By: Mark Holston, JAZZIZ A trio fronted by a baritone saxophonist might suggest an embrace of minimalism in the extreme, yet this nine-track affair is anything but. Shaped by the leader’s restless compositions and adventuresome arranging concepts, Night unfolds as a joyful celebration of stylistic diversity delivered with an unscripted flair. Born in Argentina and nurtured in … Read More
By: Asher Wolf, JAZZIZ Apotheosis, a vibrant batch of original tunes, is guitarist Gene Ess’ fourth album with his quintet Fractal Attraction. Sampling a variety of groove-based styles ranging from post-bop and straightahead to rock and classical fusion, the pieces display an unwavering balance between restraint and catharsis. The ensemble functions like a typical bop … Read More
The Soul Message Band, featuring Chicago Icons Chris Foreman and Greg Rockingham, Release Debut Recording on Delmark, Soulful Days Delmark Records is proud to announce the February 15th release of Soulful Days, the new recording from Chris Foreman-Greg Rockingham-led ensemble Soul Message Band. On their Delmark debut, the esteemed compatriots join guitarist Lee Rothenberg and … Read More
by Victor L. Schermer, All About Jazz When the Miles Davis album On the Corner (Columbia, 1972) was released, Davis had already begun to engage in electronic instrumentation and jazz fusion with soon to be revered recordings: In A Silent Way (Columbia, 1969), Bitch’s Brew (Columbia, 1970) and Jack Johnson (Columbia, 1971). On the Corner, however, was so experimental and funky that it incurred the wrath … Read More
By: Brenda Nelson-Strauss, Black Grooves Cleveland native Vanessa Rubin is a self-described jazz vocalist who “enjoys timeless melodies and exquisite vocal forms as well as embracing stories lesser told.” On her new album, The Dream Is You: Vanessa Rubin Sings Tadd Dameron, her mission is to highlight well known, obscure, and new lyrical works of … Read More
By: Ted Parkinson, The Whole Note Gabriel Zucker is a New York-based composer and pianist who has been creating music which combines elements of contemporary composition, jazz improvisation and indie band music. He writes and performs for a band he calls The Delegation which has a revolving membership and recently toured Ontario. Weighting sounds similar … Read More
Skip Wilkins To Release Thirteenth Album Czech Wishes On March 31st Featuring his son, saxophonist Daniel Wilkins Featuring Daniel Wilkins (tenor saxophone), Miroslav Hloucal (trumpet and flugelhorn), Tomáš Baroš (double bass), and Marek Urbánek (drums) New Port Line Records is proud to announce the release of pianist and composer Skip Wilkins’ latest recording, Czech Wishes. … Read More
Sivan Arbel Shows New Sides on Sophomore Album Change Of Light Due Out on April 2, 2019 “Sivan Arbel is negotiating the veritable minefield of music in New York with brazen confidence and appears likely to make more interesting and ever wonderful music as a result.” – Raul da Gama, World Music Report Israeli born … Read More
by C. Michael Bailey, All About Jazz John Minnock Right Around the Corner Self Produced 2018 John Minnock brings a much needed extroverted edge to jazz vocals. Part of that edge is his progressive repertoire, which includes Grace Jones, Billy Joel, and Sam Smith. Another part of that edge is the exuberance with which he … Read More
by Raul da Gama, Jazz da Gama The liner notes – not without good reason – on Yes and… Music for Nine Improvisersdraws parallels between Jazz musicians and stand-up comedians. It’s a comparison prompted by Geof Bradfield that plays out with mighty swing and memorable results on this disc where Mr Bradfield is supported by a … Read More
