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Marian McPartland: Reprise
by Jim Santella
The reunion of Marian McPartland’s Hickory House Trio on a September weekend in 1998 was recorded live at Birdland. The format they use for much of the session hasn’t changed in fifty years: piano lead, bass solo, and trading fours with a charged-up drummer. And why shouldn’t the format remain constant? McPartland, Bill Crow, and Joe ...
Rahsaan Roland Kirk: Left Hook, Right Cross
by Jim Santella
This set of two reissued Atlantic recordings offers a clear picture of what Rahsaan Roland Kirk was all about. Whether playing rough-house tenor, three saxophones at once, his searing brand of flute with vocalized thoughts, or the high-pitched ocarina-like nose flute, Kirk was a distinctive and highly unique professional. And he could connect with an audience. ...
Kenny Burrell: 12-15-78
by Jim Santella
The Kenny Burrell Trio recorded Live At The Village Vanguard and Kenny Burrell In New York on December 15, 1978; hence, the title for this two-disc reissue. It doesn’t get much better for those who appreciate a guitar trio performing mainstream jazz. Burrell combines a great respect for the lyrical with harmonic chorded lines and a ...
Linda Purl: Alone Together
by Jim Santella
Linda Purl has described her vocal performances as “standards in a jazz marinade." Taking the rough edges off her songs and presenting them in an expressive yet articulate manner, she tells stories with all the experience that her storied acting career has provided. Purl is noted for her stage and screen performances that include dozens of ...
Lincoln Adler: Are You In There?
by Jim Santella
Saxophonist Lincoln Adler brings out our best memories of Eddie Harris and a lot more on his latest album. Opting for the tenor sax throughout, Adler “never raises his voice," as he clears the air with mainstream jazz that is both “out there" and smooth. Three of the tracks may be sampled from http://www.LincolnAdler.com . Adler, ...
Renee Rosnes: Art & Soul
by Jim Santella
The art of creating quality jazz with a mainstream piano trio is in good hands with Renee Rosnes at the helm. With the year 2000 AD rapidly approaching, the pianist’s session serves as a fond look back at the way modern jazz has developed over the past fifty years. Crisp bop lines commingle with Ornette Coleman’s ...
Scott Hamilton: Blues, Bop & Ballads
by Jim Santella
Adopting a smooth Ben Webster approach to the tenor saxophone in this era of fire and screaming creativity, Scott Hamilton has for over twenty years satisfied our yen for beauty of tone without sacrificing meaningful dialogue. Consider some of the pap elevator music that oozes from the radio airwaves these days and just how much of ...
Ray Vega: Boperation
by Jim Santella
Ray Vega’s Latin jazz tribute to bop trumpeters includes dedications to Freddie Hubbard, Kenny Dorham, Fats Navarro, Howard McGhee, Dizzy Gillespie, Eddie Henderson, Clifford Brown, Miles Davis, Woody Shaw, Chet Baker, Art Farmer, Donald Byrd, and Lee Morgan. True, he missed a few, but the tune selection – each played with a fresh twist – represents ...
James Hurt: Dark Grooves - Mystical Rhythms
by Jim Santella
For his first recording session as a leader, pianist James Hurt creates quite a rhythmic stir. Performing his own compositions, Hurt steers his piano trio and guests in a modern mainstream program that features drummers. Polyrhythms and frequent changes in meter or tempo keep the listener on the edge of his seat, while familiar structures, such ...
The Nuclear Whales: Fathom This
by Jim Santella
I love a good saxophone orchestra! The Nuclear Whales’ compilation Fathom This includes an eclectic program selected from their five albums, as well as several new tracks. Clearly recorded sound, a modern swinging approach, and a mixture of jazz with classical traces make their performances something special. As with other stellar saxophone ensembles, this one uses ...
