Sébastien Hélary, Nextbop Drummer Jonathan Barber is quickly making a name for himself. Voted this year’s best “Up & Coming” drummer in the Modern Drummer Readers Poll, the young Barber is setting the bar high, but what do you expect from someone who’s already collaborated with Erykah Badu, Wallace Roney, Jeremy Pelt, Kenny Barron, Terrace … Read More
Hartford, Connecticut-native Jonathan Barber is proud to announce his arrival with the Friday, May 11th release of his highly-anticipated debut album Vision Ahead. Featuring pianist Taber Gable, guitarist Andrew Renfroe, saxophonist Godwin Louis, bassist Matt Dwonszyk, and vocalists Denise Renee and Sasha Foster (collectively and eponymously known as the album title), Vision Ahead is … Read More
Richard Kamins, Step Tempest NPO Trio is Meg Okura(violin), Sam Newsome (soprano saxophone) and Jean-Michel Pilc (piano and its debut is an often dazzling, free-wheeling, improvisational collection titled “Live at The Stone” (Chant Records). Ms Okura, born in Japan, is married to Mr. Newsome and both have known and played with the pianist for the past two decades. After her move … Read More
D. Oscar Groommes, O’s Place Jazz Newsletter O’s Notes: Saxophonist, composer and producer Sharel Cassity assembles a fine collection of musicians to express many of her own reflections. Ingrid Jensen (t), Marcus Printup (t), Mark Whitfield (g) and Linda Oh (b) are just some of musicians who support Cassity on Evolve. The music spans several genres … Read More
Troy Dostert, All About Jazz Recorded during her week-long residency at The Stone, New York, in 2016, on NPO Trio—Live at the Stone violinist Meg Okura and her colleagues, pianist Jean-Michel Pilc and soprano saxophonist Sam Newsome, produce a captivating hour-long set of music. Newsome and Pilc have performed with Okura’s Pan-Asian Chamber Jazz Ensemble, and the two worked together on their … Read More
Filipe Freitas, Jazz Trail Japanese violinist Meg Okura records for the fourth time with her Pan-Asian Chamber Ensemble, this time having first-rate improvisers Rez Abbasi and Tom Harrell in the roster, guitarist and trumpeter, respectively. Containing seven original compositions, the album Ima Ima put on view her lucid musical vision as she explores material across the world-fusion … Read More
David Izen, UK Vibe Sam Javitch is a New York City based jazz pianist and composer who has been performing jazz since age 11. Sam regularly performs with various ensembles in and around New York City. He has studied with Mulgrew Miller, Garry Dial, James Weidman, Harold Mabern, Cecil Bridgewater, Russ Lossing, Andy Milne, Gerald … Read More
George Harris, Jazz Weekly Pianist Rob Clearfield delivers a solo album of his own material mixed with some thoughtful interpretations. His touch is warm with a mix of romanticism and impressionism. Dashes of Debussy lights and shadows are felt on “Prologue” and “Epilogue” with an old world patience on “Alice” and harmonies on “Blues in … Read More
George Harris, Jazz Weekly Soulful smooth sounds are emitted by Sharel Cassity, who plays soprano, alto and tenor sax as well as flute along with a core team of Mark Whitfield/g, Miki Hayama/key, Linda Oh/b Jonathan Barber-Lucianna Padmore/dr and a collection of guests. On alto, she teams with trumpeter Ingrid Jensen to d a post … Read More
George Harris, Jazz Weekly Singer/Songwriter Joanna Wallfisch mixes and matches moods, telling stories like a minstrel on this latest album. She plays flute, piano, Wurlitzer an dukulele, joining with Jesse Elder/key, Pablo Menares/b, Kenneth Salters/dr, Elias Meister/g, Jared Engel/banj and Wayne Tucker/tp. She can get dreamy-eyed with piano and guitar on “the Ship” and goes … Read More
