By: Stephen Conrad, Progressive Rock Fanatics Mish-Mash Planetoid Start with the visual: this is stunning, evocative art setting the stage for what is to come. “Mish-mash” since there are elements of science fiction with airships zooming about, futuristic high-rise buildings of various shapes and sizes, more traditional looking buildings in the foreground, nature (looking prickly, … Read More
By: Dee Dee McNeil, Musical Memoirs A CD REVIEW FOR BLACK MUSIC MONTH BY Dee Dee McNeil/Jazz Journalist VIVIAN SESSOMS – “LIFE ii” ropeadope Records Vivian Sessoms, vocals/producer/arranger; Chris Parks, bass/producer/arranger/electric piano/ programmer/keys; Shedrick Mitchell, piano/organ/arranger; Christian Gates, keys/programming;/ guitar/drum programming; Dave Archer, keys; Sherrod Barnes & Mark Whitefield, guitar; Donald Edwards, Eric Brown & … Read More
Dan Bilawsky, JazzTimes You really have to hand it to saxophonist/vocalist Grace Kelly. Not only is she a fine musician on multiple fronts, she’s also a polished entertainer, a savvy self-promoter, and a real marketing maven. That broad skill set serves her well on this cross-platform project. GO TiME: Live in LA, like its two … Read More
Jazz Rising: Greg Ward Presents Rogue Parade, Ilhan Ersahin, Brandee Younger & Theon Cross by Aaron Stein, Jambase As we get into the summer months, it always feels like a good time to take stock of the excellent jazz releases of the year so far. The genre continues to get twisted into new shapes by … Read More
by Imran Mirza, UK Vibe ☆☆☆☆☆ ‘Soul Awakening’ is the brand new sophomore album release from classically trained harpist Brandee Younger. With each passing year, the Hempstead, New York, native seems to see her star increasingly rise – having graduated from the University of Hartford and New York University with degrees in Harp Performance and … Read More
by Mike Jurkovic, All About Jazz ☆☆☆☆ Sure the recording for Soul Awakening was completed in 2013, but we are more than fortunate that harpist Brandee Younger and producer/bassist Dezron Douglas have chosen now to free this music from the vaults. For Soul Awakening brings a defining clarity to what we’ve experienced on previous releases, such as the raw, groove/fusion of … Read More
George Harris, Jazz Weekly Pianist and composer Skip Wilkins mixes rich Eastern European themes with modern swing as he features tenor saxist Daniel Wilkins in a bopping band with Miroslav Hioucal/tp-fh, Tomas Baros/b and Marek Urbanek/dr. The front line of horns is bright and crisp as on snappy pieces like the crackling “The Box-Checkers” and … Read More
Jim Hynes, Glide Magazine AWARD-WINNING AARON WHITBY DELIVERS HIS DEBUT AS BANDLEADER WITH FUNK, FUSION, AND PROG ON ‘COUSIN FROM ANOTHER PLANET’ (ALBUM REVIEW) London-born, current Brooklyn resident Aaron Whitby handles too many roles to fit in a convenient headline, so we’ll lead with his credits as producer, composer, songwriter, pianist, engineer and educator. Cousin From Another Planet (Ropeadope) is … Read More
Dave Rogers, WTJU Tenor and soprano saxophonist Michael Eaton offers this session with other voices in the “dialogical” which is defined as “thinking that involves a dialogue or extended exchange between different points of view or frames of reference”. (http://www.criticalthinking.org/pages/glossary-of-critical-thinking-terms/496). These performances are fascinating and often delightful. Eaton’s quartet features Brad Whiteley (piano), Daniel Ori … Read More
Chris Walker, L.A Jazz Scene Duet Natalie Cressman-trombone/vocals and Ian Faquini guitar/vocals based in New York with roots in the San Francisco Bay Area showcased songs from their recently released Setting Rays of Summer CD at the downtown LA adjacent Mayfair Hotel. The venue with a bar about 15 feet from the performance area provided a noisy backdrop … Read More
