Archive for the ‘Reviews’ Category
Check out this review of “Blues for Brother Ray” the latest release from trumpet player Jim Rotondi….
jazz.about.com
Veteran trumpeter Jim Rotondi has been a fixture in the New York jazz scene for more than two decades. His clear, bold sound and polished soloing have been on display in such diverse groups as Lionel Hampton’s and Bob Mintzer’s big bands, as well as the powerhouse sextet, One For All, of which he is a co-founder. His most recent release, Blues for Brother Ray (Posi-Tone ...Read More
Saxophonist Mike DiRubbo’s ‘Repercussion’
www.newsobserver.com
BY OWEN CORDLEÂ –Â CORRESPONDENT
New York City alto saxophonist Mike DiRubbo studied with Jackie McLean at the University of Hartford. For fans familiar with the late McLean’s big, diamond-hard alto sound and angular lines, this should provide a reference point for hearing DiRubbo. But that’s not the entire story, for DiRubbo plays with more joy and lyricism ...Read More
AAJ Review of Repercussion
by C. Michael Bailey
The immediate appeal of alto saxophonist Mike DiRubbo’s Repercussion is the replacement of the piano by the vibraphone as the rhythm section’s harmony instrument. Guitar-based and piano-less rhythm sections have made their way into the mainstream, leaving the vibraphone-based rhythm section still a novelty.
DiRubbo is certainly not the first to employ such a forma ...Read More
Jazz.com talks about Jamie’s Decision…..
www.jazz.com
SEAN NOWELL: JAMIE’S DECISION
TRACK
Jamie’s Decision
ARTIST
Sean Nowell (tenor sax)
CD
The Seeker (Positone 8049)
Buy Track
Musicians:
Sean Nowell (tenor sax),
David Eggar (cello), Art Hirahara (piano), Nir Felder (guitar), Thomson Kneland (bass), Joe Abbatantuono (drums),
.
Composed by Sean Nowell
.
Recorded: Brooklyn, NY, March 2008
...Read More
Skope Magazine Review of Sean Nowell “The Seeker”….
skopemag.com
Sean Nowell, The Seeker (Posi-Tone Records)
Apropos enough of an album title here; from leaving behind his Alabama a cappella choir in favor of the big east cities to bombing Kosovo with culture and jamming soundtracks with Stanley Clarke, Nowell’s life is officially a circus of art. On this 2nd album for Posi-Tone as a leader, however, the surprise lies in the conventionality of ...Read More
Blaine Fallis AAJ review of Ralph Bowen “Dedicated”….
www.allaboutjazz.com
Tenor saxophonist Ralph Bowen’s Dedicated is a project that was nurtured and produced by Posi-tone Records‘ founder Marc Free, who felt that Bowen was under-appreciated by the jazz public at large. Bowen has influenced hundreds of players through his teaching position at Rutgers, and many top jazz players know how skilled he is. Having heard him live several time ...Read More
jazz.com write-up for Ralph Bowen’s “Canary Drums”….
http://www.jazz.com/music/2009/6/21/ralph-bowen-canary-drums
RALPH BOWEN: CANARY DRUMS
TRACK
Canary Drums
ARTIST
Ralph Bowen (tenor sax)
CD
Dedicated (Positone 8052)
Buy Track
Musicians:
Ralph Bowen (tenor sax), Adam Rogers (guitar), John Patitucci(bass), Antonio Sanchez (drums).
Composed by Ralph Bowen
.
Recorded: Brooklyn, NY, October 19, 2008
RATING: 94/100Â ...Read More
jazzchicago.net review of “Dedicated”….
www.jazzchicago.net
Ralph Bowen – “Dedicated”
(Positone)
Wow, this cat can really blow. Where do these great, relatively unknown players come from. Apparently tenor saxophonist Bowen is well known around the NYC-area, where he co-led the ’80s “OTB-Out of the Blue” sextet, and is now an instructor at Rutgers U., but he was new to me. And a pleasure it is to m ...Read More
Listening Session With Ben Ratliff: Sam Yahel’s ‘Hometown’
www.npr.org
After reading Felix Contreras’ post, I’m looking ahead to my three-year old daughter hating jazz. I’m surprisingly okay with this possibility. I just want her to love music. That’s a good primer for eventually getting the jazz message.
I must say, in her defense, that my girl does love the trombone. She’s into wearing headphones and checking out tunes. Sh ...Read More
AAJ review of Sam Yahel “Hometown”….
www.allaboutjazz.com
Sam Yahel has made the grade. His signature Hammond B3 sound—appearing on both his own work and on recordings by Joshua Redman, Bill Frisell, and Norah Jones—has identified him as one of the players that will take Jimmy Smith‘s favorite instrument deep into the 21st century. So what does Yahel do on Hometown, his fifth disc as a leader? He puts the organ in the ...Read More