The latest on GLISSANDO: A Story of Love, Lust and Jazz
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Pure, Strong River of Sound from Valentina Marino
In the recent album by Valentina Marino called “Space Oddity” there’s that Bowie song (Major Tom) where Marino offers a plaintive touch to the story about a journey into deep space. The instrumentation here is haunting as well, adding a brushstroke of dissonance and a rhythm that holds back in a slightly uncomfortable way. Also... Continue Reading →
Getting Whole Again with a Literal “Sonic Healing” from Martin Steer
An incredible story of the medicinal power of music, especially when delivered by someone we love, needs no further introduction. No spoilers here; see below for what occurred that Steer, a guitarist and composer, has created and how it had a direct impact on his mother’s recovery from a stroke. By way of the tracks... Continue Reading →
Warm and Soul-Satisfying: “Emotional Algebra” by Apostolo Kalt Orchestra
The new CD “Emotional Algebra” by bass guitarist Apostolo Kaltsas has been inspired by summers in Greece and the complexity of our emotional state, balancing the left and right hemispheres and the cross-play between the two. The Apostolo Kalt Orchestra works magic here, each player adding something different but artistically necessary. The track “Absence” is... Continue Reading →
Creativity without Borders in New CD – Alvaro Rojas’s “Gran Kasa”
There’s a world of world music inside the new album by composer and guitarist Alvaro Rojas. “Gran Kasa.” His style is infectious and bold, with tracks like “Everybody Wins” that crackles with energy, challenging the listener with an intense rainbow of polyrhythms and experimental sound. The sinister weight of “Harmonium” comes with a foreboding buzz,... Continue Reading →
At the Nexus of the Universe: Debbie Burke Author meets Debbie Burke Writer
As a departure from the usual jazz interview, today is Thanksgiving in the US so I’m dedicating this post to being thankful for old friends and new friends. I was setting up my author profile in Goodreads two years ago and saw my name pop up with a book called “Instrument of the Devil.” Something... Continue Reading →
Step Brightly and Be Immersed – “La Promenade in Paris in the Moonlight” by Andrei Poliakov
To evoke a place by using music you need context, which definitely comes when you’ve been stuck there with no money and no way to get home; and when you’ve visited it countless times, you absorb the vibe through the skin. Pianist Andrei Poliakov loves Paris and devotes his latest song to it which he... Continue Reading →
GLISSANDO: A story of love, lust and jazz
It's finally here! The re-release of a jazzy, sexy story of rediscovered lust in midlife has just been released on Amazon. A divorced woman finds passion where she least expects it: with a married jazz musician. A powerful story of choices - good and bad - and how we react when faced with undeniable urges.... Continue Reading →
Beauty Through Poised Fingertips with Gediminas Karkauskas
Melodic, lush and spiritual are the first three words you might think when you hear the new music by Gediminas Karkauskas in his debut release “Lost Suite.” The accomplished pianist, now based in Ireland and originally from Lithuania, presents six original pieces that describe the finer things in life that money can’t buy. In the... Continue Reading →
Words with David Amram, Part II: What Place for Jazz?
Part II of a discussion with musician/composer/arranger/conductor/author and man of many musical talents, David Amram. What comprises jazz? Is it basically all fusion? If you play chopsticks with one finger, your fingers are moving in different directions, so unlike planned songs with parallel fifths and harmonies, everything is automatically fusion when you have more than... Continue Reading →
