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Jazz Articles about Benny Powell

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Album Review

Basie All Stars: Live At Fabrik Vol. 1

Read "Live At Fabrik Vol. 1" reviewed by Chris May


Such are the glories of his band's recorded legacy from the 1930s through the 1950s, that the mere mention of Count Basie's name will trigger a Pavlovian response from his fan base. Like no other, the Count Basie Orchestra epitomised big-band swing at its most sublime; reefer fuelled, riff based, loose and louche Kansas City jazz that is irresistible even in 2023, a life-affirming antidote to the barbarity of DL-only albums, generative music and social media. Seasoned ...

210
Album Review

Benny Powell: Nextep

Read "Nextep" reviewed by Andrew Velez


A whiff of glorious, old-time New Orleans jazz in “Free to be Me" jubilantly launches trombonist Benny Powell's Nextep. Yet be assured the set is no trip down nostalgia lane. A working musician since his early teens in New Orleans, bop loyalist and veteran sideman at hundreds of recording sessions with the likes of everyone from Count Basie and Frank Sinatra to Aretha Franklin and “Screamin'" Jay Hawkins, at 78, Nextep is Powell's bid to finally take well-earned center stage ...

947
Interview

Benny Powell: Trombone Titan

Read "Benny Powell: Trombone Titan" reviewed by Andrew Velez


Master trombonist, composer, occasional vocalist and actor, NEA Jazz Master Benny Powell was saluted in 2008 at the All Nite Soul at Saint Peter Church in New York, along with his fellow honoree, pianist Jane Jarvis. A working musician since his early teens in New Orleans and a veteran sideman on hundreds of recording sessions with the likes of Count Basie, Frank Sinatra and Screamin' Jay Hawkins, at 78 Powell is energetic, quick to laugh and looking ahead to what ...

302
Album Review

Benny Powell: Nextep

Read "Nextep" reviewed by Dan McClenaghan


If Benny Powell doesn't sound familiar, he should be. He's recorded memorable work with Count Basie (a classic solo on “April in Paris") and on pianist Randy Weston's African Sunrise (Polygram Records, 1992). He's also been heard in countless recordings with Frank Sinatra, Duke Ellington, Joe Henderson, Sarah Vaughn and as part of Merv Griffin's TV show band. Certainly, Benny Powell is a versatile veteran jazz man.On Nextep, Powell assembles an ensemble of players of diverse backgrounds and ...


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