If you’ve ever lost your keys, had to take a crappy job waiting tables, marveled at traffic and weather, or been on hold with a human-sounding robotic recording system, you’ll find something in common with Lorraine Feather. Born in Manhattan, Feather is the daughter of jazz writer Leonard Feather. Her mother, Jane, had been a… [Read more…]
April 21, 2008
Stanley Jordan is one of the slickest jazz guitarists around. His expansion of the touch technique has made him legendary in jazz circles. Jordan’s method allows him to play melody and chords at the same time, creating a cascade of sound. His new album uses this cascade of sound to create a set of songs… [Read more…]
April 12, 2008
I’m pretty sure Jason Kao Hwang has a little bit of crazy in him. Along with his group EDGE, Hwang has constructed a maddening sea of storytelling with Stories Before Within. Before we go any further, EDGE is comprised of Hwang as composer and violinist (he also plays the viola on one track), Taylor Ho… [Read more…]
April 3, 2008
Deepak Ram is a multitalented artist probably best known for his work in traditional North Indian classical music. He’s collaborated with musicians from around the world and is a gifted composer in his own right. Ram plays the bansuri, an alto flute from India, Pakistan, and Nepal. The bansuri has a deep tradition and is… [Read more…]
April 3, 2008
The sun rose this morning and poked through the mist in the backyard. Emily Saxe’s Keeping You in Mind found itself in heavy rotation again and worked a little like breakfast for the soul. The album’s sweetness and down-home feel gives it a tender quality, making it ideal for watching the day unfold. Saxe issued… [Read more…]
April 3, 2008
Judy Wexler has swing, no question about it. Born and raised in L.A., she studied piano at age 5. Wexler gravitated more towards theatre and acting as she got older and started off in high school productions. In a twist, she majored in psychology at UC Santa Cruz and planned to become a therapist. Eventually,… [Read more…]
April 3, 2008
The world’s best selling soprano of all time returns with the outstanding early 2008 release Symphony, an iconic collection of music that may well be her best full album to date. Brightman was first introduced to me by my wife, and what followed was an exhaustive musical discovery of the gifted English singer. I was… [Read more…]
April 22, 2008
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