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The Mystery of "The World’s Greatest Pianist"
by Kyle Simpler
Introduction In the mid-1970s, a 16-year-old kid walked into the recording studio where Roberta Flack was working on her latest album, Feel Like Makin' Love (Atlantic 1975). No one recognized him or knew why he was there, but he stormed in like a man on a mission. When they asked him who he was and what ...
Dave Bass Trio: Trio Nuevo Vol 2
by Kyle Simpler
Pianist and composer Dave Bass continues to chart his singular path with Trio Nuevo No. 2, a follow-up to his self-produced Trio Nuevo released in 2024. This second outing pulses with rhythmic vitality and harmonic nuance, blending compositional innovation with expressive depth. Rooted in Latin jazz traditions but never bound by them, ...
Deborah Silver: Deborah Silver with the Count Basie Orchestra: Basie Rocks!
by Kyle Simpler
Jazz musicians frequently cover popular songs, but few do it quite like vocalist Deborah Silver. With Basie Rocks!, Silver teams up with the iconic Count Basie Orchestra for a genre-crossing collection that you truly have to hear to believe. This is a groove-charged big band album that reimagines classic rock and pop classics through the swinging ...
Zoo Too Trio: Poetry Legroom
by Kyle Simpler
The jazz trio has long captivated both musicians and listeners, with iconic recordings from artists like Bill Evans and Oscar Peterson serving as cornerstones of the genre. But with Poetry Legroom Zoo Too Trio challenges and redefines the conventional format, sidestepping tradition in favor of something more exploratory, cinematic, and emotionally expressive. Pianist Michael Cain, guitarist ...
The Ed Palermo Big Band: Prog vs. Fusion: A War of the Ages
by Kyle Simpler
Sometimes musicians with serious chops take their music a little too seriously. Others, however, manage to combine talent and humor in a way that proves infectious. The Ed Palermo Big Band is one of the best examples of the latter. With albums drawing on such diverse influences as Frank Zappa, Paul Butterfield, and King Crimson, Palermo ...
Helio Alves: Samba Of Sorts
by Kyle Simpler
It is not uncommon for people in the United States to discuss the British Invasion of the 1960s, when groups like The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and The Yardbirds became staples of American radio. But alongside this, another invasion was becoming part of the American music scene: bossa nova. “The Girl from Ipanema" (Verve 1964) topped ...
Steve Knight: For Years Gone
by Kyle Simpler
Chicago-based jazz man Steve Knight started playing guitar when he was 12 years old, and as he puts it, traded his skateboard for an inexpensive guitar, which “was quite righteous-sounding playing 'Smoke on the Water.'" He has come a long way since then, and For Years Gone offers plenty of evidence to prove this. ...
How Creedence Clearwater Revival Saved Jazz
by Kyle Simpler
By 1970, Creedence Clearwater Revival was arguably the biggest rock and roll group in America--if not the world. Songs like “Proud Mary" (Fantasy 1969), “Green River" (Fantasy 1969) and “Born on the Bayou" (Fantasy 1969) dominated both Top 40 and album-oriented radio, and their music continues to thrive decades later, becoming a staple of classic rock ...
Jazz Highlights for Record Store Day 2025
by Kyle Simpler
For most Americans, April brings to mind tax deadlines and spring cleaning. But for vinyl collectors, April means something far more exciting: Record Store Day. Each year, music lovers line up early for a chance to snag limited-edition releases--many of them archival treasures, rarities, or long-lost recordings brought back to life. While the overall selection spans ...
Jackson Potter: small things
by Kyle Simpler
When musicians who are both skilled at their craft and passionate about what they play come together, it translates clearly into their music. Such is the case with Jackson Potter's sophomore release, Small Things. This is an engaging and well-crafted collection that highlights his compositional skills along with his fluency in contemporary jazz guitar. With a ...
