Throughout his long career, vibes master Gary Burton has been one of the most respected jazz performers around. But even though he's performed alongside many of the greats (and won six Grammys along the way), one of his best spots has always been as the heart and soul of the groups he's led. Those groups … Continue reading REVIEW: Gary Burton Quartet – Quartet Live
Category: Review
REVIEW: Hank Jones & Frank Wess – Hank and Frank II
Follow-up albums are sort of like movie sequels. If the original was well-received and successful, the sequel is often disappointing because it's just more of the same and probably not as well done. But occasionally a follow-up comes along that not only includes a lot of what made the original good, but adds new elements … Continue reading REVIEW: Hank Jones & Frank Wess – Hank and Frank II
REVIEW: Carl Allen & Rodney Whitaker – Work To Do
Whether we realize it or not, I'm convinced that those of us who review new albums are subject to the same kinds of influences that affect any music fan (which we also are, of course). You might even call it an mental checklist, albeit an unconscious one in most cases. That being said, it's nice … Continue reading REVIEW: Carl Allen & Rodney Whitaker – Work To Do
The Amazing Dinnings
There have been a lot of musical siblings through the years and some of them immediately come to mind, but it's difficult to imagine a group of brothers and sisters quite like the Dinnings. Over a period of several decades, they covered just about every aspect of music; including songwriting, bandleading, recording, and performing on … Continue reading The Amazing Dinnings
REVIEW: Bill Wimmer – Project Omaha
It's always a kick to discover a musician who has flown a little below the radar, although in all fairness to artists everywhere I should admit that my particular radar unit is not always reliable. In fact, I would have been right at home as part of the crew watching over Pearl Harbor. But putting … Continue reading REVIEW: Bill Wimmer – Project Omaha
REVIEW: Hilary Kole – Haunted Heart
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
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
REVIEW: High Performance – Live From Breaux Bridge: Pt 1
Steve Riley, the leader of the Mamou Playboys, is probably one of the better-known names in Cajun music -- admittedly not a major genre but still one with lots of fans, including me. That's why it caught my attention to see that he's teamed up with band-mate Kevin Dugas on a labor of love, an … Continue reading REVIEW: High Performance – Live From Breaux Bridge: Pt 1
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
Geezer Music Club 