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Entries from May 2012

Marc Copland: Some More Love Songs

Seven years and a handful of albums under his own name separate pianist Marc Copland’s Some Love Songs (Pirouet, 2005) and this winning sequel session. Copland reconvened the same trio from the original date–with ever-busy bassist m: Drew Gress and on-the-rise drummer m: Jochen Rueckert –and followed a similar programming formula, opening with a m: Joni Mitchell tune, closing with a Victor Young classic, giving a nod to Richard Rodgers along the way and hitting a trio of other songs that fit the thematic bill…

Date: May 31st, 2012 · No Comments · Categories: Jazz CD Reviews

Bio Ritmo: La Verdad

In September 2011, Bio Ritmo, the ten-piece salsa band from Richmond (Virginia), celebrated twenty years together, no small accomplishment for a band originally formed (says its official company bio) “as a percussion ensemble brought together by two misplaced Puerto Ricans who met at art school, combined with a local punk rock drummer…

Date: May 31st, 2012 · No Comments · Categories: Jazz CD Reviews

Jherek Bischoff: Composed

The touring life isn’t the one to which every musician aspires. Sometimes the call of the home, fireside and comfy slippers is stronger than that of the road. Seattle-based Jherek Bischoff–lately of Parenthetical Girls and The Dead Science–prefers working on music at home, producing and arranging as well as composing and playing.

Date: May 30th, 2012 · No Comments · Categories: Jazz CD Reviews

Wayne Escoffery: The Only Son of One

Not since the works of bassist m: Charles Mingus and saxophonist m: John Coltrane has there been music so charged with emotion and so engulfed in spirituality as The Only Son of One, an album that bleeds with raw sentiment as it bares the soul of its young saxophonist and composer, Wayne Escoffery, and ultimately brings much catharsis and edification. In the sorrowful and glorious vocalastics of his saxophone, Escoffery reveals the pain and ultimate triumph of his relationship with his parents and, in doing so, emerges frayed but surprisingly whole, humane and, in the process, mature and edifying as a musician. With this landmark album, Escoffery has not only come to terms with the bitterness of his past– especially in the context of an abusive father–but he has created a soulful testament to the triumph of the human spirit, just as his musical ancestors had done before him…

Date: May 30th, 2012 · No Comments · Categories: Jazz CD Reviews

Mike Lorenz: Of The Woods

On his debut, Of The Woods, Philadelphia guitarist Mike Lorenz shows not only his guitar skills, but his gifted compositional talents as well. With an innovative sound combining modern, free, and bebop jazz styles, Of the Woods is an easy listen while, at the same time, pushing new boundaries of jazz. It is obvious, throughout this work, that this 24 year-old guitar virtuoso is pleased to share the time on his compositions with his very talented quintet including alto saxophonist m: Mike Cemprola , who is featured on several tunes, and tonally beautiful pianist m: Matt Mitchell …

Date: May 30th, 2012 · No Comments · Categories: Jazz CD Reviews

TriBeCaStan: New Deli

TriBeCaStan is a mythical kingdom or mystical state (or both) founded by John Kruth and Jeff Greene, built upon music brought within its walls from Western China, Cuba, Morocco, Uzbekistan and just about any and every where else. For New Deli, their second official “state communication,” TriBeCaStan’s population expands to include m: Claire Daly , baritone sax ace for m: Taj Mahal (and previously, m: James Brown ); ska trumpeter m: John Turner ; and Bruce Huebner, master of the pentatonic bamboo Japanese flute…

Date: May 30th, 2012 · No Comments · Categories: Jazz CD Reviews

Randy Hoexter: Fromage

In manufacturing, it’s nearly impossible to work with substandard raw materials and wind up with a high quality finished product. While the same tenet often holds true in music, pianist Randy Hoexter is out to prove that the manner of presentation can overcome the matter itself.

Date: May 29th, 2012 · No Comments · Categories: Jazz CD Reviews