Vinyl Watch: Michael Stephenson and Alexander Claffy, Michael Stephenson Meets the Alexander Claffy Trio – Jazziz

October 30, 2021

By Matt Micucci, Jazziz On their first recorded full-length collaboration, longtime friends vocalist Michael Stephenson and bassist Alexander Claffy offer their renditions of wide-ranging material from 20th-century American composers, including staples by Ray Charles, Marvin Gaye, Nat “King” Cole and beyond. Michael Stephenson Meets the Alexander Claffy Trio, released on vinyl this month, also marks … Read More

REVIEW: Samara Joy – Hi-Fi News

October 29, 2021

By Steve Harris, Hi-Fi  News Samara fittingly scooped the Sarah Vaughan vocal award in 2019, having studied Sarah (along with Billie, Ella, and Nat King Cole) at SUNY Purchase. Still only 21, she recorded this set of standards under the aegis of Matt Pierson, noted producer of Brad Mehldau and Sophie Milman. She’s backed by … Read More

REVIEW: Haeun Joo “We Will Find” – Jazz Weekly

October 28, 2021

By George W. Harris, Jazz Weekly Pianist and composer Haeun Joo creates relaxed and impressionistic moods with a post bop team of Matt Holman/tp-fh, Doug Weiss/b and Ronen Itzik/dr with her 8 originals. Read more here.  

REVIEW: Hilary Kole “Sophisticated Lady” – Jazz Journal

October 28, 2021

By Derek Ansell, Jazz Journal The start of Hilary Kole’s career as a jazz vocalist dates to 1998. As a very young vocalist she did the obligatory club sets of the time which consisted of four hours with 55 minutes on stage and five off for breaks. So, she certainly paid her dues early on. … Read More

REVIEW: Champian Fulton: Live from Lockdown (Self-released) – JazzTimes

October 27, 2021

By Morgan Enos, JazzTimes We know what you’re thinking: Oh, great, here come the pandemic albums. Those who didn’t merely dump their offerings on Bandcamp during the initial wave, the artists who actually paid for a publicist and a pressing plant, are just now putting out their quarantine music. But if any COVID releases endure, … Read More

LLP LATINO: Michael Eckroth con respaldo boricua – PRPOP

October 26, 2021

By Vicente Toledo, Fundación Nacional para la Cultura Popular En la nueva producción del pianista, colaboran los puertorriqueños Apolo Ayala (bajo), Joel Mateo (batería) y el percusionista Carlos Maldonado. Para leer más presione aquí.

NEW RELEASE: Pianist Steven Feifke and Trumpeter and Vocalist Benny Benack III Collaborate on Holiday Record SEASON’S SWINGIN’ GREETINGS due out November 19, 2021 via Cellar Music Group

October 25, 2021

Cellar Music Group Announces November 19, 2021 Release of Season’s Swingin’ Greetings – A Spirited Big Band Holiday Celebration Featuring Renowned Trumpeter and Vocalist Benny Benack III with Acclaimed Pianist, Arranger and Big Band Leader Steven Feifke “There’s an attractive mixture of sincerity and humor to be found in the way this crew addresses the … Read More