In his debut as a leader, sax and clarinet player Andrew Woolf’s “Song Unsung” makes a huge splash. The title song begins almost with an orchestral feel; as if the sax’s double-reeded cousin, the bassoon, is there instead, cracking open the scene with a mournful declaration. The harmonies have a distinct Copland-like feel, a bright... Continue Reading →
There’s a “laggy” feel to Tommy Andrews’ “Crystal Car.” His alto sax soars wide and lazy like a bird that’s in no hurry. And there’s a certain held-back quality of “Toscana,” where the keys are rolling in the background. Yet Tommy can also punch out those double-time rhythms and offer complex beats. The common... Continue Reading →
Freshly-baked, experimental, with challenging time signatures that shift like tectonic plates, Dave Manington’s band Riff Raff is highly innovative. They have a new CD coming out in 2018 that’s totally different. And, he’s in two other bands. Keeping their identities separate is a snap for this dedicated and idea-driven double bassist. One example of unheard... Continue Reading →
Debbie Burke - jazz author 
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