The full and engaging sound of an iconic musical skyscraper like the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra (once the Thad Jones & Mel Lewis Orchestra) is alive and well, winning new fans to the genre while reminding audiences everywhere how timelessly hip this music is. In its 2014 CD titled “OverTime: The Music of Bob Brookmeyer,” the... Continue Reading →
50 Years at the Village Vanguard: Thad Jones, Mel Lewis and the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra by David Lisik and Eric Allen (2017, Skydeck Music) A joyful onslaught of graphics, photos and posters; sidebars, indented quotes and other neat features add spark to this fascinating new book on the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra, making it an exciting... Continue Reading →
Lush horn work and harmonies make the Michael Lauren All Stars’ “Once Upon a Time in Portugal” swing and sway. The vibes provide smooth, round stones of notes followed by a light, joyous beat from Michael on percussion, making this travelogue-like tribute to his adopted country an inviting musical endorsement. “Minor Strain” is stunningly melodic... Continue Reading →
If you only have a few minutes to listen to one song by Sam Newsome…try “Sakura, Sakura.” Sam’s inventiveness shines on, and in fact, you’re going to need sunglasses. Performing solo on the skinniest of saxes, the soprano, Sam’s affection for and far-reaching understanding of his horn is nothing short of astounding. Entrepreneurial, even. Somehow,... Continue Reading →
Bucking the notorious traffic on NYC’s George Washington Bridge, car troubles, and living through the disappearance of the Moog synthesizer, musician Pete Levin treks on. Organ, keys, piano and a great ear for composing fresh and engaging music keep things moving along; that, plus his new CD “Mobius” just released this past September. With sparkling... Continue Reading →
A range we are familiar with; perhaps analogous to the tenor sax or trombone. But a woody depth that has gloss and groove. Add to that, a phenomenal technique and keen talent, and you have Michael Rabinowitz on bassoon. Playing jazz? You betcha. Michael’s aha moment came from a place of “why not?” Today he... Continue Reading →
A "moment between gigs" for trumpet and maestro Terell Stafford means catching him on the heels of opening for the TD James Moody Jazz Festival at New Jersey Center for the Performing Arts and then, almost immediately, getting ready to fly out to Amsterdam to teach a master class to scores of trumpet players. Terell’s... Continue Reading →
Debbie Burke - jazz author 
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