Bruce Lindsay reviews Ben Wolfe “The Whisperer”…
allaboutjazz.com
Ben Wolfe is the man responsible for double bass duties for some of the most popular names in jazz. As well as his six previous albums as leader, in a recording career that extends back to the ’80s Wolfe can also be heard on a fist-full of recordings by Harry Connick Jr, Diana Krall and Wynton Marsalis among others. What keeps him gainfully e ...Read More
D4M reviews Art Hirahara “Libations & Meditations”…
D4M.com
Piano isn’t boring. Art Hirahara takes the organic foundation of subtle keys and harsh melodies, and blends them together with a modern jazz touch along with some friends. You’ll be hearing Linda Oh on bass, John Davis on drums, and a lot of chemistry. There’s only one song made publicly available from the album, and it’s pretty great al ...Read More
All About Jazz covers Ben Wolfe “The Whisperer”…
allaboutjazz.com
You can always gauge a bassist-led recording by the players he attracts on the bandstand or in the studio. Proof of this premise isBen Wolfe‘s latest, The Whisperer. Just like Charles Mingus had his Jaki Byard, Booker Ervin, and Dannie Richmond, andDave Holland his Craig Taborn, Kevin Eubanks, and Eric Harland, Wolfe is also a magnet for ...Read More
Ken Franckling writes up Jon Davis “Moving Right Along”…
jazznotes.com
Jon Davis, Moving Right Along (Posi-Tone)
New York-based pianist Jon Davis has an adventurous CD in his second Posi-Tone project, Moving Right Along. Favorites include his original, “Beauty and the Blues,” and his interesting interpretations of John Coltrane’s “Moment’s Notice” and the Beatles (Lennon/McCartney) classic “She’s Leaving ...Read More
SomethingElse Reviews Ben Wolfe “The Whisperer”….
SomethingElse.com
Ben Wolfe is a bassist who some of the biggest stars in jazz call upon. Star vocalists Harry Connick, Jr., Dianne Reeves and Diana Krall have worked extensively with him, and he’s also performed and recorded with Wynton & Branford Marsalis, Joe Henderson, Billy Higgins and Doc Cheatham.
Since 1997 Wolfe has made a number of records of his own, ...Read More
Bird is the Worm recommends Art Hirahara’s new CD…
birdistheworm.com
There’s two things in play here for whyLibations & Meditations is such a strong album. First off, Art Hirahara situates his melodies at the center of each song’s universe. Those melodies are expertly crafted and supremely radiant… a melodic beauty that resonates strongly at any speed. And that leads into the second quality of this a ...Read More
Richard Kamins reviews Ben Wolfe “The Whisperer”…
steptempest.com
For his 2013 MaxJazz CD, “From Here I See“, bassist and composer Ben Wolfeworked with a core quartet ofOrrin Evans (piano), Donald Edwards (drums) and JD Allen (saxophone) plus guest artists and a string quartet. Messrs. Evans and Edwards return on his new release, “The Whisperer” (Posi-Tone Records) while Stacy Dillard(soprano and tenor ...Read More
Wonderful feature on Art Hirahara and his new CD…
Seijaku.com
Art Hirahara’s new album: a spiritual journey to Japan
After having moved from San Francisco Bay Area to New York in 2003, jazz pianist and composer Art Hirahara challenged the city’s prominent jazz scene, and its pool of world-class musicians by performing at historic venues such as Smalls, Birdland, Jazz Standard and 55 bar. He has been pr ...Read More
D4M goes “Boom!” for David Gibson….
d4m.com
I’ve just heard David Gibson and his trombone on his latest effort “Boom!” and it’s been a lot to take in. He and four other extremely talented musicians have made a memorable jazz album for the modern jazz enthusiast, but whether or not its magic holds up against the upcoming albums of this year depends on much more than your first impr ...Read More
StepTempest covers Jon Davis “Moving Right Along”…
steptempest.com
Pianist-composer Jon Davishas been an active participant on the contemporary music scene since the 1980s, first coming to critical attention for his work with bassist Jaco Pastorius. He’s also worked with Beatle Jazz, with the Bill Mobley Big Band, with saxophonist Ilhan Ershahan and a long list of other great players.
For “Moving Right A ...Read More