Where do the classics come from; the words and music from very early in the 20th century that so many take today and make their own…riffing (not ripping) off the Great American Songbook, each with their unique interpretations and melodic bent? It struck vocalist and songwriter Hadar Orshalimy that so many of the unheralded powerhouses... Continue Reading →
Sweet Flow Evident: Molly Mary Mahoney
Reimagining the character of Cole Porter’s music became Molly Mary Mahoney’s musical goal in 2022. After all, she is related to the iconic composer. What she nails in her new album My Cousin Cole is the brightness required for his songs as well as the sense of fun and syncopation in her single "All of... Continue Reading →
The Afterglow from Vocals That Dance: Sandra Marlowe’s New Release “The Heart Always Remembers”
Like that first morning pot of coffee, you just gotta have your java and keep filling it up to the brim. There’s no reason to stop pouring when the enjoyment level is so high. And thus we have the magnetic Sandra Marlowe’s new release, “The Heart Always Remembers,” in which her fount of energy and... Continue Reading →
Through Strong Fingertips: Roberta Piket and 88 Keys
Roberta Piket wears the Great American Songbook like it’s her second skin, but has the versatility and curiosity to pull off free jazz and something even less often heard: jazz chamber music. She’s also had the rare honor of being asked to play on a Lionel Hampton CD and clicked immediately in a collaboration with... Continue Reading →
Clean and Light: Alto Sax from Sam Braysher
Effortlessly, Sam Braysher breathes life into his alto and makes the Great American Songbook sparkle and shine. He brings a light and sure touch, swinging here and bending there, giving each phrase just enough force to lead into/lead away from the piano, which is played with amazing sensitivity and artistry by Michael Kanan (at left,... Continue Reading →
Songs that Penetrate the Heart and Stay There
Maria Schafer’s debut vocal album “To Know Love…” comes out in January, 2018. Written in an astounding five weeks squeezed between road performances with the Glenn Miller Orchestra, the new album is mindful of all the types of love we feel and the mistakes we make. Maria’s voice is full of nuance, strong in character... Continue Reading →
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