Here is Myriad3, a jazz trio out of Toronto with affection for the groove and a weakness for swing. Comprised of pianist Chris Donnelly, bassist Dan Fortin and drummer Ernesto Cervini, the group came about after a few happy accidents on the T-Dot scene. Continue reading »
Sometimes an outfit so impressive takes to your ears with poise and confidence so exceptional that it almost overwhelms. Even the smoothest, gentlest aspects of jazz can strike with that impact, as though undoing themselves from musical bonds and taking flight with “no cares, no strings.” Continue reading »
Guitarist, composer and educator Dan Phillips has taken his game to a lot of different places, honing his skills in New York, Chicago, Tokyo, and Bangkok. His experience has served him well and he’s played the Montreal Jazz Festival, the Pattaya Music Festival, the Bangkok Jazz Festival, and the Hua Hin Jazz Festival. Continue reading »
In all the time I’ve spent drifting through the veritable sea of jazz vocalists, my ears have always perked up whenever a singer is able to express some sense of truth. Perhaps it’s my diminishing but acknowledged ignorance of the subject, but I’ve never cared all that much about the technical side. It’s always been … Continue reading »
It hardly needs to be said that TranceFormation’s In Concert won’t be for everyone. It’s enough to inspire some into apoplectic fits of critical rage. Free jazz or whack jazz or whatever this is can do that to people used to the more melodic coatings of the genre. But Andrea Wolper (vocals), Connie Crothers (piano) … Continue reading »
A number of records have admittedly fallen through the cracks for me this year. One of them, an album I’ve only given a cursory listen to until now, is Kate McGarry’s Girl Talk. And as though my year-end list projects need any more difficulty sorting out, this 2012 release winds up being spectacular in many, … Continue reading »
In a time when it seems to pay off more to play it safe than it does to take creative chances, Ran Blake and Sara Serpa provide refreshing respite on Aurora. Their second album deals a new hand to some jazz favourites, digging into a range of standards with exhilarating musicality. Blake and Serpa began … Continue reading »
A vibrant and exciting live album, the aptly-titled LIVE by the Elisabeth Lohninger Quartet finds the Austrian singer in her element and backed by a spirited and colourful band. Her nuanced, natural tones are a perfect fit in the live scenario and her enunciation pulls us into the notes and words with almost hypnotic effects. Continue reading »
A dazzling and cosmopolitan trip, Into the Air finds Jeff Coffin and his Mu’Tet in fine form indeed. In service of the sound, the saxophonist and composer has aligned with colleagues like Bill “The Spaceman” Fanning (trumpet, space trumpet), Kofi Burbridge (piano, keyboards, flute), Felix Pastorius (electric bass), and Jeff Sipe (drums, percussion). Continue reading »
