Features | LYDIALIEBMAN.COM

CHICAGO READER: Geof Bradfield Takes Inspiration from Chicago Comedy Culture and French Composer Olivier Messiaen on his Latest Project

June 21, 2018Features, Reviews

Peter Margasak, Chicago Reader In his typical fashion, reedist, composer, and bandleader Geof Bradfield deployed a veritable notebook of conceptual conceits when writing and formulating his new album Yes, and . . . Music for Nine Improvisers (Delmark). The title refers to a comedic device famously devised by the iconic Chicago improv troupe the Compass Players to propel bits forward and … Read More

REVIEW: ArtsJournal Reviews Don Braden’s “Earth Wind and Wonder”

June 21, 2018Features, Reviews

Doug Ramsey, ArtsJournal For a time, a cyst on his jaw threatened to end Don Braden’s playing days, but following his recovery the tenor saxophonist and flutist sounds as confident and inventive as ever. Braden’s generation was immersed in the music of Stevie Wonder and the pop/jazz ensemble Earth Wind And Fire. He adapted some of … Read More

INTERVIEW: The Pace Report Interviews Sharel Cassity at Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola

June 21, 2018Features, Reviews

Brian Pace at The Pace Report interviewed Sharel Cassity at her recent show at Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola, at which she celebrated her latest release Evolve. Watch the full interview here.

ARTSATL.COM: Atlanta-based Jazz Pianist Kevin Bales Pays Tribute to the Music of Mister Rogers

June 20, 2018Features, Reviews

Mike Shaw, ArtsATL.com When the day turns into night, and you’re well beyond my sight, I’ll think of you, I’ll think of you . . . I hope you will remember, even when you’re feeling blue, that it’s you I like, it’s you yourself I like, it’s you . . . They were the words … Read More

FEATURE: Revive Music Features Two Tracks from Flavio Silva’s “Break Free”

June 20, 2018Features, Reviews

DanMichael Reyes, Revive Music Guitarist Flavio Silva follows his self-titled 2013 release with the premiere of the title track from his latest recording Break Free along with an outstanding rendition of the Chico Buarque classic “Samba e Amor.” Released back in June 1, the eight-track album features seven original compositions from Silva himself alongside the … Read More

REVIEW: Meg Okura’s “IMA IMA” Receives a 4.5 Star Review from All About Jazz

June 18, 2018Features, Reviews

Dan Bilawsky, All About Jazz Heritage isn’t merely defined by blood and DNA. It’s about who we are, who we choose to become, and what we take from the past to bring to our individual present and presence. So says this most personal of albums from Meg Okura & The Pan Asian Chamber Jazz Ensemble. … Read More

REVIEW: All About Jazz Includes Keri Johnsrud in “Seven Women 2018 – Part VI” Feature

June 18, 2018Features, Reviews

C. Michael Bailey, All About Jazz It would be hard to identify a more fitting musical talent whom to honor than Fred Rogers. Chicago-area vocalist Keri Johnsrud joins forces with a piano trio led by pianist Kevin Bales with the rhythm section of bassist and vocalist Billy Thornton and drummerMarlon Patton. The repertoire is all of Fred Rogers, who, for 35 … Read More

FEATURE: KNKX Interviews Spanish Harlem Orchestra’s Oscar Hernández Ahead of Seattle Dates

June 16, 2018Features, Interviews

Robin Lloyd, Jazz Caliente (KNKX) The Spanish Harlem Orchestra returns to Seattle’s Jazz Alley June 21-24. It’s their 15th anniversary tour, and a celebration of the release of their latest CD Anniversary. I caught up with bandleader Oscar Hernández by phone, and we talked about his early days as musician and arranger in New York, … Read More

REVIEW: Jazz Weekly Reviews Keri Johnsrud & Kevin Bales’ “Beyond the Neighborhood – The Music of Fred Rogers”

June 14, 2018Features, Reviews

George Harris, Jazz Weekly Most of the jazz world knew that the quiet Presbyterian Minister Fred Rogers was a big jazz fan, sneaking in themes and artists into his iconic and low key classic tv show. This album with Kevin Bales/p, Keri Johnsrud/voc, Billy Thornton/b and Marlon Patton/dr take 11 of his tunes and give … Read More

REVIEW: Jazz Weekly Reviews Meg Okura’s “NPO Trio: Live at The Stone”

June 14, 2018Features, Reviews

George Harris, Jazz Weekly The trio of Meg Okura/vi, Sam Newsome/ss and Jean-Michel Pilc/p team up for a 2016 concert in NYC’s The Stone Club. The mood and music is intuitive and free form, as piano and violin go rhapsodic on “A Four Forty” and team with Newsome’s crying soprano during “Pleading.” Pilc scrambles to … Read More

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