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Wynton Marsalis: Unforgivable Blackness
by Jim Santella
The story of Jack Johnson deserves to be accompanied by music that is majestic, bold, daring, and passionate. The boxer, whose fate has been depicted in a new film by Ken Burns, led a life that was filled with happiness, success, romance, tragedy, and misery. Wynton Marsalis' music for The Rise and Fall of ...
Mark Sherman: The Motive Series
by Jim Santella
New York vibraphonist Mark Sherman leads a stellar quartet on The Motive Series, which includes two straight-ahead standards and a number of original themes. His percussive cascades emphasize the spontaneous character of his ensemble, as well as the artists' fluid interplay. Cohesive and enriched by the vibraphone's overlaying harmonies, the quartet strolls confidently through visions of ...
Manhattan Ragtime Orchestra: Euphonic Sounds
by Jim Santella
Clear and crisp, the two-step of ragtime brings the eight-piece Manhattan Ragtime Orchestra into our homes for a session of good old-fashioned delights. Theirs is a happy music. Bouncing politely and strutting with a carefree air, the notes appear to jump up and down in lock step on the page. Society bands and formal gatherings from ...
Many Axes: 2 Many Axes
by Jim Santella
Susan Rawcliffe, Scott Wilkinson and Brad Dutz fill a room with their many axes, arrange all the instruments on tables just so, and move freely from end to end, selecting the right sound-maker as each idea rushes into their combined frame of reference. The session is a flood of ideas, and these three veterans of the ...
Carlos Johnson: In and Out
by Jim Santella
Carlos Johnson's original “In and Out" speaks of relationships and the kind of personal issues that affect us on a daily basis. It gets in your bloodstream and stays with you everywhere you go. There's no way of forgetting about it, so he sings about how we feel. His passionate interpretation hits home, and you can't ...
Phil Morrison Trio: Philanthropy
by Jim Santella
Keith Williams sings jazz favorites and originals on Philanthropy with a warmth that makes this intimate session memorable. With bassist Phil Morrison and guitarist Barry Green, he recalls the history that has put jazz into our hearts. On “This Time the Dream's On Me," Green's lyrical guitar and Morrison's solid bass foundation recall the ...
David Jacobs-Strain: A Night With the Blues
by Jim Santella
Anaheim Downtown Community Center Anaheim, California November 20, 2004 Communicating with his audience like a fired-up veteran of the blues, 21-year-old David Jacobs-Strain brought his acoustic guitars and his powerful vocal style to Anaheim for a thrilling get-together that ushered in the holiday season with open arms. Performing alone on stage ...
Barbara London: Natural Progression
by Jim Santella
Recorded in 1994, Natural Progression features nine originals that allow Barbara London's quartet to improvise naturally over lyrical ideas. The album was released on a limited basis in 1996 and is only now being released nationally. Her warm flute is featured on most of the arrangements, with a fluid approach and a lyrical undertaking. ...
Rob Parton's Jazztech Big Band: Two Different Days
by Jim Santella
As Associate Professor of Trumpet and Chairman of Jazz Studies for the Chicago College of Performing Arts of Roosevelt University, Rob Parton leads a swingin' big band in the tradition of Count Basie and like-minded organizations that have shown a hearty appreciation for straight-ahead pleasure. His searing flugelhorn is featured on several swingers, and ...
Stevie Holland: Restless Willow
by Jim Santella
Singing standards with a clear delivery and a happy outlook, Stevie Holland gives her audience an intimate approach and a convincing, heartfelt persuasion. James Taylor's “Sunny Skies" coasts along gently with a buoyant aura, allowing Holland to interpret its positive lyrics with a graceful piano trio alongside. “Zoot Walks In" brings an equally rosy ...
