Results for "Play This!"

Peter Epstein, Brad Shepik, Matt Kilmer: Temoin

by Mike Jacobs
March 2, 2023

The nimble “Temoin" is one of the many piquant delights this unusually formatted trio (sax, guitar, frame drum) puts forth on Lingua Franca (Songlines, 2005), The absence of upright or electric bass creates a tangibly wider sonic space for their ethnically-tinged, odd-metered romps and highlights their wonderfully telepathic interplay. At times subtle, at others spicy, the ...

Don Byron: Cleo's Mood

by Ludovico Granvassu
March 1, 2023

In addition to being one of its most-forward looking voices, Don Byron has covered the whole gamut of American music--from Mickey Katz to Raymond Scott, from Duke Ellington to Lester Young and Stevie Wonder--and beyond, from Robert Schumann to Giacomo Puccini. He has done so with his signature sound, a deep understanding of those composers' traditions ...

Christian Sands: Can't Find My Way Home

by Michael Ricci
February 22, 2023

Tord Gustavsen Trio: Changing Places

by Jeffrey Allen Chelsky
February 22, 2023

I never tire of listening to the masterful Tord Gustavsen in his various incarnations, this time with his trio composed of bassist Harald Johnsen and drummer Jarle Vespestad, Changing Places has been out since 2003 and seems new every time I play it. I listen and it is as if the world slows down and fades ...

Joe Chambers: Dance Kobina

by Marc Myers
February 16, 2023

Joe Chambers' Dance Kobina (Blue Note, 2023) proves once again that the 80-year-old percussionist still has it. The album is superb. What's most beautiful about the album and Chambers's playing is that he has retained the flavors of many totemic greats he has played with over the decades. Produced and arranged by Chambers, the album features ...

Carla Bley On The Creation Of Birds Of Paradise

by Ben Sparks
February 14, 2023

Jay Lawrence and The Platinum Jazz Orchestra: Payin' My Dues

by Edward Blanco
February 13, 2023

Veteran drummer Jay Lawrence leads a powerful big band comprised of jazz luminaries such as Wayne Bergeron, Andy Martin, Bob Sheppard, Nestor Torres, and Ed Calle among others on a big band romp of primarily original compositions. One of them, “Don't Blame Me," showcases the vocals of award-winning blues and gospel singer Dee Daniels accompanied by ...

A Gem From Richie Goods & Chien Chien Lu!

by J. Michael Harrison
February 10, 2023

The debut project from the ensemble known as Connected is fronted by the gifted bassist Richie Goods and the rising star vibraphonist/percussionist Chien Chien Lu. The project was formed during the pandemic while they were in lockdown together. Although I'm a huge fan of the entire album, the instrumental “Dull Ice Flower" continues to catch my ...

Ed Cherry: Are We There Yet?

by Edward Blanco
February 7, 2023

In remembering the great Wes Montgomery, guitarist phenom Ed Cherry records his arrangement and interpretations of one of the superstar's most memorable compositions with an incredible hard-swinging version of “Mr. Walker" featuring Kyle Koehler on the Hammond B3 organ reminiscent of Montgomery collaborations with organist Melvin Rhyne. Byron “Wookie" Landham on drums rounds out Cherry's quartet ...

Carmen McRae: At the Great American Music Hall

by Joseph Vella
February 1, 2023

From 1977, this live recording is one of the finest jazz vocal albums of all time. It captures Carmen McRae at her height performing a standout repertoire of standards and popular songs of the day in a small group setting (with special guest Dizzy Gillespie). Capturing Carmen's true brilliance as a jazz singer, her impeccable timing, ...