The first thing that comes to mind when listening to Hilary Kole's solo debut, Haunted Heart, now out on the Justin Time label, is amazement that it's a debut album. Her crystal-clear voice and perfect timing, combined with some solid backing from a group that includes guitarist (and producer) John Pizzarelli, provide a polished and … Continue reading REVIEW: Hilary Kole – Haunted Heart
Category: Jazz
Ivie And The Duke Hit The Road
Lately I've been digging a little deeper into the history of a place that's always intrigued me, New York's historic jazz spot known as the Cotton Club. At the height of its popularity in the late 1920s and early 1930s, it provided a showcase for many future legends. One of the biggest was Edward Kennedy … Continue reading Ivie And The Duke Hit The Road
REVIEW: Tango Duo – Pasión por la Vida
Over a long and illustrious career that has included everything from bebop to the classics (not that there aren't some bebop classics, but you know what I mean), respected pianist Roger Davidson has again and again returned to Latin music. That passion is reflected in the title of his newest album on the Soundbrush label, … Continue reading REVIEW: Tango Duo – Pasión por la Vida
REVIEW: Sean Jones – The Search Within
The title of trumpeter Sean Jones' new album, The Search Within, provides a pretty strong clue to the career progression of the young jazz musician. It's his fifth in five years -- all on the Mack Avenue label -- and follows up on 2007's Kaleidoscope. That effort featured a diversified collection with a lot of … Continue reading REVIEW: Sean Jones – The Search Within
Helen Humes And The Cotton Club
I've always been a little fascinated by the story of the Cotton Club, the historic New York night spot that hosted countless musical legends through the years. In fact, I've written about it before, but my subject here is a lady who might -- or might not -- have appeared there. Helen Humes was a … Continue reading Helen Humes And The Cotton Club
Marchin’ To The Train With King Curtis
So I was listening to some music today -- specifically an old R&B instrumental called "Night Train," by King Curtis -- and as I enjoyed his honkin' sax I kept thinking to myself, why does that song sound so familiar? I don't mean just familiar in the sense that I'd heard it before, because practically … Continue reading Marchin’ To The Train With King Curtis
Jan Savitt – The Enigmatic Russian
One of the most fascinating stories of the big band era would have to be that of bandleader Jan Savitt. A Russian immigrant with a few holes in the story of his origin, as a child he was a prodigy on the violin but ended up leading his own very popular swing band -- and … Continue reading Jan Savitt – The Enigmatic Russian
REVIEW: Eyran Katsenelenbogen – 88 Fingers
When I'm reviewing a new album, I have the unfortunate habit of occasionally getting distracted by something that has little -- if anything -- to do with the music. Even worse, the object of my distraction is often something that's unworthy of a serious music critic. Good thing I'm not one. A new album from … Continue reading REVIEW: Eyran Katsenelenbogen – 88 Fingers
Nagasaki — The Song, Not The City
For the last sixty-plus years, the name Nagasaki has stirred thoughts of a city in Japan with a history that includes being the site of the last wartime use of a nuclear device. But in the pre-war years, jazz fans probably most often thought of it as the title of one of the most popular … Continue reading Nagasaki — The Song, Not The City
REVIEW: Various Artists – Very Best Of Prestige Records
Before I read the album notes for a new collection called The Very Best Of Prestige Records, I naturally enough thought to myself that it would have been child's play to put together this double-album commemorating the label's 60th anniversary. After all, Prestige has a long history as one of the best jazz labels around, … Continue reading REVIEW: Various Artists – Very Best Of Prestige Records
Geezer Music Club 