Nick Colionne | The Journey
Trippin’ N Rhythm’
by Peggy Oliver
Nick Colionne is considered by many of the media and his peers as one of the snappiest dressers in the jazz world today. Yet despite this glowing fashion statement, Colionne’s talents are unquestionable, birthed in the fruitful musical history of his hometown of Chicago while learning his guitar licks since age 9 from his stepfather.
The JT Project | Moments of Change
Trippin’ & Rhythm’
by Peggy Oliver
Jacob Webb and Todd Schefflin were ready to execute a potent plan in demonstrating their special flair for contemporary jazz. Through their earlier recordings on their namesake label, The JT Project were exercising their gifts and musical training in preparing for the bigger spotlight.
Christian McBride and José James Lead Diverse Ensembles of Excellence
Disney Hall
April 1, 2016
Concert Reflections by A. Scott Galloway
Toward the end of a Friday evening that more than fortified the strength, resilience and future of music called Jazz, tenor saxophonist Kirk Whalum made a statement about people prematurely laying the genre to rest. Essentially he said that if you were drawing breath inside Disney Hall at that moment, you know better. Truth was spoken, sung, blown, plucked and pounded this night with a curious yet victorious double bill consisting of an acoustic “Super Band” culled from the roster of Detroit’s Mack Avenue Records headlining over maverick vocalist José James.
Mack Avenue Super Band (Photo: Michael K. Adams)
Jason Miles
To Grover with Love: Live in Japan
(Whaling City Sound)
Record Reflections by A. Scott Galloway
In the scheme of all things musical, the question often arises, “Why a tribute CD?” Would you rather hear people paying tribute to an artist by rerecording their works or instead hear the legendary artist’s music itself? In most cases, the latter is true. Sometimes there are exceptions, the latest being keyboardist/producer Jason Miles’ third tribute to a man that has given him consistent inspiration, saxophonist Grover Washington, Jr. Unlike the previous two, this one was recorded live.
Laurin Talese | Gorgeous Chaos
by Peggy Oliver
A vocalist who can stunningly transform lyrics and capture the audience’s ears is not always easy to attain. Laurin Talese, who sang in church growing up, was a marvelously gifted talent who attended the Cleveland (Ohio) School of Music, but her musical savvy would eventually whisk her away from home to shape her dream career.
Groove Legacy
Groove Legacy
(Groove Legacy)
Record Reflections by A. Scott Galloway
Having been in the music industry in one role or another since the early `80s, I’ve come to know a lot of people. So when one trusted peer from my radio and records days invites me to a gig and then I find another trusted friend from my journalist days there – and unbeknownst to each other they are both promoting this band – the chances are that I’m in for some really good music.
Dr. Lonnie Smith
Evolution
(Blue Note)
Musical reflections by A. Scott Galloway
February 25, 2016
In the late `60s when he jumped from George Benson’s band into that of alto saxophone great Lou Donaldson, organist Lonnie Smith became known for whipping up a brand of funky voodoo on the B3 that got beneath the skin of the listener like lotion, beginning with the now-classic Alligator Boogaloo on into Midnight Creeper.
Stanley Cowell – Reminiscent (Plus a Christmas Suite)
(SteepleChase)
A Record Reflection by A. Scott Galloway
The art of piano is all about touch. Over a fifty year career as a leader and sideman with the likes of Sonny Rolins, Stan Getz and Max Roach, Stanley Cowell has mastered an impeccable balance of intelligence and taste.
Bob James 2015: Available in Twoplay and Fourplay Models
Record Reflections by A. Scott Galloway
25 years ago, a super group of contemporary jazz giants formed a quartet dubbed Fourplay and began the business of making evocative groove-scapes spiced with a tasty dollop of sensuality via soul-pop vocal stars and sexy covers of touchstones by boudoir masters Marvin Gaye and The Isley Brothers. Since that time, they’ve pretty much ditched the vocals and gone deeper into what I call movies for the ear. Fourplay’s new 10-song CD, Silver (Concord Records) – recorded at Sunset Sound Studio in Hollywood where they cut their self titled debut in 1990 for Warner Bros. – marks the band’s 25th anniversary and is, fittingly, one of its finest most consistent CD in some time.
Lizz Wright | Freedom and Surrender
Concord Music Group
by Peggy Oliver
When it all comes down to experiencing life, no matter what occupation we choose, seasons of transitions are almost inevitable. Musicians are especially subject to seasonal phases in their artistry, whether it’s industry business or personal revelations.