Albums

Peter Madsen is an inventive composer, a skilled pianist and a positive pleasure. Ten diverse originals launch his first album as a leader (he’s been … Read More “Peter Madsen: Snuggling Snakes”

This is one of those something-for-everybody CDs (e.g., a blues, some ballads and standards) that succeeds on every count. Guitarist Ponder’s playing is a real … Read More “Jimmy Ponder: Something To Ponder”

Will jazz become a thing of the past once all the greats are dead and gone? These recordings strongly suggest that won’t be the case … Read More “Various Artists: West Coast Jazz Summit”

Forty years after their first album, Braff and Larkins continue to adore the melody in collaborations that set standards for duo playing. Braff’s inventiveness on … Read More “Ruby and Ellis Larkins Braff: Calling Berlin, Vol. 1”

This quintet session pairs young lions (and New Orleans natives) Davis and Nicholas Payton with veterans Hank Jones (piano) and Ron Carter (bass) and slightly … Read More “Jesse Davis: From Within”

By the time he led this 1957 date at the age of 22, Chambers was a seasoned recording musician, a sideman with Miles Davis and … Read More “Paul Chambers: Paul Chambers Quintet”

In this, his second major label release, the impressive Larry Goldings explores further possibilities of the Hammond organ in an eclectic presentation including all but … Read More “Larry Goldings: Big Stuff”