THE BEAT: T.K. Blue Featured in Downbeat, January 2020

December 29, 2019Features, Press Reel

by Robert Ham, Downbeat T.K. Blue never will forget the first time he heard pianist Randy Weston perform. Especially because when he found himself at The East, a Brooklyn-based arts education center that held jazz concerts on the weekends, he thought he was going to see Ramsey Lewis. Read more here.   

JAZZIZ WINTER 2019: Chase Baird, Makar Kashitsyn, T.K. Blue, Wallace Roney, the Curtis Brothers, Kenyatta Beasley Reviewed

December 26, 2019Press Reel, Reviews

by Asher Wolfe, Jazziz Chase Baird’s new studio ensemble functions like an ecosystem. The New York-based saxophonist released his second LP, A Life Between, with the star-studded lineup of pianist Brad Mehldau, drummer Antonio Sanchez, bassist Dan Chmielinski and guitarist Nir Felder. There are no overlapping personnel from his 2010 debut Crosscurrent. Although this iteration of Baird’s … Read More

FEATURE: Brian Lynch Featured Jazziz, Winter 2019

December 26, 2019Features, Press Reel

by Bob Weinberg, Jazziz Reading the books to which Brian Lynch links his compositions is not a prerequisite for appreciating the music on his exquisite, first-ever big-band album The Omni-American Book Club (Hollistic MusicWorks). From joyous Latin-jazz jams to African-drum-fueled workouts to salutes to straight-ahead-jazz heroes Blue Mitchell and Woody Shaw, the program abounds with the aural … Read More

ROLLING STONE: A VERY CHIMYTINA CHRISTMAS Reviewed

December 26, 2019Press Reel, Reviews

by Connor Ratliff, Rolling Stone TITLE: Yes! A mash-up title that would only work for these two artists — or two artists with similar sounds in their names. COVER ART: A classic Xmas-y design, and a pic of Martina and Dan looking like they’re having fun. It’s cute. LISTENING: Jazzy and classy and sparse but warm. This record … Read More

REVIEW: Jersey Jazz Reviews Skip & Dan Wilkins’ SOMEDAY

December 24, 2019Press Reel, Reviews

by Joe Lang, Jersey Jazz There is a wealth of jazz talent who make their home base in the area of the Poconos.  Someday (Dear head Records – 010) features the SKIP & DAN WILKINS QUARTET with Skip Wilkins on piano, Dan Wilkins on tenor sax, Tony Marino on bass and Bill Goodwin on drums.  These cats are frequently seen … Read More

BEST OF 2019: Steve Haines and the Third Floor Orchestra & Curtis Nowosad – The Ottawa Citizen

December 24, 2019Best of 2019, Press Reel

A long list of 2019’s best Canadian jazz albums, plus even more honourable mentions By Peter Hum, The Ottawa Citizen  North Carolina bassist and educator Steve Haines, an Ottawa native, released a beautiful orchestral album. Haines’ project featured the impeccable vocalist Becca Stevens singing a program that leaned heavily into Canadiana (think Gordon Lightfoot, Kim … Read More

BEST OF 2019: Glide Magazine Selects New Albums by Vivian Sessoms, Ben Flocks, Brian Lynch

December 24, 2019Best of 2019, Press Reel

by Glide Magazine  Ben Flocks – Mask of the Muse (West Cliff) – This tenor saxophonist induced similar feelings to Charlie Parker with Strings from the ‘50s. That’s a certainly lofty company and there are no strings on this album but keyboards and guitar providing a similar ambiance in a tight quintet instead. It’s marvelously dreamy, romantic, and at times … Read More