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Album Review

Kitt Lyles: Real Talk

Read "Real Talk" reviewed by Edward Blanco

by Edward Blanco
May 23, 2016

An active performer and educator in the Chicago jazz community, young bassist Kitt Lyles is a graduate of Northwestern University with a degree in Jazz Studies and has performed in venues throughout North America, Latin America and Asia. A sideman on various other recordings, Lyles introduces his debut recording as leader on Real Talk presenting eight original compositions of the contemporary nature. The bassist surrounds himself with a core quintet of Chicago-area musicians, all educators and leaders in ...

Album Review

Kitt Lyles: Real Talk

Read "Real Talk" reviewed by Mark Sullivan

by Mark Sullivan
May 20, 2016

For his debut recording bassist/composer Kitt Lyles draws on his love for the jazz tradition, as well as southern folk and blues. A South Carolina native now residing in Chicago, he leads a working sextet (with one additional player on two tracks) through a varied program of originals. The title tune is built on a vamp, with guitarist Hans Luchs and tenor saxophonist Roy McGrath opening, joined by the trumpeter Justin Copeland. “Snowfall On Carolina" is an upbeat swing tune, ...

Album Review

Kitt Lyles: Real Talk

Read "Real Talk" reviewed by Jack Bowers

by Jack Bowers
January 25, 2016

Real Talk is the debut album for young South Carolina-bred bassist Kitt Lyles who earned a degree in Jazz Studies from Northwestern University in 2013. As all the compositions are Lyles,' its success rests as much on his skills as a writer as his serving as a beacon for the sextet's able rhythm section. How does Lyles fare as a composer / arranger? Quite well, actually. His colorful themes, while a stride or two short of memorable, are by and ...