By: D. Oscar Groomes, O’s Place Sam Newsome is a world-class jazz saxophonist, educator, composer and experimentalist. Chaos Theory is his latest endeavor, a solo effort that includes a variation of his soprano sax, inserting a rubber tube between the horn and mouthpiece extending the range and character of the horn. Newsome’s take on free … Read More
By: D. Oscar Groomes, O’s Place Ralph Peterson is a prolific man, a drummer, bandleader, composer, and educator at Berklee College of Music. We focus here on his work as a formidable drummer, leading a sextet for Legacy Alive, Volume 6 at the Side Door, a non-stop electrifying 2-disc set celebrating the legendary Art Blakey. … Read More
By: D. Oscar Groomes, O’s Place Ben Winkelman is an Aussie jazz pianist who found himself in New York on the jazz scene with a strong penchant for Modern Jazz with Latin, Afro-Cuban flavors. He leads a strong trio with bassist Matt Penman and Obed Calvaire on drums. All of the music is original except … Read More
D. Oscar Groomes, O’s Place Jazz Newsletter O’s Notes: Jazz vocalist John Minnock is a true entertainer infusing elements of jazz, blues, funk and R&B into his passionate, baritone repertoire. He got started in Boston and gained momentum in Manhattan where he regularly delights the crowd at the Metropolitan Room. Right Around The Corner is Minnock’s latest … Read More
D. Oscar Groomes, O’s Place Newsletter O’s Notes: Chiara has a soft voice that bodes well on these mostly pop ballads. Co-leader Kevin Hays (vocals, keyboards) joins Izzi with several originals in a varied collection. Their voices blend together beautifully on “I’ve Grown Accustomed To Her Face”. What initially appears to be a standard set … Read More
D. Oscar Groomes, O’s Place Jazz Newsletter Jordan Pettay – First Fruit 75 O’s Notes: Fresh Fruit is the debut recording for New York based saxophonist, composer Jordan Pettay. She mixes jazzy pop tunes like “You Make Me Feel Brand New” with modern jazz originals like the title track. Her mission is to … Read More
D. Oscar Groomes, O’s Place Dezron Douglas – Black Lion Rising jazz bassist Dezron Douglas assembles a band with Stacy Dillard (t-sax), Lummie Spann (a-sax), Josh Evans (t), and Jeremy “Bean” Clemons (d). Piano duties are split equally between Willerm Delisfort and David Bryant. We liked the Reggae beats of “Great Provider”, the funky bass … Read More
D. Oscar Groomes, O’s Place Jazz Magazine Henry Conerway III – With Pride For Dignity Drummer Henry Conerway III releases leads a trio with bassist Kevin Smith and pianist Kenny Banks Jr. The open with the lazy ragtime groove of “Slippery” and move through a number of different traditional jazz moods. All of the music is … Read More
D. Oscar Groomes, O’s Place O’s Notes: New York based pianist and composer Sam Javitch leads a Trio+1 including Adrian Moring on bass and Matt Niedbaski on drums. They start with a bluesy, bebop take on “The Pitch To Rich” featuring Rich Perry, their guest saxophonist. Perry makes his presence known here and across all seven … Read More
D. Oscar Groommes, O’s Place Jazz Newsletter O’s Notes: Saxophonist, composer and producer Sharel Cassity assembles a fine collection of musicians to express many of her own reflections. Ingrid Jensen (t), Marcus Printup (t), Mark Whitfield (g) and Linda Oh (b) are just some of musicians who support Cassity on Evolve. The music spans several genres … Read More
