Entries from August 2012
Wolfgang Schalk: Word of Ear
As if to quietly utter “enough with talking about the music…,” guitarist Wolfgang Schalk gets to the heart of the matter with Word of Ear and lets his playing speak loud and clear. This is his sixth recording as a leader and he continues to reveal expressive phrasing and piercing solos on hollow body electric and acoustic guitars…
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Milton Suggs: Lyrical, Volume 1
Vocalist/composer Milton Suggs released Things To Come to certain positive acclaim. In an arid male jazz vocals landscape, Suggs recalls a simpler time ruled by the likes of m: Joe Williams and m: Johnny Hartman . His voice is deep and rich, with m: Betty Carter ‘s pliability and m: Jon Hendricks ‘ smokiness.
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School Of Music Graduate Ensemble: Mars Apes
The Philadelphia based University of Arts is famous for the excellence of its school of music and particularly the high caliber of its jazz education. Listening to the whimsically titled Mars Apes, it becomes clear that these accolades are not undeserved. Billed as School Of Music Graduate Ensemble, the group performs mostly original material by its individual members, on this foray into the uncertain terrain of fusion. The engaging music does not, however, conform to the traditional sense of the style; namely amalgamation of rock and roll structure with jazzy sensibilities
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Madeleine Albright to be Honored by Monk Institute at This Year’s Competition and Gala
THELONIOUS MONK INSTITUTE OF JAZZ ANNUAL COMPETITION AND GALA, MADE POSSIBLE BY CADILLAC, WILL BE HELD IN WASHINGTON, D.C. SEPTEMBER 22-23 FESTIVITIES WILL HONOR FIRST FEMALE UNITED STATES SECRETARY OF STATE MADELEINE ALBRIGHT Cast features Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, Jimmy Heath, George Duke, Patti Austin, Nnenna Freelon, James Carter, Ingrid Jensen, Jane Ira Bloom, James [continue reading…]
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Mark Masters Ensemble: Ellington Saxophone Encounters
Countless albums have been made with the sole intention of honoring the great m: Duke Ellington by highlighting his personality, piano skills and pile of hits, but they don’t tell the whole story; part of his legacy rests with the men who brought his music to life. The individuals who filled out the roster in Ellington’s illustrious band earned their own place in history by shaping the sound and identity of his group so, rather than tread on well-worn ground, arranger m: Mark Masters and baritone saxophonist m: Gary Smulyan have decided to shine a light on the reed personalities that populated Ellington’s famed front row…
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The Zombies featuring Colin Blunstone and Rod Argent: Recorded Live in Concert at Metropolis Studios, London
Indeed, a commemorative occasion for this classic British pop band, performing in front of an intimate audience at Metropolis Studios in London. Featuring original members, vocalist Colin Blunstone and keyboardist Rod Argent, The Zombies perform its cherished, harmonically attractive hits while tinting the program with a rockier edge on various pieces. It’s a surprisingly seamless transition from the more polite 60’s pop criteria into the modern age. Here, Argent–always one of the finer rock keyboardists–enjoys ample soloing room where he bridges jazz voicings with the pop-rock element…
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Jessica Jones and Mark Taylor: Live at the Freight
Live at the Freight chronicles a June 2011 date at the venerable Freight and Salvage coffeehouse in Berkeley, California, co-led by tenor saxophonist Jessica Jones and French horn and mellophone player m: Mark Taylor . The compositions, all originals and mostly quite good, are split between the two leaders…
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