Stacey Kent: The Changing Lights
There are few vocalists who can sing with such fragrant lyricism as Stacey Kent. The fact that she can sing in several languages—and make...
Kellylee Evans: I Remember When
Kellylee Evans does not get the attention she deserves and yet she must be swept up and have arms wrapped around her. That may...
Lisa Engelken: Little Warrior
Lisa Engelken is a fearless, versatile singer as she demonstrates once again on her new release, Little Warrior. Her song selection and interpretations reveal...
Lina Allemano Four – Live at the Tranzac
The beauty of Lina Allemano’s trumpet playing lies in its bottomless depth and glimmering sonority. On her album, Live at the Tranzac, featuring music...
Carlos Averhoff Jr.: iRESI
This recording is one of the most visceral and heartfelt that Carlos Averhoff Jr. may have made. You would think that its audacity had something to do with making a leap of faith into an unknown...
Dave Chamberlain’s Band of Bones: Stomp!
Dave Chamberlain’s Band of Bones’ recital is a gloriously deceptive one. For here is no familiar programme of New Orleans music but an enterprising...
Hamilton De Holanda & André Mehmari – Gismontipascoal: A Musica de Egberto e Hermeto
Gismontipascoal: A Musica de Egberto e Hermeto, by two of the most precociously talented musicians from and in Brasil does not so much document...
Peter Appleyard and the Jazz Giants – The Lost 1974 Sessions
In his introduction to Peter Appleyard and the Jazz Giants: The Lost 1974 Sessions Appleyard said something that...
Cristina Morrison: Baronesa
Part biographical, perhaps even part autobiographical and all adventure, Baronesa by the ineffable chanteuse Cristina Morrison is an amorous masterpiece. Ms. Morrison’s dark and...
Ralph Peterson, Zaccai Curtis, Luques Curtis: Triangular III
When the Curtis Brothers take a break from business to make music together something magical always happens. On Triangular III they complete a trio...
Manuel Valera Trio: Live at Firehouse 12
This recording is a fascinating, satisfying live programme which brings together three of the most active, finest musicians in New York whose work...
Miguel Ângelo: Branco
To understand what a musician’s musician can do with the bass today it is wise to listen to the Portuguese bassist for Oporto, Miguel...
Ark Ovrutski: 44:33
Two years after he released Sounds of Brasil (Self Published, 2010) bassist Ark Ovrutski has graced music with a fine new album, 44:33. Numbers...
Joe Lovano & the Brussels Jazz Orchestra: Wild Beauty
It is just like tenor saxophonist Joe Lovano to make a beautiful recording, but also one which is also quite full of surprises. This...
3 Cohens (Anat, Yuval, Avishai): Tightrope
To make this album, Tightrope, with virtually just reeds, woodwinds and brass takes courage. To pull it off requires a very large...
Wadada Leo Smith – Ten Freedom Summers
The voice of a committed artist—the only one worth considering—has always been one of protest against the ennui of the established order. Sometimes this voice is quiet, almost silent; at other times it is strident...
Gerry Gibbs, Ron Carter, Kenny Barron: Gerry Gibbs Thrasher Dream Trio
Gerry Gibbs’ album Gerry Gibbs Thrasher Dream Trio truly lives up to its name. Not only are bassist Ron Carter and pianist Kenny Barron...
The Heavyweights Brass Band: Tones and Textures non pareil
The Heavyweights Brass Band (HBB) may seem to have taken a leaf out of the playbook of that other, more famous ensemble—the woodwinds ensemble,...
Marc Cary – For the Love of Abbey
There is a story that may well not be apocryphal in the history of jazz. When Billie Holiday passed away, the pianist Mal Waldron...
Berta Moreno: Little Steps
Berta Moreno’s dream of coming to America, which she mentions in her impassioned notes that accompany the disc entitled Little Steps, have come true...
