By Paul Medrano, Best of Jazz Kinetic is the debut album of Steven Feifke’s Big Band. Steven (born 1991) released his 1st album in 2015 (Peace In Time – self-produced), but he is mainly a prolific pianist, composer, arranger, orchestrator with an impressive discography: he appeared on 30 albums all before turning 30 years old. … Read More
Press Reel
REVIEW: His Song is New by Lorne Lofsky – SHEPHERD EXPRESS
By Morton Shlatbotnik, Shepherd Express Guitarist Lorne Lofsky played with some of the greats in old school jazz—Oscar Peterson, Ray Brown, Chet Baker—and survived to become part of that old school. Read more here.
NEW RELEASE: Jalen Baker’s ‘THIS IS ME, THIS IS US’ – out June 4, 2021 via Outside In Music – Republic of Jazz
By Republic of Jazz Outside In Music Announces The Electrifying Debut Release From Vibraphonist Jalen Baker This is Me, This is Us Due Out on June 4th, 2021. Read more here.
REVIEW: Gustavo Cortiñas explores Latin American history, culture, and resilience on Desafío Candente – CHICAGO READER
By Catalina Maria Johnson, Chicago Reader The third release by Gustavo Cortiñas, Desafío Candente (“Incandescent Defiance”), is an epic set of jazz and spoken word inspired by Las Venas Abiertas de Latinoamérica(“The Open Veins of Latin America”), an iconic series of historical essays by Uruguayan author and poet Eduardo Galeano. Read more here.
REVIEW: Ulysses Owens Jr. Big Band: ‘Soul Conversations’ – Jazziz
By Jazziz Magazine Do drummer-led big bands — think Buddy Rich, Louie Bellson, Gene Krupa — simply pack a bigger punch than those… Read more here.
REVIEW: Roni Ben-Hur: Stories – JazzTimes
By Philip Booth, JazzTimes A review of latest collection of original compositions and creative arrangements of others’ tunes from the guitarist. Read more here.
REVIEW: Philippe Lemm Trio’s ‘First Steps’ is a Mastery of Musical Movement – Backseat Mafia
By Tania Ogier, Backseat Mafia First Steps sees the Philippe Lemm Trio come through in unique style and displaying fantastic form, both of which have been well-honed during the past ten years of consistent touring and creating. Partly a reflection on the past 12 months, this record celebrates the life of Lemm’s long-time friend and … Read More
REVIEW: Jihye Lee Daring to Lead – JazzTimes
By Morgan Enos, JazzTimes In the space of 10 years, the South Korean immigrant has gone from jazz novice to masterful big-band leader and composer. Read more here.
REVIEW: Michael Wolff ‘Live at Vitellos’ – London Jazz News
By Len Weinreich, London Jazz News Some sketched background: New Orleans-born, Los Angeles-resident Michael Wolff is a pianist affected by Tourette’s Syndrome: “a common neurodevelopmental disorder that begins in childhood or adolescence, characterized by multiple movement tics and at least one vocal tic” (grateful nod to Wikipedia). And Mark Isham (interview here from 2020), trumpeter … Read More
REVIEW: Steven Feifke Big Band “Kinetic” – All About Jazz
By Jack Bowers, All About Jazz Jazz connoisseurs who lean toward big bands that swing as earnestly and often as the renowned architects of the epic big-band era should find plenty to cheer about on Kinetic, the debut recording by New York-based pianist, composer and arranger Steven Feifke‘s audacious and fiery ensemble. Read more here. … Read More