Dan Bilawsky, All About Jazz Heritage isn’t merely defined by blood and DNA. It’s about who we are, who we choose to become, and what we take from the past to bring to our individual present and presence. So says this most personal of albums from Meg Okura & The Pan Asian Chamber Jazz Ensemble. … Read More
C. Michael Bailey, All About Jazz It would be hard to identify a more fitting musical talent whom to honor than Fred Rogers. Chicago-area vocalist Keri Johnsrud joins forces with a piano trio led by pianist Kevin Bales with the rhythm section of bassist and vocalist Billy Thornton and drummerMarlon Patton. The repertoire is all of Fred Rogers, who, for 35 … Read More
Robin Lloyd, Jazz Caliente (KNKX) The Spanish Harlem Orchestra returns to Seattle’s Jazz Alley June 21-24. It’s their 15th anniversary tour, and a celebration of the release of their latest CD Anniversary. I caught up with bandleader Oscar Hernández by phone, and we talked about his early days as musician and arranger in New York, … Read More
Lorens Chuno, Doing Jazz Podcast On his debut album, Vision Ahead, Jonathan Barber delivers some very well executed original compositions. These songs have introspective origins and help shape the current path of his music group also called Vision Ahead. Join Jonathan and Lorens as he talks about Hartford, jam sessions, living in New York and … Read More
George Harris, Jazz Weekly Most of the jazz world knew that the quiet Presbyterian Minister Fred Rogers was a big jazz fan, sneaking in themes and artists into his iconic and low key classic tv show. This album with Kevin Bales/p, Keri Johnsrud/voc, Billy Thornton/b and Marlon Patton/dr take 11 of his tunes and give … Read More
George Harris, Jazz Weekly The trio of Meg Okura/vi, Sam Newsome/ss and Jean-Michel Pilc/p team up for a 2016 concert in NYC’s The Stone Club. The mood and music is intuitive and free form, as piano and violin go rhapsodic on “A Four Forty” and team with Newsome’s crying soprano during “Pleading.” Pilc scrambles to … Read More
Dee Dee McNeil, Musical Memoirs Adi Meyerson – Where We Stand This is the premiere album release for Adi Meyerson, composer and bassist. She has composed all of the music, a labor of love for the past five years, that reflects her life in New York City and celebrates the legacy of her father who … Read More
Valery Amador, Bass Musician Magazine Alongside the distinct stylings of special guest vocalist and guitarist Camila Meza, Where We Stand features stalwart tenor saxophonist Joel Frahm, trumpeter Freddie Hendrix, pianist Mike King and drummer Kush Abadey. Where We Stand, signified by the title track, and as a whole, represents times of uncertainty and change. Through this dynamic music, Meyerson displays how these particular moments, … Read More
Atlanta-native and GRAMMY nominated pianist Kevin Bales and Chicago-based vocalist Keri Johnsrud are excited to announce shows at The Velvet Note, located at 4075 Old Milton Parkway Alpharetta, GA and The Loft, located at 1032 Broadway Columbus, GA to celebrate their latest release Beyond the Neighborhood: The Music of Fred Rogers. With the help of … Read More
Leonid Auskern, Jazz Quad Break Free – второй альбом молодого бразильского гитариста и композитора Флавио Сильвы. Этот музыкант начинал работать в джазе у себя на родине, а затем продолжил карьеру в Нью-Йорке, где его ментором стал такой известный джамен, как саксофонист Антонио Харт, сегодня очень высоко оценивающий талант Сильвы. Флавио играет в ведущих клубах Нью-Йорка, … Read More