An important piece of the New York jazz scene for 4 decades now, Bruce Barth brings his inimitable piano skills to these 7 well thought out and rich pieces that welcome Vincente Archer (bass) and Montez Coleman (drums).
"George's Party (For George Perry)" opens the listen with a bouncy and frisky display of warm keys, swift drumming and fluid bass lines, and "Courage (For All Of Us)" follows with a calmer display of agile piano and strategic... read more
August 10, 2009
Thelonious Monk seems to bring out the best in Bobby Broom.
For though jazz listeners know Broom for the buoyant, blues-based sensibility of his guitar work, he attains a new degree of fervor in the music of Monk.
Certainly he did over the weekend at the Green Mill Jazz Club, where he celebrated the release of his latest CD, "Bobby Broom Plays for Monk" (Origin Records). Even more than on the recording, the Chicago... read more
Williams, the Triple Door?s Steinway and the Seattle theater restaurant?s audience collaborate on yet another album of solo pieces by the pianist. The audience gets credit because their attentiveness, appreciation and courtesy help establish the atmosphere in which Williams creates seven pieces comprising a collection unlike any other in her vast discography. You can almost hear the audience listening.
For all of its suggestions of... read more
TOP TEN RECORDS OF 2014 Thankfully there are still some big bands out there and Walden has put together a bunch of fine musicians to play his varied arrangements. The band can jump from the movieish sounding "Bailout" to pop and country covers of Stevie Wonder and Hank Williams. Like the 1940's this big band has a rotating cast of vocalists that nicely fit their songs. Vocalists include Carol Welsman, who sings "Hey Good... read more
Deep Blue Organ Trio's Wonderful! ? a new set of Stevie Wonder tunes, drawn mostly from his 1970s golden age ? opens with "Tell Me Something Good." As a great American songwriter, Wonder attracts some attention from jazz musicians, but maybe not enough. His songs are jazz waiting to happen, with their suave harmonies, rousing choruses, undercurrents of blues and gospel, and meaty melodies.
Deep Blue Organ Trio's best-known member is Bobby... read more
An intriguing third release from vibraphonist Ben Thomas, Triskaidekphobia is rather exploratory, bouncing from tone to tone, but performing all with an inventive vibe-clarinet format, more to the combos of Bobby Hutcherson and Eric Dolphy than those of Benny Goodman and Lionel Hampton perhaps (more forward-oriented at any rate), but really not even within that vein. Here, the band takes on straightforward bop, post-bop, Brazilian idioms, and a... read more
Speaking of music in the church, Christmas-themed jazz worship services seem to be gaining traction across the country. The Rev. Bill Carter, who holds forth at the aforementioned First Presbyterian Church of Clark's Summit, has led his Presbybop combo in a Christmas Eve jazz concert for many years now.
A few states west, in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, famed jazz bassist Rodney Whitaker and his sextet have made a tradition of joining the... read more
Inbar Fridman is an Israeli jazz guitarist who studied at William Patterson University in the US and is now based back in Israel. She has teamed up with some fine French musicians including pianist Camelia Ben Naceur, bassist Laurent Chavoit and drummer Stefano Lucchini to produce a very nice album. She has shared the composing of half the original tunes with pianist Camelia Ben Naceur. She plays a Gibson 335 on all the tunes except ?No Palm... read more
This is just a small collection of the Origin Records reviews. Click here to view all reviews or try to Search for your favorite CD title.
Abate Berihun & The Addis Ken Project - Addis Ken
by Hanna Kay, Cult News (Paris)
Abate Berihun & The Addis Ken Project - Addis Ken
by Budapest, Rudolf Radnai
Abate Berihun & The Addis Ken Project - Addis Ken
by Editor, Bman's Blues Report
Jared Hall - Hometown
by Editor, Bman's Blues Report
Dawn Clement - Dear Ms. Dearie
by Editor, Bman's Blues Report
Jared Hall - Hometown
by Dee Dee McNeil, Making A Scene
Affinity Trio - New Outlook
by Tom Haugen, Take Effect
Michael Dease Big Band - Return Trajectory
by Thierry De Clemensat, Paris Move
Brad Goode Quintet Feat. Ernie Watts - Live Your Dream: Live at North Street Cabaret
by Thierry De Clemensat, Paris Move
Maja Jaku - Blessed & Bewitched
by Tom Haugen, Take Effect