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Satoko Fujii Orchestra: Jo
by Jim Santella
An explosive ensemble, Satoko Fujii’s 15-piece New York big band includes some of the world’s most creative improvisers working with powerful charts. A 1987 graduate of the Berklee College of Music in Boston and a 1996 graduate of the New England Conservatory of Music, Fujii exhibits forward-leaning elements of compositional style while allowing ample freedom for ...
Machito: Kenya
by Jim Santella
Machito’s big band had a high-powered brass identity. From 1940 until his death in 1984 the bandleader espoused Afro-Cuban jazz around the world by marrying traditional rhythms with inspired jazz soloists. Just over a half-hour in length with each track averaging under three minutes, the session does not allow enough space for soloists to stretch out ...
Brooke Sofferman: Modesty's Odyssey
by Jim Santella
Drummer Brooke Sofferman has all the right stuff. His self-produced debut album shows that from its very start. This highly recommended quintet session features Sofferman’s loose modern mainstream compositions and an ensemble that permits each artist to express freely without falling into traditional roles. Bassist Thomson Kneeland solos lyrically and with a fluid technique. Guitarist Norm ...
Marlene VerPlanck: My Impetuous Heart
by Jim Santella
A heralded interpreter of the classic American Popular Songbook, Marlene VerPlanck makes each story come alive right before your ears. Arranger Billy VerPlanck, the singer’s husband and musical partner for over forty years, creates scenarios for each song that makes them unique. Changes in tempo and mood that correspond with changes in the lyrics make each ...
Greg Osby, Stefon Harris, Mark Shim, Jason Moran: New Directions
by Jim Santella
Another modern mainstream sextet plays standards. Not exactly. It’s true that Greg Osby, Stefon Harris, Mark Shim and Jason Moran are four of the most exciting younger cats to come along in years. And it’s true that they’re playing classic tunes from the modern mainstream vocabulary. But this front line is made up of two saxophones, ...
Bob McChesney: No Laughing Matter
by Jim Santella
Steve Allen’s songs provide a starting point for the Bob McChesney Quartet to hand out a healthy portion of its modern mainstream stew. Combining the trombone’s somber timbre with an excellent rhythm section, McChesney elaborates on each fundamental melody. All ten songs are by Steve Allen, but they were written at various points in his career. ...
Sabu: Palo Congo
by Jim Santella
Recorded in 1957, the Afro-Cuban music of Sabu Martinez carries both a spiritual and improvised modern jazz connotation. Derived from African tradition, the music relies on a constant riff over which singers relate colorful stories in Spanish. From their call and response vocals to the hypnotizing hand drum riffs, the primitive music sends an historic message. ...
Ann Dyer: Revolver: A New Spin
by Jim Santella
Ann Dyer – Revolver: A New Spin (Premonition) [] Recorded March 2-4, 1999 at The Hut in Berkeley, CA (50:19) 2000 release Label this one in the Fringes section. John Lennon and Paul McCartney wrote quite a few songs that have been of interest to jazz lovers. Ann Dyer’s album doesn’t stop there. Rather, her appeal ...
Lee Morgan: Taru
by Jim Santella
Just look at that rhythm section. One of the best in the business. The personnel on Lee Morgan’s 1980 album make this one valuable right from its opening bars. George Benson only appears on three tracks, but Morgan’s regular sidekick Bennie Maupin was in his prime. As was Morgan and the rhythm section. John Hicks, Reggie ...
Art Blakey and the Afro-Drum Ensemble: The African Beat
by Jim Santella
Bridging cultures, Art Blakey combined powerful African rhythms and American jazz melodies on a session that Blue Note reissued recently because the album explores roots common to all of jazz. Blakey’s ensemble for this 1962 project included artists from both worlds: Solomon G. Ilori and James Ola. Folami are from Nigeria, Chief Bey is from Senegal, ...
