Results for "Al Hood"

Al Hood

Most Read Album Reviews: 2019

by Michael Ricci
January 1, 2020

All About Jazz tracks how often an album review is read, and the reviews listed below represent our most popular in 2019. The number to the right of the date published represents the article's read count as of December 30th. In The Key Of The Universe Joey DeFrancesco by ...

Jazz Muses

By Al Hood

Label: Aquarian Records
Released: 2019
Track listing: Cleopatra's Asp, Michelle, Fungii Mama, Nadalin, Miss Nettie B, Fat Girl, LaRue, Brigitte. Katerina Ballerina, Donna Lee.

Al Hood and the H2 Sextet: Jazz Muses

by Nicholas F. Mondello
March 17, 2019

There's something fascinating about the word “inspire." We know from Latin that the word derives from inspirare, meaning “to breathe" or “blow into." It is the perfect theme as presented for trumpeter Al Hood and the H2 Sextet's terrific album, Jazz Muses. Not only is Hood inspired by his Jazz Muses, but his blowing here takes ...

H2 Big Band: It Could Happen

by Nicholas F. Mondello
July 9, 2015

From one perspective, It Could Happen is a teaser title for this big band recording. Sure, it's a perseveration of one of the scrumptious cuts on this cake. However, like a fine Le Cordon Bleu recipe, if you heap eleven exceptionally well-written GAS and original selections into the pot and set great charts before some of ...

Dave Brubeck: Small Groups, Large Stature

by Jack Bowers
January 3, 2013

Dave Brubeck wasn't really a big-band kinda guy; in fact, he was seldom seen in groups larger than four or five. On the other hand, he was an extraordinary musician, one whose influence will no doubt be felt for generations to come. Brubeck, who remained active almost to the end of his life, died December 5 ...

Kris Berg & the Metroplexity Big Band / Michael Treni Big Band / Millennium Jazz Orchestra

by Jack Bowers
September 9, 2012

Kris Berg & the Metroplexity Big BandThis Time / Last YearMAMA Records2012 Until now, bassist / educator Kris Berg, who oversees the Jazz Studies program at Collin College near Dallas, TX, has been widely known and respected as someone who writes and arranges songs for others to play. ...

Fred Hess Big Band: Speak

by Florence Wetzel
August 22, 2012

In the liner notes to Speak, saxophonist/band leader Fred Hess makes an important point: although the golden era of traveling big bands is long past, the big band format lives on in school ensembles, as well as through individuals such as himself, whose love for this format plows right through all the logistical difficulties. Anyone seeking ...

Curtis Fuller: Down Home

by Edward Blanco
June 25, 2012

Legendary trombonist Curtis Fuller was 22 years old when he played on John Coltrane's landmark Blue Train (Blue Note, 1957), and the saxophonist remained best friends with Fuller during the 1950s and '60s. In 2005, the trombonist met saxophonist Keith Oxman, and has since developed a friendship leading to Fuller's favorable comparison of his new friend ...

Curtis Fuller: Down Home

by Bruce Lindsay
June 23, 2012

The trombone can be smoothly seductive, raucous, rasping or cheekily fruity by turn. Curtis Fuller is a master of the instrument, a veteran of six decades of top flight jazz who is still full of creativity as a player and writer. Featuring his regular sextet, Down Home is an absolutely delightful recording--a sophisticated collection of tunes ...