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Little Milton: Think of Me
by Jim Santella
Little Milton, 71, has co-written ten new songs for this album along with members of his band. Following in the shadow of his trademark anthem “The Blues is Alright," Milton now adds “The Blues is My Companion," where he waxes poetically with an oral biography that suits you and me and everybody else who has ever ...
Mark Masters Ensemble: Porgy & Bess Redefined!
by Jim Santella
Mark Masters is conductor and president of the American Jazz Institute in Pasadena, California. His projects honor the history of jazz while putting his personal stamp on each arrangement. Porgy & Bess Redefined! emerges fresh and alive, as Masters has seen fit to arrange the time-tested music for jazz orchestra with its themes cemented between soloists. ...
The Stamm/Soph Project: Live at Birdland NYC
by Jim Santella
Introduced as the Marvin Stamm Quartet at Birdland on September 11 and 13, 2003, this tight ensemble interprets straight-ahead jazz from several different contemporary sources, including dynamic originals by the band's trumpeter, pianist, and bassist. Stamm brings a unique and personal sound to the forum, allowing his tone to waver and fluctuate with a sensitive frame ...
Julie Lavender: Never Felt the Sun
by Jim Santella
The New Age music that Julie Lavender surrounds herself with carries an emotional appeal through its simple pleasures and relaxed composure. Classical music and folk music in a contemporary setting give the singer vast opportunities for exploring the contemplative universe. Trained as a classical guitarist, Lavender owns a solid musical background to support her ...
Hugh Masekela: Revival
by Jim Santella
Hugh Masekela, 66, sings and plays his horns on Revival with the same spirit that drove his worldwide commercial success nearly forty years ago. His flugelhorn and cornet still have that smooth sound: a bit frail, but always filled with seamless phrases that bounce fluidly along a trail that's easy to latch on to. This time ...
The Fred Hersch Ensemble: Leaves of Grass
by Jim Santella
The full chamber ensemble assembled by Fred Hersch for this project creates a beautiful scene that reflects Walt Whitman's poetry appropriately. A serious tone with religious fervor and dramatic overtones emanates from the adventure. “Song of Myself," the album's centerpiece, flows gently, with Whitman's poetry supplying the lyrics and Hersch's ensemble supplying the mood. ...
Miguel Zenon: Jibaro
by Jim Santella
Alto saxophonist Miguel Zenón explores the country music of Puerto Rico on Jibaro, an album of Latin jazz originals. By applying these innate cultural ideas in a jazz context, Zenón's quartet creates an exciting program that's filled with melodic fragrance and traditional rhythmic charm. The leader was able to create the album's ten compositions through the ...
Lena Horne: Seasons of a Life
by Jim Santella
Over seventy for these performances and still swinging, Lena Horne sounds great. She's emotional and somewhat sentimental, but her performances always leave you with the feeling that you've just shared some quality time with an old friend. Previously unissued, but recorded in 1994-2000 sessions that resulted in Classic Ellington, An Evening With Lena Horne, ...
Yellowjackets: Altered State
by Jim Santella
Fusing South African rhythms with soothing R&B melodies, the Yellowjackets continue to put up a refreshing performance that's made to suit easy listening audiences. Their mellow harmony and relaxed rhythmic pulses belie a loyalty to leisure suits, platform shoes with awkward heels, and hangin' out at the disco. The band began in the late 1970s, when ...
Peter Martin: In the P.M.
by Jim Santella
Known to most as Dianne Reeves' musical director, pianist Peter Martin takes her stellar touring trio on a musical journey through jazz's heartland on In the P.M.; guest vocalist Erin Bode adds a warm and welcome lyricism to the session. Familiar standards and fresh originals turn the trio loose with unbridled energy. As Martin ...
