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All About Jazz says all that “GLITTER”s is gold on Amanda Monaco’s new one

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The multi-talented Mae West once said that “personality is the glitter that sends your little gleam across the footlights and the orchestra pit into that big black space where the audience is.” West, of course, thrived in a different era, worked in different formats, and was more than likely addressing another artistic discipline entirely with that specific statement. But those remarks ...Read More

Written by jamo

April 12th, 2017 at 10:03 am

Ken Fowser’s “Now Hear This” 11 originals built for hard, no-frills blowing

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Tenorist Ken Fowser isn’t one to waste time or mince words on distractions peripheral to musical expression, particularly when there’s a seasoned band under his name available to engage in the same. Now Hear This! reflects that directness of character and intent in both title and content with a program of eleven originals built for hard, no-frills blowing. His colleagues on the date are compar ...Read More

Written by jamo

March 25th, 2017 at 6:58 pm

Sperrazza has absorbed the lessons of music’s past on “Juxtaposition”

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The most intriguing thing about Juxtaposition, Vinnie Sperrazza‘s recently released recording, is its loose grip on the jazz tradition. The disc’s twelve tracks don’t come with a set of standard, recognizable references. Not unlike many of today’s leading young artists, Sperrazza has absorbed the lessons of the music’s past, and is currently interested in doing things ...Read More

Written by jamo

March 9th, 2017 at 5:21 pm

Free wheeling jazz with a swagger – “Now Hear This” by Ken Fowser

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Last year, when we reviewed Ken Fowser’s initial CD as band leader, (his previous issues for PosiTone shared the limelight with co-leader Behn Gillece) Standing Tall, (http://www.audaud.com/ken-fowser-standing-tall-posi-tone/) our conclusion was that Fowser was spot on in bringing hard bop fans a solid set of free wheeling jazz with a swagger. He once again shares the front line with trumpeter, ...Read More

Written by jamo

February 15th, 2017 at 4:08 pm

All About Jazz says “Now Hear This!” by Ken Fowser

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Taking a cue from some of the other smaller jazz-based labels, Posi-Tone has done a remarkable job over the past few years of building a roster of budding talents worthy of wider recognition. Part of the allure of such an endeavor is the ability to see the evolution of an artist’s muse unfolding like a rose. Those in the know have heard from tenor saxophonist Ken Fowser through his partnersh ...Read More

Written by jamo

February 13th, 2017 at 9:50 pm

Dease makes this a personal and intimate statement from top to bottom

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Michael Dease’s humanity comes pouring out of his trombone on All These Hands (Posi-Tone Records). His 12 original, straight-ahead compositions trace the story of the spread of jazz across the United States, paralleling the African-American migration from the South up through the Midwest and the Eastern Seaboard and reflecting the musical character of different cities and regions. Upbeat, open, ...Read More

Written by jamo

January 24th, 2017 at 11:39 am

Dusted Magazine has high praise for “Central Line” by Art Hirahara

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A pithy observation from American naturalist Ralph Waldo Emerson graces the cardboard gatefold of Central Line, pianist Art Hirahara’s third project for the Positone label: “The ancestor of every action is a thought.” The importance of ancestry in a more historical sense folds indelibly into not only Hirahara’s audibly observable actions, but also his carefully considered approach to his i ...Read More

Written by jamo

January 22nd, 2017 at 3:54 pm

With an impressive group of musicians Michael Dease has acquired “All These Hands”

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Trombonist, composer, arranger, producer and educator Michael Dease is one busy musician.  “All These Hands” is his 10th CD as a leader and fourth for Posi-Tone.  It’s a musical tour of the United States and how jazz moved from town to city to region.  Dease has organized an impressive group of musicians with pianist Renee Rosnes appearing on seven of the 12 tracks, drummer Le ...Read More

Written by jamo

January 9th, 2017 at 8:30 pm

Sweet melody to blues to impressionism. “Central Line” from Art Hirahara

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Pianist and composer Art Hirahara, born and raised in the Bay Area of San Francisco, has worked with vocalists Freddie Cole and Stacey Kent as well as baritone saxophonist Fred Ho and trumpeter Dave Douglas.  “Central Line” is his fourth album as a leader and his third for Posi-Tone Records. The new album changes the focus a bit from his previous two (2011’s “Noble Path ...Read More

Written by jamo

January 9th, 2017 at 8:21 pm

Through struggle came this joyful, triumphant music – “All These Hands” – by Michael Dease

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For Michael Dease’s 10th album and fourth for Posi-Tone Records, the trombonist, composer and bandleader chooses to take us on a trip. An historical trip with twelve stops, that is, and the mode of transportation is his music. All These Hands, out January 6, 2017, examines the birth and development of jazz as it moved from its New Orleans cradle, up to the Midwest and over to the east coast, eve ...Read More

Written by jamo

January 6th, 2017 at 6:24 pm