Two paths, one man: Jason Vitelli wails on alto sax in the jazzy Emanuele Tozzi Trio, and is a singer/songwriter/guitarist immersed in an emotive genre he calls “cinematic rock.” Jason’s newest CD, “Head Above Tide,” is a collection of tone poems: free, open-formed, song-stories that could (and should) be the libretto to a contemporary opera... Continue Reading →
He only wants to reach people’s hearts through song and a trumpet. New York City-based Wayne Tucker has an impeccable – seemingly innate – sense of timing and phrasing. He doesn’t sweat over formulas or industry standards. Rather, the stories we all experience through love and loss and grief and joy are what he communicates.... Continue Reading →
Starting with bold, decisive intervals falling down the scale and punctuated subtly by drums, the title song of Kenny Shanker’s new CD “The Witching Hour” opens to a wide and expressive solo where Kenny swings. The man’s not afraid of exploring his full range. His skilled approach to the upper and lower registers alike demonstrates... Continue Reading →
Boppy, hip and with perfect bouncy phrasing, this is “Watch My Garden Grow” as Emma Larsson performed it at NYC’s Blue Note. Each phrase is given thoughtful respect with a storyteller’s grace. Accompanied by top-notch musicians who play deep and craft delicate acoustic lace around her, Emma pours her heart out into the air. The... Continue Reading →
Warm, honey tones come dancing out of Adam Larson’s tenor sax as he plays the main melody line of “Out the Window.” He has an ease with the instrument and conveys his beliefs confidently through it, whether expressing himself lyrically or with perfect, punctuated syncopation. The Adam Larson Quartet hums with cohesion and a genuine... Continue Reading →
Mauricio Zottarelli ’s new CD is most distinguishable by its opening suite, three panels conveying how we can be upside-down in life, and in need of re-orienting ourselves to a new path. Part 1 has conflicting rhythms that pull each other forward, hold each other back- opening to a sweet sax solo that leads the... Continue Reading →
Bass player Donald Wayne King’s style is calm and almost mesmerizing, with a lot of funk. One of his favorite hangouts is a little joint in Hartford, CT called Black Eyed Sally’s – good food, great jazz. His tune “Slam” has his bass keeping the fattest beat with a screaming guitar over it, where “Latina”... Continue Reading →
Houston Person is spare with words; he says it all with his tenor. Originally from South Carolina, the well-traveled jazz master lives in New York now. He has a rigorous touring schedule and keeps a smile on no matter what, spreading his music with a message: Jazz is joy. Where does the “sass” in your... Continue Reading →
Debbie Burke - jazz author 
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