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Ray Charles Orchestra: Ray Charles Orchestra: Zurich 1961-Swiss Radio Days Jazz Series, Vol. 41
by Dan Bilawsky
1961 was a classic jazz vintage for Ray Charles. That was the year he delivered unto us Genius + Soul = Jazz (Impulse!, 1961), and the year he took Europe by storm with a big band in tow. He was in good voice and spirits, he had top quality charts in his book--a good number from ...
The Wee Trio: Wee +3
by Dan Bilawsky
The Wee Trio delivered quite a bit of variety over the course of its first four albums. The first two--Capitol Diner, Vol. I (Bionic Records, 2008) and Capitol Diner, Vol. II: Animal Style (Bionic Records, 2010)--established the musical ground and syntax that are part and parcel of this three-way partnership; Ashes To Ashes: A David Bowie ...
Kurt Elling: The Beautiful Day
by Dan Bilawsky
Forget the standard old tidings of good cheer, the same old set of swinging Christmas standards, and the sugary holiday treats that lack vitality and real sustenance. Kurt Elling certainly paid little mind to them when he was putting together this gem of a program. Instead of taking the road more traveled when it comes to ...
Jason Klobnak: Hark The Herald
by Dan Bilawsky
Sleigh bells, synths, slick layers of sound, and a forthright trumpet are making seasons bright here. Colorado-based trumpeter Jason Klobnak dips his toe into Christmas music with a contemporary spin on “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing" that's both fun and ripe. It's a work that's seriously produced but lighthearted in tone. While Klobnak's ...
The Power Quintet at Jazz Standard
by Dan Bilawsky
The Power Quintet Jazz Standard New York, NY December 3, 2016 The age of the collective-minded outfit in jazz is upon us. While the concept of democratically-driven bands is hardly new or unique, more and more artists seem to be taking to the idea with gusto, pooling their ...
Alex LoRe Quartet: More Figs And Blue Things
by Dan Bilawsky
Saxophonist Alex LoRe is a musician of philosophical and poetic bent. With his debut--Dream House (Inner Circle Music, 2014)--that wasn't always apparent, as the scales slightly favored progress over patience. Here, the balance tips the other way, but not so much so that things become tedious. LoRe may be a deep thinker, but he doesn't allow ...
Kristin Korb: Beyond The Moon
by Dan Bilawsky
While Johnny Mercer's place in history has been acknowledged time and again, album-length tributes to the legendary lyricist, songwriter, vocalist, and Capitol Records founder aren't as common as you might think. Yes, there are gems in that category (and/or compilations) from vocal icons like Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Bing Crosby, and Rosemary Clooney; oddities that fit ...
Rudy Royston Trio: Rise Of Orion
by Dan Bilawsky
303 (Greenleaf Music, 2014) was the debut we were waiting for from drummer extraordinaire Rudy Royston, but it wasn't necessarily the debut we were expecting. Instead of playing the chops-and-brawn card that he always holds somewhere in his hand, Royston took a more thoughtful approach. He wowed with multidimensional maneuvers instead of brute force, using a ...
David Friesen Circle 3 Trio: Triple Exposure
by Dan Bilawsky
For most, a triangle is the shape that readily springs to mind when analyzing, discussing, and/or conceptualizing a trio. There's no mistaking roles and positions, after all, when there are three clearly defined sides. A circle, on the other hand, offers no beginning, no middle, and no end. In many ways it's a better analog for ...
John Escreet: The Unknown
by Dan Bilawsky
Stepping into the void without a map, compass, or guide can be an incredibly scary experience. But the very same scenario can also be liberating. Musicians freed of the shackles of preconceived ideas are the ones, after all, who speak the lingua franca of jazz--improvisation, that is--in its purest dialect. And improvisation doesn't get any truer ...
