By Jack Bowers, All About Jazz Chamber Jazz, alto saxophonist Charles Pillow‘s eighth recording as leader of his ensemble, is a generally sedate but remarkably engaging series of tone poems that combine contemporary jazz with elements of classical music to produce a hybrid that underlines what is most harmonious and charming in each genre. Chamber … Read More
By Jason Crane, The Jazz Session Guitarist Eric Hofbauer recently released Book of Fire (Creative Nation Music, 2020), the second in what will be a five-album series centered on the five aspects of the Chinese philosophy wu xing. In this interview, Hofbauer talks about the first two albums in the series; how he and bassist … Read More
By Bass Magazine Whirlwind Recordings is proud to announce the June 12th release of Lagos Pepper Soup, the new album from bassist and composer Michael Olatuja. On this, his third release as a bandleader, Olatuja presents his spectacular blend of West African Afrobeats and jazz, with the support of a string orchestra – arranged by … Read More
John Minnock Illustrates the Contemporary Gay Experience on Herring Cove, his debut on Dot Time Records Featuring Dave Liebman and an original composition by David Shire Available on June 5th John Minnock’s third release as a leader, and debut recording for the GRAMMY nominated Dot Time Records, is Herring Cove. Due to be released on June … Read More
by Alan Young, New York Music Daily/Lucid Culture Singer Aubrey Johnson has been a rivetingly individualistic part of the fabric of the New York jazz scene, with both large and small ensembles as well as John Zorn’s Mycale choir, for the better part of a decade. So it’s hard to believe that she’s only now releasing her … Read More
By Andrew Ford, ABC Australia One of New York’s rising saxophone stars and in-demand bandleaders is Lakecia Benjamin. She’s played with jazz figures like Clark Terry and Reggie Workman, and has lead live horn sections for Stevie Wonder, Alicia Keys, Kool and the Gang, the Roots, and Anita Baker. Read the full feature here. … Read More
By Ben Richmond, Afropop Worldwide Afrobeat already takes a huge ensemble—you can find footage of Fela conducting Africa 70 into a lather before picking up his saxophone—and it fills such a huge sonic space that it’s hard to imagine space for more of anything. But Michael Olatuja, the London-born, Lagos, Nigeria-raised, New York-based bassist and … Read More
By Barry Mittelman, Latin Biz Latin Perspective” is the first single off of Multi-GRAMMY® Award Winning Spanish Harlem Orchestra’s forthcoming release The Latin Jazz Project. Extraordinary vibraphonist and jazz luminary Joe Locke joins SHO vocalist and flautist Jeremy Bosch on this spirited new composition by Musical Director Oscar Hernández. “Latin Perspective” is the first taste of … Read More
By Wulf Muller, Wulf’s Music + Blog Andy Milne / The reMission – this is pianist Milne’s first trio recording, a line-up he had found daunting so far. The recording session featured with drummer Clarence Penn and bassist John Hébert two experienced sidemen, which helped him to tackle the intimate piano trio format to the … Read More
By Morton Shlabotnik, Shepherd Express The economics of putting a jazz orchestra on the road may be daunting but that doesn’t prevent studio sessions from taking place. Woodwind player Charles Pillow assembled an ensemble two-dozen strong to record Chamber Jazz. Read the full review here.
