Jazz Articles

Kevin Mahogany: Kevin Mahogany Big Band

by Jack Bowers
March 14, 2005

Kevin Mahogany, the Kansas City cyclone, would sound terrific singing in the shower or standing on his head. The presence of a big band (actually four) on nine of the ten selections on his newest album is merely icing on the cake. No, this isn't actually “the Kevin Mahogany Big Band, but the four bands represented here will do quite nicely, thank you..

Mahogany is blessed with a voice that is instantly seductive--smooth as butter, sweet as honey and deep ...

Brian Bromberg: You Know That Feeling

by AAJ Staff
January 21, 2003

Few are the bass players whom the average music fan can name. There are simply not that many who stand out as more than a member of rhythm section, however tight. Paul McCartney. Sting. Bootsy Collins. Tony Levin. Gene Simmons. These may be the greater part of a list which is, for most, a count no longer than one hand long. Shorter still is the list of bassists who can take their playing one step further.

Brian Bromberg is one ...

Jazz Is Dead: Great Sky River

by Todd S. Jenkins
September 1, 2001

One of America's hottest jam bands continues to mine the bottomless repertoire of the Grateful Dead. On their third album, Jazz Is Dead breathes new life into classics that Deadheads haven't ever gotten enough of. The intuition between guitarist Jimmy Herring (Aquarium Rescue Unit, Allman Brothers Band, Phil Lesh & Friends), bassist Alphonso Johnson (Miles Davis, Weather Report, Billy Cobham, The Other Ones), and keyboardist T Lavitz and drummer Rod Morgenstein of the Dixie Dregs has become more uncanny over ...

BeatleJazz: Another Bite Of The Apple

by Jim Santella
September 1, 2001

Most nightclub trios don't take requests. Those that do, however, probably know each of these songs inside and out. Many of us grew up with 'em. They're beautiful songs that take us somewhere special every time we hear them. BeatleJazz laces each familiar tune with new spices. It's the kind of swinging improvisation that comes out naturally and quite differently each time. On “Let It Be," for example, the trio lays down the melody with a loping, laid back feel. ...

Rhythm Logic: Rhythm Logic

by Dave Hughes
August 1, 2000

Rhythm Logic is a rather typical guitar-keyboards-bass-drums contemporary ensemble, presenting a likable, if not remarkable, program of adult contemporary fare. Eight of the ten tunes on their self-titled debut are originals, the remaining two are well-known covers: Earth, Wind & Fire's “Fantasy" and Donald Fagen's “I.G.Y." (from his solo album Nightfly). The covers were included, I suppose, with the hope of securing some airplay on the smooth jazz playlists. They're very close to the originals. The originals, likewise, are competently ...

Victor Bailey: Low Blow

by Dave Hughes
August 1, 2000

On his first solo release in ten years, Low Blow, bassist Victor Bailey, alumnus of Weather Report and Steps Ahead and currently bassist for the Zawinul Syndicate, reinforces his standing among the bass elite. Bailey liberates the electric bass from its traditional background role as the harmonic and rhythmic foundation of a band and demonstrates its capabilities as a lead and solo voice. One of Bailey's goals for this recording was to demonstrate that he's not just a bassist, but ...

Jazz is Dead: Laughing Water

by Dave Hughes
August 1, 2000

On their sophomore release, Laughing Water, Jazz is Dead continues their mission of presenting the catalog of the Grateful Dead in sort of a country-rock context, with occasional classical, gospel, and jazz flavoring. It's unpretentious, infectious jamming by musicians with virtuoso chops to burn. The exuberant “Let Me Sing Your Blues Away" (not a vocal) alternates hard-driving edgy guitar choruses with fleet-fingered, grooving organ. “Row Jimmy" has a laid-back country-rock feel. The next tune, “Stella Blue," begins with an almost-classical ...

Didier Malherbe and Loy Ehrlich: Hadouk

by Dave Hughes
August 1, 2000

Didier Malherbe and Loy Ehrlich's Hadouk is a CD that should have appeal for those into the “world music" scene. Malherbe and Ehrlich employ a wide range of wind and percussion instruments, plus occasional stringed instruments, from eastern Europe and Africa in an engaging set of earthy yet intricate tunes. There's little jazz here, in the traditional sense, but the program abounds with interesting rhythms and light improvization on each of the tunes' basic motifs, many of which are quite ...

Vince Mendoza: Epiphany

by Dave Hughes
August 1, 2000

Vince Mendoza is a highly creative and cerebral composer and arranger. Epiphany represents perhaps his most ambitious work to date, a full symphonic program with jazz soloists. The program works the classical to jazz spectrum thoroughly, although most of the emphasis is on modern classical; the suite never quite lets loose on a full jazz romp. The moods range from soft and introspective to medium and mellow; there are no loud or fast passages. The opening movement is entirely soft ...

Dixie Dregs: California Screamin'

by Dave Hughes
August 1, 2000

The Dixie Dregs (also called simply “the Dregs") produced muscular southern rock/fusion during the late seventies and early eighties. They reunited briefly in the early nineties, and reunited again in August, 1999, for a series of concerts at Los Angeles' famed Roxy Theater. The best performances from these hot nights have now been released on California Screamin'. All of the original members are present (Morse, Lavitz, Morgenstern, Sloan, West), as well as more recent band members Jerry Goodman (of Mahavishnu ...