The new CD that drops 3/12/21 from pianist/composer Julian Hartwell called “LYVELIFE” is an invite to enter a world where music makes you feel sublime. The song “Rough Sketch” has a big band vibe with some stellar breakouts from sax and trumpet and vocals that skillfully skirt the edges of scat, as Hartwell bounces and... Continue Reading →
What makes “Draft” – the latest CD from Hairetis Harper (comprised of Yiagos Hairetis and Marie-Christina Harper) – unique and familiar at the same time is that the music explores moods and harmonies while playing on (literally) the characteristics of different instruments with strings. Combining the qualities of the Cretan lute and electric harp, the... Continue Reading →
Focusing on a strong pulse and melody lines that float right up to the top, Dan Klug’s group The Consecutives is about to drop its newest release simply called “Volume 2.” The Brooklyn-based band acknowledges its funk and blues patterns that are also injected with jazz. From Vol. 1, “Glide” has a fat and confident... Continue Reading →
The new CD from composer Alejandro Kanek Ballesteros Coria with sax musician Luis Tena presents eleven tracks that show how a variety of influences (Latin, Afro-Cuban and techno) combine to create sounds that are full of life and deserving of exploration. “El Murciélago” is named after the famous Mexican wrestler and TV star Jesus Velazquez... Continue Reading →
Sing a song of jazz titles From musicians near and farBig band, bebop, traditionalBring lyrics to where you are Ed Berger's photos lovingly placedIn luminous black & whiteAccompanied by free verse fromGloria Krolak from NPR, that's aight In her book from 2018, NPR host and author Gloria Krolak uses the photos of Ed Berger and... Continue Reading →
When klezmer – music from the Jewish settlements of Russia and Poland with a Romanian and possibly Greek influence– meets swing, better step back for a lava-like result. “Klez N’Zazou,” the latest offering from klezmer fusion group Gefilte Swing, rains down with an Eastern European kick, great licks and airtight harmonies. Founded by multi-horn player... Continue Reading →
Robert Castelli comes blazing out with his polyrhythmic self in the latest offering “Party at One World Plaza.” It’s what he’s been doing since last interviewed here. “Vamos” is an energetic body-shaker and the funk weaves throughout “Your Lucky Number,” both contrasting heavily against the dreamier and more somber “For the Fallen.” Castelli is versatile... Continue Reading →
Guitarist Wilfred Nenja Frelix takes a background of funk, R&B, jazz and soul and has come up with his own personal sonic imprint. Groove-driven with a prominent beat, his latest single “With You” features the silky vocals of Sophia Janelle Taylor. Other singles include the energetic, feel-good “Lil George” and “Unity” where the sax gives... Continue Reading →
If you love it when the horns get together and fill the room with big band exuberance and clean harmonies, the new single “Summer Tune” by Aidan Gangai definitely checks the box. Trading solos, trombone, guitar and sax keep the spirit high and raise the sentiment with subtle modulations ever upward. A newbie to the... Continue Reading →
