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Brad Allen Williams: Lamar
by Jack Bowers
Brad Allen Williams is another in a seemingly endless stream of splendid guitarists dating back to the earliest days of jazz, set apart from the herd on Lamar primarily by choice of instrumentation, material and manner of recording. Williams' trio, whose other members are organist Pat Bianchi and drummer Tyshawn Sorey, have chosen to ...
Daniel Smith: Jazz Suite for Bassoon
by Jack Bowers
Jazz Suite is the second album by bassoonist Daniel Smith to be reviewed in these precincts (Smokin' Hot Bassoon Blues was the first). This one is far more agreeable, for at least two reasons: first, the territory Smith traverses seems to be relatively more familiar (especially the “Baroque Adaptations") and, second, he manages to play squarely ...
Bob Mintzer Big Band: Get Up!
by Jack Bowers
Even after more than three decades as a big-band leader, and with twenty well-received albums under his belt, Grammy winner Bob Mintzer keeps pushing the envelope, tweaking his recipe and exploring new ways in which to challenge himself and his sidemen while seducing the listener's ear. Known among other things for his fondness for Latin music, ...
John Fedchock Quartet Live: Fluidity
by Jack Bowers
When talk turns to outstanding contemporary trombonists, it's surprising that the name John Fedchock isn't mentioned more often. It should be. Not only has Fedchock been on the scene for quite a while, having played with and arranged for the renowned Woody Herman Herd (1980-87) and led his own New York Big Band for more than ...
John Tropea: Gotcha Rhythm Right Here
by Jack Bowers
Although thirty-one musicians are listed, guitarist John Tropea's latest recording isn't strictly a big-band album, as the sidemen perform on assorted tracks in groups whose size varies from five to twelve. Tropea is always present, of course, as is his friend and fellow composer / arranger Chris Palmaro on the Hammond B3 organ or Fender Rhodes ...
Michael Kocour: Wherever You Go, There You Are
by Jack Bowers
Wherever You Go, There You Are is akin to visiting pianist Michael Kocour's living room or den for an hour or so and lingering while he entertains you with his singular takes on a number of favorite songs, most of which you've probably heard before but seldom played as well as this. Kocour's lyrical style has ...
John Clark: The Odd Couple Quintet +1
by Jack Bowers
"And now," as John Cleese used to intone on the Monty Python television series, “for something completely different." In this case, a jazz quintet (+1) sporting a front line of French horn and bassoon and performing, among other things, two horn concertos by Mozart. An odd coupling? At first blush, it would seem so. Far less ...
Howard University Jazz Ensemble: HUJE 2014
by Jack Bowers
Another year, another splendid album by the exemplary Howard University Jazz Ensemble from Washington, DC. Not that that should surprise anyone; Fred Irby III, who is completing his fortieth year as the band's first and only director, has ushered his students into a recording studio for the last thirty-nine of them, dating back to the days ...
John Yao and His 17-Piece Instrument: Flip-Flop
by Jack Bowers
Music aside, you have to love the name of this band: John Yao and His 17-Piece Instrument. Now there's confidence with a capital C! Yao, a New York City-based trombonist who arrived there from his native Chicago more than a decade ago, has more recently turned his hand to composing and arranging. Yao writes with the ...
Frank Vignola & Vinny Raniolo: Swing Zing!
by Jack Bowers
When a press release accompanying a new album conveys more information than is found on the album itself, the supposition must be that it was recorded hurriedly with an eye toward a similarly expeditious release. Swing Zing! pairs the estimable guitarists Frank Vignola and Vinny Raniolo, who've been working together for more than five years, with ...
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