Kirk Whalum Concert @ Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley
October 26, 2023
One of many Seattle-Based Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley favorites, Kirk Whalum, launched his annual appearance honoring numerous soul/R&B and jazz icons, saluting he music that fueled his birthplace, and showering gospel nuggets.
Herbie Hancock Symphonically Reimagines the Possibilities of His Civil Rights Era Compositions “I Have a Dream” & “Ostinato” with Gustavo Dudamel and The Los Angeles Philharmonic
by A. Scott Galloway
On Thursday March 5th, a day I was not in the best of health, I dragged myself downtown to Disney Hall to see a Herbie Hancock concert.
Now, at 55 years old, I have had the good fortune to have seen Mr. Hancock plenty of times over the years all over southern California.
Contemporary Jazz Icon Boney James proves he is Solid once again for his upcoming CD
UPDATE MARCH 31st: Street Release Date has been updated to June 12th.
Sometimes it does not hurt to seek music that supplies good medicine to the soul when the stress levels are high. If music can play a healing role in that capacity, Boney James is fully locked no matter what he plays.
Jason Miles / Kind of New
Black Magic
(Ropeadope)
A Record Reflection by A. Scott Galloway
Keyboardist/producer/Sound Designer Jason Miles steps from the shadows of his collective Global Noise to revel in his penchant for soulful jazzy continental uniting grooves with his other band Kind of New, presenting Black Magic.
Chick Corea / Christian McBride / Brian Blade
Trilogy 2
(Concord Jazz)
A Record Reflection by A. Scott Galloway
At 78-years-young, pianist/composer Chick Corea has assembled, led and cultivated a number of uncannily synergistic groups – large and small, acoustic and electric – in several sub genres of music classified as “Jazz.” Among his more recent alchemies is Trilogy, the Chick Corea Trio featuring bassist Christian McBride and drummer Brian Blade.
Mike Stern – Jeff Lorber Fusion
Eleven
(Concord)
A Record Reflection by A. Scott Galloway
On paper, the pairing of stalwart New York guitarist Mike Stern (veteran of the Miles Davis, Steps Ahead and Blood Sweat & Tears bands – to name just three) with studio slick Oregon-native/West Coast transplant keyboardist Jeff Lorber seems like oil and vinegar- highly unlikely to mix.
Latin jazz veteran Poncho Sanchez returns to the studio after a 7 year absence with Trane’s Delight, a hearty thank you to his hero, jazz pioneer John Coltrane
The love affair was launched when he was only 11 years – staring intently at John Coltrane’s self-titled 1962 album. After he saved some money to make that monumental purchase, Poncho Sanchez gathered his drums and congas and played along with the album that guided his musical spirit.
An already established international jazz talent, trumpeter/songwriter/vocalist Jéssica Pina is now being introduced to North America with Essência
Amongst the countless independent musicians that are waiting in the wings, it is refreshing for new blood in offering their special artistry to the contemporary jazz landscape. Portuguese trumpeter Jéssica Pina, born of African descent, blends her roots with various urban flavors from U.K. soul/jazz, R&B and funk.
Keiko Matsui
Echo
(Shanachie)
A Record Reflection by A. Scott Galloway
Since the mid-`80s, Keiko Matsui has been delighting audiences with her heartfelt approach to Jazz, New Age and Japanese Classical musical strains. Now in 2019, she has assembled an outstandingly empathetic main band of Jimmy Johnson on bass, Vinnie Colaiuta on drums and Luis Conte on percussion to give wing to her latest Heavenly excursions on her latest and 27th American offering, Echo.
Wayne Shorter
Emanon
(Blue Note)
A Record Reflection by A. Scott Galloway
August 25, 2018 marked the 85th birthday of one of contemporary music’s finest composer/musicians, Wayne Shorter. In an astounding career that has seen him ascend from Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers and the second classic Miles Davis Quintet to co-founding Weather Report, all the while composing jazz immortals such as “Footprints,” “Speak No Evil” and Nefertiti” (to name just a few),…