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Pianos in the Foreground: Six Modern Masters
by Eugene Holley, Jr.
Because of its huge range, the piano might be the most expressive and adaptable instrument in western music. And since jazz is a product of western culture, it's no surprise that jazz pianists have been the genre's foremost creators, interpreters and stylists. This has been true since the days of ragtime, New Orleans, stride and swing, ...
Steve Davis: Images - The Hartford Suite
by Bruce Lindsay
Trombonist/composer Steve Davis was commissioned by the Greater Hartford Festival of Jazz to compose Images: The Hartford Suite, with track dedicated to a contemporary or historical Hartford figure or place. Thankfully, a detailed knowledge of Hartford, Connecticut is not a prerequisite for the enjoyment of this music; the talent and enthusiasm of the musicians accentuate this ...
Rob McConnell: Boss of Bosses
by Jack Bowers
Even though largely unknown to most of us south of the border, a number of world-class big bands have made their home in Canada over the years. For nearly three decades, however, there was one whose name and influence rose conspicuously above the others. That band was, of course, the incomparable Boss Brass, and the reason ...
Phil Woods / Stan Kenton / The Les Hooper Band
by Jack Bowers
Phil Woods / DePaul University Jazz Ensemble Solitude Jazzed Media 2010 Not to underplay the title, but Solitude, from alto saxophone master Phil Woods and the splendid DePaul University Jazz Ensemble, embodies far more than the sort of serenity it implies. In fact, Woods is as animated and ...
Erika: Obsession
by Raul d'Gama Rose
Young vocalist Erika springs a surprise on herself with Obsession. Japanese by birth and schooled relatively recently in jazz, she is not only pitch-perfect while singing in English, but negotiates Brazilian charts in Portuguese with near perfect emotion (if not always perfect diction). The biggest surprise of all is the Japanese repertoire, with which she rounds ...
The Trio (Peter Erskine / Chuck Berghofer / Terry Trotter): Live @ Charlie O's
by John Kelman
Three Los Angeles session men with a massive collective résumé as sidemen but, with the exception of one--drummer Peter Erskine--diminutive discographies as leaders; one set of largely iconic standards; and one live set from a club where the players, called simply “The Trio," perform on a regular basis. Live at Charlie O's is a loving tribute ...
Chuck Israels: Evans, Education and Philosophy
by Sean Dietrich
Throughout his career bassist Chuck Israels has worked with illustrious names including Billie Holiday, Benny Goodman, Coleman Hawkins, Stan Getz, Herbie Hancock, J.J. Johnson, John Coltrane. He is, however, best known for his work with Bill Evans, following the untimely death of Scott LaFaro, performing with the legendary pianist from 1961 to 1966. Strikingly intelligent and ...
Steve Davis: Images
by Dan Bilawsky
Images is trombonist Steve Davis' love letter to his hometown of West Hartford, CT. The ten pieces he wrote for the album, and which make up his “Hartford Suite," are all dedicated to people or places associated with this geographic region. While Davis' penchant for crisp swing and clear, lyrical lines plays a big part here, ...
David Binney: Aliso
by J Hunter
For Aliso, reedman David Binney wanted to get back to “doing things that have been part of my life since I was a kid." It's clear that any time is a good time for a happy childhood, because both Binney and his band dive into Aliso like 10 year-olds on vacation at Disney World. The opening ...
Duke Ellington: Chicago 1946 & Cornell University 1948
by George Kanzler
Duke EllingtonChicago 1946MusicMasters-Nimbus2009 Duke EllingtonCornell University 1948MusicMasters-Nimbus2009 The depth and breadth of the Ellington Orchestra's repertoire/book over the half-century Duke led the band is mind-bogglingly vast. And commercially-released studio recordings ...
