Guitarist Paul Meyers cruises gracefully between jazz and Brazilian music with World on a String, his aptly-titled new release on Miles High Records. Meyers has shared the bandstand with greats like Kenny Barron, Jon Hendricks, Andy Bey, and Mel Lewis while keeping a steady iron in the fire for Brazilian music and all of the creative jubilation that… [Read more…]
June 26, 2009
With the back-to-back releases of People and The Impossible Dream in 1969, Johnny Mathis aimed squarely at proving himself via the pedigree of ’60s pop tunes and largely succeeded. The two records find Mathis “in the zone,” cranking out big notes from his upper registry, soaring alongside orchestrations and arrangements with ease. Thanks to Collectors’ Choice, these two releases… [Read more…]
June 21, 2009
With his second album, saxophonist Jeremy Udden sets his sights back home to Southern Massachusetts and the town that provides the album’s title. With nine brand new songs, Plainville is a hospitable and elegant piece of work. Udden covers the bases with his rich, bold sax playing. Brandon Seabrook chips in with banjo and guitars,… [Read more…]
June 19, 2009
As affectionate homage to the brass instrument, Spirit Moves is bolstered by trumpeter/composer Dave Douglas’ utter command of his instrument. The energy of his Brass Ecstasy project is not to be denied either, as the compelling and combined jazz power of Luis Bonilla’s trombone, Vincent Chancey’s French horn, Nasheet Waits’ drums, and Marcus Rojas’ tuba drives the… [Read more…]
June 19, 2009
As one of the last true vocalists of the traditional popular music genre, Johnny Mathis began his career singing standards and morphed into quite the album artist. His turn away from the Great American Songbook and the concept album made him one of the more appealing vocalists of the era to follow. Mathis, once invited to… [Read more…]
June 6, 2009
Listening to Frank Potenza’s Old, New, Borrowed, & Blue is a little like chilling around the table at a ramshackle dinner while old friends tell stories of days gone by. With every movement of his fingers across those steel strings, Frank’s telling a different story and sharing a different idea. Featuring Potenza on guitar and vocals, Steve Barnes… [Read more…]
June 28, 2009
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