Dave Burns
Dave’s Contributions
March 2000 Albums
Mostly Ballads
Ronnie Wells/Ron Elliston and Friends: Special Guest Houston Report
Ronnie Wells' warm contralto and sophisticated choice of material, ably supported by the lyrical technique and arrangements of her husband, pianist Ron Elliston, has been a well-appreciated fixture for 20 years on the Washington, D.C. jazz scene, with frequent...
March 2000 Albums
After You
Ron Elliston/Ronnie Wells and Friends
After You was recorded live in '94 at the Montpelier Cultural Arts Center in Laurel, Maryland. "Friends" include James King, bass, David Lopez, drums and also Mike Smith, drums, and Tony Williams, alto, on some tracks. Ron Elliston enriches the title track...
March 2000 Albums
Here I Am: Songs by Ed Greenebaum
Ronnie Wells/Ron Elliston and Guests
I had never heard of composer-lyricist Ed Greenebaum of Hilton Head, SC-and I bet you've not either. But he has mastered the songwriter's exacting craft: he tells stories in memorable melody and changes, with words that seem inevitable and sit lightly atop...
June 1999 Albums
The Best Thing for Me
Ben Aronov Trio
Find time-make time!-to hear this one: energy, chops, solid swing, taste. The wonderfully eclectic choice of material ranges wide across the decades and deep into the repertoire: Sonny Rollins' "Valse Hot"; Irving Berlin's "Blue Skies" with Monk's "In Walked...
March 1999 Albums
Softly
Jackie Coon and His Pals
What can I say? These are the guys I'd want on MY gig! Coon looks like a middle linebacker on a Lombardi "take no prisoners" team. But he plays like a sweetie, extracting TASTY HONEY from his mellow flugelhorn (no trumpet here). The tunes are gentle swingers...
January/February 1999 Albums
Dick Hyman in Recital
Dick Hyman
A memorable CD-stunning virtuosity and audio fidelity that sets an unprecedented standard for recording that most recalcitrant of instruments, the grand piano. Chops hardly surpassing: over the past 50 years, Hyman has done everything one can do with keyboards...
January/February 1999 Albums
Trumpeter's Prayer
Louise Barranger Big Band
This debut introduces an accomplished and experienced instrumentalist with fire, range, and sophistication-strong chops and ideas on trumpet, piccolo trumpet, and flugelhorn. Six arrangements by Tom Kubis (who's also heard on soprano sax and piano) and four...
December 1998 Albums
Just Duet
Holly Hofmann/Bill Cunliffe
A tough act to sustain. But Hofmann, flute, and Cunliffe, piano-extracting every color and nuance from their instruments-bring it off. Both are classically-trained with virtuosic chops; both have long jazz resumes; both perfectly at ease in tow idioms: their...
December 1998 Albums
Fast Cars & Fascinating Women
Tom Kubis Big Band Plays Steve Allen
Steve Allen is best-known as first host of the "The Tonight Show." But he's also written 46 books and acted in films (The Benny Goodman Story). He's written thousands of songs, including the "Picnic" theme, "This Could Be the Start of Something Big," a strong...
December 1998 Albums
Live at Vartan Jazz
James Van Buren/Teddy Edwards
Singer James Van Buren's timbre and style reflect close study of the Eddie Jefferson oeuvre. Titles include Richie Cole's tribute, "Eddie Jefferson," and "Things Are Getting Better" by Cannonball Adderley. Bassist Harvie Swartz (associated with many greats...
December 1998 Albums
You Should Be Nicer To Me
Lisa Michel
Hard to get a clear fix on the voice through the fog of effects, swoops, breath, and effort; liberties with melody, meter, and lyrics add nothing of interest. The quartet (David Berkman, piano; James Genus, bass; Matt Wilson, drums; Joel Frahm, tenor sax...
November 1998 Albums
Something Old, Something New
Jerry Jerome
Something Old is an autobiography-by-CD, with Jerome's interesting spoken commentary and excellent performances by a Who's Who of Swing-Era stars. Jerome joined Harry Reser's Cliquot Club Eskimos in 1936, and was "jazz tenor" with Glenn Miller, red Norvo...
October 1998 Briefs
Bophead
Dave Pike
This exuberant, hard-swinging CD showcases an exciting talent. Pike established himself in the late '50s as an original voice on vibes, recording with Bill Evans, Chick Corea, Paul Bley, Tommy Flanagan and Herbie Hancock. He joined Herbie Mann in the early...
October 1998 Albums
High on Fats
Judy Carmichael
A piano monster with a swinging left hand: bass and drums not needed. Cover photo shows a slim and elegant blonde...who plays, as Milt Glaser puts it, with the "strength of a truck driver and the energy of a tomcat." Two by Fats: "Gladys" and "I've Got a...
October 1998 Briefs
Live At Vartan Jazz
Carla White
White's fifth CD is from a concert in Denver, but this "live" recording may not do her justice: scant vocal presence and Harvie Swartz's bass dominate the mix. Robust support by Mark Soskin, piano; Joe LaBarbera, drums; and Jerry Hahn, guitar. Selections...
May 1998 Briefs
You Should Be Nicer To Me
Lisa Michel
Cover photo-dark-haired, dark-eyed beauty-made me really want to like this debut. However! Hard to get a clear fix on the voice through the fog of effects, swoops, breath and effort; liberties with melody, meter and lyrics add nothing of interest. The quartet...
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