Aug 24, 2010
Getting twenty fingers to work together is no easy task. However, the husband and wife team of Bill Charlap and Renee Rosnes does a darn good job of making it work. Double Portrait is an album of piano duets, and when they take on Brazilian classics (a groove-less version of Jobim’s “Double Rainbow”) and standards...
Aug 15, 2010
Given that my late father was a bass player, I confess a certain soft spot in my heart – and blog – for bands led by bassists. Thanks to Harvie S., I have a new CD to return to anytime I want an understated, yet powerful, bass fix.
These days, the pyrotechnics of a Stanley Clarke or Victor Wooten are what comes...
Aug 13, 2010
More free jazz in Connecticut! For the next two Saturdays – August 14 and August 21 – the historic Downtown Green in New Haven, in the shadows of Yale University, will play host to some outstanding music and musicians. It’s two wonderful days at what they are calling “Jazz Haven”.
On Saturday August 14, jazz...
Aug 9, 2010
One of my favorite chantueses will be in my neck of the woods this week, and she comes with a new CD ready for release. Jane Monheit will be leading her group into the Iron Horse Music Hall in Northampton this Friday evening, and you can bet I'll be in line early for a great table.
Ms. Monheit has been one of our best...
Aug 2, 2010
Few jazz musicians have the varied resume of Azar Lawrence. Since he burst on the scene in the early 1970’s as a sideman for artists as varied as Frank Zappa and McCoy Tyner, his Coltrane-esque sax qualities have been in great demand. He faced off with David Liebman on Miles Davis’ fascinating (if obtuse) Dark...