Giovanni Russonello, New York Times BRANDEE YOUNGER QUINTET at Jazz Standard (Aug. 21-22, 7:30 and 9:30 p.m.). Ms. Younger’s harp playing can be airy or imagistic, but it’s usually grounded in a groove. Over the past decade, she’s proven adept at bringing the instrument into contexts where it had rarely gone: jazz infused with neo-soul; springy … Read More
Giovanni Russonello, New York Times MEG OKURA AND THE PAN ASIAN CHAMBER JAZZ ENSEMBLE at Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola (Aug. 20, 7:30 and 9:30 p.m.). “Ima Ima” is the new album from this impressive violinist and bandleader, and her fourth with the Pan Asian Chamber Jazz Ensemble. It’s a record of grandiloquent beauty that transitions easily from grooves to … Read More
Kevin Johnson, No Treble Composer, producer, engineer, and bassist Scott Petito has released Rainbow Gravity, a new album featuring an all-star cast of musicians. His music comes to life thanks to saxophonist Bob Mintzer trumpeter Chris Pasin, guitarist David Spinozza, keyboardists Rachel Z, David Sancious and Warren Bernhardt, vibraphonist Mike Mainieri, and percussionist Bashiri Johnson. Petito also got … Read More
Leonid Auskern, Jazz Quad Иден Барекет родился в Буэнос-Айресе в 1987 году, с 2013 года живет в Нью-Йорке, но вырос и стал джазовым музыкантом в Израиле. Здесь в девять лет он начал играть на альт-саксофоне, а в пятнадцать перешел на баритон-саксофон, с которым не расстается с тех пор. Иден закончил консерваторию в Тель-Авиве, приобрел опыт … Read More
Ron Schepper, Textura Yes, and…Music For Nine Improvisers might initially seem an odd title, but a bit of background brings clarity. The name originated from The Compass Players, a Chicago theatre outfit founded in 1955 (and predecessor to Second City) that turned improv into a fine art by applying the ‘Yes, and . . .’ principle … Read More
Dee Dee McNeil, Musical Memoirs Blog Scott Petito – Rainbow Gravity: Here is a production of pure funk and contemporary musicality played by some of the top modern jazz players in the business. Scott Petito is a bassist, a composer, producer and engineer. This is his second recording as a leader and he has contracted … Read More
Ron Schepper, Textura There’s a long tradition in jazz of US artists decamping for Europe, with moves to Paris by the Art Ensemble of Chicago and Dexter Gordon two of the better-known cases. Baritone saxophonist Adison Evans did something similar in 2014, though in her case the destination was a farmhouse in Asciano, a small … Read More
George Harris, Jazz Weekly Soulful moods are created by guitarist Flavio Silva as he teams with a supporting cast of Seamus Blake/ts, Alex Ayala/b, Curtis Nowosad/dr, James Francies/key and Michael Mayo/voc for some toe tapping originals. The team shows it flex it’s muscles as they drive hard on “Brooklyn Bound” and with Nowosad riding the … Read More
Hrayr Attarian, All About Jazz On her second release as a leader, the buoyant Meridian, saxophonist Adison Evans demonstrates remarkable maturity as both a composer and a performer. Evans drew inspiration from the idyllic Tuscan village where she retreated to pen the music that comprises this intriguing album. The opening title-track sets the mood with the right balance … Read More
Ron Schepper, Textura Review: In 2012, bassist Adi Meyerson emigrated to New York from Jerusalem to further her studies at The New School for Jazz and Contemporary Music. Six years on from that life-changing move, her debut album Where We Stand draws heavily for inspiration from her adopted home, where she continues to establish herself as a … Read More