Some artists might consider a musical theater role portraying a legend like Frank Sinatra to be A potential career killer because of the comparisons to Ol’ Blue Eyes, and then the prospect of not being able to get out from under that shadow and assert your own individuality as a singer. That, however, is not the situation with Jonathan...

DeSare isn’t just a vocal pianist, he is an exciting new songwriter of the first order, and his new CD is testimony to that fact.  Filled...

Brian Lynch is a very unique artist with a very unique sound. When he does something like record an album with the legendary Eddie Palmieri, well, that is done in a very unique way as well. The first thing that stands out about Brian Lynch is not only how his latest album Simpatico was recorded, but how fans of this artist, or just those who...

If you were one to look up the definition of the phrase "musician's musician", chances are you will see Andy Narell's picture next to it. In fact, a few years ago, this writer had an interview with R&B singer Phil Perry who admitted that he was an Andy Narell fan and raved about the fact that he had some...

When contacted Linstead had this to say about...

Falkner Evans Trio: Climbing the Gates

New York jazz pianist Falkner Evans once again joins forces with bassist Cecil McBee and drummer Matt Wilson on the second Falkner Evans Trio album, Climbing the Gates, a fresh approach to mainstream jazz with some diverse play upon the tradition.  The CD is full of music that features what Evans calls "complex...

Gigi MacKenzie’s vocals soar like a choir of archangels on her debut album Skylark, captivating the listener with a siren’s enchantment and nurturing warm sensations. She sings, as well as plays the guitar and drums on her solo album, produced by herself and her keyboardist Bobby Zee. Her selections of smooth jazz melodies and upbeat propulsions nourish her emotional...

Wayne Wallace is an extremely busy musician. With the release of his two CDs a few weeks ago, The Reckless Search for Beauty and Dedication, the Latin and straight ahead jazz trombonist still finds the time to wear the hats of composer, arranger and educator.  And as if that were not enough, he has added CEO to his title as...

One would be tempted to refer to Andy Middleton and Sheila Cooper as the dynamic duo. During the late summer of 2006, the couple moved from Gotham City (New York City) to Austria with their seven-year old daughter, Calli. They write masterful compositions, Middleton is an accomplished tenor/soprano saxophone player and Cooper is a critically acclaimed vocalist and alto...

Wood’s most recent album Love, Death &...

The material is wide ranging, but not without a theme. “These are observations about an inner journey,” Dollison explained. It’s...

One of the really fun parts of doing interviews for Jazz Review, besides the huge salary and private jet, is the chance to speak to some of the most amazing musicians working in the field of jazz and this is a real case in point. Miles Donahue has been called "one of the best kept secrets in jazz" by...

This would be the band’s first performance in Los Angeles and they promise to...

“I think what separates this CD (Power Of Nine) from anything I did before is...

When Grammy Award winning composer, bandleader and pianist Maria Schneider invites you to tour with her, you seize the opportunity and that is exactly what Argentine vocalist, musician and composer Sofia Koutsovitis did. The native of Buenos Aires now living in New York City recently concluded a European tour with Schneider. Concerts were performed in Portugal, Spain, Austria, France...

Daniel Barnes is one of Toronto’s top drummers, by some estimates he is in the top fifteen. Barnes can be heard on numerous recordings; his discography numbers thirty-eight albums, including the 1996 Juno award winning Africville Suite by pianist Joe Sealy. Barnes works regularly at live and studio gigs, he also works on composing and arranging music. Barnes is...

Al Jarreau owns one of the more recognizable voices in all of popular music. He swings, he swoons, he can reach the highest of levels and then dive to deepest depths, and this is all in the same song. Jarreau scats and becomes his own one man band capable of backing up the best jazz has to offer and as a soloist, he...

It is not very often that you have an opportunity to speak with a music icon as celebrated as Roger Kellaway and it is even less often that you get to talk to him on his birthday (67th).  I had the opportunity to do both recently and found the pianist/composer to be one of the more congenial people that...

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