Singing duo Anne Burnell & Mark Burnell have released a new album, This Could Be the Start of Something Big. The album is the follow-up to their 2022 acclaimed CD Two For The Road. It is a generous offering from the Chicago-based pair, featuring consummate musicianship. The songs cover plenty of territory (from “Song Sung … Continue reading
If you think Gunhild Carling was born too late, you haven’t considered the possibility that she might singlehandedly bring back the jazz age in our time. If her original songs seem somehow familiar, they’re successfully bringing you back to a glorious era celebrating melody, harmony, rhythm, and syncopation. Her recent album, Jazz Is My Lifestyle, … Continue reading
It’s an ambitious project, exceedingly well carried out. The Pony Boy All-Star Big Band is a gathering of some of the best musicians in the Pacific Northwest. They have come together to play challenging (and exciting) new arrangements, and to raise the bar as far as new jazz compositions are concerned. They really are all-stars, having … Continue reading
Billie Holiday, Anita O’Day, Lena Horne, Peggy Lee, Jo Stafford, Rosemary Clooney, Ella Fitzgerald, and others. Early in their careers, they were “canaries” — women singing with the great Big Bands of Glenn Miller, Artie Shaw, Gene Krupa, Benny Goodman, and others. But these women were birds of a feather in more ways than one. They … Continue reading
What a delight to hear Amber Weekes perform these gorgeous songs. Such fine interpretation, paying tribute to the great Nancy Wilson, while also carving out her own unique take on occasion. She conveys the vast emotional territory originally chartered by Wilson, and does it with elegance and sophisticated panache. Weekes is supported by a stellar … Continue reading
Shawn Maxwell‘s latest release is a tour of his many instrumental talents, supported by equally expert musicians. The “J” in the album’s title is Joliet, Illinois. It frames the collection of songs, which all explore themes associated with Maxwell’s roots from having grown up there. It affords the players to present a nuanced, personal album, … Continue reading
John Ambrosini has a distinctive vocal style and he sings while playing piano. He’s not a jazz singer, but Ambrosini’s a solid singer with a soulful sound that wraps competent arms around pop music, folk, and even rock. His voice, like his arranging talents, embraces all genres. On this warm album, the songs are presented … Continue reading
It feels like Academy Awards night at my place. Why? I’m listening (on repeat) to Movie Magic, the new album from Jack Wood and Nichaud Fitzgibbon. The collection of 16 sublime songs is given a loving presentation from the duo. Each track is a straightforward treatment, each note is sung or played as intended by … Continue reading
Originally released in 2007, Rhythm Edge has been remixed and remastered for a new generation of jazz listeners. Its re-release is a celebration of the many talents of Eric Person. He does it all, it seems, expertly… and with a grace and relaxation that allows each note the quality of self determination. He is of … Continue reading
Dave Schumacher has been a touring musician based in New York for more than 40 years. He has played and recorded with artists such as Lionel Hampton, Harry Connick, Jr., T.S. Monk On Monk, Tom Harrell Octet and Big Band, Art Blakey Big Band, Joey DeFrancesco, Mel Torme and many more. Dave has performed in over … Continue reading
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