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The Kim Richmond Concert Jazz Orchestra: Artistry
by Nicholas F. Mondello
"A Tribute to the Music of ..." That's a phrase encountered regularly when one surveys today's recorded efforts--jazz and otherwise. A number of factors might be the motivation: there's a tremendous legacy of 20th century music (and legacy is usually bankable), or, perhaps, there isn't enough bankable current music. Either way, looking in the rearview mirror ...
Oscar Brown Jr.: We're Live
by Nicholas F. Mondello
Today's musicians--and anyone with an interest in things jazz and the pre-Hip-Hop/Rap African-American musical and cultural experience--might want to examine the life, times, music and impact of Oscar Brown, Jr. Brown distinguished himself brilliantly in multiple worlds--musical, literary, political, theatrical and television. And he did it all, weaving a passion for life, America's art form and ...
Deborah Shulman: Get Your Kicks
by Nicholas F. Mondello
In the vicinity of Staunton, Illinois, a short strip of asphalt heretofore known as “Route 66" lies silently abandoned. A local wag once suggested that the ghost remnant be pulverized into bits and sold to nostalgia types, with a wealth to be had--probably by the wag. Whether or not a fortune is to be made with ...
Gianni Bardaro / Pierluigi Villani: Unfolding Routes
by Nicholas F. Mondello
The monochromatic cover of Unfolding Routes depicts an iconic--and stark--image of a deserted highway leading to an infinite horizon. It's perspective: an integral component of art. This collaboration of two outstanding Italian musicians is no dimensional illusion but, rather, an intelligent and involving artistic journey.Bardaro, Italian-born but now residing in Copenhagen, is a highly ...
Jeffrey Gimble: Beyond Up High
by Nicholas F. Mondello
There's a lyric in the old Kenny Rogers pop tune, “The Gambler" that states: “You've got to know when to hold and know when to fold." Now vocalist Jeffrey Gimble's debut CD Beyond Up High isn't a gamble--well, perhaps it is a bit as he enters the highly uncertain world of the male jazz singer, but, ...
Steve Heckman: Born to be Blue
by Nicholas F. Mondello
The Great American Standard is a nourishing Mother. No matter how far away one might stray, or who has mined there before, the Canon always welcomes further improvisatory exploration. The challenge, of course, is for the artist to honor the source appropriately.With Born to Be BlueBay Area saxophonist, Steve Heckman takes us on yet ...
Frederick Moyer: When Summer Comes
by Nicholas F. Mondello
A hardened cynic might think it could be a “grass is greener" rationale for a world-class concert pianist to take on a slew of GAS and jazz standards and record them in a solo format. “Ego-brushing," might also be tossed about. However, in the case of When Summer Comes a fine solo effort by Frederick Moyer, ...
The Bechet Legacy: The Bechet Legacy - Birch Hall Concerts Live
by Nicholas F. Mondello
Every so often a jewel of a recording is unearthed, prompting the obligatory question: “Why not sooner?" This wonderfully energetic, swinging effort is a treasure of an example.“The Bechet Legacy," with woodwind artist Bob Wilber and trumpeter Glenn Zottola up front, delivers significant homage to Sidney Bechet and to the Golden Era of hot ...
Ron Oswanski: December's Moon
by Nicholas F. Mondello
With the possible exception of “love" and “you," “moon" enters as a most-welcomed word-muse to performers, composers and lyricists. When “jazz organ" enters into that equation, the expected aural summation might be the blues-infused funk of Jimmy Smith or the steamy straight-ahead of Joey DeFrancesco.December's Moon from multi-keyboardist/composer--and now leader--Ron Oswanski, is a performance ...
Cynthia Sayer: Joyride
by Nicholas F. Mondello
Banjo!--one's mental and aural images might include straw-hatted gents picking away at an attraction at Disney World, Stubby Kaye and Nat King Cole strolling in Cat Ballou, (Columbia Pictures, 1965) “The Beverly Hillbillies Theme," or perhaps the iconic “duel" from Deliverance (Warner Bros., 1972) There's probably no other musical instrument on the planet that's more associated ...
