Jazz Articles

Etienne Mbappe: Su La Take

by Ian Patterson
May 2, 2008

Little wonder that the late keyboardist Joe Zawinul recruited Cameroonian vocalist/bassist Etienne Mbappe to the Syndicate in 2001. His honey-sweet, yet smoky vocals, enviable writing and arranging skills and an electric bass technique second to none have also attracted the likes of kora player Toumani Diabte, guitarist/singer Ali Farka Tourre, guitarist Nguyen Le and singers Ray Charles and Salif Keita. Little wonder too, that Mbappe struck out on his own in 2003; judging by the results of Su La Take, ...

Jim Tomlinson / Stacey Kent: The Lyric

by Andrew Velez
November 11, 2006

Brimming with pop and jazz standards, The Lyric (winner of the BBC's 2006 Jazz Album of the Year award) launches with Brit tenor sax man Jim Tomlinson and trio's warm breezy take on “Manha de Carnival, on which pianist David Newton, bassist Dave Chamberlain and drummer Matt Skelton provide very tasty punctuation.

Easy bossa is a pleasantly recurring flavor throughout this set. A more heated, undulating “My Heart Belongs to Daddy allows Tomlinson and his American wife, Stacey Kent, to ...

Ray Barretto: Time Was - Time Is

by Russ Musto
January 29, 2006

Ray Barretto continues to refine his brand of swinging, Latin-inflected jazz with each succeeding release. On Time Was - Time Is, the venerable conguero leads a polished instrumental ensemble featuring Joe Magnarelli on trumpet and Myron Walden on alto with Robert Rodriguez at the piano and Sean Conly and Vince Cherico on bass and drums. The set kicks off with a couple of Afro-Cuban classics. Bobby Sanabria joins the group on percussion to emphasize the folkloric rhythms ...

Sarah Morrow: The American All Stars In Paris

by Michael P. Gladstone
November 25, 2005

It seems like a familiar story by now. A group of American ex-pat musicians in Paris is well regarded there, despite having little recognition on this side of the Atlantic. Trombonist Sarah Morrow is here joined by veteran saxman Hal Singer, organist Rhoda Scott, bassist Wayne Dockery (a former Jazz Messenger), and drummer John Betsch. Two French musicians also contribute to this loose session.

The album begins with a version of Ziggy Elman's “And The Angels Sing," and ...

Ray Barretto: Time Was - Time Is

by Jim Santella
October 18, 2005

The Ray Barretto Sextet delivers. It turns a program of traditional songs and original pieces into a performance of modern jazz designed to inspire. The conguero, who knows about finding rich talent, has put together a stellar ensemble that performs with cohesion, precision, and passion.

It's been nearly fifty years since Barretto replaced Mongo Santamaria in Tito Puente's ensemble. During his varied career he's experienced jazz from every angle: from traditional Latin to funk, bebop, and straight-ahead. With ...

Etienne Mbapp: Misiya

by Annika Westman
October 16, 2005

Fairly unknown to big audiences, but at the same time one of the most talented African bass players, Etienne Mbappé has, since moving to Paris from his home country Cameroon in the '70s, played with musicians such as Joe Zawinul, Manu Dibango, Salif Keita, and his own fusion bands Chic and Ultramarine.

Misiya, his first solo album, definitely belongs in the same genre as Richard Bona's, soft well-arranged modern African music, where the vocals, using the soft Douala language, have ...

Sarah Morrow: American All-Stars in Paris

by Jim Santella
September 20, 2005

Backed by a hot jazz ensemble from Paris, trombonist Sarah Morrow steps out with a firm grasp of the situation. She and her band swing hard, creatively interpreting these standard tunes. Her solo trombone voice, alongside those of tenor giant Hal Singer and organist Rhoda Scott, results in a hearty party that could last all night long.

“Blue Monk" receives a down and dirty blues texture that oozes with deep passion. “Honeysuckle Rose" wails with a light swing ...