Archive for the ‘Reviews’ Category
StepTempest reviews the new Steve Davis CD…
steptempest.blogspot.com
Trombonist-composer-educatorSteve Davis teaches at Hartt School of Music’s Jackie McLean Institute and The Artist Collective. Mentored by saxophonist McLean, Davis (born in Binghampton, NY and raised in Worcester, MA) stayed in Hartford but has traveled around the world. He was in the final edition of Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers, toured and recorded with ...Read More
The JazzWord of Steve Davis “Gettin’ It Done”
thejazzword.blogspot.com
Gettin’ it Done is a strong sextet outing with solid three-horn arrangements and inspired soloing. The ring leader of the ensemble is veteran trombonist Steve Davis whose straight-ahead, swinging original tunes are both ear-catching and memorable. Tunes such as the up-tempo title track, a minor blues with blistering solo turns from alto saxophonist Mike DiRubbo, Dav ...Read More
Downbeat includes Orrin Evans “Flip the Script” in its Editor’s Picks…
www.downbeat.com
Orrin Evans, Flip The Script (Posi-Tone)
Orrin Evans is a pianist, composer and bandleader whose reputation has been steadily rising, particularly with his Captain Black Big Band. But on his latest recording,Flip The Script, we find Evans equally powerful in the trio setting. From the first tune, “Question,” my personal answer was “Hell, yeah!” And that’s the way I fel ...Read More
Another nice review for Ralph Bowen “Total Eclipse”…
jazzandblues.blogspot.com
Saxophonist Ralph Bowen has carved out a fine niche for himself on the mainstream jazz scene as an educator at Rutgers University, and as a recording artist. This is a fine mainstream jazz hard-bop recording where Bowen is performing with Jared Gold on organ, Mike Moreno on guitar and Rudy Royston on durms. Switching to the organ format makes for an interesting album, foc ...Read More
OutsideInsideOut writes up Ralph Bowen “Total Eclipse”…
outsideinsideout.wordpress.com
Marc Free’s Posi-Tone Records is one of a handful of labels that churns out a significant number of quality albums on a regular basis. In the past couple of months the label has sent numerous new releases my way, so today I’m hitting you with a multi-part rundown of some of my favorites.
I reviewed tenor saxophonist Ralph Bowen’s last album, Power Play, in ...Read More
StepTempest reviews Ralph Bowen “Total Eclipse”…
steptempest.blogspot.com
“Total Eclipse“, the 4th Posi-Tone Records release fromRalph Bowen, has much to recommend it. Just look at the group Bowen plays with; the fine young organist Jared Gold, the supple guitarist Mike Morenoand the splendid drummerRudy Royston. Powered by the drummer (who, in the last few years, has worked with saxophonist JD Allen, bassist Ben Allison, guitaris ...Read More
Tim Niland reviews “Flip the Script” for his Music and More blog…
jazzandblues.blogspot.com
Orrin Evans is a young pianist and composer, well known for his work in the Captain Black Big Band and his solo work as a leader. On this trio album, he is accompanied by Ben Wolfe on bass and Donald Edwards drums. There are echoes of past masters like Andrew Hill and McCoy Tyner on this album, but Evans is definitely his own man and his own spirit and vision shines throu ...Read More
SomethingElse Reviews on Orrin Evans “Flip the Script”…
somethingelsereviews.com
With a new album release imminent, the productive, peaking pianist Orrin Evans again demands our attention with another bread-and-butter trio event, named Flip The Script. Supported this time Ben Wolfe (bass) and Donald Edwards (drums), Evans produces a no-nonsense program of mostly originals with a few choice covers in another solid outing for this product of Philly.
Fl ...Read More
Bruce Lindsay reviews Tom Tallitsch “Heads or Tales”…
www.allaboutjazz.com
Tenor saxophonist Tom Tallitsch makes his Posi-Tone debut with Heads Or Tales, a welcome addition to that label’s impressively strong roster of straight-ahead and swinging musicians. Tallitsch has a warm tone, a lyrical and flowing style and an ability to craft solos that add to the narrative of his compositions: qualities that make the tunes—all but one his own compo ...Read More
Nick Bewsey reviews Brandon Wright “Journeyman”…
jazzinspace.blogspot.com
Sounding particularly polished at the age of 30, saxophonist Brandon Wright brings along his colleagues in the Mingus Big Band – pianist David Kikoski, bassist Boris Kozlov and drummer Donald Edwards – for “Journeyman,” (Posi-Tone Records) his second solo album that demonstrates his keen affinity for post-bebop swing, loosey-goosey funk jazz (“Walk Of Shame”) p ...Read More