13th Annual Jazz Critics Poll Spanish Harlem Orchestra – Anniversary (ArtistShare) Latin – Karl Ackerman (All About Jazz) New Releases – Russ Musto (New York City Jazz Record, DownBeat) Henry Conerway III – With Pride For Dignity (Self-released) New Releases – Richard B. Kamins (Step Tempest) New Releases – Peter Quinn (Jazzwise, The Arts Desk) Debut – Richard B. Kamins (Step Tempest) … Read More
Scott Yanow, Jazziz On Electric Miles (MAMA), alto saxophonist Charles Pillow celebrates the 50th anniversary of Miles Davis’ Bitches Brew by offering new arrangements of some of the trumpeter’s works from 1969-72. But instead of performing such numbers as “Pharaoh’s Dance”, “Sanctuary” and “Spanish Key” with an electronic fusion ensemble, Pillow transformed the compositions into … 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
Jack Bowers, All About Jazz So how does trumpeter Miles Davis‘ post-1969 “electric period” translate to a big-band format? About as well as could be expected, thanks to leader Charles Pillow‘s bright arrangements for his New York-based Large Ensemble. Davis’ seminal Columbia albums from 1969-1972—In a Silent Way, Bitches Brew, Live at Fillmore East, Live-Evil, On the … Read More
Filipe Freitas, JazzTrail Besides being a sought-after sideman in both pop and jazz genres, saxophonist Charles Pillow is also a qualified bandleader whose musical adroitness shines through on his latest work for large ensemble, aimed to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Bitches Brew and the strong heritage of the early electric period of Miles Davis’ … Read More
Dee Dee McNeil, Musical Memoirs HENRY CONERWAY III – WITH PRIDE FOR DIGNITY Henry Conerway III is a Detroiter, steeped in the blues. He studied with a dear friend of mine, trumpeter/educator, Marcus Belgrave. You can tell from the very first cut of this album, penned by legendary bassist, Ray Brown and titled, “Slippery” that … Read More
Mark Corroto, All About Jazz You thought not, but you can put the genie back in the bottle. What we’re talking about is the specter unleashed by Miles Davis with Bitches Brew (Columbia, 1970). Davis’ expanded lineup for BB with ten-plus musicians, including the electric pianos of Joe Zawinul, Chick Corea, and Larry Young, Bennie Maupin playing bass clarinet, a young guitarist John McLaughlin, two bassists, percussion, … Read More
Phil Freeman, Stereogum Plenty of people have interpreted tunes from Miles Davis’s “electric period” (meaning his music from 1969-75; he continued to work with electric bands when he returned in 1981, and until his death) in the past, but they usually do it in a manner that sticks pretty close to the original. Conductor and … Read More
