Elliot Mason, a bold and creative trombonist with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, recorded his developing baby’s heartbeat into one of his songs. This is just one of many cool things about Mason’s new CD titled “Before, Now & After.” Collaborating with his wife, vocalist Sofija Knezevic, makes this CD all the more infused... Continue Reading →
A lyrical guitarist and a skilled storyteller came together in life and in music. The sweet and sassy result is what makes the ensemble As Is lovely and listenable. Their latest CD is “Here’s to Life” which presents smoothly aged classic songs from a wide variety of artists, masterfully mixing these favorites into a tasty,... Continue Reading →
Guest post by Austin Consordini Jazz is the music of America. Born and developed in the southern United States, jazz music is about coming together as an ensemble, while allowing each individual player to have his or her own unique sound, musicality and ability to improvise. To be the best jazz musician one must be... Continue Reading →
Beverley Beirne takes a pocketful of iconic 1980s songs and suw-ings on them like a woman commandeering a runaway train. Remember “Too Shy” [hush hush, eye to eye]? With vocals that are anything but the pedantic presentation of prose, Beirne’s style is a rap-like scat that skitters and runs and makes its own way. “Noize”... Continue Reading →
They move and play with abundant groove, and their iconic sound throws sunshine out every which way. Pieces of a Dream (James Lloyd, piano at left; Curtis Harmon, drums at right) has been around for over four decades, yet they’ve come up with new ways to re-invent that sultry, smooth head. Their new CD “Just... Continue Reading →
A Jazzman’s Tale about trumpet player Charles Freeman Lee is a heady mélange of a book that starts off with the unique perspective of a screenplay. Part one delves deeply into the gritty life of a jazz musician whose gigging takes him from the Midwest to New York and New Jersey. It segues into a... Continue Reading →
Every three years, The World Saxophone Congress convenes for a multi-day festival where sax players from around the globe can meet, perform in different ensembles, and learn about the latest advancements in the music business; things like instrument-making, production and equipment. This is the year! From July 10 – 14, sax musicians the world over... Continue Reading →
The sun beats down hard and hot on a busy street in Brooklyn as a fair with crazy energy injects music into everybody within earshot. This is the feel captured by “Brooklyn Blues” on the recent CD called "Plus One" by the Dan Pugach Nonet. The ensemble serves up a steamy, raucous sound with articulated... Continue Reading →
A subtle increase in pulse imbues the new song “Reminiscence” with more energy, but pianist Ben Geyer (of the Ben Geyer Trio) slices through it with a thoughtful bridge that is stirring and imaginative. Drums soon take back the rhythm, whipping up a froth, until a return to the theme hands us back to Geyer’s... Continue Reading →
Debbie Burke - jazz author 
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