By: Molly Gallegos, UKVibe If you could choose a sound to describe each city, New York’s would definitely be Spanish Harlem Orchestra’s Anniversary. With the banging drums and the blaring horns, the salsa dura of SHO (as they’re known to fans) encapsulates the rhythm and flavour of a hot day in The City. “Anniversary”, the … Read More
Month: May 2019
REVIEW: Ellen Rowe Octet’s Momentum: Portraits in Women in Motion Reviewed by All About Jazz
By: Jerome Wilson, All About Jazz At a time when women are gaining more prominence in every field, it’s no surprise there are more and more all-female jazz groups popping up. This particular octet, led by pianist Ellen Rowe, takes that a step farther with a CD that delves into women’s history. They have recorded … Read More
SHOW PREVIEW: Alchemical Records Features Ralph Peterson & Messenger Legacy’s Show at The Kennedy Center!
Michael J. West, Alchemical Records The great drummer Art Blakey was also the great teacher Art Blakey. The man dedicated his life to leading bands (the Jazz Messengers) that he staffed with young musicians that would receive tutelage from him, then go on to spearhead new generations of jazz greats. The list is vast, running … Read More
VIDEO PREMIERE: NextBop Features Curtis Nowosad’s “The Water Protectors” from New Album!
Sébastien Hélary, NextBop Drummer, social justice advocate, and NYC jazz staple Curtis Nowosad has a monumental new album, his third has a leader, coming June 14th to the Sessionheads United label. The eponymous release, unapologetically focused on social justice, features five originals, four of which are named after notable activists of the past and present, … Read More
OUT TODAY: Josean Jacobo & Tumbao Integrate Afro-Descendant Folkloric Idioms on Cimarrón
Hailed as “The Ambassador of Afro-Dominican Jazz”, pianist, composer and arranger Josean Jacobo is proud to release Cimarrón on E7 Studios – a 10-track collection of compositions brought to life by Jacobo’s sextet, Tumbao. Featuring saxophonists Jonathan Suazo and Rafael Suncar, bassist Daroll Mendez, drummer Otoniel Nicolas and percussionist Mois Silfa, Cimarrón testifies the explosive … Read More
REVIEW: Jazz Life (Japan) Reviews Lauren Desberg’s “Out for Delivery”
Tak Tokiwa, Jazz Life Lauren Desberg, a singer from L.A., now active in N.Y., just had a new album out first in four years. By changing the majority of the members, the rejuvenation of the band made the sound more modern. But the best attraction of the band is her cool, coquettish, and sexy voice! Over dubbing … Read More
NPR FIRST LISTEN: Brandee Younger’s “Soul Awakening”
Nate Chinen, NPR Listen to full album here. The title track of harpist Brandee Younger‘s new album, Soul Awakening, begins with a gathering stir, like some momentous weather moving in. Dezron Douglas plays the first decisive notes on upright bass, joined shortly by a flutist and three saxophonists. The song never locks into a tempo, but it … Read More
REVIEW: Jazz Life (Japan) Reviews Steve Haines and the Third Floor Orchestra
Tak Tokiwa, Jazz Life Magazine A Masterpiece that Steve spent 2 years to complete, it came from working with the hottest singer of today in New York, Becca Stevens, and a soprano saxophone player Chad Eby with an orchestral sound. Steven’s original pieces, track 3 and 10, are also featured. Also cover songs of famous … Read More
MUSIC OF THE DAY: Mediapart (France) Features Brandee Younger!
Mediapart La harpe n’est pas un instrument très côté dans le domaine du jazz, et les harpistes de jazz, en très grande majorité des femmes, ne rempliraient pas un minibus. La plus connue est Alice Coltrane, veuve de John Coltrane. Une des dernières arrivées est Brandee Younger, native de New York, qui s’est faite connaître … Read More
NEW RELEASE: Pianist Daniel Meron to Release “Embracing Wild” on August 2nd!
Daniel Meron Announces the August 2nd Release of his Upcoming Album Embracing Wild on Rabbit Rabbit Rabbit Records Pre-release shows: June 8th: The Jazz Loft, Stony Brook NY June 9th: South Jazz Kitchen, Philly July 2nd: Mezzrow, NYC Israeli born, NYC-based pianist and composer Daniel Meron is proud to announce the August 2nd release of … Read More