Without a list of CDs or even EPs yet to share, how are we to know what will become of a new artist on the scene? Bassist Rayah Thomas, based near Raleigh, NC, has all the right ingredients: a great musical education, experience with the Jazz at Lincoln Center Summer Jazz Academy and the Essentially... Continue Reading →
Dropping AUGUST 12, Evan Carydakis has a new track called “Movin’ On.” It’s right in line with the blazing material he has so far; songs like the funky “Ponderosa” and the cooler, laid-back “Majorca.” But with “Movin’ On,” the pace is strong and his notes set the story in motion. His horn has an assertive... Continue Reading →
You’ve never heard “Bohemian Rhapsody” like this: A quick and bouncy work that elicits instant smiles thanks to the spirit of Django and those who followed in his footsteps (release date: July 14), now re-envisioned by the “gypsy jazz/swing superband” Hot Pants de France from southern California. Formed by Sam Kaufmann (former session guitarist for... Continue Reading →
A light hand, melodies with space to breathe and a fullness of flow describe the natural touch that Spiral Trio has on their new CD, Broken Blue. While “Rubicon” is a stunner of a tone poem, the jaunty attitude of “Bipolar” has sense and style, and they swing light but sure on “Blue Flower.” “Portrait... Continue Reading →
The voice that can bring it all in the flirty “Candy” from her CD Classic can also belt out in love and gratitude in “Praise the Lord” and then tell her heart’s desire in the classic “More” and “I Took a Trip on a Train,” both from the 2018 album Never Let Me Go. What... Continue Reading →
A fugue of tones and textures where vocals sail away with violin might give a clue to the surprises in one song, a new one by the Simeon Davis Group. “Pleiades” is an awesome mixed-tempo expression with violin very much central in modes minor and major, grinding, stabbing and double-stopping while the other instruments (horn,... Continue Reading →
Throw out what you thought you knew about the ukulele. Yes, it can be quaint, charming, a wanna-be, higher-register guitar in miniature. Enter Stephen Godsall, who has set out to play the uke to its fullest potential, funkifying it, making it swing like gypsy jazz, riffing out in hearty solos. His latest work, Ukulele Forms... Continue Reading →
Nine new tracks from Big Brooklyn show the light peeking through after lockdown and two difficult years for all of us. “Everyone Everywhere” is the CD that invites us to restore music to its rightful place in our lives. The song “Send it to Me” rolls right along with a tight hook and lots of... Continue Reading →
Socially, politically and musically, vocalist Viktoria Leléka wants to show the world the beauty of life and culture in Ukraine. Maintaining that the Western world (especially) confuses and confounds Ukraine with an extension of Russia, Leléka’s passion is to demonstrate not necessarily the differences between the two nations but to paint a fully rounded, loving... Continue Reading →
Debbie Burke - jazz author 
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