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Barry Harris: Magnificent!
by C. Andrew Hovan
By the time pianist Barry Harris recorded his first session as a leader in 1958, Breakin' It Up for the Argo label, Charlie Parker had already been dead for three years and the be-bop movement that he had helped usher in was already giving way to the more visceral advance of hard bop and the beginning ...
Junior Mance: Happy Time
by C. Andrew Hovan
To the chagrin of certainly many a musician, there are some critics who equate audience appeal with commercial sell-out. It is just such an attitude that must have played a part in establishing pianist Junior Mance's position on the jazz map just at the outskirts of critical acclaim, despite wholehearted acceptance by those with a talented ...
Grant Green: Grant's First Stand
by C. Andrew Hovan
Leaving his native St. Louis in 1959, guitarist Grant Green got his first big break appearing with tenor saxophonist Jimmy Forrest and made his recording debut on Forrest's All The Gin Is Gone. While in Chicago, he then appeared on organist Sam Lazar's Space Flight before hooking up with Lou Donaldson in New York. The rest ...
Harold Danko: Three of Four
by C. Andrew Hovan
Even when it seems that you've heard all that there is to hear and all of the up-and-coming musicians that are out there to hear, someone will inadvertently pop up and surprise you. Such is the case with pianist Harold Danko, a gentleman who works as a college educator by day, stepping out once in awhile ...
David Hazeltine: A World For Her
by C. Andrew Hovan
The past year has been a banner one for pianist David Hazeltine. First, there was the summer release of his duo with vibraphonist Joe Locke, Mutual Admiration Society. Then, there was his resplendent tribute to Bill Evans, A Waltz for Debby done for the Japanese Venus label. Finally, we come to the disc at hand, A ...
Ari Ambrose: Introducing Ari Ambrose
by C. Andrew Hovan
It takes guts to devote your life to playing jazz, not to mention the tenacity to make a living of it in the hustle and bustle of New York City. Obviously 26-year- old tenor saxophonist Ari Ambrose has more than enough gumption to give it a try, while also making his debut disc anything but the ...
Andy Fusco: Out of the Dark
by C. Andrew Hovan
For alto saxophonist Andy Fusco, Out of the Dark is really a “coming out" party in the sense that it's his debut for Criss Cross and it also provides his best recorded moments yet to date. A late bloomer, Fusco started to make a name for himself back in the early '80s when he was a ...
Various Artists: Blue Note Connoisseur Series: The Lost Sessions
by C. Andrew Hovan
When it came to the music that he put out on record, Blue Note producer Alfred Lion was a stickler for tight ensembles, inspired performances, and musically appealing content. This sometimes meant, added to the sheer prolific nature of the label, that many decent sessions ended up accumulating in the vaults over the years. Of course, ...
Steve Slagle: Steve Slagle Plays Monk
by C. Andrew Hovan
Well, let's admit it; the whole idea of doing tribute albums has really gotten out of hand recently. But if you're going to do this type of thing, then saxophonist Steve Slagle and his talented crew have the right idea. For starters, a piano is nowhere to be heard from, with the chameleon-like guitar of Dave ...
Rodney Whitaker: The Brooklyn Session: Ballads & Blues
by C. Andrew Hovan
Following in the footsteps of the immortal Paul Chambers, Rodney Whitaker promises to become one of the better bassist/leaders on the current scene, taking only a bit of a back seat to the more ubiquitous Christian McBride. He has two accomplished releases already under his belt for the Japanese DIW/Disc Union label (1996's Children of the ...
