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Howard University Jazz Ensemble 2023: Nefertiti
by Jack Bowers
The Howard University Jazz Ensemble was formed almost half a century ago, in 1975, by Fred Irby III, its first--and, so far, only--music director. Every year since 1976, the ensemble has recorded and released an album to showcase its prowess and growth under Irby's baton. This year's entry, Nefertiti, is a tribute to ...
Bernie Senensky: Moment to Moment
by Jack Bowers
Canadian pianist Bernie Senensky's latest album, Moment to Moment, encompasses two quartet sessions recorded almost twenty years apart: the first in 2001, the second (live) in 2020. While the rhythm sections differ on each, the one constant (aside from Senensky) is the acclaimed tenor saxophonist Eric Alexander. If you are planning to have only one constant, ...
The Flying Horse Big Band: A Message From The Flying Horse Big Band
by Jack Bowers
The Message on the Florida-based Flying Horse Big Band's sixth album comes straight from the “messengers" themselves-- drummer Art Blakey's legendary Jazz Messengers, whose music is admirably presented here, and to whom the album is dedicated. Its ten songs were composed by members of the Jazz Messengers--Wayne Shorter, Hank Mobley, Horace Silver, Cedar ...
Claire Daly: VuVu for Frances
by Jack Bowers
Claire Daly, whose gruff yet eloquent baritone sax has brightened the New York scene for almost four decades, reunites with acclaimed tenor saxophonist George Garzone on Daly's seventh album as leader, VuVu for Frances, whose honoree is Frances Ballantyne, described by Daly as “a profound influence on [her] life" and “a consummate New Yorker." Daly and ...
Lucas Pino: Covers
by Jack Bowers
Covers is a quartet date in which New York-based tenor saxophonist Lucas Pino “covers" half a dozen generally pleasing songs written by his contemporaries, alongside one each by Charlie Parker ("Relaxin' at Camarillo") and Duke Pearson ("New Girl"). Pino's smooth, articulate tenor saxophone is reinforced by guitarist Alex Goodman, bassist Rick Rosato and drummer Allan Mednard. ...
Dave Bayles Trio: Live at the Uptowner
by Jack Bowers
Here's a rather unusual lineup for a trio: trumpet, bass and drums. Russ Johnson is the trumpeter, Clay Schaub the bassist, Dave Bayles the drummer and leader. That is rather like assembling the Gerry Mulligan quartet without inviting Mulligan. Bayles' trio was recorded live in February 2023 at the Uptowner nightclub in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where it ...
The Dave Stryker Trio: Groove Street
by Jack Bowers
Guitarist Dave Stryker's latest album, Groove Street, is in fact “The Dave Stryker Trio with Bob Mintzer," a combination that is a sure bet to enhance its merit and heighten its import--a sentiment that is equally true when applied to any album on which the acclaimed tenor saxophonist sits in. Stryker and Mintzer ...
Atlantic Road Trip: ONE
by Jack Bowers
Although it is not clear at first (or even second) glance, Atlantic Road Trip is the name of the group on this superb album from Chicago-based Calligram Records, while ONE is the title of the album itself. What is clear is that the music the quintet produces is splendid, overflowing with delightful melodies and tantalizing rhythms, ...
Russ Spiegel: Caribbean Blue
by Jack Bowers
Pleasant music with ample color and variety--that's an apt description of Caribbean Blue, the latest albulm from California-bred, Florida-based guitarist Russ Spiegel, who has surrounded himself with world-class musicians and given them rein to canvass ten of his generally engaging compositions and bring them admirably to life. While everything on offer is respectable, ...
Jack Bowers' Best Jazz Albums Of 2023
by Jack Bowers
2023 was another banner year for jazz of all shapes and sizes. It has been a pleasure to review so many splendid big-band albums along with wonderful enterprises by smaller groups, some of which were recording for the first time (hopefully, not the last). If this was a preview of things to come, we look forward ...
