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Kirk Whalum: Romance Language
by Larry Taylor
Romance Language is very appropriate for Valentine's Day--the perfect background for a romantic evening. Tenor saxophonist Kirk Whalum has teamed up with his brother, vocalist Kevin Whalum, on this recreation of the classic John Coltrane and Johnny Hartman (Impulse!, 1963).Moreover, throughout this daunting task, the brothers succeed in brushing a smooth jazz veneer on ...
Gary Smulyan: Smul's Paradise
by Larry Taylor
A baritone saxophonist leading an organ trio is certainly a rarity; the results of Gary Smulyan's Smul's Paradise is, in sixties hip, a gas." This slang seems especially appropriate here because the CD pays tribute to an often-overlooked organist, Don Patterson, who came on the scene in that decade. Fronting a quartet behind his big bari, ...
Mike Wofford / Holly Hofmann Quintet: Turn Signal
by Larry Taylor
Holly Hofmann is an energetic, swinging, straight-ahead jazz flautist who has been performing for over 30 years. Mike Wofford, her husband, a recognized piano master, co-leads on Turn Signal, playing with an understated, intuitively rhythmic style. The two now live in San Diego, California, but travel extensively for performances. Recording her first disc ...
Newport Beach, California, Jazz Party, Feb. 16-19, 2012, Schedules An Array of Jazz Stars, Playing Over Four Days
Big bands and an array of jazz greats will be featured at the 11th Annual Newport Beach Jazz Party, February 16 through 19, at the Marriott Hotel in Newport Beach, California. This yearly event brings in fans from around the world, many of whom stay in the hotel to better appreciate all the music. Kicking off ...
Bill Cunliffe: That Time of Year
by Larry Taylor
Pianist Bill Cunliffe harkens back to his youth in That Time of Year, recording solos on Christmas songs that he says he fondly remembers. This talented, versatile performer is also an esteemed composer-arranger, having been nominated for Grammy awards three times, winning in 2010 for Best Instrumental Arrangement. A Southern Californian, he currently teaches at California ...
New York Standards Quartet: Unstandard
by Larry Taylor
It's a pleasure when a group of great jazz players take American standards and reshape them with their own unique stamp. This happens on New York Standards Quartet's Unstandard, where the musical gambit--the direction these musicians take the originals--is often surprising. Pianist David Berkman leads the way, handling arrangements and contributing originals, all the ...
Yotam: Brasil
by Larry Taylor
Two reviews of Israeli-born guitarist Yotam's Brasil appeared recently in All About Jazz, and the reviewers had major differences. Lawrence Peryer had a negative view, summed up by: Yotam take his place on the list between Yanni and Zamfir, offering a denatured version of a musical form that has already proven itself accessible ...
Human: Under the Holiday Star
by Larry Taylor
Standing out in the 2011 Christmas season's recordings, Under The Holiday Star is, in fact, a swinging big band session for any season. With crisp arrangements, it features crack solos, along with engaging vocals. Without a doubt, a major plus in this collection of classics and yuletide originals is that it's available free from Belgian lager ...
Monterey Jazz Festival: Monterey, CA, September 16-18, 2011
by Larry Taylor
54th Annual Monterey Jazz Festival Monterey Fairgrounds Monterey, CA September 16-18, 2011 The Monterey Jazz Festival--still going strong after 54 years. What's more, this year, Sept. 16-18, it was better than ever: the music was great; weather warm yet crisp and the atmosphere bucolic at the Monterey County Fairgrounds in Northern ...
Christian McBride Big Band: The Good Feeling
by Larry Taylor
With all that Christian McBride has accomplished in his 30 year jazz career, The Good Feeling is his first recording fronting a big band. This formidable bassist has had a versatile career as leader, sideman, composer and arranger; he has appeared with a galaxy of star players from jazz, as well as rock ...