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Sai Ghose Trio: India Looking West
by Jim Santella
A piano trio is at the very heart of jazz performance. Sai Ghose and his partners improvise individual solos on nearly every track and work together as one cohesive unit. The pianist has a lively approach and loves to drive his melodies without being forceful. Half of the program is original material, which Ghose has chosen ...
Jacques Chanier Trio: Kite Flight
by Jim Santella
Throughout its album of Jacques Chanier’s compositions, this Boston-based trio improvises with meaningful dialogue. Brushes swirl complacently around “Quiet Memories” while piano and bass stroll along a meandering path. “Blue Bec” integrates jazz with classical, while “Naïve Cat” infuses a folk song quality. Chanier’s title track moves briskly through one scene after another with seamless motion. ...
Ray Armando: Mallet Hands
by Jim Santella
Ray Armando wanted to be a baseball player. Growing up in Brooklyn can do that to you. But his family lived right across the street from conguero Mongo Santamaria, and that led to lessons at age eight. Armando went on the road at age 15 with Elmo Garcia and later with Tito Puente. Then began a ...
Stan Getz: My Foolish Heart
by Jim Santella
Last month Label M released the first two albums from its series “Live” at the Left Bank. Sessions by Sonny Stitt and Stan Getz were recorded by members of the Left Bank Jazz Society in 1971 and 1975, respectively, at the Famous Ballroom in Baltimore, Maryland. Other artists in the series of weekly live performances include ...
Once Through: Once Through
by Jim Santella
Here’s a band that looks to the future while keeping its feet rooted in the present. Modern mainstream jazz should always prove exciting, introduce fresh ideas, and never lose sight of the tradition. Once Through does all that with superb musicianship from each of its four artists. Tenor saxophonist Dan Moretti leads the session. Bassist Marty ...
Dave Pike: Peligroso
by Jim Santella
Melody maker Dave Pike digs deeply into every one of his projects. Totally absorbed by the rhythms and searing passion, he moves from vibraphone to marimba and back, directing his mallets as if they were marionettes skipping through the park. Centered on his instantly-familiar melodies, this “dangerous” album places Pike at center stage with Latin jazz ...
Peter Barshay: Pit Of Fashion
by Jim Santella
A century of jazz has brought us many different types of music, which we continue to house under one umbrella. Bassist Peter Barshay represents the central line; however, his album pushes the envelope in various directions. A part of the program is tongue-in-cheek and some of the material catches fire. When you offer smooth jazz, hip ...
Tim Hagans / Bob Belden: Re-Animation Live!
by Jim Santella
Hip-hop rhythms, turntable scratches, distorted spoken word voices and eerie synths usually make for some other kind of music. Not our jazz. But Tim Hagans and Bob Belden bring this message around by way of what Miles Davis was doing in the later part of his career. Fusion. Elements from both worlds make the total picture ...
Art Blakey And The Jazz Messengers: Reflections Of Buhaina
by Jim Santella
A reissue, Reflections Of Buhaina contains two albums: one by Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers and one by the Bill Hardman Quintet. Study In Rhythm (Elektra 120 and Savoy MG 1217) features trumpeter Hardman and saxophonist Jackie McLean as Jazz Messengers. The Bill Hardman Quintet (Savoy MG 12170) features the trumpeter with Sonny Red, Ronnie ...
Nnenna Freelon: Soulcall
by Jim Santella
With an eclectic program and her loose feeling of relaxed charm, Nnenna Freelon expresses like no other. On “Button Up Your Overcoat,” for example, she interprets the lyrics with seductive passion. Not a lightweight pop arrangement, Freelon’s offering tells you “Take good care of yourself” because she seems to care about you. It’s from the heart. ...
