George W. Harris, Jazz Weekly Pianist/keyboardist Christian Li and guitarist Mike Bono co-lead rich and lyrical post bop team of Jared Henderson/b, Lee Fish-Jimmy Macbride/dr, Dayna Stephens/ts, Alex Hargreaves/vi and Chris Marion/str through nice warm originals. Gentle thoughts prevail on this album, with Stephens’ warm tenor siging on the serene “Puddles,” cantering with Li’s keys … Read More
by David Whiteis, JazzTimes This six-track EP showcases both the versatility and musical depth of bassist Dezron Douglas, whose ensemble includes tenor saxophonist Stacy Dillard, altoist Lummie Spann, trumpeter Josh Evans, and drummer Jeremy “Bean” Clemons, along with, at various points, keyboardists Willerm Delisfort and David Bryant. Douglas, who studied under the late Jackie McLean … Read More
Pierre Giroux, Audiophile Audition Saxophonist Jordan Pettay has released her debut album First Fruit due in no small measure to a successful Kickstarter funding campaign. Such is the influence of the combination of the internet and fund raising technology that brings such artists to attention of the listening public. We are all the better for … Read More
Spanish Harlem Orchestra Wins Third Grammy at the 61st Annual GRAMMY Awards! Anniversary is the Winner of Best Tropical Latin Album! Led by renowned pianist, composer, arranger and musical director, Oscar Hernández, 5X GRAMMY® nominated Spanish Harlem Orchestra is truly honored and grateful to announce their third GRAMMY® win! The 13-piece ensemble graciously accepted the … Read More
Dan Bilawsky, JazzTimes While several of these songs’ arcs have a triumphant spirit, in keeping with the nature of apotheosis, guitarist Gene Ess isn’t obsessed with peaks and conquest. Reconvening Fractal Attraction, a style-fluid electric quintet with the signature frontline pairing of guitar and (mostly) wordless vocals, Ess continues to build momentum while also digging … Read More
George W. Harris, Jazz Weekly Tim Haldeman plays tenor sax, flute and piano as he leads an intuitive band of John Goode/words-voc, Dan Bennett/as, Justin Walter/tp, Jordan Schug/cel, Jonathan Taylor/dr and Ben Willis/b through five communicative and free originals. Goode recites a dark poem of gllme over heavy piano chords and buzzy horns on “A … Read More
By George W. Harris, Jazz Weekly Bassist Matt Ulery leads an intriguing 16 member Sifting Stars Orchestra, combined with a five piece Axiom Brass band to mix woodwinds, voice, strings and horns to a rich ten song album. The large ensemble never sounds cluttered, rather you get luminous Old World strings and horns teamed with … Read More
The Spanish Harlem Orchestra Bring a Wild Salsa Party to Curry Hill by Alan Young, Lucid Culture Remember when you couldn’t walk down the avenue anywhere in the five boroughs without hearing salsa blasting from every other car and delivery van? Back in the day, it was such a welcoming sound to come home to, especially … Read More
By Phil Freeman, The Wire This first call New York bassist, most recently heard on Makaya McCraven’s Universal Beings, has assembled a killer band for his six track digital EP including saxophonists Stacy Dillard and Lummie Spann, trumpeter Josh Evans and drummer Jeremy ‘Bean” Clemons. The music encompasses heavy 1970s-style acoustic blowing reminiscent of McCoy … Read More
Judi Silvano and The Zephyr Band with SPECIAL GUEST: Matt Wilson, drums And VERY SPECIAL GUEST: Joe Lovano, tenor sax Live at the Birdland Theater, February 18th, 8:30PM Birdland Jazz Club, located at 315 West 44th St New York, NY, is thrilled to welcome four time Downbeat Top 10 Vocalist and Composer Judi Silvano and … Read More
