by Travis Rogers Jr, the Jazz Owl I first heard Roxy Coss as part of Jeremy Pelt’s band and then had my suspicions confirmed that she is a force to be reckoned with on her 2016 album Restless Idealism. Her 2018 release The Future is Female only reinforced that opinion and proved that she is not only an exemplary … Read More
By: Travis Rogers, Jr. The Jazz Owl With Gene Ess’ album Absurdist Theater, I said that “Gene Ess is a philosopher.” He is indeed that but he is an anthropological philosopher. In Eternal Monomyth, he took Joseph Campbell and C. G. Jung and explored the quest of the hero. In Absurdist Theater, he delved … Read More
By: Travis Rogers Jr. The Jazz Owl When I reviewed Sivan Arbel’s 2016 album Broken Lines, I wrote, “She makes me think of Sarah Vaughan who had the raw power but also the sweetness that made her irresistible. And Sivan Arbel is irresistible.” It’s always rewarding to be proven right because that opinion has not … Read More
by Travis Rogers Jr, The Jazz Owl It was an amazing year of great music from astonishing musicians. So many great horn players and pianists, and so very many great debut albums. This was an extremely difficult year to choose favorites. Once again, these are my favorites for the year. I would not presume to … Read More
by Travis Rogers Jr. for JazzTimes.com and the Jazz Owl Sivan Arbel Crosses “Broken Lines” Incredible vocals and a hot band Sivan Arbel has an old school approach to melody and harmony but a novel way to enforce what she understands and composes. There is a strength as well as a delicacy to her vocals. … Read More
Ilhan Ersahin’s Istanbul Sessions Reveals the “Istanbul Underground” The music I have awaited all my life. by Travis Rogers Jr, The Jazz Owl, and JazzTimes.com In this their third outing, Ilhan Ersahin’s Istanbul Sessions has continued to create a musical adventure that takes you where you never thought possible. “Istanbul Underground” (on Ersahin’s own Nublu … Read More
by Travis Rogers Jr., The Jazz Owl and JazzTimes Fabrizio Sotti Shows a New Side of “Forty” Peter Slavov and Francisco Mela join the fun Fabrizio Sotti is nothing if not versatile and innovative, crossing cultural and categorical lines with the grace and ease of a ballet dancer. Her performed with Whitney Houston and … Read More
by Travis Rogers Jr., The Jazz Owl Drummer Zane Rodulfo has released his debut EPPathways bringing to life his own compositions based in the musical traditions of Trinidad. With a playing time just over 33 minutes, Pathways still manages to give a broad spectrum of the rhythms and melodies of Rodulfo’s home and influences. With … Read More
By Travis Rogers Jr. The Jazz Owl Siren Songs is the perfect title for Jackie Gage’s debut album as she definitely has the voice to stop any sailor on any voyage. Released on First Orbit Sounds Music (FOSM 262), Siren Songs is a charming mix of originals and standards. Those standards were arranged by Gage … Read More
Chris Klaxton Presents a ‘Collage’ by Travis Rogers Jr., The Jazz Owl The loss of one dear ripples through our lives and our art in in relentless waves. It affects us forever and all we can do is grapple with the loss through remembrance and thought. We cannot explain but we can, at least, explore. … Read More
