By Rob Lester, Talkin’ Broadway he theme of change ties together a change-of-pace item for our column. Transformation is a collection of original instrumental pieces, many woven around spoken material, addressing such topics as environmental change, evolving attitudes needed to combat prejudice, and personal growth. Read more here.
By Jerome Wilson, All About Jazz f one thing is obvious from this CD, it is that electric bassist Charnett Moffett is a happy man these days. His playing leaps out of the speakers on these tracks with joy and high spirits. Read more here.
By Morton Shlatbotnik, Shepherd Express On his new album, Kirk Lightsey performs ambitious, challenging music, several Wayne Shorter compositions, John Coltrane’s “Giant Steps.” Read more here.
By Sandi Durrell, Theater Pizzazz Two big band sounds and the Great American Songbook with original interpretations are worthy creations to check out. Read more here.
By Jim Hynes, Making A Scene! Carlos Henriquez is best known as the bassist for the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, a position he has held for over two decades. Henriquez is also a composer and bilingual artist, stepped in the Latin music of his Puerto Rican heritage. Currently, many acknowledge him as the most … Read More
By Mike Jurkovic, All About Jazz One of the Phoenix’s brightest lights, pianist-composer-vocalist Rachel Eckroth, who has ably added depth to the music of such polar opposites as Chris Botti, Rufus Wainwright, and St. Vincent, leaves no stone unturned in The Garden, her darkly convincing, Rainy Day Records debut. Read more here.
By Jack Bowers, All About Jazz Songs from My Father. What a marvelous idea!—and not simply for the sentiment. Drummer Gerry Gibbs‘ father happens to be Hall of Fame vibraphonist (and sometime song writer) Terry Gibbs, who is still on the scene at ninety-seven (and, in fact, making a guest appearance on the first disc … Read More
By Adam Feibel, Jazz.FM91 The new album by NEA Jazz Master and Grammy-nominated saxophonist Dave Liebman pays tribute to the music of his most primary source of influence and inspiration. Read more here.
By Ralph A. Miriello, Notes On Jazz The pianist Kirk Lightsey is perhaps a name that you may not be familiar with, but that is certainly not for lack of his possessing immense talent and sublime taste. The now eighty-four-year-old pianist and one-time flutist has certainly flown under many people’s radar, despite being a key … Read More
By Jerome Wilson, All About Jazz Small groups featuring piano continue to work their individual brands of magic throughout the jazz world. Here are some examples from the last few months. Read the reviews of Aliens & Wizards (Spike Wilner), First Steps (Philippe Lemm Trio) and Live At Vitello’s (Michael Wolff) here.
