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Dan Fornero: Not So Old School
by Nicholas F. Mondello
Fornax--now there's a word you probably haven't heard since sophomore Latin class--if ever. It translates as “oven"-- words such as “furnace," al forno and--use your imagination for another example--are derivatives. Whether or not his surname emanates from ancient lingo, one thing is certain: trumpeter Dan Fornero's Not So Old School is indeed both contemporary and burnt-tongue ...
Jacob Duncan: Invisible House
by Nicholas F. Mondello
Since the politically and culturally turbulent 60s, the word liberation has been incorporated into titles of collectives--remember the radical “Symbionese Liberation Army" and the certainly less violent, but still highly influential “Liberation Orchestra" of bassist Charlie Haden? Even song and album titles from groups as diverse as The Pet Shop Boys and Earth, Wind and Fire ...
Craig Tweddell Quintet: Away with Words
by Nicholas F. Mondello
Perhaps it's more than coincidental that Craig Tweddell titled this intriguing recording a snowclone--Away With Words. That might be because this exciting Louisville-based trumpeter/composer hosts a noted weekly jam session at a club named for author and poet--Rudyard Kipling--or, it might suggest most correctly that it's the music that does the word speak here.
Jim Manley: Short Stories & Tall Tales
by Nicholas F. Mondello
Back in the 60s, there was a classic James Bond film starring Sean Connery entitled Goldfinger (United Artists, 1964). The key antagonist in the action-packed film was a character named “Auric Goldfinger." He had less than the Midas touch. Conversely, St. Louis-based trumpeter Jim Manley does indeed have that touch as he shines on Short Stories ...
Nicholas Payton: Sketches of Brilliance
by Nicholas F. Mondello
Trumpeter Nicholas Payton has distinguished himself over the decades as a continually evolving artist of significant vision, artistry and focus. He's a musician who knows, respects and displays his roots, knows where he's at now and where he's going creatively. Under his own BMF Records label, Payton recently released Sketches of Spain a new recording with ...
Hristo Vitchev and Liubomir Krastev: Rhodopa
by Nicholas F. Mondello
As artists continue to explore new musical vistas, some, Ulysses-like will return home to explore their ethno-musical roots and look to gather new wine from older grapes. Such is the example of this unique and very exquisite recording. With Rhodopa, Bay Area guitarist/composer Hristo Vitchev and clarinetist Liubomir Krastev meld musical minds, dive exuberantly ...
Joel A. Martin: Jazzical Menken
by Nicholas F. Mondello
On any given Sunday especially if the weather is good, if one travels to Long Island's North Shore “Gold Coast" you will occasionally see beautiful, hand-detailed Rolls-Royces, Ferraris, Bentleys or other luxury-end autos tooling about. In more than one conceptual way, Jazzical Menken is tantamount to experiencing this metallic magnificence. The primary difference, thankfully, is that ...
The La Barbera Brothers: Jazz DNA
by Nicholas F. Mondello
It's an interesting phenomenon how certain families enter and distinguish themselves in this marvelous world of jazz--The Joneses, Heaths, Candolis, Royals, Breckers, Mangiones, and others. Over the last five decades--even many more if one goes farther back to when they were young children playing in the family band with Mom and Pop--the La Barbera Brothers--John, Joe ...
Ron Aprea: Passion Supreme
by Nicholas F. Mondello
Ron Aprea is a saxophonist's saxophonist. After all, none less than the late, great Frank Foster called him friend, confidant, section mate and leader. And Foster wasn't alone in this regard. Aprea has been a mainstay and graced the sax section in the bands of Lionel Hampton, Woody Herman and many others. A multi-faceted musician with ...
DePaul University Jazz Ensemble: Salutes Woody Herman
by Nicholas F. Mondello
Anecdotes of all kinds about bandleader Woody Herman-- whose centennial is celebrated this year--circulate among musicians and fans to this day. From them, we deduce that “The Chopper" had a straight-razor tongue, wry humor, and less-than-zero patience for disingenuous fan-fawning over himself or his band's celebrity. Even as road-weary big bands faded from the scene and ...
