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George Cotsirilos Quartet: Refuge
by Jack Bowers
At a troubling and turbulent time, when many jazz albums seek to convey a message," the only statement that Chicago-bred, San Francisco-based guitarist George Cotsirilos and his able quartet wish to make on Refuge is that swing remains king in their domain, wielding its magisterial influence over ten of Cotsirilos' sunny compositions and arrangements.
Harry Allen & Dave Blenkhorn: Play the Music of Phil Morrison
by Jack Bowers
When musicians as accomplished and well-known as saxophonist Harry Allen and guitarist Dave Blenkhorn play the music of Phil Morrison, a question that naturally arises is: why? Although bassist and composer Morrison is a splendid musician in his own right, he has made his home for many years in Brunswick, Georgia, hardly a mecca for jazz, ...
The Rodger Fox Big Band: Reimagined! The Roger Fox big Band Plays Sir Dave Dobbyn
by Jack Bowers
On Reimagined!, New Zealander Rodger Fox's superlative big band takes a fresh look at the music of Sir Dave Dobbyn, one of that country's most honored and beloved musicians. Although Dobbyn has spent his celebrated career in the fields of pop and rock, his evocative compositions lend themselves well to light and swinging interpretations by Fox's ...
Michael Orenstein: Aperture
by Jack Bowers
California-based pianist Michael Orenstein's debut album, Aperture, consists almost entirely of his original compositions, performed by a core trio of Orenstein, bassist Logan Kane and drummer Myles Martin with guest artists on half of the studio session's ten numbers. Even though those visitors make a strong impact, it is Orenstein's eloquent voice that speaks loudest and ...
Tolvan Big Band: Interacting
by Jack Bowers
There's an ample supply of engaging music on Interacting, the fourteenth recording by Sweden's splendid Tolvan Big Band, all of it written and arranged by director and lead alto saxophonist Helge Albin. A shame there isn't more than thirty-two minutes worth. Be that as it may, the music itself is by and large ...
Lynne Arriale Trio: The Lights Are Always On
by Jack Bowers
Music with a message" need not be inscrutable or bombastic, as pianist/composer Lynne Arriale proves time and again on The Lights Are Always On, whose ten original Arriale compositions are dedicated to caregivers, healers, truth-tellers and defenders of democracy in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic and the brazen hoax-fueled attack on the U.S. Capitol building ...
Mike Holober & Balancing Act: Don't Let Go
by Jack Bowers
With Don't Let Go, pianist Mike Holober and the octet Balancing Act seemed to have found an ideal way to cross-breed classical motifs and contemporary jazz to produce a pleasurable listening experience. Then he added lyrics. Granted, not all lyrics are superfluouseven those that are either nebulous or indecipherable, as is too often the case here. ...
UNT Two O'Clock Lab Band: Long Way on a Blues
by Jack Bowers
The University of North Texas, generally recognized as home to one of the world's leading undergraduate Jazz Studies programs, is essentially set apart from others by the decisive proficiency of its various Lab Bands, led by the One O'Clock and Two O'Clock ensembles (there are half a dozen others). Each band has a large number of ...
The DIVA Jazz Orchestra: Swings Broadway
by Jack Bowers
At the ripe old age of thirty (closer to a hundred in big-band years), the superlative New York-based, all-female DIVA Jazz Orchestra remains as frisky as a newborn colt, swinging up, down and around Broadway with abandon on its thirteenth album, a brisk and colorful tribute to the Great White Way that shines brightly from start ...
Jeremy Pelt: Soundtrack
by Jack Bowers
Although Soundtrack is the name of trumpeter Jeremy Pelt's latest album (more about that in a moment), there is another selection that more readily summarizes Pelt's lyric philosophy: I Love Music." And while there is ample contrast, camaraderie and color on the album, there is no doubt that Pelt's clear and creative commentaries are the focal ...


