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Article: Album Review

Tony Adamo: Did Mark Murphy Believe in UFOS?

Read "Did Mark Murphy Believe in UFOS?" reviewed by Nicholas F. Mondello

by Nicholas F. Mondello
January 21, 2020

The interrogative title of this fine track shares an interesting insight, as well as its supposition. Whether the late singer literally did buy into UFOs--a la Sun Ra who saw “space as the place"--or he didn't is irrelevant. What is key is the fact that Mark Murphy has had a definitive and lasting impact on jazz ...

News: Recording

Scott Yanow Reviews Tony Adamo's Latest Single 'Did Mark Murphy Believe in UFOs?'

December 29, 2019

Tony Adamo “Did Mark Murphy Believe in UFOS?" Ropeadope The hippest of the spoken word artists and a fine singer too, Tony Adamo has long championed jazz. His recordings, which feature him improvising lyrics over a funky jazz rhythm section, have included tributes to such greats as Joe Henderson, Eddie Gale, Sun ...

Article: Catching Up With

Gideon King: Street Jazz

by Paul Naser
July 11, 2018

New York based guitarist/composer/ songwriter Gideon King is no stranger to the city. Growing up there, he is well positioned to tell a story or two about the place. This is just what he sets out to do with his forthcoming release with his band City Blog, entitled Upscale Madhouse. Far from a condemnation, the title ...

News: Festival

Basie Summer Jazz Fest 2018 Set For June 2-3 In Red Bank, NJ

May 6, 2018

The historic Count Basie Theatre, the state’s top-selling performing arts theater and the namesake of jazz great William J. “Count” Basie, has announced its second-ever Basie Summer Jazz Fest, starring Michael Franks, Lee Ritenour + Dave Grusin, Bob James Trio and Lizz Wright on Saturday, June 2, plus Snarky Puppy, Esperanza Spalding and Moonchild on Sunday, ...

Article: Album Review

John Proulx: Say It

Read "Say It" reviewed by C. Michael Bailey

by C. Michael Bailey
April 20, 2018

Vocalist/pianist John Proulx has previously released three exceptional recordings on the MAXJAZZ Label (now owned by Mack Avenue Records): Moon and Sand (2006); The Best Thing For You (2006); and Baker's Dozen: Remembering Chet Baker (2016). With the death of MAXJAZZ founder Richard McDonnell, Proulx elected to self-release his recording Say It. The recording is produced ...

Article: Album Review

Steve Khan: Public Access / Headline / Crossings

Read "Public Access / Headline / Crossings" reviewed by John Kelman

by John Kelman
March 25, 2018

It's been a great couple of years for Steve Khan fans who are (relatively) new to the guitarist's work, especially his early releases, thanks to UK-based BGO Records. First, his '70s-era trio of fusion-centric LPs on Columbia Records, 1977's Tightrope, 1978's The Blue Man and 1979's Arrows, were remastered and reissued in a 2015 two-CD set, ...

News: Recording

World's Only Imrat Guitarist Todd Mosby Debuts Album With Six Grammy Winning And Nominated Artists

April 25, 2016

The Walking Cradle Co. presents acoustic and Imrat guitarist, composer and improviser Todd Mosby, who debuts his genre-defying music—On Eagle Mountain. A unique blend of new age, jazz, and world music, with hints of folk, bluegrass and classical North Indian flair—Mosby will kick-off the tour from the 'Focal Point' in St. Louis on Saturday, April 30, ...

Article: Album Review

Rotem Sivan Trio: A New Dance

Read "A New Dance" reviewed by Dave Wayne

by Dave Wayne
November 6, 2015

You can only imagine the hurricane-like storm of hyperbole that accompanies every new release by every single fresh young jazz artist on today's scene. We are promised, every time, that the artist in question (...always immensely-talented) is a “musical genius" and “true innovator" who is going to “transform the jazz world as we know it." The ...

Article: Take Five With...

Take Five with Aaron Akins

by AAJ Staff
June 23, 2015

Aaron Akins' music is something out of the ordinary. After all, a voice strongly reminiscent of Nat “King" Cole wrapped up in a sophisticated urban beat is not something heard every day. Stir the ingredients, jazz it up a little, and Aaron Akins might be it. Produced by Darryl Swann (Macy Gray), the singer's second studio album ...

Article: Catching Up With

Ben Sidran: The First Existential Jazz Rapper

by Joan Gannij
December 11, 2014

Ben Sidran is an old school hipster in the authentic sense of the word. He's a no frills, musician's musician who's got the heart, got the chops. He's been there, done that, and ready to do more. Sidran has never been interested in following trends or squeezing into categories and is not about to start now. ...