Honoring Django’s spirit of unbridled joy that bubbles with optimism, the new CD “Café Dynamite” from Filippo Dall’Asta and Giulio Romano Malaisi [of the band Gypsy Dynamite, which has several iterations: duo, trio, quartet and quintet] is a worthy addition to the genre. While “Parisian Avenue” is smartly infused with shades of mystery in its... Continue Reading →
A new CD is just out from composer and guitarist Noshir Mody called “An Idealist's Handbook” and it’s a beautiful, intelligent conversation that blends, bends and expands on harmonic ideas. Marrying guitar and piano seems effortless and natural to Mody, who launches the song “Ol’ Splitfoot” with sweetness and lyricism. This soon yields to an... Continue Reading →
Two new works by guitarist Ratko Zjaca (interviewed earlier here) are almost too much of a treat at once. Not only is his instrumentation firmly in that perfect Goldilocks zone; his melodic lines are uncluttered, tempos tight but unobtrusive, and the phrasing flows like a river. Consider the sensibility of a meandering soul (“Here Nothing... Continue Reading →
Those airy swells, chill on-pointness and big band brilliance make guitarist/leader Dave Stryker’s new album “Blue Soul” an amazing contribution to jazzhood. The first track, “Trouble Man,” starts hot right out of the gate, swinging its way through the theme, veering off for some intense and bluesy solos by Stryker and then a stellar take-off... Continue Reading →
Advice and tidbits on how to keep your music and your brand on track. Today's inspiration comes from Lisbon-based guitarist Javier Subatin who has just come out with the self-released "Variaciones." How are you getting gigs, whether performing or teaching? In order to get gigs... I'm looking for festivals starting in January and after. Regarding... Continue Reading →
Excitement rolls in like a drum from the very opening of Teymur Phell’s first-ever release titled “Master Volume.” In this generously portioned album of all-original songs, Phell has assembled a sparkling group of artists who mesh their different flavors together with admirable skill. The high-energy track “Zero to Sixty” spotlights Phell’s amazing technical expertise to... Continue Reading →
