I first encountered George Russell’s music when I was researching an article on Chuck Israels. Chuck Israels taught a music appreciation class that I took while attending Brooklyn College in 1975. At that time I was a devoted Frank Zappa fan but had never heard of Bill Evens or George Russell so I was unaware that Chuck had played bass with both of these musical giants. The class was memorable for at least three reasons which I discussed in the article on Chuck (Panache Experience Volume 17 I …

Tierney Sutton is a happy person. She has just released ON THE OTHER SIDE on Telarc, which may be the best work she and the band she sings with, have yet done. Tierney Sutton is a very happy vocalist because she and the band she sings with, having completed the foundation, have erected a musical temple that is as unique as it is beautiful. It is through this temple that they step up from the ranks of elite players to the higher level of musicianship where their music is immediately rec …

I had the opportunity to go to the Hollywood bowl on July 19, 2006 to see John Pizzarelli and guests perform under the stars. The guests included Bill Henderson, Kurt Elling, Tierney Sutton and Annie Ross. Each of the five singers (John also sang) was in top form. One of the real highlights of the evening was when Annie Ross sang "Twisted," which was only up-staged when she sang "Lush Life." It was a remarkable evening. Several weeks before the Jazz at the Phil concert, I spoke with An …

The 1940s and 1950s are fondly remembered for many reasons. Two of the main ones are the great movies that were made and the great jazz that was featured in them. In addition to brilliant composition and some of the best players that ever lived, those movies also had great singers. Some of the actors, it turns out, were not actually singing. The studios used great voices to make those melodies unforgettable. Such was the case with Rita Hayworth, star of Gilda and widely acknowled …

Last September, I saw Eldar at Founder’s Hall at the Orange County Performing Arts Center in Costa Mesa, Calfornia. There was a lot of hype about this young man and I was a little skeptical going into the concert. He came out with his trio and sat down at his piano. Then he started playing and about half way through the first song, I knew that what I thought was hype was just the truth. Eldar can play the piano! Eldar can make jazz with a trio! Watching him …