This the debut CD of one of the most remarkable big bands I have had the pleasure of listening to for some time. One only has to check out the personnel to realise that this is a very special event in the big band world. A exciting assembly including the finest musicians available on the West Coast, see below. The imaginative writing allows the soloists and the ensemble to stretch and produce sounds that have an impact that leaves you in awe of... read more
Are y'all hip to "Sweet Georgia Brown?" According to the grapevine, "It's been said/she knocks 'em dead/when she lands in town/Since she came/why it's a shame/how she cools them down!" Satchmo sang about her, as did Ella, Ray Charles and Jerry Lee Lewis. And now jazz guitarist Bobby Broom and his trio have made a play for the gray gal on My Shining Hour, his new album that will be released on August 19.
When talking to Newcity... read more
The inimitable flutist and tenor saxophone legend James Moody celebrated his 80th birthday in 2025 with these 8 lively tracks that welcome an excellent cast.
After a quick introduction by George Wein, "Benny's From Heaven" starts the listen with Todd Coolman's frisky bass plucking and Moody's rich sax complementing Adam Nussbaum's frisky drums, and "Cherokee" follows with David Hazeltine's mature keys amid Moody's dreamy flute for the... read more
The esteemed jazz vocalist Nancy Kelly brings along William Gorman, Houston Person, Jerry Weldon, Carmen Intorre Jr., Dave Stryker, Joe Carello and Charlie Sigler for these soulful standards, bop and pop tracks.
The frisky "Devil May Care" starts the listen with Kelly's charming pipes alongside Intorre Jr's scrappy drumming and Gorman's bright organ, and "Besame Mucho" follows with Person's rich tenor sax and Stryker's rhythmic guitar, which... read more
As a composer, arranger, leader, and guitarist, Shawn Purcell original works layer instruments, forming a massive conglomerate that quakes, rattles, simmers, thrusts, roars, and reels on his 2025 project Oblivity. Performing alongside tenor saxophonist Walt Weiskopf, trombonist Ben Patterson, keyboardist Chris Ziemba, acoustic bass player Jeff Reed, drummer/percussionist Steve Fidyk, and vocalist Darden Purcell, his material jumps out at... read more
One thing I've noticed about vocalist, Cathy Segal-Garcia. She has a unique and lovely way of re-arranging songs to suit her jazzy perspective. You hear this clearly on her new "Social Anthems" album when she opens with the socially relevant composition, "For What It's Worth." The rhythm section arrangement is absolutely wonderful. Some thirty-five years after releasing her debut album, Cathy continues to record and release a variety of... read more
Why did pianist Brittany Anjou title her album Enamigo Reciprokataj, which translates from Esperanto to "reciprocal love?" Even after giving it a listen, the answer's still unclear.
Anjou's debut album, inspired by a Stravinsky ballet, is a strong, classicist piano-trio effort that nods to the work of Ahmad Jamal, Vince Guaraldi and even modern players like Cyrus Chestnut in its focus on melody and swing, while still journeying as far afield... read more
Both as an educator and mentor to younger generations, as well as an accomplished composer and bassist, Marlene Rosenberg is a mainstay of Chicago's creative music scene. Her rich and varied career playing with such greats as saxophonist Joe Henderson and drummer Ed Thigpen is not as well documented on recordings as it could be. In fact, there are only a handful of releases with her as a side musician and four under her own leadership. The... read more
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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