Scott Yanow, Jazziz On Electric Miles (MAMA), alto saxophonist Charles Pillow celebrates the 50th anniversary of Miles Davis’ Bitches Brew by offering new arrangements of some of the trumpeter’s works from 1969-72. But instead of performing such numbers as “Pharaoh’s Dance”, “Sanctuary” and “Spanish Key” with an electronic fusion ensemble, Pillow transformed the compositions into … Read More
Giovanni Russonello, New York Times ANDY MILNE & DAPP THEORY PLUS at the Jazz Gallery (Dec. 19-20, 7:30 and 9:30 p.m.). To create a rigorous, engaging suite of music singing the praises of homeopathic healing and improvisation, you need chutzpah and imagination in equal doses. A resourceful pianist with a crisp touch and a constantly shifting … Read More
Alex W. Rodriguez, Downbeat Israel-born saxophonist Daniel Rotem’s sophomore album is the latest document of a vibrant jazz resurgence in Los Angeles, the bandleader’s adopted home since 2014. Rotem offers a heartfelt, searching quality on this exciting double-disc endeavor, evident in his compositions, melodic interpretation and spacious improvisational approach. Guest soloist Jeff Parker’s guitar sets … Read More
Mike Jurkovic, All About Jazz There are plenty of rapid, skittering, minimalist moments on Night, young baritone saxophonist Eden Bareket‘s shadowy sophomore effort. In a smoky, late-night jam, with the moon hovering over the Brooklyn Bridge, Bareket runs the range of his instrument on eight lean and feisty originals and Matti Caspi’s “Lost Melody.” Read more here.
George Harris, Jazz Weekly Darren Barrett takes popular jazz songs and reinvents them, mixing his warm and Kenny Dorham-toned trumpet with his keyboards, hip hoppy voice, EVI (Electronic Valve Instrument) and teams with sound designer Wren as well as teammates Takeru Saito/p, Youngchae Jeong/b, Daniel Moreno/dr, Santiago Bosch/key, Judith Barrett/perc and guest guitarist Kurt Rosenwinkel. … Read More
Ron Hart, Billboard “The Beatles arrived in New York right around the time of my birthday, so when I was a kid my dad used to — as a tradition — take me to FAO Schwarz and I got to pick out a toy,” explains Verve Label Group president and CEO Danny Bennett (his father, of course, … Read More
Mike Jurkovic, All About Jazz If we were talking baseball, pianist, vocalist, and composer Kelly Greenwould be highly touted as a three tool player. And she deserves to be. From every angle she hears breaks and stops, harmonic and melodic whoops, swoops and vocal dips and dives that the rest of us maybe don’t until the … Read More
Joerg Schmitt, Sonic Soul English: Jazz for all! Gil Defay plays the trumpet. As a longtime experienced side man, he now shows us what a jazz rake is. Under the motto “bop your head, tap your feet, get up and dance …” it’s all around. And always on the ground of the facts. Without free fiddling and too daringExcursions to … Read More
Kazune Hayata, Jazz Life Magazine Gene Ess grew up on Okinawa. After graduating Berklee College of Music in Boston, he moved to NYC in the 90’s and plays an active part on the frontline of jazz. Gene’s band “Fractal Attraction” just released their fourth album “Apotheosis”. The powerful rhythm section comprise of Clarence Penn, Yasushi … Read More
