Archive for the ‘Reviews’ Category
AAJ’s Glenn Astarita writes up Sean Nowell “The Kung-Fu Masters”…
www.allaboutjazz.com
Track review of “Mantis Style”
New York City-based saxophonist Sean Nowell has found a home with the increasingly prominent West Coast modern jazz record label, Posi-Tone Records. His fourth release highlights the turbo-powered acoustic-electric band, The Kung-Fu Masters. Word has it that the ensemble has been creating a buzz in The Big Apple, and in recent ti ...Read More
Steve Greenlee reviews David Weiss “Venture Inward” for JazzTimes…
jazztimes.com
Let’s call bunk on the claim that jazz should always find new things to say. Venture Inward, the new platter from trumpeter David Weiss and his quintet Point of Departure, is steeped in 1960s postbop—specifically that of Miles Davis—and it would be futile to argue that it is anything but jazz of the highest order.
Following his two outstanding live albums, Snuck In and ...Read More
CD Hotlist recommends Ehud Asherie “Lower East Side”…
http://cdhotlist.com
Joined by tenor saxophonist Harry Allen (who is himself one of the top players of straight-ahead jazz and swing currently working), pianist Ehud Asherie romps his way through a wonderful set of American Songbook standards, referring back to stride, bop, and swing traditions and making you hear familiar fare like “S’posin’,” “When I Grow Too Old to Dream,” and “Th ...Read More
The Jazz Word on Noah Haidu “Momentum”…
thejazzword.blogspot.com
Momentum is a strong trio recording featuring pianist Noah Haidu’s original tunes as well as a few choice covers. Haidu leads bassist Ariel de la Portilla and drummer McClenty Hunter with a strong, swinging conviction, aided by an imaginative approach and ample chops. From the familiar bounce of “I Thought About You” to a raucous take on “The End of ...Read More
Brent Black reviews Fowser/Gillece “Top Shelf”…
www.criticaljazz.com
Roughly 27 years ago Stan Getz made one of the finest duet recordings on the Blue Note label with pianist label. Now the aptly titled Top Shelf picks up where Poetry left off. Granted this release is a sextet with attitude but Fowser and Gillece and the modern jazz evolution of tenor saxophone and vibraphone. Michael Dease sits in on trombone and pushes the front line to the n ...Read More
An interview with trombonist Steve Davis…
blogs.citypages.com
Contemporary jazz great Slide Hampton proclaimed, “we trombonists are problem solvers.” Yet for all the back-boning trombones provide, even the most famous ones — J.J. Johnson, Frank Rosolino, Al Grey or Curtis Fuller — aren’t household names like adored trumpeters or saxophonists. One such “problem solver” has long since made a name fo ...Read More
Critical Jazz takes on Noah Haidu “Momentum”…
www.criticaljazz.com
If James Brown was the busiest man in show business the smart money goes on Noah Haidu coming in a close second. Sitting in with numerous Post-Tone acts and the band Native Soul just begin to scratch the surface of a cross between McCoy Tyner and Horace Silver. Haidu can bang out a melody with the best of them but play with the artful finesse of a Silver or a Herbie Hancock wh ...Read More
The Jazz Word on Fowser/Gillece “Top Shelf”…
thejazzword.blogspot.com
Top Shelf is the fourth release for longtime conspirators Ken Fowser and Behn Gillece. Their brand of original straight-ahead jazz is heartfelt and swinging with an interesting mix of complexity and accessibility. Gillece’s vibraphone and Fowser’s tenor saxophone playing are equally grounded in the tradition with an aggressive approach to modern sensibilities. ...Read More
Victor Aaron reviews Fowser/Gillece new CD “Top Shelf”…
somethingelsereviews.com
If, as they say, the third time’s the charm, what does that make the fourth time? If it’s concerning a collaboration by tenor saxophonist Ken Fowser and vibraphonist Behn Gillece, it’s even more so the charm….
...Read More
The Jazz Word on Jared Gold “Intuition”…
thejazzword.blogspot.com
Jared Gold’s latest for Posi-Tone Records is an electrifying organ trio release featuring the highly proficient purveyor of classic B3 sounds with the aid of guitarist Dave Stryker and drummer McClenty Hunter. Along with a slew of original pieces by Gold and Stryker, the disc features convincing renditions of two Carol King gems, “You’ve Got a Friend̶ ...Read More