Patricia Myers

Trumpeter Bryan Shaw delivers a confident sound filled with melodic low-register work. His imaginative ballad work is reminiscent of Bunny Berigan and Bix Beiderbecke, while … Read More “Bryan Shaw: Night Owl”

Bob Stewart’s silky and soothing baritone gives saloon singers a good name-crooner. His approach is straightforward and without distracting gimmicks; he just sings pretty songs … Read More “Bob Stewart/Hank Jones: Take Two”

This is the third album from the Boston-based Jazz Composers Alliance Saxophone Quartet, and it’s an ear-burner. Jazz is all about creativity and continual evolution, … Read More “Jazz Composers Alliance Saxophone Quartet: I’m Me and You’re Not: The Music of Darrell Katz”

Pianist Gene Harris again lays down soulful, bluesy, funky grooves on his 21st album for Concord. Recorded live at Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley in Seattle, the … Read More “Gene Harris: Alley Cats”

Feinstein and Ferguson-what an unexpected combination, but it mostly works. Vocalist-pianist Michael Feinstein is known for performing Broadway hits and The Great American Songbook (he … Read More “Michael Feinstein/Maynard Ferguson Big Band: Big City Rhythms”

Pianist John Sheridan, known for his work with the Jim Cullen Jazz Band of San Antonio, plays solo for the fifth in the Arbors Piano … Read More “John Sheridan: John Sheridan, Solo Piano: They Can’t Take That Away From Me”

For his “Dream Band,” Sheridan arranges a swinging sentimental journey of 17 dream-theme songs, inviting both individual and aggregate invention. There’s fluent interaction between Randy … Read More “John Sheridan and His Dream Band: Dream Band, Make Me Dream Some More”

Bassist John Patitucci, best-known for his 10 years with Chick Corea, employs both acoustic and electric for this merging of post-bop modern and Latin jazz. … Read More “John Patitucci: Imprint”

Dakota Staton has been heard for nearly four decades on concert stages and albums. Her no-frills, listen-to-the-lyrics delivery re-examines standards such as “More Than You … Read More “Dakota Staton: A Packet of Love Letters”

Teri Thornton, winner of the 1998 Thelonious Monk jazz vocals competition, had shown promise in the early ’60s, but went on a 30-year hiatus. During … Read More “Teri Thornton: I’ll Be Easy to Find”

A stellar sextet led by vibraphonist Terry Gibbs delivers a dozen swing tunes recorded in 1978 for the private Jazz A La Carte label, but … Read More “Terry Gibbs: Hollywood Swing”

Diane Schuur performs with poise and panache, sparked by her trademark octave-leaping embellishments on this album dedicated to Frank Sinatra. Oddly, she sings only a … Read More “Diane Schuur: Music Is My Life”

Tenor saxophonist Dan St. Marseille says he named this album Departure because it deffers from his previous releases. Known for his cool-school outings, he makes … Read More “Dan St. Marseille: Departure”

Dave Frishberg goes out alone on this one, unleashing his acerbic vocal wit on only four tracks, the remaining 10 filled with high-level solo piano. … Read More “Dave Frishberg: By Himself”

At 81, Lena Horne’s voice has retained its wonderful clarity and abundant expression. She seems to sound better in every outing, and these 10 tracks … Read More “Lena Horne: Being Myself”

Ramsey Lewis has created a bounty of fresh Latin-influenced soul charts of exceptional variety. Again playing only acoustic concert grand piano, his approach is more … Read More “Ramsey Lewis: Dance of the Soul”

These bebop saxophone reissues were produced in Chicago by Robert Koester in conjunction with longtime club owner Joe Segal. Alto and tenor giant Sonny Stitt … Read More “Sonny Stitt: Made for Each Other”

New York Voices have won fans and fame via fluidly chromatic treatments of jazz standards such as “All Blues” and “‘Round Midnight.” This is the … Read More “New York Voices: New York Voices Sing The Songs of Paul Simon”

Although there is no ghost band playing the Stan Kenton sound, the legend and legacy of 37 years’ work is being kept alive via sporadic … Read More “Stan Kenton: Tunes and Topics”

Louie Bellson’s vigor and flair prove to be undiminished on this mix of blues, bossa nova, ballad and waltz tempos. A hand-picked septet is captivating … Read More “Louie Bellson’s Magic 7: Air Bellson”

Vintage vocalist Jack Jones obviously has been observing Tony Bennett and listening to Frank Sinatra. Therefore this Jack-attack has nothing to do with his often-maligned … Read More “Jack Jones: New Jack Swing”

When riveting Dianne Reeves assembles three generations of colleagues, the result is more than grand, it’s grandiose. The music is deep-rooted jazz, swung by such … Read More “Dianne Reeves: The Grand Encounter”

Fans of David Sanborn’s alto sax sound will welcome his 14th solo issue of urban pop-jazz compositions that fit well with the smooth-jazz idiom prevalent … Read More “David Sanborn: Songs from the Night Before”