Imran Mirza, UK Vibe Released through Revive Music Group, saxophonist Brent Birckhead unveils his debut solo project ‘BIRCKHEAD’. The multi-award winning musician, who can boast the accolades of being named best blues/pop/rock soloist and outstanding instrumental jazz soloist by Downbeat Magazine, and Best Alto Saxophonist by the Washington City Paper, can also cite years as a touring … Read More
by Suzy Sonshyn, Soulbounce After releasing the video for her stirring rendition of “Strange Fruit” in December, Vivian Sessoms has more to say about the killing of Black people. Her latest single and video, “I Can’t Breathe (for Erica)” from her forthcoming album, LIFE II, is co-directed by prolific producer, director and writer Epic “DC” Coles and uses intense imagery to chronicle … Read More
Nelson Brill, Boston Concert Reviews This vital connection between Caribbean and African musical heritages continued when I had the lucky opportunity, on February 23rd, to visit the venerable New York City music venue, The Jazz Standard, (located at 116 East 27th Street; http://www.jazzstandard.com) to catch a dazzling concert by the Spanish Harlem Orchestra, (“SHO”) [http://www.spanishharlemorchestra.com ], a band that … Read More
By: Kevin Lynch, Shepherd Express After his brilliant re-imagining of Eric Dolphy’s modern classic album Out to Lunch!, nationally renowned Milwaukee trumpeter Russ Johnson’s quartet plumbs his own creative/compositional resources in “Headlands Suite.” Recalling funky, electric-period Miles Davis, the recording offers segues rather than track pauses. The voyage befits Johnson’s natural realm along jazz’s outer … Read More
By: Dee Dee McNeil, MusicalMemoirs SIVAN ARBEL – “CHANGE OF LIGHT” Independent label Sivan Arbel, voice/composition; Shai Portugaly, piano; Pera Krstajic, bass; Yogev Gabay, drums; Shai Wetzer, percussion; Ron Warburg, Trumpet; Jack Sheehan, alto saxophone; Ori Jacobson, tenor saxophone. STRING QUARTET: Meitar Farkash, violin 1.; Audrey Hayes, violin 2.; Yumi Oshima, viola; Terrence Thornhill, cello. … Read More
Daniele Camerlengo, Suono Milwaukee Avenue, una strada comune di Chicago, di quelle che portano addosso l’odore americano che intorpidisce e sazia le fameliche ambizioni di chi insegue, con la sua vita, l’arte delle sonorità contemporanee. Al 2421 c’è il The Whistler, club di cultoche ha visto nascere e crescere in salute la Rogue Parade, formazione stratosferica ideata … Read More
Matt Micucci, Jazziz Natalie Cressman and Ian Faquini, “Lenga Lenga” Setting Rays of Summer, out April 5, is the new duo project from trombonist and singer-songwriter Natalie Cressman, and Brazilian composer, guitarist and vocalist Ian Faquini. It draws inspiration from impressionism, jazz and the great Brazilian songwriting tradition. Cressman tells JAZZIZ that “Lenga Lenga” is … Read More
Ralph Peterson’s Messenger Legacy Celebrates Art Blakey’s Centennial with New Release Legacy: Alive Volume 6 at the Side Door, due out May 20 on Onyx Productions Featuring the Messenger Legacy Band: Ralph Peterson, Bobby Watson, Bill Pierce, Brian Lynch, Geoffrey Keezer and Essiet Essiet Official Release Show at the Kennedy Center, May 31st When it … Read More
by Peter Quinn, Jazzwise
Dave Sumner, Bird is the Worm Artist: Ellen Rowe Octet Album: Momentum: Portraits of Women in Motion Label: Smokin’ Sleddog Records Favorite track: “Ain’t I A Woman” Style: Straight-ahead Music from: Ann Arbor, MI What I like about it: I like how every note, every expression sounds like it’s all heart. I like how this … Read More
