Mar 31, 2021
Live performances have been at a premium these many pandemic-plagued months. A new live recording may be even rarer. But in October 2020, veteran saxophonist Jim Snidero found himself with an opportunity he couldn’t pass up – a chance to play a live gig at the famed Deer Head Inn in Pennsylvania and record it for...
Mar 29, 2021
Veronica Swift’s second album has been hugely anticipated. Heck, she was on the cover of Downbeat in the November issue, months before her latest collection of tunes was ready for release.
This Bitter Earth (Mack Avenue Records), takes on song-cycle characteristics as Swift tackles sexism [“How Lovely to Be a...
Mar 22, 2021
Lisa Hilton and her longstanding band mates Rudy Royston (drums), Luques Curtis (bass) and JD Allen (tenor sax), had just finished the first half of their tour for their 2020 album, Chalkboard Destiny, when the corona virus forced a shutdown of the tour and sent Lisa back to her home in California. Using her creativity...
Mar 19, 2021
Listeners to the Straight No Chaser podcast know that there are a few styles and instrumental configurations of jazz recordings that always catch my ear. I’m a sucker for Brazilian jazz, for piano trios, groups led by bassists, and by organ players. In the last regard, I hadn’t caught up with the music of Brian...
Mar 18, 2021
In Part Two of my conversation with Danish composer-guitarist Jakob Bro, we discuss the influence of saxophone great Lee Konitz on Jakob's music, and delve into his latest release on ECM, Uma Elmo. Musical selections from the new album include his tribute to Konitz "Music for Black Pigeons," and the melodic "Sound...