The world of music has always provided fertile ground for funny nicknames. One of the best belonged to a favorite of mine, a guy who was one of the many jazz artists who thrived in both the big band era and the later modern jazz years. He was hard-partying and had a quirky sense of … Continue reading Zoot And The Evolution Of Cool
Category: Jazz
REVIEW: Ablaye Cissoko & Volker Goetze – Sira
Occasionally I review an album that reminds me of a Monty Python classic -- And Now for Something Completely Different. In the past that has included everything from jazz bassoon to a harmonica and tuba duet. The latest example would have to be Sira, a new release on the ObliqSound label. It was recorded in … Continue reading REVIEW: Ablaye Cissoko & Volker Goetze – Sira
REVIEW: Stryker/Slagle Band – The Scene
Two of the busiest guys around the jazz world would have to be the pair who head up the Stryker/Slagle Band. Guitarist Dave Stryker and saxophonist Steve Slagle probably meet themselves coming and going, with busy schedules that include solo albums and appearances in other groups, but it's always a special treat when they come … Continue reading REVIEW: Stryker/Slagle Band – The Scene
REVIEW: Friedlander/Sarin/Dunn – Broken Arm Trio
A new album on the Skipstone label provides an unusual opportunity to hear something a little different from a jazz ensemble -- a cello lead, played sans bow. Genre-crossing virtuoso Erik Friedlander is the focal point of the unconventional group, which includes bassist Trevor Dunn and drummer Mike Sarin. The title of the album is … Continue reading REVIEW: Friedlander/Sarin/Dunn – Broken Arm Trio
Connie Haines – The Savannah Nightingale
A recent passing was overlooked by many and that's a real shame, because she was one of the best of the big-band songbirds -- in fact, she was sometimes known as the Savannah Nightingale. And although one of her regular singing partners - Frank Sinatra - became a legend, Connie Haines was a star in … Continue reading Connie Haines – The Savannah Nightingale
REVIEW: Ava Logan – So Many Stars
I'm not 100% sure, but I think this is the first time I've ever reviewed a new album by a vet. That might surprise you, but when I say vet I'm not talking about a veteran musical artist or a veteran from military service - I've probably encountered a few of those. I'm talking about … Continue reading REVIEW: Ava Logan – So Many Stars
The ART Of Improvisation
I was looking through some old childhood pictures recently and found one that showed me playing ping-pong with my sister. Not a particularly unusual occurrence except for one thing -- we were playing on the dining room table, which had been fitted with one of those clamp-on nets. You remember those, right? I guess they're … Continue reading The ART Of Improvisation
REVIEW: Ralph Lalama Quartet – Energy Fields
Although I enjoy a lot of different types of music, I am at heart a traditionalist. That's one of the reasons why I always look forward to any new album that features experienced and talented jazz pros, doing their thing. When the musicians fulfill that promise, it becomes a very pleasant listening experience. Case in … Continue reading REVIEW: Ralph Lalama Quartet – Energy Fields
Don Cherry — The Other One
For a period of time beginning in the late 1950s, trumpeter Don Cherry was one of the most influential jazz artists around -- but he wasn't the only guy with that name making his mark in the music world. We're here to talk about the other Don Cherry. Pop vocalist Don Cherry came out of … Continue reading Don Cherry — The Other One
REVIEW: David Leonhardt Trio – Explorations
It's always nice to find something a little different when reviewing a new album, and a recent release from Big Bang Records (gotta love that name) fills the bill -- but more later about that. Explorations is the latest from the David Leonhardt Trio, a group that - surprise - is led by pianist David … Continue reading REVIEW: David Leonhardt Trio – Explorations
Geezer Music Club 