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Tony Kadleck Big Band: Around The Horn
by Nicholas F. Mondello
In assessing baseball talent, the scouts' description “five-tool talent" describes a hitter who can do it all--run, field, hit for average, hit with power and throw. When a musician such as Tony Kadleck steps into the recording batter's box as leader and with work presented such as Around the Horn, the description not only fits like ...
Kenny Lavender: Conscious Journey Part 1 & 2
by Nicholas F. Mondello
"Big D, Texas!" If that's the “Final Jeopardy" answer based on this recording, the obvious and very correct question would be: “Where does the featured artist on Conscious Journey Part 1 & 2 come from?" Yep, it's where everything is expansive, free-wheeling and hot--and ditto this recording. Spanning two CDs and offering a ...
Jon Crowley: The Rehumanization EP
by Nicholas F. Mondello
The “EP" tag sitting on the title of trumpeter Jon Crowley's The Rehumanization EP is an obvious abbreviation for “Extended Play." Given an extended listening, it might be more apt to be interpreted as “exceptionally pleasing" or “exceptional performance." Both descriptions precisely fit this, Crowley's third release as leader. And, it is just as terrific as ...
Jim Manley: Chilled Brass
by Nicholas F. Mondello
Some years back as part of an iconic advertising campaign, Absolut Vodka (via its ad agency, TBWA) developed a series of magazine and poster ads that also included one dear to musicians, especially trumpeters. A gorgeous black-background shot of a gleaming silver trumpet with Absolut “bottles" as its valves. It was titled “Absolut Jazz." Chilled Brass ...
Kris Berg - The Metroplexity Big Band: Time Management
by Nicholas F. Mondello
In his liner notes, Dallas-based composer, arranger and bassist Kris Berg takes a good-natured poke at his less-than-stellar skills of the titled kind. While that may or may not be an accurate depiction, this superb recording certainly demonstrates that he and his Metroplexity Jazz Orchestra possess enormous and very admirable musical attributes. With ...
Bill Cote: Where Do You Start
by Nicholas F. Mondello
Sometimes preconceived notions about recordings can be smashed to smithereens in the most wonderful way. What, yet another GAS-and-jazz-standards recording--this one a debut from a middle-age male vocalist whose main gig is law? Well, quoting TV Land's “Gomer Pyle," “Surprise, surprise!" And, a most enjoyable musical discovery in the Cracker Jack® box it is.
Glenn Zottola: Clifford Brown Remembered
by Nicholas F. Mondello
The trumpet is a cruel--yet loving--mistress. It can announce the slightest executional blemish, instantly betraying its player's most sincere efforts, while also allowing its lover to express every possible nuance and emotion. The greatest Masters of the instrument in jazz--Louis Armstrong, Miles Davis, Chet Baker and others--all could brilliantly deliver expressive emotion. Of those in the ...
Victor Haskins: The Truth
by Nicholas F. Mondello
Many years ago, there was a radio then television show called “Truth or Consequences." The premise was rather sophomoric: contestants were asked trivia questions and, if they failed to answer correctly, they were “buzzed off" and subsequently given goofy “tasks" which usually resulted in laughs at the contestant's expense. With The Truth the consequences for Richmond-based--but ...
John La Barbera Big Band: Caravan
by Nicholas F. Mondello
The beautiful Mediterranean island of Sicily--and the triple-legged image on its national flag--are also known as the “Trinicria." That name translates as--and also describes--the triangular shape of the island. Whether that's a geo-historical lesson or not, the three La Barbera Brothers--John, Joe and Pat have established themselves as a most formidable familial trio in jazz history, ...
Luca Aquino: aQustico
by Nicholas F. Mondello
Based upon his recorded offerings to date, one might get the impression that Italian trumpeter Luca Aquino has legendary Italian explorers' roots in his musical DNA. While Columbus, Vespucci and others took sail over uncharted waters, Aquino (which translates as “little water") sets off yet again and delivers aural riches with aQustico. In ...
