Recording News

Norah Jones: When Gritty Meets Girly

Source: Michael Ricci
November 30, 2009

The songstress delves into darker territory on The Fall Norah Jones gets her hands dirty on her new album, The Fall - figuratively speaking, of course. We are, after all, talking about one of the gentlest voices in jazz-pop, an artist who has sold more than 35 million copies of her first three albums. So she wasn't about to go all hardcore on us. The Fall was produced by Jacquire King, who has worked with Tom Waits and indie-rock acts ...

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Milan to be Played, Milan to Be Heard

Source: BlueGal 110
November 30, 2009

Milan to be played, Milan to be heard: United Jazz Artists of Milan. The story Among the various sitting rooms of the Lombard capital, Gabriella Niccolai's - very active and famous for its genuine hospitality - has given life to a project which has materialised into a CD and a live show that contain no less than 11 jazz bands from Milan. These are the artists who play in clubs and pubs. No one particularly famous, all musicians from the ...

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Firehouse Excitement + CD Reviews

Source: See! Hear! by Richard Kamins
November 30, 2009

Wesleyan graduate, cohort of Professor Anthony Braxton and Taylor Ho Bynum, leader of duo with violist Jessica Pavone, Mary Halvorson brings her Quintet to Firehouse 12 in New Haven for 2 sets of exciting and challenging jazz. The guitarist, whose debut CD “Dragon's Head“ (Firehouse 12 label), made many a Top 10 list in 2008, has expanded the Trio that appeared on that disk (bassist John Hebert and drummer Ches Smith) to a Quintet with the addition of Jon Irabagon ...

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Volume IV of Live Recordings from Bridge School Concerts Available Nov. 24

Source: 1888 Media
November 30, 2009

Every year, Neil and Pegi Young host the non-profit Bridge School Concert, benefiting the unique learning complex which assists children with severe physical impairments and challenging communication needs. The first was held in 1986, and the event is known as a totally unique musical event. Over the years the line-up of participants reads like a history of rock & roll.

Three years ago, Apple's iTunes began offering live recordings from these legendary shows, and the first three volumes feature some ...

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Joe Locke's New Album "For the Love of You"

Source: Michael Ricci
November 29, 2009

E1 Music announces the release of a new album from vibraphonist Joe Locke. For The Love of You will be released on January 26th, 2010 and features vocals from Kenny Washington. Joining Locke and Washington is an all-star rhythm section: pianist Geoffrey Keezer, bassist George Mraz, and drummer Clarence Penn. Locke, a top radio charting jazz artist, is highly regarded as an instrumentalist, composer and band leader. Elegance, lyricism and soul are the sublime qualities at play in this magical ...

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Etowah Jazz Society Big Band Releases "What Jazz is This"

Source: Michael Ricci
November 29, 2009

What Jazz is This is the second CD released by the Etowah Jazz Society Big Band. The first CD, Headwaters, was a “live" recording where What Jazz is This was recorded in a studio and showcases tunes that the band performed during their Christmas concerts over the previous holiday seasons. “We picked our favorite tunes from our 'book' and present them to you," says bandleader Saunders Jones, Jr. The Etowah Jazz Society Big Band was formed in April of 2002 ...

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Origin Blue CD Release: "May I Say You Something?"

Source: Michael Ricci
November 29, 2009

Origin Blue releases debut CD “May I Say You Something"

Origin Blue's debut album, “May I Say You Something?", is an eclectic mix of original songs and innovative new takes on both jazz and rock songs from the past. The trio's unique sound and approach to music is on full display, spanning a wide range of styles, dynamics and moods. Group improvisation is a key part of the music, and the trio moves seamlessly between arrangements and improvisations throughout the ...

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Recent Listening: Hal Weary, Bill Frisell, Emil Viklicky

Source: Rifftides by Doug Ramsey
November 29, 2009

Hal Weary, A Rendezvous with Deja Vu (halwearyjazz). Weary is a pianist from the west on the rise in New York City. The quintet numbers on his debut CD draw on the hard-bop/gospel spirit of Horace Silver and Art Blakey. On “Tenderly," he touches on but soon departs from Erroll Garner. Unaccompanied on “Praise Medley" he seems to refer to the Ellington of “Reflections in D." Weary and his sidemen, saxophonist Shantawn Kendrick, trumpet Kenyatta Beasley, bassist Gregory Williams and ...

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