on WBGO Oscar Hernandez is the musical director of the Spanish Harlem Orchestra – but it wasn’t his idea to form the band. Producer Aaron Levinson approached the pianist almost two decades ago with the idea of assembling and recording a Latin jazz orchestra. They did just that, but the album sat on the shelf … Read More
A Noise From The Deep, Greenleaf Music with Dave Douglas Dave talks to Sam Newsome about being a solo soprano saxophonist, how he creates his recordings, and the basic underlying decisions that guide his work. Sam also talks about smooth jazz, as well as about his more recent interest in balloon sculpting and the new areas … Read More
By: Michael Bourne, WBGO It’s been too many years since Vanessa Rubin came on Singers Unlimited with a new album, and her newest is one of her best. The Dream Is You: Vanessa Rubin Sings Tadd Dameron celebrates the great composer and arranger of the ’40s and ’50s. Dameron, like Vanessa herself, was born in … Read More
Dave Rogers, WTJU Ben Winkelman Trio – Balance (OA2): Pianist/composer Ben Winkelman offers his fifth release and it is quite fine. He states the he was been “developing a concept for piano trio that seeks an elusive balance between composition and improvisation, structure and spontaneity, ideas and emotions….looking for ways to feature the three instruments, not only as … Read More
Brian Zimmerman/Matt Micucci, Jazziz Listen to podcast here. Dave Liebman, Jeff Coffin: On the Corner Live: The Music of Miles Davis (Ear Up Records) Release date: March 1 Saxophonist and NEA Jazz Master David Liebman began his musical relationship with trumpet legend Miles Davis in the summer of 1972 when he participated in the recording date … Read More
by Jay Daniels, Simply Timeless Our special guest for this program is vocalist John Minnock. He recently released the album “Right Around the Corner.” It’s an album that’s feature a number of standards along with some original works. Together, they help tell the story of John’s own life… with all its ups and downs. During … Read More
by Michelle Mercer, NPR Saxophonist and composer Greg Ward’s latest album, Stomping Off From Greenwood, is a tribute to Chicago, the city where he came of age as a musician. It’s also one of the year’s first great jazz albums. The first time I played Ward’s new album, I was riveted by its sense of momentum … Read More
Vanessa Rubin Makes Jazz Composer Tadd Dameron Sing by Dan Polletta, WCPN Tadd Dameron was one of the most important composer/arrangers of modern jazz, but outside of “If You Could See Me Now,” and a few other songs, the Cleveland native’s works really haven’t been performed by vocalists. Vanessa Rubin decided to change that with “The Dream Is … Read More
Lorens Chuno, Doing Jazz Podcast Itai Kriss‘s new album, Telavana, beautifully combines latin and middle eastern rhythms and melodies in the most uncontrived way possible, highlighting the excellent musicianship of all the players involved. Telavana features Itai Kriss on flute, Michael Rodriguez on trumpet, Cesar Orozco on piano, Or Bareketon bass, Marcos Lopez on percussion, Dan Aran on drums, Yosvanny Terry on shekere, and Tamer Pinarbasi on qanun. Join me … Read More
Nate Chinen, WBGO Ralph Peterson’s Aggregate Prime, “L’s Bop” Listen here. Ralph Peterson has long been celebrated as someone who took the pulse of hard-bop and ratcheted it up to a fever pitch. He is also a composer and trumpeter with a perch at the Berklee College of Music, where he has mentored more than … Read More
