Jazz Articles

Lenore Raphael: Invitation: Lenore Raphael Live

by John Kelman
September 15, 2007

Sometimes it's not necessary to break new ground; sometimes all that's required is to be honest, unassuming and deeply committed to the music.

Pianist Lenore Raphael has been building, over the course of four previous albums, a solid discography that sits smack dab in the middle of the jazz mainstream. With bassist Hilliard Greene and drummer Rudy Lawless back from A Beautiful Friendship (Swingin' Fox, 2005), Raphael goes live with Invitation: Lenore Raphael Live, recorded at ...

Lenore Raphael: A Beautiful Friendship

by Ernest Barteldes
December 26, 2005

Don't be fooled by the track listing on A Beautiful Friendship, which is mostly made up of classic songs by the likes of Sammy Cahn and Cole Porter. Instead, be forewarned that this gifted pianist does not intend to take listeners through a journey of predictability. Rather, Lenore Raphael brings a new spin on songs that most thought could not be developed further. For instance, on Porter's “I Love You, she begins with a mellow piano solo ...

Lenore Raphael: Wingin' It

by AAJ Staff
January 1, 2003

Lenore Raphael has a love affair with the piano, as demonstrated by the myriad of emotions she is able to evoke in her playing.... and by the stream of ideas that pour forth in her solos, rich with quickly allusions that brush by the ear like a sussuration. From a sweetly swinging mode to pure nonstop bop, Raphael is the personification of swing. In order to swing, the music must grab the emotion of the listener, and this recording certainly ...

Lenore Raphael: Reflections

by AAJ Staff
September 1, 2001

“Reflections" Lenore Raphael Trio..Swingin' Fox Music Lenore Raphael is clearly in charge on this disc. Her style is reminiscent of the Bud Powell-Oscar Peterson school, with asides to Mr. Monk now and again, yet she always maintains her originality and fresh ideas always abound. This New York based Pianist has played the top jazz clubs of the world and this CD gives the listener a chance to understand why. 'Zoot Scoot' is pure be-bop at it's best. A nice Bass ...