REVIEW: Step Tempest Reviews Chicago Yestet’s NOT THERE YET

March 31, 2020Press Reel, Reviews

by Richard Kamins, Step Tempest The Chicago Yestet, the brainchild of trombonist and composer Joel Adams, a veteran of the Woody Herman Orchestra as well as the Chicago music scene, is a unique large ensemble.  The band, in existence for a dozen years, includes three saxophones, two trumpets, two trombones, guitar, bass, drums, a vocalist plus a … Read More

NEW RELEASE: Lauren Henderson’s ‘The Songbook Session’ (with Sullivan Fortner) is out 4/24/20

March 30, 2020New Release, Press Releases

Jazz & Latin-Jazz Vocalist Lauren Henderson Announces her Sixth Collaboration with Sullivan Fortner: The Songbook Session Due out April 24, 2020 on Brontosaurus Records Vocalist, arranger and musical impresario Lauren Henderson is proud to announce the April 24th release of her new album – and sixth musical alliance with pianist Sullivan Fortner – The Songbook … Read More

REVIEW: Yvonnick Prene Reviewed in Musical Memoirs

March 30, 2020Press Reel, Reviews

By Dee Dee McNeil, Musical Memoirs This is a captivating album that features Mr. Prené’s harmonica mastery and showcases his composer skills. He is featured along with Brian Charette on Hammond B3 organ and Jordan Young on drums. It’s the 5th release from this acclaimed musician and celebrates the Frenchman’s well-spent time in New York … Read More

REVIEW: Aubrey Johnson: Unraveled Album review – All About Jazz

March 28, 2020Press Reel, Reviews

By Dan Bilawsky, All About Jazz Serving as a statement of elucidation, exploration and emotional reasoning, Unraveled lays bare a unique soul while presenting a clear-headed means of disentangling complex artistic threads. It’s an album that’s as sophisticated as it is accessible and as personal as it is universal in its line(s) of thought. In … Read More

FINANCIAL TIMES: Lakecia Benjamin’s “PURSUANCE” Reviewed

March 27, 2020Press Reel, Reviews

by Mike Hobart, Financial Times John and Alice Coltrane’s combined musical legacy stretches from angular be-bop and fierce expressionism to spiritual jazz and is a prime influence on the current resurgence in modern jazz. Their work is much covered, but, as alto saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin’s zesty jam-session take shows, if you pay respect and avoid … Read More

FEATURE: Live From Our Living Rooms in Rolling Stone

March 27, 2020Features, Press Reel

By Hank Shteamer, Rolling Stone The first jazz festival of the quarantine era will take place next week. An impressive lineup of A-list names in the genre will come together virtually for Live From Our Living Rooms, an online music festival and fundraiser. Guitarist Bill Frisell, pianist Chick Corea, bassist Christian McBride, vocalist Becca Stevens … Read More