Jim Ferguson

A veteran of the U.S. Navy’s Commodores jazz band as well as gigs with Louie Bellson, Milt Hinton and Rosemary Clooney, Steve Abshire plays jazz … Read More “Steve Abshire: Come In From the Rain”

Guitar/saxophone duos are rare in the jazz world, primarily due to the difficulty of keeping everything moving without having the bottom fall out when it … Read More “Gary Bartz/Peter Leitch: The Montreal Concert”

In ways reminiscent of some of Wes Montgomery’s recordings for the same label over 30 years ago, this disc has all the attributes of a … Read More “Russell Malone: Heartstrings”

This album, devoted to jazz standards for the most part, features Swedish guitarist Almqvist in a series of unaccompanied solos and overdubbed duets. An accomplished … Read More “Peter Almqvist: My Sound”

This New York-based guitarist makes no bones about being a dyed-in-the-wool bebopper. Considerably well polished in terms of performance and sound, the material on Swingin’ … Read More “Mark Elf: Swingin’”

Recorded live in Berlin in 1994, this performance brings together three adventurous musicians-bassist Friesen, trumpeter Clark Terry and altoist Bud Shank-in a trio setting whose … Read More “David Friesen with Clark Terry and Bud Shank: Three to get Ready”

This youthful Florida-based quartet-co-led by saxophonist Goldberg and guitarist Allen-taps the talents of veteran drummer Adam Nussbaum on their second release, devoted to original compositions. … Read More “Dave Goldberg/Duane Allen Quintet: When Time Approaches”

Think of this album’s title as referring to Hatfield’s compositions, which tend to be grounded in either Django-tinged swing or lilting Brazilian feels. And while … Read More “Ken Hatfield: DYAD”

A gathering of old friends, this recording features acoustic bassist John Leitham and guitarist Jimmy Bruno who first met in Philly and later worked together … Read More “John Leitham/Jimmy Bruno: Two for the Road”

Here emerging guitarist Bergson leads his trio through a mix of standards and originals (the tracks are split between two different bassists, Neal Miner and … Read More “Chris Bergson: Wait For Spring”

The instrumental talents and compositions of rising bassist Paul Brusger are featured on this disc, which is also graced by the presence of trumpeter Valery … Read More “Paul Brusger: You Oughta Know It”

Recently launched by rock-guitar maven Steve Vai, the Favored Nations label specializes (for the moment, anyway) in progressive electric instrumental music and has already issued … Read More “Larry Carlton/Steve Lukather: No Substitutions: Live in Osaka”

One of top jazz guitarists on the far side of the Atlantic, Belgium’s Philip Catherine has worked with the likes of Jean-Luc Ponty and Larry … Read More “Philip Catherine: Blue Prince”

This New York-based guitarist makes no bones about being a dyed-in-the-wool bebopper. Recorded 1995 but released only recently, Live at Smalls finds Elf in a … Read More “Mark Elf Trio: Live at Smalls”

Even if you’re in a jaded long-term marriage or have taken a recent thrashing in the relationship wars, you needn’t feel excluded by this album’s … Read More “John Pizzarelli: Let There Be Love”

Since his high-energy exploits in the mid-’70s, Di Meola has proved himself to be a gifted progressive guitarist and composer, from his adventurous use of … Read More “Al Di Meola and World Sinfonia: The Grande Passion”

The material on Without a Doubt is broad in scope as it finds versatile bassist Mark Egan tastefully holding down the bottom end. Wess blows … Read More “Frank Wess/Frank Vignola: Without a Doubt”

This Chicago-based guitarist plays straightahead jazz with more than a few twists. First there’s his somewhat eccentric, bright but compressed-sounding tone, which has a decidedly … Read More “Frank Portolese: Last Call”

When Charlie Byrd passed away at the end of 1999, he left a unique legacy that included having played instrumental roles in helping introduce the … Read More “Charlie Byrd: For Louis”

If you have an open mind connected to equally open ears, then you’re likely to dig the sounds produced by this international duo. Throughout, Canadian … Read More “Kevin Breit/ Cyro Baptista: Supergenerous”

This New York-based guitarist issued two Blue Note albums in the mid-’70s but didn’t record again until the ’90s. This date was a trio effort … Read More “Dom Minasi Trio: Finishing Touches”

Blaise Siwula is a 50ish saxophonist with a penchant for edgy honking and squawking, which makes him a perfect foil for Dom Minasi, who wields … Read More “Blaise Siwula Trio: Dialing Privileges”

Gary Wittner, a Berklee graduate who specializes in playing Thelonious Monk on guitar, intersperses his album with originals and highly quirky solo acoustic guitar readings … Read More “Gary Wittner: Roadway”

Ron Affif arguably can be described as an ensemble-oriented musician, one who thrives on spontaneity and interplay-both of which can be hard to come by … Read More “Ron Affif: Solotude”

Gene Bertoncini-who plays the nylon-string acoustic guitar with his fingers, a situation ideally suited for solo work-creates sounds that are refined, elegant, and complex. His … Read More “Gene Bertoncini: Body and Soul”

Jackie King, a multi-faceted guitarist and long-time associate of country maverick Willie Nelson, knows how to have fun and make fine music at the same … Read More “Jackie King: Moon Magic”

Guitarist Paul Abler, a native of Detroit, leads his quartet (powered by the propulsive drumming of Cindy Blackman) through a set of sophisticated originals that … Read More “Paul Abler: In the Marketplace”

Headed by Uruguayan violinist Federico Britas and guitarist Frank Vignola, this tribute group also features guitarist Eric Bogart, bassist Phil Flanagan, and guest percussionists Joe … Read More “Hot Club USA: Django Lives”