SHUNZO OHNO’S 18TH PROJECT RUNNER IS OUT APRIL 3rd, RELEASE SHOW AT BIRDLAND THEATER APRIL 1st Distinguished trumpeter and composer Shunzo Ohno announces the release of his 18th album as a leader, RUNNER. To be released on April 3rd. RUNNER is comprised of three compositions; the first of which is a four piece symphonic suite … Read More
By Dave Cantor, Downbeat A bassist equally comfortable backing up vocalist Kurt Elling as he is occasionally performing alongside some of Chicago’s avant crowd and helming his groovier ensemble Lens, Clark Sommers coats post-bop with a veneer of 21st-century exceptionalism and adventure on Peninsula. Full review here.
By Anna M. Nelson, Black Grooves Virtuosic saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin offers a powerful homage to two major jazz figures, Alice Coltrane and John Coltrane, on her newest release Pursuance: The Coltranes. Though her first two albums as a bandleader, Retox (2012) and Rise Up (2018), draw heavily upon soul and funk influences, Pursuance showcases Benjamin’s … Read More
By Brenda Nelson-Strauss, Black Grooves Versatile jazz vocalist La Tanya Hall began her career touring with the great Harry Belafonte and has since collaborated with other black music icons including Diana Ross, Quincy Jones, Aretha Franklin, and Patti Labelle. Hall is perhaps best known, however, for her work with Bobby McFerrin. In addition to guest … Read More
Por José Ramon, La habitación Del Jazz Hijo de un profesor de física del Cáucaso y una madre ama de casa china-estadounidense cuyos padres emigraron a los EE. UU. Bond comenzó a tocar el piano a los 4 años ya los 11, después de varios conciertos, se retiró do por la presión de actuar. Lea … Read More
By JALC JAZZ AT LINCOLN CENTER See the full feature here.
By Hrayr Attarian, Chicago Jazz Magazine Chicago-area native Clark Sommers is a superbly talented and much in-demand bassist with an elegant style. He has distilled the influences of the greats with whom he trained into his unique and sophisticated sound. Despite his busy schedule with various ensembles Sommers also pens intriguing compositions, seven of which … Read More
By Preston Frazier, Something Else! ROBIN MCKELLE – ALTERATIONS (JAZZ/POP): There’s a danger in navigating well-worn pop standards. Singer Robin Michelle seems to jump into the challenge with both feet. The resulting album, Alterations, shows that fortune does indeed favor the bold. Michelle’s take on “Ordinary Love” makes sure not to copy the Sade original. … Read More
by Nigel Campbell, Caribbean Beat Magazine The Dominican Republic has blessed the world with the highly popular merengue and bachata genres of music. Native son and guitarist Yasser Tejeda has blended these and other elements of traditional Afro-Dominican music — palo, gaga, perico ripiao — with modern jazz, funk, and rock to create a fusion … Read More
By José Ramón, La Habitación Del Jazz Robin McKelle (Rochester, Estados Unidos) es una cantante de jazz – soul americana. Su estilo abarca el jazz, blues, soul y pop. Sus influencias musicales pasan por Aretha Franklin, Tina Turner, Janis Joplin, Ray Charles, Nina Simone o Donny Hathaway. Ha compartido escenario con Michael McDonald o Bobby … Read More
