Italian magazine “Tracce Di Jazz” gets rooted in the “Soul Tree” by Ed Cherry
Soul Tree “It is wise to cultivate the tree which bears fruit in our soul”. This maxim of Henry David Thoreau stands in the booklet of “Soul Tree” and packs as best you can the sense of this work that marks the return as leader of the excellent guitarist Ed Cherry Posi-tone label.
The most canonical of the Organ Trio, completed by Kyle Koehler to Hammond and drummer Anwar M ...Read More
Midwest Record feels the groove on Brian Charette’s “Once & Future”
The guy that literally, actually and factually wrote the book about B3 will blow your mind right out of the box on the first track with the way he cascades notes on “Jitterbug Waltz”. Whether you know anything about B3 or are a long time fan of organ trios, that track is all it’s going to take to make you a believer and join the fun. A dead, solid killer of a set, this is gold standard a ...Read More
All About Jazz talks with Walt Weiskopf about his career, past and present
What is it that drives Walt Weiskopf? It’s all about the music, all about the sound.
He’s reached a large audience in ten years of touring with Steely Dan. He’s written a half dozen books on jazz improvisation techniques and methods, and he’s taught at the Eastman School of Music, Temple University and New Jersey City University, where he now heads the jazz program. We find ...Read More
“Father Figure” by Michael Dease gets reviewed by All About Jazz
Paying it forward is simply a given in jazz. Long before the music was welcomed in ivory tower institutions and codified for classroom consumption at all levels, seasoned musicians were sharing their hard-earned knowledge with aspiring youngsters on bandstands and in basements, serving as guides, exemplars, nurturers, and teachers all at once. Those experienced players were musical father figures, ...Read More
Raul da Gama reveals the truth behind “Out & About” by Will Bernard
It’s never an easy ask, playing Will Bernard’s whimsical music. Then playing it well. Then playing it this well. But this quintet led by none other than Will Bernard himself makes it seem so elemental and easy. And mind you this repertoire might seem easy if you read the names of the tunes out aloud. But make no mistake the music is diabolical but if this benchmark recording is a significant o ...Read More
Dusted In Exile reviews the new one from Walt Weiskopf
Calling Coltrane an influence is an exercise in stating the obvious for most saxophonists under the age of sixty. The undisputed Heavyweight Champion of the horn still exerts a seismic impact so vast as to be nearly indelible. Tenorist Walt Weiskopf is one of the multitude who came under the Coltrane thrall early in his artistic inquiry, but like the best of that number he’s been able to wrestle ...Read More
Thanks to All About Jazz for the great review of “The Way You Say It” by Walt Weiskopf
Do jazz jukeboxes exist? I’m not referring to an online streaming service that tells you what to like. I’m talking about a mechanical box in a roadhouse you put money in, and everyone in the joint listens to your selections. If there are such establishments with said jukeboxes, I’m certain customers would select WW1, WW2, WW3, et cetera, for most of the tracks on Walt Weiskopf ...Read More
Step Tempest shows it’s own – “Gratitude” by Tom Tallitsch
From the opening seconds of the first track “Terrain”, it’s easy to understand why the new Tom Tallitsch CD, titled “Gratitude” (his 4th for PosiTone Records), is so enjoyable. The music sounds like vintage John Coltrane, circa 1957, powerful yet accessible and played by a band that is on fire. The tenor saxophonist surrounds himself with such great players includ ...Read More
Richard Kamins gives positive affirmation to “Out & About” by Will Bernard
For his 8th album as a leader (and 2nd for PosiTone Records), guitarist and composer Will Bernard went into the studio with a crackling rhythm section (drummer Allison Miller and bassist Ben Allison), organist Brian Charette, and saxophonist John Ellis. While Bernard is often found in situations where he is called on to be “funky”, his PosiTone recordings have given him the space to ...Read More
Midwest Record is pleased with “Gratitude” by Tom Tallitsch
TOM TALLITSCH/Gratitude:
Loaded with music borne of several personal situations that are life changing, Tallitsch finds his voice in a new place and takes his impressive past to a new level of the game. With an up and coming murderer’s row of next gen jazz hitters behind him, this thoughtfully swinging set leaps off the disc and shows you just how much variety still lives in the spaces between ...Read More