Home » Search Center » Results: Jim Santella
Results for "Jim Santella"
Anton Schwartz: The Slow Lane
by Jim Santella
With a rich, brawny tenor saxophone tone, Anton Schwartz leads this quartet through a program of slow ballads and medium-tempo fare. His warm saxophone sound captivates the heart and lets you forget the harsh realities. Music for a rainy day? Could be. However, everyone solos and breathes so much subliminal creative energy into the session that ...
Dave Brubeck: Vocal Encounters
by Jim Santella
Dave and Iola Brubeck wrote most of the songs on this vocal compilation, including excerpts from their show The Real Ambassadors. Culled from several early 1960s releases, each selection features a singer or singers. Two previously unreleased tracks are included: a take of “It’s A Raggy Waltz” with Carmen McRae and an arrangement of “Autumn In ...
Ron Carter: When Skies Are Grey...
by Jim Santella
While a Latin jazz element is his focus for this project, veteran Ron Carter’s recordings always hold the mainstream of jazz in high regard. A quiet session that swings, the bassist’s latest album swirls through the tradition with a light conga tinge. Bob Freedman’s intricate arrangements place the bassist in roles ranging from opening obbligato to ...
Sheila E. and the E-Train: Writes Of Passage
by Jim Santella
Funk, instrumental pop, and smooth jazz color Sheila E’s latest album with an easy-to-like coating. There’s not much to sink your teeth into, but her project does reflect cool waters and the things that make FM radio popular. A portion of “N Perfect Time,” Sheila E’s only lead vocal track on the album, is available from ...
Jack Costanzo: Back From Havana
by Jim Santella
After 25 years away from the spotlight, Jack Costanzo has returned. His album features an exciting band -around 10 pieces for the most part -performing intense Afro-Cuban arrangements. Chicago native Costanzo, whose ancestry is Sicilian, has lived in Southern California since his discharge from the U.S. Navy at the end of World War II. Two years ...
Ken Stubbs: Ballads
by Jim Santella
Alto saxophonist Ken Stubbs combines his light, dry alto saxophone timbre with minimal accompaniment on a session for romantics. Working with guitar trio on two tracks, piano on two and the piano trio elsewhere, Stubbs weaves slowly in and around familiar standards. They’re lovely songs that recall lyrics and stories. Appropriately, Stubbs adapts his vocal-like phrasing ...
Various Artists: Cincinnati Jazz Collection, Volume III: The Blues
by Jim Santella
Like most other metropolitan areas around the world, Cincinnati has a fruitful jazz and blues scene. Where would we be without this kind of tradition? The songs tell stories. Long, detailed stories with just enough innuendo to make it interesting. And when that organist, pianist, guitarist, or saxophonist stretches out... it’s time for passion. This is ...
Deep Rumba: Deeper Rumba/A Calm In The Fire Of Dances
by Jim Santella
Deep Rumba’s first album, This Night Becomes A Rumba, was recorded almost three years ago. The group has remained intact and they’ve continued to perform before appreciative audiences. Their mission also remains the same: to carry on the Afro-Cuban tradition while updating with contemporary concepts. As with their first album, Deep Rumba again features solo tracks ...
John Stetch: Heavens Of A Hundred Days
by Jim Santella
Pianist John Stetch has assembled an eclectic, modern mainstream program for his 6th album as leader. The pianist’s improvising quartet weaves distinct impressions around various themes. From the ancient Japanese harmony of Stetch’s “Urakawa” to his Erik Satie tinged “Rondeau,” the pianist/composer swings with an intellectual acumen. Standards receive a smooth texture with a vibrant dynamic ...
Wallace Roney: No Room For Argument
by Jim Santella
An homage to Miles, Wallace Roney’s Stretch Records debut incorporates souvenirs that encompass the varied career of the incomparable Miles Davis. From echoes of his benchmark sextet to repetitious rock beats and sampled voices, Roney documents a valuable piece of history. Furthermore, the sampled voices include those of Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X and Deepak ...
