Preceded by a lively geopolitical controversy linked to alleged funding, Abate Berihun's performance was the most anticipated and feared event of the St. Louis International Jazz Festival. On Baya Square, the Ethiopian artist and his Addis Ken Project swept away the tensions to leave only the magic of the notes. The story of a therapeutic concert.
He was the most commented guest of the festival, even before he had set foot on... read more
The Seattle vocalist and songwriter Ben Black brings us 11 original songs here that are inspired by mysticism and meditation, and he's got an all star of musicians including Bill Anschell, Dave Peterson, Jeff Johnston, Mark Ivester, David Lange and Brenda Kay Neth along with him.
"Wonderland" opens the listen with Black's soulful pipes illuminating the frisky keys from Anschell and Peterson's spirited guitar work, and "Wind" follows with a... read more
Double bassist Cohen plays regularly with pianist Monty Alexander and vibraphonists Joe Locke and Stefon Harris, and those gigs are reflected on Home, the bassist's debut album. By bringing aboard steel pan player and U.S. Virgin Islands native Victor Provost, Cohen, a Chicago native, revisits the reggae and Caribbean sounds he heard as a child while vacationing in South Florida Cohen presents his deep, mahogany tone early into the opening cut,... read more
This trio utilizes a Hammond B3 organ (Sam Yahel), a tenor sax (Joshua Redman) and drums (Brian Blade). All are superior musicians.
Six of the nine tracks were written and arranged by Sam; the rest include a bop standard by Ornette Coleman, a tune by Paul Simon and another by Gilberto Gil/Joao Donato.
The tunes range from simple to complex, and cover a spectrum of meters: from standard 4/4 to waltz, Latin-tinged and no regular beat at... read more
A live date recorded at the end of a two week tour, the crew on board here developed the mental telepathy that it takes to make an improv date feel like it's been well scripted to sound like the notes have been well laid out but the players are given the freedom to play around them. Not a hooting an hollering set, it's about low key fire and intensity. This is sitting down jazz played by real pros that know how to hold you in rapt... read more
New York vocalist Emma Larsson made a splash with her 2010 sophomore effort Let It Go (Imogena). She has populated her recordings with predominantly well-envisioned original compositions, seasoning the album sequence with standards specifically chosen to meld with her unique sound. Her repertoire choice is eclectic without being eccentric.
On her present Sing to the Sky, Larsson reveals her fortitude by covering "Here's to... read more
In the Netherlands, the Belgian musician Piet Verbist especially as the former bassist of the Jef Neve Trio. Domestically Verbist counts as an old warhorse who has played and recorded with numerous international musicians and he records for the American Origin Records label.
From his debut Zygomatik from 2012 to the controversial compositions on "Cattitude," Verbist makes a leap forward. The rhythmic accompaniment under the powerful mix of... read more
On her latest release, Tandem, Seattle-based pianist Dawn Clement explores the on-the-edge vulnerability of the duo, in intimate conversations with some of her closest musical allies over the past 20 years. She is joined by legendary trombonist Julian Priester, saxophonist Mark Taylor, drummer extraordinaire Matt Wilson, bassist Michael Glynn, and transcendent vocalist Johnaye Kendrick.
With Priester, the mood is pensive, playful, free. On... 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