An extraordinary collection of rhythms, melodies, and expressions of thoughts within musical passages, Hō’ihi—the latest album from legendary Hawaiian drummer Noel Okimoto—delivers the best in original jazz. Okimoto drives things, meeting a septet of sublime musicians, all of whom get their chance to shine. Musicians: Noel Okimoto (drums, percussion, melodica), Dean Taba (electric and acoustic … Continue reading
These are songs I love to hear. It’s as simple as that. Of course it helps that Doug Ferony, given his gutsy and joyful exploration of them, also likes them too. His new album, Alright Okay You Win, is the traditional pop vocal album that your ears have been longing for. The arrangements live up … Continue reading
Soliloquies, Unaccompanied Pizzicato Violin Improvisations For the children of war survivors there are conversations with our parents we wished we had and could not. I often wonder about my parents’ vague allusions to atrocities they survived in China during World War II because their trauma was far greater than I can imagine, even now, over … Continue reading
Proof that the human voice is one of the most effective instruments of all, Rose Mallett‘s latest album—Dreams Realized— is a remarkable collection of performances. These are songs you might think you know well, but until you’ve experienced Rose Mallett’s interpretation, you don’t. Think again. Her range, her dynamics, her decision of when and just … Continue reading
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
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