Recording News

Bird and Diz in 1947

Source: JazzWax by Marc Myers
March 9, 2010

I was doing some reading the other night and came across an  essay by Ross Russell in the September 1960 issue of The Jazz Review. Russell, who had been owner of Dial Records, was reviewing a reissue of the Carnegie Hall concert of September 29, 1947 that featured Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie:

“I was pleased when I found the concert program intact in my files. The occasion was the first attempt to present pure bop to a large ...

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Susan Cowsill's New CD Features Jackson Browne, the Cowsills, Waddy Wachtel and Vicki Peterson

Source: conqueroo
March 9, 2010

Special guests include Jackson Browne, The Cowsills (Bob, Paul and John), Vicki Peterson (Bangles/Continental Drifters) and session ace Waddy Wachtel

NEW ORLEANS, La. -- Lighthouse, Susan Cowsill's second solo album, once again embodies the timeless qualities of heart, soul and craft that are already known to anyone familiar with Cowsill's solo debut Just Believe It. The new album is slated for May 18, 2010 release on Threadhead Records.

Susan first entered the pop-culture spotlight at the age of eight, as ...

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Kansas City Suite: Still Rare, Still Wonderful

Source: Rifftides by Doug Ramsey
March 8, 2010

Nearly two years ago, I wrote about a Benny Carter masterpiece that received raves from musicians and critics after Count Basie recorded it for Roulette in 1960. Kansas City Suite went out of print as an LP, had a brief revival as a Capitol CD in 1990, sold poorly and has all but disappeared.

Basie's so-called “new testament" band included Thad Jones, Joe Newman, Frank Wess, Frank Foster, Marshall Royal, Benny Powell, Al Grey and the great latterday Basie rhythm ...

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Lionel Loueke Album Review: "Mwaliko"

Source: Michael Ricci
March 8, 2010

When Benin-born guitarist and vocalist Lionel Loueke was touring with jazz ensembles led by Terence Blanchard and Herbie Hancock, both bandleaders went out of their way to showcase his talents. Yet it wasn't until Loueke recorded a series of solo CDs that listeners could fully appreciate the breadth of his talents and interests. It's tempting to describe “Mwaliko," Loueke's fourth release, as a jazz album for folks who aren't necessarily interested in jazz, since its Afro-pop appeal is undeniable. The ...

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Albums of the Week: March 5 - March 11 - Jimi Hendrix, Gorillaz, Great American Taxi

Source: JamBase
March 7, 2010

JamBase Albums of the Week | March 5-March 11, 2010

Dennis' Pick of the Week Free Energy: Stuck On Nothing (Astralwerks) Getting the fundamentals right is sometimes more satisfying than truckloads of innovation. Philly's Free Energy is a gang of guys dedicated to carefully honed pop rock in the tradition of Cheap Trick, Badfinger, Buddy Holly, early Beatles and '80s pure pop like The Outfield and The Knack. The rainbow adorned black and white high top ...

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Ingo Bethke Releases Self Titled Debut Album

Source: Michael Ricci
March 7, 2010

The trumpet-sax-tuba-fronted jazz sextet Ingo Bethke announces the release of their debut self-titled album. The CD features seven originals and a re-interpretation of a traditional Israeli folk song. The compositions range in style from straight-ahead swing, to carefully- arranged big-band-like tunes, to explosive avant-garde jazz. Since its inception, Ingo Bethke has strived to push the boundaries of modern jazz. Matt Peterson says of the group, “We all love playing in this band because we get to play things that we ...

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Sharel Cassity - Relentless (Jazz Legacy Productions)

Source: Master of a Small House
March 7, 2010

Despite the global proliferation of jazz, New York City remains the foremost proving ground for the music's practitioners. Making it in the Apple still ostensibly means making it on the world stage. Classically trained, with diplomas from both the New School and Julliard, saxophonist Sharel Cassity's credentials are not uncommon to the caliber of player competing for gigs. Cassity's made the most of her residency by networking with a wide swathe of her peers. She convenes a cadre of their ...

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Fully Altered Media Drummer Allison Miller Releases 2nd Album, Boom Tic Boom March 23rd

Source: Fully Altered Media
March 6, 2010

Drummer Allison Miller Releases Second Solo Leader CD, BOOM TIC BOOM, Performing Music Composed For and Inspired by Important Women in the Drummer/Composer's Life Release Date: March 23, 2010 Album Features: Myra Melford, Todd Sickafoose & Special Guest Jenny Scheinman “Some of my closest friends are extremely smart and powerful women," Allison Miller says. “I can't stress enough the importance of this community. There've been several women who've really helped me out in my career. I hope that I do ...

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