I’ve written of the musical exploits of this John Wolf Brennan fellow in these (web) pages in times past - he’s one of these musician/composers who’s got so many pots on th…
Rémi Bolduc is an alto sax player in the Montreal scene, unfortunately not that well known outside Quebec. This release, Renaissance, an outstanding contemporary bebop reco…
19 Apr
Scenes from a Song by John Hart Trio
Thursday, 19 April 2001
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Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
With his new release, "Scenes from a Song," guitarist John Hart emerges from a four-year recording hiatus with a new trio and a CD that further fortifies him as an artist d…
18 Apr
Crossing The Line by John Polito
Wednesday, 18 April 2001
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Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
CROSSING THE LINE with composer/pianist John Polito is one of the most engaging and innovative contemporary jazz collections to come along. I have listened to the CD severa…
17 Apr
Derus Simples by George Flynn / Geoffrey Douglas Madge
Tuesday, 17 April 2001
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Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
George Flynn's liner notes state that "Derus Simples" was commissioned by the philosopher Kenneth Derus to celebrate the centenary of composer Kaikhosru Sorabji. The music …
16 Apr
To Music by Jim Robitaille Group
Monday, 16 April 2001
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Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
I’ll count The Jim Robitaille Group’s newest recording "To Music" as one of the nice surprises I received this past holiday season.Robitaille is a Berklee-bred guita…
14 Apr
Up with da funk by Last Trip
Saturday, 14 April 2001
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Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
Last Trip has created a lively collection on their new CD release titled UP WITH 'DA FUNK. There are 10 selections on this CD, including "Reggaesphere," "Ballbag," "Peruvia…
14 Apr
Summer Sketches by Bill Mays Trio
Saturday, 14 April 2001
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Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
Pianist Bill Mays writes that "Summer Sketches" reflects his love of summer "especially out in Pennsylvania-the Delaware River, the herons, egrets and bull frogs down at th…
14 Apr
Hyperion with Higgins by Charles Lloyd
Saturday, 14 April 2001
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Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
From 1966-1969 Charles Lloyd led one of the most popular groups in jazz, Lloyd's music although generally a bit melodic, was not watered-down and managed to catch on for se…
13 Apr
Deep Into It by Larry Carlton
Friday, 13 April 2001
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Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
Good Title-Considering the talent, and style Larry Carlton displays.In this 21st recording from guitarist Carlton is an-all new recording. Its many styles make it feel l…
13 Apr
In Modern Times by Spyro Gyra
Friday, 13 April 2001
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Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
The release of In Modern Times, the group commemorated 25 years of recording and certainly a move up to Heads Up International with this fresh, new creation.In Modern Ti…
10 Apr
Change Management by Victor Magnani Trio and Quartet
Tuesday, 10 April 2001
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Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
This contemporary jazz entry is a winner with emphasis on good playing performances and the magical guitar work of Victor Magnani. Accompanied by Andy Alonso on bass, Mark …
07 Apr
Good To Go by Duncan Millar
Saturday, 07 April 2001
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Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
I liked his debut album, but GOOD TO GO is even better. As a DJ one usually has a choice of 2 or 3 tracks from a recording that are good enough to give Air Play to, but Dun…
Brush the sand from your feet and settle back in your deck chair and enjoy a chirpy bright treat from "Gold Coast". I love this sound, a mix of Latin, Caribbean and North A…
06 Apr
A Portrait for Strings by Various Artists
Friday, 06 April 2001
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Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
No samples, loops or techno here, this is an album you need to walk in like a new pair of shoes. It is a gentle understated work, mellow rather than moody, and for some it …
Not too many surprises in this album, some peaks and some valleys, but pleasant to listen to nonetheless. Of course its a "Guitar Thing" from Doc and a popular description …
04 Apr
Live Au Cabaret by Seamus Blake and the Daniel Thouin Trio
Wednesday, 04 April 2001
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Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
Seamus Blake-not yet a household name in jazz circles, but should be in the years to come. Blake is a tenor saxophonist who has been cutting his teeth with the Mingus Big B…
04 Apr
Take One! by Winds & Skins
Wednesday, 04 April 2001
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Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
TAKE ONE! is the powerful debut CD of a new group called Winds & Skins. This is something different and one of the most creative new groups around! 9 selections. Some of th…
01 Apr
Symbols Of Light (A Solution) by Greg Osby
Sunday, 01 April 2001
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Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
When, oh when will The Jazz Critical Establishment sing hosannas of/for Greg Osby, The Composer? Many know his formidable prowess as a saxophonist (alto and soprano varieti…
30 Mar
Juneteenth by William Roper
Friday, 30 March 2001
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Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
William Roper brings some intricate tuba performances and original compositions to his collection on the new CD release, JUNETEENTH. This is an interesting contemporary jaz…
If you would like to hear some of the finest quintet work coming out of South Africa, please allow me to suggest you purchase a copy of the innovative group called Voice. V…
29 Mar
Close Enough For Love by Mike Metheny
Thursday, 29 March 2001
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Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
Kansas City-based Mike Metheny is a multi-instrumentalist who can see the entire range of a human experience. In his latest release "Close Enough To Love," Metheny brings a…
Rob Ryndak is one of the finest contemporary jazz pianists performing, and his new CD release from Southport titled STAY WITH IT will find a wide listening audience among j…
GANESH is one of the most interesting contemporary jazz/world music CDs I have heard in recent years, each song a reflection of intricate and unusual jazz motifs that are o…
22 Mar
Another Time Another Space by Citrus Sun
Thursday, 22 March 2001
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Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
ANOTHER TIME ANOTHER SPACE is a release sure to please jazz listeners everywhere with its imaginative solo work and bluesy tempos! Recorded by the new ensemble named Citrus…
21 Mar
Sax Hawaiian Style by Gordon Samuelson
Wednesday, 21 March 2001
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Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
SAX HAWAIIAN STYLE is the jazz interpretations of favorite melodies from the islands, featuring the smooth contemporary jazz sounds of Gordon Samuelson on saxophones and fl…
20 Mar
SuperBass 2 by Ray Brown / John Clayton / Christian McBride
Tuesday, 20 March 2001
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Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
One of the artists will be 75 this October 13th and has played with such jazz giants as Dizzy Gillespie, Ella Fitzgerald, Oscar Peterson, and was a founding of the group th…
17 Mar
In This World by Charles Pillow
Saturday, 17 March 2001
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Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
With the new CD release, IN THIS WORLD featuring Charles Pillow on English horn, oboe, saxophone, bass clarinet, the jazz listener is in for some great world music sounds c…
15 Mar
Go-Round by Jeff Coffin Mu'tet
Thursday, 15 March 2001
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Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
First off, no jokes about this cat’s surname (not even from me). This Jeff Coffin fellow plays several saxophones, clarinet and flute and composed all the tunes. Second, th…
15 Mar
Communion by John Patitucci
Thursday, 15 March 2001
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Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
I used to think this John Patitucci guy was just another bass-poppin,’ "teckneek"-over-soul, plays-more-notes-than-he-knows-what-do-with fusion character, a guy whose music…
15 Mar
Moments In Time by Eddie Severn
Thursday, 15 March 2001
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Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
This talented group is Scottish. The bass player hails from Sao Paulo. The drummer has taught music in the Czech Republic. The saxophonist played township jazz in Cape Town…
14 Mar
Abundance by Gregory Tardy
Wednesday, 14 March 2001
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Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
Every now and then you find a recording that deserves to be a classic. It appears that saxophonist Gregory Tardy knows what makes a great jazz recording. This session reach…
12 Mar
Burnin Grooves by Tony Monaco Trio
Monday, 12 March 2001
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Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
The organ is one of the most phenomenal instruments in jazz. In addition, it is a very rare instrument and not heard often. Prior to the likes of Jimmy Smith and Brother Ja…
Acoustic Alchemy, started in the 80's by Nick Webb (who passed away in 1998) and Greg Carmichael, continues to evolve into new and different areas. While some avid fans of …
10 Mar
Still at Sea by Kirk Nurock
Saturday, 10 March 2001
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Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
Over a 30-year career, composer/pianist Kirk Nurock has shown a flair for the unexpected. At 16, he was selected by Duke Ellington for a scholarship to the Eastman School o…
08 Mar
The Cosmic Buzz by Gerry Grosz Jim Kerwin and Phil Hawkins
Thursday, 08 March 2001
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Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
The title "The Cosmic Buzz" sounds like a tribute to Sun Ra but it's not. This mellow CD gets your juices flowing. When I first heard this CD, "I thought it was part of a s…
This CD is a collection of tunes dedicated to saxophonists past, present and future. To this end Chris Potter has written tunes that suggest and evoke the sound of greats l…
28 Feb
Live In Time And Space by Brass Monkey
Wednesday, 28 February 2001
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Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
Not to be confused with the English band, Brass Monkey, this group is a high energy San Francisco brass band not unlike the Dirty Dozen and Rebirth brass bands of New Orlea…
27 Feb
Live at the Baked Potato Volume One by Various Artists
Tuesday, 27 February 2001
Published in
Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
he Baked Potato, owned by the 1960s legendary session pianist Don Randi, is the place to spot notable jazz musicians in Los Angeles. In 1999, Justin Randi, Don Randi's …
27 Feb
Urban Knights IV by Urban Knights
Tuesday, 27 February 2001
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Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
Chicago-based Urban Knights returns for its eighth consecutive project, "Urban Knights IV." After collaborating with his father, Ramsey Lewis, on seven previous project…
26 Feb
Dream Scapes by Steve Reid
Monday, 26 February 2001
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Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
Rippingtons' co-founder Steve Reid produces a tapestry of compelling songs in his fifth solo effort, "Dream Scapes." Discovering that music and multimedia has a profound ef…
26 Feb
Nearness of You: The Ballad Book by Michael Brecker
Monday, 26 February 2001
Published in
Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
Upon examination of the cover of this disc, one is struck by an unusual image. A solitary figure stands on the horizon of a desert, surrounded by absolutely nothing but san…
26 Feb
Petty Theft by Wilkens & Allen Quartet
Monday, 26 February 2001
Published in
Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
Their promotional piece calls Wilkins and Allen's music with a sweet edge. Indeed, that is a fairly apt description. The music is jaunty, sparkling and, yes, even sweet. At…
22 Feb
Dharma Days by Mark Turner
Thursday, 22 February 2001
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Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
On DHARMA DAYS, saxophonist Mark Turner’s 5th release, he again shows himself to be an original voice on tenor. The first thing that struck me was how much the group remind…
21 Feb
Present Tense by Bryn Roberts
Wednesday, 21 February 2001
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Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
24 year old Montreal based pianist Bryn Roberts has accomplished a lot in a short period of time. The recipient of various scholarships, he graduated from Montreal’s McGill…
21 Feb
Orange Colored Sky by Bernard Sweetney
Wednesday, 21 February 2001
Published in
Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
ORANGE COLORED SKY debuts the vibe work of Bernard Sweetney, and it is an enjoyable CD collection with 11 selections. If you enjoy vibe performances, then you will enjoy th…
20 Feb
Diamond Bar by The Seventh Triange
Tuesday, 20 February 2001
Published in
Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
Have you ever been to Diamond Bar, California? Well, if this is a sampling of music from that area, it might be nice to take a journey by there to listen to some of the mus…
19 Feb
Live In Time And Space by Brass Monkey
Monday, 19 February 2001
Published in
Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
Move over, ROVA; step aside, Dirty Dozen Brass Band; make room, World Saxophone Quartet. There’s a (relatively) new Organization in town, outside talent from ‘way out west.…
17 Feb
On The Fast Track by Gerald Veasley
Saturday, 17 February 2001
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Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
Gerald Veasley is one of the finest contemporary six-string bass guitar players now performing, and on his new CD release, ON THE FAST TRACK, he displays great technical sk…
16 Feb
Unfolding by Aaron Goldberg
Friday, 16 February 2001
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Contemporary Jazz - CD Reviews
UNFOLDING is a memorable CD collection of original jazz music written and performed by pianist Aaron Goldberg, accompanied by the talented sounds of Reuben Rogers on bass a…