Home » Search Center » Results: Jim Santella

Results for "Jim Santella"

Advanced search options

205

Article: Album Review

David Boswell: Bridge of Art

Read "Bridge of Art" reviewed by Jim Santella

by Jim Santella

With a program of his own compositions, smooth jazz guitarist David Boswell creates a variety of moods on Bridge of Art that relax, breathe fresh air into our lungs, and inspire. His fluid guitar technique and the session's driving backbeats ensure that everything remains at ease. Percussion, acoustic bass and piano surround Boswell's guitar with plenty ...

101

Article: Album Review

Mala Waldron: Always There

Read "Always There" reviewed by Jim Santella

by Jim Santella

The soulful originals on Always There allow Mala Waldron to communicate emotionally, while her genius at the piano and keyboards allows her to communicate musically. The two modes overlap, of course, as she interprets lyrics and scats with authority. Working with a bright, stellar quartet, Waldron combines straight-ahead jazz, pop, R&B and soulful ballads ...

145

Article: Album Review

Harold Fethe: Out of Nowhere

Read "Out of Nowhere" reviewed by Jim Santella

by Jim Santella

Swing is the thing on this debut session from guitarist Harold Fethe. As one who's never lost his love for the Great American Songbook and its lyrical surprises, he's at home with his musical partners on this date: Johnny Frigo (violin), Joe Vito (piano, acoordion) and Jim Cox (bass). Together, they have a good time celebrating ...

125

Article: Album Review

Lonnie Plaxico: West Side Stories

Read "West Side Stories" reviewed by Jim Santella

by Jim Santella

Six original compositions and several familiar pieces give Lonnie Plaxico's eleventh album a heavy dose of spontaneity. With pianist George Colligan, drummer Kenny Grohowski, tenor saxophonist Gary Thomas, trumpeter Alex Norris and several influential guests on board, the session rocks hard with a contemporary edge. The theme of West Side Stories points to the ...

158

Article: Album Review

Liquid Soul: One-Two Punch

Read "One-Two Punch" reviewed by Jim Santella

by Jim Santella

If the comic book album cover and liner notes don't make you feel young again, the music on One-Two Punch will. Liquid Soul combines acid jazz with R&B, soul, funk, hip-hop and rock, hitting with both barrels. One hand gets you with traditional jazz ambience, while the other hand comes on strong with contemporary ...

118

Article: Album Review

Various Artists: The Royal Dan

Read "The Royal Dan" reviewed by Jim Santella

by Jim Santella

For this tribute to the genius of Steely Dan, the Tone Center label brought in ten leading fusion guitarists who apply their veteran skills on one track apiece, doing their best to capture the magnetic force embodied by this memorable rock duo. Several of the musicians appearing here have worked with Steely Dan. Robben ...

209

Article: Album Review

Frank Catalano: Mighty Burner

Read "Mighty Burner" reviewed by Jim Santella

by Jim Santella

Recorded live at Chicago's Green Mill and Edgewater Lounge, Mighty Burner pays homage to organist Charles Earland, with whom saxophonist Frank Catalano worked from 1995-99. Earland, who died of a heart attack at age 58 on December 11, 1999, mentored younger jazz artists during his final years. Catalano, 27, was one of those younger artists who ...

147

Article: Album Review

Stevie Holland: More Than Words Can Say

Read "More Than Words Can Say" reviewed by Jim Santella

by Jim Santella

Words are not sufficient to describe the bright spirit that comes from Stevie Holland's latest release. You've got to hear her to understand the many qualities that make up this winning performance. She combines a highly accurate vocal presentation with deeply felt expression and comes up with the best of both worlds. While communication is her ...

239

Article: Album Review

Kim Nalley: She Put a Spell On Me

Read "She Put a Spell On Me" reviewed by Jim Santella

by Jim Santella

With this tribute to the life and career of Nina Simone, San Francisco-based singer Kim Nalley fills the room with expressed emotion. Recorded live at Pearl's, She Put a Spell On Me jumps with the rhythms and melodies that captured our hearts during Simone's lifetime. The pianist, folk singer, protest singer and jazz singer, known to ...

125

Article: Album Review

Jeff Lang: Prepare Me Well: An Introduction to Jeff Lang

Read "Prepare Me Well: An Introduction to Jeff Lang" reviewed by Jim Santella

by Jim Santella

Prepare Me Well compiles material from singer/guitarist Jeff Lang's ten previous releases. Though he's well known in his Australian homeland and other parts of the world, Lang's introduction to American audiences is long overdue. Influenced by Bob Dylan, Lang sings original songs that tell a story. His up-close and personal interpretations leave us with plenty to ...


Engage

Publisher's Desk
A Word About Social Media and Other Platforms
Read on...
The place for jazz polls and surveys!
Reader Polls
Which jazz venues deserve to be on top?
Cast Your Vote Today
The Big Question
Does Jazz History Weigh Too Heavily on Today’s Practitioners?
Post Your Comment

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletters highlight our top stories, top album reviews, website news, free songs, radio & podcast shows, news, and upcoming jazz events near you.

Install All About Jazz

iOS Instructions:

To install this app, follow these steps:

All About Jazz would like to send you notifications

Notifications include timely alerts to content of interest, such as articles, reviews, new features, and more. These can be configured in Settings.