Picture sax player Ricky Parrell bobbing and weaving on his bike throughout the boulevard-width streets right outside Washington DC. When it’s time for a breather he locks up his bike. The key he uses? It’s become fodder for his jazzy imagination. Inspired by the significant keys he’s owned and loved, this DMV (DC/Maryland/Virginia)-based musician... Continue Reading →
In the new CD “A Rhio Good Thing,” vocalist Rhio belts out songs strong and clear. Her style is direct, uplifting and tinged with taking no BS. Did you know the adored Latin song “No More Blues” has words? Rhio has rediscovered this gem and tells the story of leaving the sad times where they... Continue Reading →
New video! GLISSANDO: A story of love, lust and jazz
Wistful and in need of emotional closure, the title song “Long Distance” from Sara Decker’s CD of the same name is a bluesy interplay between her vocals and the expressive piano. It’s a modern story of a love affair conducted via social media. The song conveys the emptiness and disconnectedness of such an electronic relationship... Continue Reading →
There’s a lot happening in “Dream Visitor,” a song from the upcoming CD called “Lifelike” by Jeff Williams. Assertive statements from trumpet, then sax, play over complex multi-rhythms from Williams on drums. Though not melodically prominent, there’s a theme that’s revisited briefly throughout the song. A bass drags us along in the beginning of “Lament”... Continue Reading →
Much to the webosphere’s delight, a clip of arguably the most famous upwards glissando ever (“Rhapsody in Blue”), executed totally and satisfyingly by a Viennese woodwind ensemble, recently made the rounds and went viral. The musicians comprising the Vienna Clarinet Connection are modest guys, though, and said it was just a matter of practice. As... Continue Reading →
Just released March 2, the CD “Happy Fire” with composer/arranger/flutist and EWI player Hiro Honshuku is an ear-full of assertive, flavorful jazz with outstanding instrumentation. The title song of this CD gallops forward with energy from flute and violin in easy unison. Hiro then funks out with a lofty solo that he hands over to... Continue Reading →
Shelly Rudolph is master of the well-placed sensual groan, around which she has built stories – worlds – of hopeful hearts and broken hearts. The song “Hidden Moonlight” talks about something intensely intimate (the sound of a lover’s name in one’s mouth). Not only is Shelly’s articulation dripping with lusty delight; she has eschewed traditional... Continue Reading →
Dragging her notes to create tension, Mamiko Watanabe is master of interplay with her bassist in “A Little Piece for Dance.” Utilizing a choppy style interspersed with brief spells of lyricism, she hides inventive note-sentences around each bend. Perhaps there’s a Latin-infused little riff, or block chords suggesting an Eastern European darkness. Where the theme... Continue Reading →
Debbie Burke - jazz author 
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