By Michael Limnios, Blues GR “Musicians have the power and responsibility to educate, encourage change and inspire. With our words and out voice, we have an opportunity to make a difference. Music can make change and changes peoples ideas and mind. It’s so powerful.” Robin McKelle: The Lady & Her Music A savvy songwriter and … Read More
By Dan Bilawsky, All About Jazz While Brazilian Whispers marks Andrea Brachfeld‘s first thorough exploration of the titular stream of sound, you’d never know it from the results. Teaming up with Bill O’Connell, her longtime pianist and sounding board, the veteran flutist, who’s typically engaged in Afro-Cuban affairs or straight ahead suggestions, sounds like she’s … Read More
By Mike Jurkovic, All About Jazz It’s taken over two tumultuous decades for Dave Liebman to fully realize and execute his poetic, elemental suite. Alongside Pat Metheny,Billy Hart, and Cecil McBee, Water: Giver of Life(Arkadia Jazz, 1997) birthed the the long journey. Teaming with violinist/sound engineer Walter Quintus for 2006’s Air (Finetunes) led to 2016’s … Read More
By Matt Micucci, Jazziz 8-Bit Big Band @ Boston’s Berklee Performance Center: The 8-Bit Big Band returns to Boston’s Berklee Performance Center on March 1. This highly acclaimed 33-piece ensemble is directed by Charlie Rosen and presents the bandleader’s original arrangements of some of the world’s most popular video game music. “The crowd reaction when … Read More
By Downbeat Trumpeter/flugelhornist Rachel Therrien’s collected 15 original compositions for VENA (Bonsaï), which is set for release March 27. “The letter V is significant to me. I was struck by the formation birds make when they migrate; they fly in a perfect ‘V’ onward to their next destination. By flying this way, the birds are … Read More
By Richard Kamins, Step Tempest Been over two decades since saxophonist and NEA Jazz master Dave Liebman began his musical exploration and interpretation of the four Natural Elements. Starting in 1997 with “Water” (featuring Pat Metheny, Billy Hart, and Cecil McBee), then moving on to “Air” (a 2006 duo with computer whiz Walter Quintus), and … Read More
By Diti Kohli, The Boston Globe Love video games? Love jazz music? One widely acclaimed big band that combines the two is slated to stop by town next month. The 8-Bit Big Band plays tunes from popular video games like “Legend of Zelda” and “Super Mario Bros.” With 33 members and a handful of special … Read More
By Chris Spector, Midwest Record ROXY COSS/Quintet: It wasn’t that long ago that Coss was wearing an evening gown and looking like a member of a society band. In the intervening years, she’s shown herself to be a top shelf, hard core swinger that can be a first class leader whether politicized or not because … Read More
By Musicalmemoir’s Blog MIKE BOND – “THE HONORABLE ONES” Bounce Castle Records Mike Bond, piano/composer/arranger; Ben Wolfe, bass; Anwar Marshall, drums; Josh Evans, trumpet; Steve Wilson, alto & soprano saxophones; SPECIAL GUESTS: Gene Shinozaki, beatbox vocals; Claudia Acuna & Maya Holliday, vocals. Titled, “Chapter 1: On Your Mark …” the first track is Avant Garde … Read More
JazzTrail The debut recording from 30-year old American pianist/composer Mike Bond features a fantastic group of musicians whose rapport can be immediately felt. The multi-generational core quintet includes versatile horn players such as saxophonist Steve Wilson and trumpeter Josh Evans, as well as a rhythm team with bassist Ben Wolfe and drummer Anwar Marshall in … Read More
