Self-taught with no formal music training, former DJ and now producer, composer and musician Terence Thompson has come out with beautiful proof of his talents. His new CD “If I Only Had a Band” features eight tracks that are sweet and salty, with rhythms locked down tight and great grooves. “It’s Not Over” has a... Continue Reading →
It’s the kind of voice you don’t expect, the kind you’re blown away by, when you pull back and say, “What just happened?” Kale Johnson’s voice comes out of the blue and is simultaneously two things: powerful and self-possessed. His new single “Be Still My Heart” shows he has the chops to be an icon... Continue Reading →
St. Louis-based musician Ryan Marquez has been cooking a cauldron of tunes for many years, and a fresh new brew is ready to be served. A new single called “Serenity” is the first track he has just released as he leads up to a full CD called “Saint Unity” coming this fall. The implications of... Continue Reading →
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 →
