Matt Micucci, Jazziz In 2016, Greg Ward released Touch My Beloved’s Thought, his Greenleaf Music debut album that focused on the music of Charles Mingus and firmly established his reputation as one of the most versatile saxophonists of his generation. Now, he launches a new group, Rogue Parade, with a new album, titled Stomping Off from Greenwood. … Read More
Nate Chinen, WBGO Ralph Peterson Messenger Legacy, “In Case You Missed It” Thirty-five years ago, Ralph Peterson was handpicked by Art Blakey to be the second drummer in a special edition of the Jazz Messengers. He was on the rise then, in his early 20s, and Blakey’s benediction meant the world. Since then, Peterson has … Read More
Ron Schepper, Textura This wonderful double-album set by Israeli saxophonist Daniel Rotem aspires to serenade the future, but it most definitely serenades the listener. With five-string violinist Miguel Atwood-Ferguson, pianist Miro Sprague, acoustic bassist Alex Boneham, and drummer Roberto Giaquinto aboard (guitarist Jeff Parker and vocalist Erin Bentlage also make appearances), the instrumental resources Rotem … Read More
Richard B. Kamins, Step Tempest Although it’s official release date is not until 1/11/19, it’s been impossible keep the new album by alto saxophonist Greg Ward out of the CD player. The full title “Greg Ward Presents Rogue Parade: Stompin’ Off From Greenwood” (Greenleaf Music) tells the listener much about this album. One – this … Read More
Gareth Thompson, All About Jazz After a stint in New York, saxophonist Greg Ward was lured home to Chicago in 2016 by a project based on Charles Mingus‘s The Black Saint And The Sinner Lady (Impulse! Records, 1963). Ward’s new vision of this record was widely acclaimed, not least for its performance with a ballet company, as Mingus had … Read More
Scott Yanow, New York City Jazz Record Kelly Green impressed many listeners last year with her debut CD Life Rearranged. Her piano playing is sophisticated and swinging, her vocals are quietly expressive and inventive and and she is not shy to take chances and stretch herself even on familiar material. On Volume One, the pianist-singer … Read More
Eric Wendell, Hot House Vocalist Vanessa Rubin’s venerable tone sashays and saunters as much as it glides and strides. Vanessa’s style and phrasing is a beautiful patchwork of jazz, soul and Motown-era pop that excites and entices. In 1982, the Cleveland native made her way to New York, and began performing at notable clubs such … Read More
Dan Bilawsky, JazzTimes Having come under the tutelage of Art Blakey (a.k.a. Buhaina, or “Bu” for short), drummer Ralph Peterson knows a thing or two about the value of mentorship. His time as a Jazz Messenger proved life-changing and he’s long been paying it forward through more formalized lines, teaching and rearing up-and-comers at one … Read More
Jerome Wilson, All About Jazz Henry Conerway III operates in the realm of the piano trio, leading a group with a nitty-gritty feel that relies a lot on blues and gospel. They tackle tunes by the likes of Ray Brown, Duke Ellington and Phineas Newborn, Jr. as well as their own compositions with sly wit and energy. They slip into a … Read More
Matt Micucci, Jazziz Greg Ward, “Stardust” Saxophonist-composer Greg Ward, one of the most versatile saxophonists of his generation, will launch his new group Rogue Parade with Stomping Off the Greenwood, his new album, out on January 11 via Greenleaf Music. Rogue Parade is a quintet of heavyweight creative Chicago musicians and this nine-track collection explores the … Read More
