Archive for the ‘Reviews’ Category
Dan Bilawsky’s AAJ review for Travis Sullivan “New Directions”…
www.allaboutjazz.com
Saxophonist Travis Sullivan has received lots of coverage for the music he creates with his Björkestra, but the success of that band is a double-edged sword. While following the musical pathways set forth by his Icelandic muse has helped the saxophonist expand his audience, it also temporarily suppressed his own musical personality. With New Directions, Sullivan steps out of ...Read More
Lucid Culture reviews “Round Red Light”….
lucidculture.wordpress.com
Dave Juarez’s Round Red Light Burns Brightly
Dave Juarez’s new album Round Red Light – just out on Posi-Tone – is sort of the last thing you would expect from a jazz guitarist. There are compositions here that he doesn’t even play on, which speaks volumes. He’s a strong, individualistic, potently melodic writer who gets the max out of all the voices he has ...Read More
SomethingElse! reviews David Gibson “End of the Tunnel”….
somethingelsereviews.com
The sweet, liquid and brassy sound of a trombone has been a major cog in the jazz machine since around its inception, bigger at some times more than other. These days, it doesn’t enjoy the stature and popularity it used to, and I often why when I listen to a record by, say, Curtis Fuller or a fresher face like Michael Dease.
Add David Gibson to that too-small group of ...Read More
AAJ review for Art Hirahara “Noble Path”….
www.allaboutjazz.com
Art Hirahara has gained the most notice for his work on saxophonist Fred Ho’s adventurous outings, but the pianist’s own music, while occasionally outward bound, often has a more immediately accessible sound to it. Featuring eight pieces from Hirahara’s pen and four newly arranged classics,Noble Path is a piano trio record that’s both commonplace and u ...Read More
The first review is in for Travis Sullivan “New Directions”…
jazzandblues.blogspot.com
FRIDAY, MAY 13, 2011
Travis Sullivan – New Directions (Posi-Tone, 2011)
Saxophonist, composer and educator Travis Sullivan has an appealing sound and develops strong melodic mainstream jazz here, with an intelligently mixed program cookers, mid-tempo numbers and ballads anchored by his strong playing on saxophone. He is accompanied by Mike Eckroth on piano, Marc ...Read More
Richard Kamins Step Tempest review for Art Hirahara “Noble Path”…
steptempest.blogspot.com
Born in the Bay Area of San Francisco, pianist Art Hirahira has been playing, studying and teaching music most of his life. He’s studied with Charlie Haden and Wadada Leo Smith at CalArts, performed with Dave Douglas, Vincent Herring, Travis Sullivan’s Bjorkestra, Jim Black, Jenny Scheinman, Fred Ho, Sean Nowell, royal hartigan, and Rufus Reid. His work on ...Read More
SomethingElse! reviews Dave Juarez “Round Red Light”…
somethingelsereviews.com
For a musician who has devoted his life since early childhood toward his craft and studied for many years as well as earning his stripes in the bars of the great jazz cities of the world, the release of that first album has to be a feeling of relief, elation and accomplishment. That day came for Barcelona’s own Dave Juarez on April 19, when this guitarist issued Round ...Read More
JazzTimes piece on Orrin Evans “Captain Black Big Band”….
jazztimes.com
The prolific pianist Orrin Evans has long been an integral part of the Philly jazz scene, as both a catalyst within the city and an ambassador to the greater jazz consciousness. His Captain Black Big Band, with its mix of hometown heroes and higher-profile New York players, embodies that duality. But with clubs closing and mentors passing away, can the City of Brotherly Love keep it ...Read More
Dan Bilawsky’s AAJ review for Dave Juarez “Round Red Light”…
www.allaboutjazz.com
The quintet that came together to record Round Red Light is a unique conglomeration of established talent, rising-star scene-stealers, and artists who are only starting their ascent and journey upward in the world of jazz. While guitarist Dave Juarez falls into the last category, his debut album should go a long way in creating a buzz around the Barcelona-born musician.
Juare ...Read More
Lucid Culture write-up for Jared Gold “All Wrapped Up”….
lucidculture.wordpress.com
Organist Jared Gold Wraps up a Diverse, Intense Album
Jared Gold’s new B3 organ jazz album All Wrapped Up may not be the last thing you would expect, but it’s different. Before we get into this, let’s establish the fact that the world would be a much less enjoyable place without the B3 grooves of Lonnie Smith, Jimmy McGriff, the late Jimmy Smith and of course Jame ...Read More