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”
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”
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”
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”
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”
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”