Bob Lark & Friends: Cathy’s Song
For his sixth album as leader, the current four being on Jazzed Media, Bob Lark has seriously spread his producer’s wings and succeeded beyond his … Read More “Bob Lark & Friends: Cathy’s Song”
Harvey Siders
Dan Gailey Jazz Orchestra: What Did You Dream?
For over two decades, Dan Gailey has directed the jazz program at the University of Kansas where he’s Professor of Music. After enriching the books … Read More “Dan Gailey Jazz Orchestra: What Did You Dream?”
Various Artists: New Latin Quarter Presents Jazz & Blues Collection Vol.1
In 1960, the New Latin Quarter — Japan’s largest night club — began booking leading American recording stars for its then newly re-built Tokyo venue. … Read More “Various Artists: New Latin Quarter Presents Jazz & Blues Collection Vol.1”
Various Artists: Cedar Chest: The Cedar Walton Songbook
“Technique + Taste” would accurately describe the strongest attributes of pianist Cedar Walton, but less is known about his composing talents, or as this new … Read More “Various Artists: Cedar Chest: The Cedar Walton Songbook”
John Lang: Lend Me Your Ears
Pick a club in the Big Apple and chances are John Lang has played there. The busy New York bassist-arranger-composer and occasional singer has released … Read More “John Lang: Lend Me Your Ears”
Dave Anderson Quartet: Clarity
In classical music, how you develop material is more important than its source. Simply put, “variations” always trump “themes.” Example: any of Elgar’s elaborately constructed … Read More “Dave Anderson Quartet: Clarity”
Frank Glover: Abacus
In a recent interview, composer Frank Glover complained about “a giant gap between improvisation and contemporary classical composition…we don’t even have the words to describe … Read More “Frank Glover: Abacus”
Adam Schroeder: A Handful of Stars
It’s so easy to get carried away with a debut; tempting to announce that so-and-so has “burst on the scene.” Well color me “carried away:” … Read More “Adam Schroeder: A Handful of Stars”
Marius Nordal: Boomer Jazz
Solo piano is the ultimate challenge: you’re all alone, excerpt for those 88 keys flashing their ivories. No other horn waiting to pick up the … Read More “Marius Nordal: Boomer Jazz”
The Jimmy Amadie Trio: Kindred Spirits
No one ever promised life would be fair, but c’mon…Jimmy Amadie keeps getting knocked down after the bell has been sounded. Being an ex-boxer, and … Read More “The Jimmy Amadie Trio: Kindred Spirits”
Various Artists: Douglas on Blue Note
During the year or so that Alan Douglas was head honcho of United Artists’ jazz division, he made a significant contribution to its recorded literature. … Read More “Various Artists: Douglas on Blue Note”
Vince Norman/Joe McCarthy Big Band: Bright Future
Release number two for the Norman-McCarthy band, and the momentum from its debut album, Words Cannot Express, as well as ten of its key players … Read More “Vince Norman/Joe McCarthy Big Band: Bright Future”
Ted Hogarth and the Mulligan Mosaics Big Band: Live at the Jazz Showcase
Back in the early Fifties, when Gerry Mulligan formed his famous quartet with Chet Baker, it was without a piano to provide that front line … Read More “Ted Hogarth and the Mulligan Mosaics Big Band: Live at the Jazz Showcase”
Phil Kelly & The Northwest Prevailing Winds: Ballet of the Bouncing Beagles
Phil Kelly — crusader for canines, patriarch of puns, scholar of scoring — has once again assembled an all-star collection of sidemen and soloists who … Read More “Phil Kelly & The Northwest Prevailing Winds: Ballet of the Bouncing Beagles”
Johnny Varro featuring Ken Peplowski: Two Legends of Jazz
There are two qualities you can always expect from Arbors’ stable of artists: they unfailingly display compatibility and camaraderie, particularly in the front line. Take … Read More “Johnny Varro featuring Ken Peplowski: Two Legends of Jazz”
Nelda Swiggett: This Time
Whenever a new genre manifests itself, the occasion is significant. In the person of Nelda Swiggett, we have what can be accurately labeled “Polite Jazz.” … Read More “Nelda Swiggett: This Time”
Bill Anschell/Brent Jensen: We Couldn’t Agree More
The art of intelligent conversation requires intelligent listening, as well as a certain give and take. What we have here is precisely that: unrehearsed, non-arranged, … Read More “Bill Anschell/Brent Jensen: We Couldn’t Agree More”
Gail Marten: In Love…Again
Not every singer can easily achieve intimacy; Gail Marten has thoroughly mastered the art. Ms Marten is still endeavoring to attain a similar level of … Read More “Gail Marten: In Love…Again”
Fred Hess Big Band: Hold On
Fred Hess has never met a re-harmonized chord, or a free exploration, or a wide-open dissonant voicing he didn’t like. On his 14th album as … Read More “Fred Hess Big Band: Hold On”
Charito Meets Michel Legrand: Watch What Happens
The decision to partner Philippine-born Charito with French-born Michel Legrand was an inspired move. It not only blends the jazz genre with cabaret; it features … Read More “Charito Meets Michel Legrand: Watch What Happens”
Tatiana Mayfield Quintet & the Erskine Hawkins Band: From All Directions
Fresh out of the University of North Texas music department, Ms Mayfield makes quite a splash with her debut album. Sounding more like a veteran … Read More “Tatiana Mayfield Quintet & the Erskine Hawkins Band: From All Directions”
Eddie Erickson Live With His International Swing Band: I’m Old Fashioned
This septet is truly international: they represent the USA, Germany, Finland, The Netherlands and Italy. Fortunately, they all speak fluent jazz. The concert took place … Read More “Eddie Erickson Live With His International Swing Band: I’m Old Fashioned”
Lew Green & Joe Muranyi: Together
“If you can feel your pancreas dancing, the music is swinging.” The quote comes from Bob Leary, banjoist/guitarist on this session. The visceral aspect is … Read More “Lew Green & Joe Muranyi: Together”
Jack Wood: Jazz and the Movies
If you could somehow pour the stylings of Frank Sinatra and Jack Jones into a blender, out would flow the crooning of Jack Wood: not … Read More “Jack Wood: Jazz and the Movies”
Mark Buselli: An Old Soul
Six years and five CDs ago, Mark Buselli and Brent Wallarab decided to pool their charts and chops and function on either side of a … Read More “Mark Buselli: An Old Soul”
Rosana Eckert: Small Hotel
Six years have elapsed since Rosana Eckert released her ensemble debut, At the End of the Day. Seems like an eternity if you can’t get … Read More “Rosana Eckert: Small Hotel”
Greg Caputo Big Band: Classic Swing with a Modern Drive
It’s comforting to know there are still devotees of the big band genre willing to rehearse, travel, and record what they believe in. One such … Read More “Greg Caputo Big Band: Classic Swing with a Modern Drive”
Dave Bennett: Dave Bennett Celebrates 100 Years of Benny
The fact that Dave Bennett never met his idol, Benny Goodman, is sad, but totally plausible; Dave was all of two when Benny checked out … Read More “Dave Bennett: Dave Bennett Celebrates 100 Years of Benny”
The Mike Barone Big Band: Class of ’68
Mike Barone has long been an institution in the Los Angeles jazz scene as a band leader, trombonist and composer/arranger. He led his own big … Read More “The Mike Barone Big Band: Class of ’68”
Daryl Sherman: Johnny Mercer: A Centennial Tribute
Six years ago, Arbors Records released Daryl Sherman’s centennial tribute to Richard Rodgers, A Hundred Million Miracles, with the focus, naturally, on the music. Ms … Read More “Daryl Sherman: Johnny Mercer: A Centennial Tribute”