Home » Search Center » Results: Jack Bowers

Results for "Jack Bowers"

121

Article: Album Review

National Youth Jazz Orchestra: Stepping Stones

by Jack Bowers
April 1, 1999

My first thought on hearing a new recording by Great Britain’s remarkably talented National Youth Jazz Orchestra (the collection numbers 16) is always, “This has to be the best thing they’ve ever done,” followed immediately by “I can’t believe everyone in that band is under 25, and that many of them are still teen–agers.” Musicians their ...

172

Article: Album Review

Various Artists: The Jubilee Sessions

by Jack Bowers
April 1, 1999

We’ve all heard of big–band Jazz that really cooks, but can the recipe call for music that is rare and also well done? Before dismissing the idea out of hand, consider this remarkable three–disc boxed set from Hindsight Records. The Jubilee Sessions, recorded for radio broadcasts aimed primarily toward blacks serving in the Armed Forces during ...

137

Article: Album Review

Phil DeGreg: The Green Gate

by Jack Bowers
March 1, 1999

While I’ve always found it difficult (if not impossible) to identify pianists in a blindfold test (okay, I think I could name Oscar Peterson, Erroll Garner and a few others), I do know enough to separate the sheep from the goats — in other words, I think I can tell who the players are, who swings ...

123

Article: Album Review

Ken and Harry Watters: Brothers

by Jack Bowers
March 1, 1999

While the talented Watters brothers are the motivating force behind this generally admirable new release from Arizona–based Summit Records, it is the enterprising rhythm section that almost steals the show, with pianist Werner a particular standout on track after track. Not that the brothers don’t declaim with authority; they do — especially on their respective features ...

185

Article: Album Review

Edmonia Jarrett: Live, Live, Live! / Legal at Any Age

by Jack Bowers
March 1, 1999

I ran into Edmonia Jarrett last January in Anaheim, California, a few moments after I ran headlong into some recording equipment, opening an inch–long gash on my forehead (but that’s another story). Edmonia, a volunteer worker at the annual Conference of the International Association of Jazz Educators, led me to a seat and found an ice ...

190

Article: Album Review

Ed Calle: Sunset Harbor

by Jack Bowers
March 1, 1999

More smooth Jazz, albeit with a more discernible pulse than some we’ve heard. Although axophonist Ed Calle, who was born in Venezuela, blends Latin rhythms to spice his music, it has been no less carefully sanitized for your protection. In other words, it remains closely related to Kenny G, in spite of Calle’s impressive credentials and ...

193

Article: Album Review

Rich Matteson Sextet: "Pardon Our Dust, We're Making Changes"

by Jack Bowers
March 1, 1999

If the late Rich Matteson had chosen performing instead of education as a career, he could’ve challenged harmonica virtuoso Toots Thielemans for top honors each year in Down Beat magazine’s “miscellaneous instruments” category. Matteson, who established the Jazz Studies program at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville, often joked that he was “the world’s greatest ...

178

Article: Album Review

Ake Persson: The Great

Read "The Great " reviewed by Jack Bowers

by Jack Bowers
March 1, 1999

For more than two decades Åke Persson was widely recognized as Europe's foremost Jazz trombonist, and indeed one of the world's leading players. Persson's remarkable career ended in February 1975 when the 43'year'old musician took his own life. These historic sessions document Persson's early years (1951'57), before he became a member of the Harry Arnold or ...

273

Article: Album Review

Jan Lundgren: Bird of Passage

by Jack Bowers
March 1, 1999

I’d read several rave reviews of young Swedish pianist Jan Lundgren and looked forward to listening for myself to hear if he was as good as others said he was. He is. Lundgren has, among other things, exquisite taste, marvelous touch, flawless technique, an attentive ear, power to spare when called for, and a bounteous wellspring ...

107

Article: Album Review

Pete Yellin: Mellow Soul

by Jack Bowers
March 1, 1999

Nowhere near as mellow as its title suggests, this is a lively blowing session by veteran saxophonist Pete Yellin and an all–star supporting cast who seem perfectly happy to close ranks behind the leader and let him take the lion’s share of the bows. Which is only right, as it is Yellin’s gig, despite the imposing ...