Vanessa Rubin Returns with The Music of Tadd Dameron on The Dream Is You: Vanessa Rubin Sings Tadd Dameron, out TODAY, 2/22 Featuring John Cowherd (piano), Kenny Davis (bass), Carl Allen (drums) Arrangements by Jimmy Heath, Benny Golson, Frank Foster, Willie Smith and Bobby Watson “Rubin’s scat choruses over “Lady Bird” features the deep sonorities of her vocal range, accentuated by the ensemble. Completely immersed, she transcends the music, allowing Dameron’s … Read More
Month: February 2019
NY TIMES: Brent Birckhead’s Release Show Chosen as Critics Pick
bu Giovanni Russonello, New York Times BRENT BIRCKHEAD at Nublu 151 (Feb. 22, 8 p.m.). When he’s not on the road with Lauryn Hill’s band, this alto saxophonist is often found in the basement of Smalls, partaking of late-night jam sessions with other young jazz improvisers. Struck with bluesy warmth and the relentless swing of Cannonball … Read More
BILLBOARD: Vivian Sessoms’ New Video for “I Can’t Breathe” Premiered on Billboard
by Alex Vitoulis, Billboard Harlem, New York native Vivian Sessoms might not be a household name. But you’ve probably heard her voice or seen her live—and not even known it. Sessoms has provided vocals on records and/or tours for such stars as Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Donna Summer, Sinead O’Connor, Diddy, Ryuichi Sakamoto, Taylor Dayne, … Read More
REVIEW: Jordan Pettay’s “First Fruit” is Jazz Weekly’s RINGER OF THE WEEK
by George Harris, Jazz Weekly Jordan Pettay uses her alto and soprano sax to put Sunday Morning soul back into the heart of jazz on this wonderful mix of spirituals and originals. Since the first days of jazz, the church has been an important foundation of America’s classical music, and Pettay touches into that taproot … Read More
REVIEW: Ellen Rowe’s “Momentum: Portraits of Women In Motion” Reviewed by All About Jazz
by Dan Bilawsky, All About Jazz Pianist Ellen Rowe, the Arthur F. Thurnau Professor of Jazz and Contemporary Improvisation at the University of Michiigan and the one-time Director of Jazz Studies at the University of Connecticut, has put together a program of original music rendered by women and written for women—specifically to honor those female … Read More
REVIEW: Vanessa Rubin’s “The Dream Is You” Reviewed by the Arts Fuse
Vanessa Rubin Sings Tadd Dameron — Paying Expert Homage Steve Provizer, the Arts Fuse Smartly, Vanessa Rubin has gathered a strong group of collaborators, a number of whom knew Tadd Dameron personally and all of whom know his music well. The Dream Is You: Vanessa Rubin Sings Tadd Dameron, featuring John Cowherd (piano), Kenny Davis … Read More
REVIEW: “The Dream is You: Vanessa Rubin Sings Tadd Dameron” reviewed by DownBeat
Kerilie McDowall, Downbeat Cleveland pianist, composer/arranger and band-leader Tadd Dameron’s importance always has been worth noting, if nothing else for his well-loved compositions “Good Bait” and “Ladybird.” So it’s certainly odd that there hasn’t been an album devoted to his romantic vocal work, until now. Digging out Dameron’s gems from institutions across America, fellow Clevelander … Read More
NPR: Michelle Mercer Reviews Greg Ward’s “Stomping Off From Greenwood” for All Things Considered
by Michelle Mercer, NPR Saxophonist and composer Greg Ward’s latest album, Stomping Off From Greenwood, is a tribute to Chicago, the city where he came of age as a musician. It’s also one of the year’s first great jazz albums. The first time I played Ward’s new album, I was riveted by its sense of momentum … Read More
FEATURE: Vanessa Rubin Featured on WCPN
Vanessa Rubin Makes Jazz Composer Tadd Dameron Sing by Dan Polletta, WCPN Tadd Dameron was one of the most important composer/arrangers of modern jazz, but outside of “If You Could See Me Now,” and a few other songs, the Cleveland native’s works really haven’t been performed by vocalists. Vanessa Rubin decided to change that with “The Dream Is … Read More
REVIEW: Ralph Peterson’s GenNext Big Band’s “I Remember Bu” Named “Jazz Album of the Week” by WRTI
Matt Silver, WRTI January 28, 2019. Ralph Peterson, Jr. has played protégé to a couple of seriously fine mentors—first his dad, then Art Blakey. With the debut album from Peterson’s GenNext Big Band, titled I Remember Bu, Peterson shows that even when paying homage to an old master, he’s all about paying it forward to … Read More