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.
Bolden Film Plants Seed of Real-Life Jazz Creator’s Mythology and Harvests a Stark Reflection of the Dark Side of America’s Soul
by A. Scott Galloway
Jazz music is America’s greatest homegrown art contribution to the world. Like anything that comes out of this country, its inventor paid a dear price for having just enough so-called freedom to create it. Jazz’s creator is a cornet player out of New Orleans named Buddy Bolden. A new film by first time director Dan Pritzker entitled “Bolden” places the fiery musician front and center in what is not so much a biopic – since very little is known about the man – but a plunge into Reconstruction America of the 1890s time period in which he taught Gospel music to dance amidst the bitter realities of post-slavery America.
Quiana Lynell
A Little Love
(Concord Jazz)
A Record Reflection by A. Scott Galloway
New Orleans-based vocalist Quiana Lynell is in possession of a sweet and special advantage, evidenced in her year-in-the-making debut album, A Little Love. That quality is the perception of effortlessness… Her voice seems to float from her mouth in a zero-gravity zone all its own.
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),…
Bob James
Espresso
(Evosound/Evolution Music Group)
A Record Reflection by A. Scott Galloway
It’s been 10 years since keyboardist/composer/arranger Bob James has released an album leading his trio. Eager to return to a largely acoustic three man set up that has unique challenges for each player, he dives in with an eclectic program of originals and covers for the audiophile Evosound label called Espresso – an interesting title as there is no song on the collection with that name and no song that is especially “fast” as to denote a caffeine rush.
Playboy Jazz Festival Celebrates 40th Anniversary at The Hollywood Bowl
by A. Scott Galloway
Under clear blue skies, 80-degree temps with a sweet breeze blowin’ on both days, the “Playboy Jazz Festival” celebrated its 40th anniversary with days split almost squarely between World Music leaning on Saturday and Jazz on Sunday.
Saturday June 9 began with the traditional Los Angeles County High School For The Arts Jazz of promising young students followed by Columbian party band Monsieur Perine’. Things got really interesting when blind 17 year-old organ prodigy Matthew Whitaker and his trio wowed the crowd with the passionate and eclectic set list of his original “Play it Back,” the `60s pop hit “More Today Than Yesterday” by Spiral Staircase made famous on the jazz side by Charles Earland, the Brazilian gem “Mais Que Nada,” John Coltrane’s “A Love Supreme,” and the finale of a dual medley of Earth Wind and Fire’s “In the Stone/September” with Stevie Wonder’s “As/I Wish” – what a prodigious talent and people-pleaser.
Matthew Whitaker
Joey Alexander
Eclipse
(Moteama Music)
A Record Reflection by A. Scott Galloway
It is a deep challenge to realize that with the release of his third official album, Eclipse (May 4, 2018) that piano wunderkind Joey Alexander will only just be turning 15 years-old the following month on June 25.
Walter Beasley – The Best of Walter Beasley | The Affable Years, Volume 1
by Peggy Oliver
Once upon a time, a particular nine year old received a life-changing gift of a Grover Washington, Jr. CD. From that moment on, Walter Beasley would dedicate his career to shear excellence — all for the love of music and for the legendary saxophonist they call Mr. Magic.
Dr. Lonnie Smith | All in My Mind
Blue Note Records
by Brent Faulkner
Ah, Dr. Lonnie Smith! He’s one of the legendary jazz musicians still alive and well who continues to record sweet music. What makes Smith most unique – besides his beard and turban – is the fact he’s a jazz Hammond B3 organist. While there are numerous organists in jazz, compared to other instruments, it’s rarer.