which is really Thelonious Monk's “Ugly Beauty" with lyrics ...