J Hunter reviews David Gibson “End of the Tunnel”…
www.nippertown.com
DAVID GIBSON
“End of the Tunnel”
(Posi-Tone)
One of the downsides of Posi-Tone being the biggest purveyor of trad jazz today is that most of their releases are so earnest, they make your teeth hurt. There are exceptions, though: The wild free-jazz collective Tarbaby, Orrin Evans’ monumental Captain Black Big Band and this tasty re-imagining of Hammond B3-flavored party ja ...Read More
Dan Bilawsky reviews Kenny Shanker “Steppin’ Up”….
www.allaboutjazz.com
Alto Saxophonist Kenny Shanker is proof that an artist’s direction isn’t always reflected in their tonal personality. Shanker possesses a sleek-and-sweet tone that has served him well on dates with big name ghost band, like theTommy Dorsey Orchestra and the Nelson Riddle Orchestra, as well as smooth-leaning pianist David Benoit, but his own music operates outsi ...Read More
SaxShed on Kenny Shanker “Steppin Up!”….
saxshed.com
Alto saxophonist and relative newcomer Kenny Shanker has recently released his inaugural CD “Steppin’ Up” on Posi-Tone Records.
In addition to Shanker on alto saxophone, this wonderful jazz recording features Lage Lund, guitar; Brian Fishler, drums; Yoshi Waki, bass and both Art Hirahara and Mike Eckroth on piano.
Although I could only offer a partial listening as of this writing ...Read More
Bruce Lindsay reviews Patrick Cornelius “Maybe Steps”…
www.allaboutjazz.com
Maybe Steps is alto saxophonist Patrick Cornelius’ third album, and his first for the excellent Los Angeles-based Posi-Tone Records. He’s joined by the talented rhythm section of pianist Gerald Clayton, bassist Peter Slavov and drummer Kendrick Scott in a graceful and melodically strong performance, mostly of his original tunes.
Cornelius’ compositions ...Read More
Lucid Culture on Patrick Cornelius “Maybe Steps”…
lucidculture.wordpress.com
Nothing Uncertain About Patrick Cornelius’ Maybe Steps
The big deal about this album is that Gerald Clayton’s on it. Getting one of the most innovative pianists in jazz right now confers instant cred on alto saxophonist Patrick Cornelius’ latest effort, Maybe Steps. And it doesn’t disappoint – as melodic jazz goes, it’s a consistently surprising, ofte ...Read More
The Jazz Word’s John Barron on Patrick Cornelius “Maybe Steps”…
thejazzword.blogspot.com
“Christmas Gift,” the opening track from alto saxophonist Patrick Cornelius’ disc Maybe Steps, bursts forth with voluminous strength, only to be quickly subdued by a deliberate dynamic shift. A more gradual, upward surge in intensity is heard on the brief, soulful swaying of “Bella’s Dreaming.” Perhaps not a groundbreaking approach to m ...Read More
SomethingElse Reviews Fowser/Gillece “DuoTone”…
somethingelsereviews.com
Last year we investigated a strong post-bop excursion by the potent, up-and-coming partnership of tenor saxophonist Ken Fowser and vibraphonist Bean Gillece. Little Echo (2010) swung like mad and put into sharp focus the tight rapport of Fowser and Gillece that is at the center of their post-bop achievements. Continuing what seems to becoming tradition for the duo, the ...Read More
StepTempest on Kenny Shanker “Steppin Up!”…
steptempest.blogspot.com
Alto saxophonist Kenny Shanker has been involved with jazz since his early teens – he even toured Japan twice with the Monterey Jazz Festival High School All-Star Big Band. He makes his Posi-Tone Records debut with “Steppin’ Up” and, like the Patrick Cornelius release I reviewed a few weeks back (read here), Shanker builds the majority of his son ...Read More
AAJ interview with Nick Hempton….
www.allaboutjazz.com
“I like to chat with the audience between songs. Sometimes it gets absurd; sometimes I’m quite happy with it. And sometimes I’ll spin some nonsense story, it will fall flat and everyone will stare at me. Sometimes it works, and everybody has a good time.”
The Business (Posi-Tone, 2011) is a milestone in the career of Nick Hempton. Since arriving in the USA ...Read More
Another review for Sean Nowell “Stockholm Swingin’ “…..
saxshed.com
From the opening notes of Blues On The Corner to the final audience applause following Walking The Path, Sean Nowell does not disappoint. Nowell possesses a big, beefy, traditional tenor sound reminiscent of early Sonny Rollins and other legendary tenor saxophonists of the 20th century. His hard-swinging lines on his opening choruses of Blues On The Corner pay homage to virtually ...Read More