Glenn Astarita New World Records is a New York City-based organization that specializes in the modern classical space, highlighting works by avant-garde composer John Cage and others. Every so often the label releases a progressive-jazz or in this case, a new music and largely unclassifiable program by experimentalist, composer and improviser Kyle Bruckmann. Featuring members
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Karl Stober JJA Director John Ford once stated through his character Maxwell Scott in “The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance” that, “When the legend becomes fact, print the legend”, and why not, as it ignites inspiration to those whom embrace its mystique and drama. Legends have a way rebirthing old chapters to new. Thus the
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Glenn Astarita As a young man, drummer Chad Wackerman was hired by Frank Zappa, which is no minor achievement. With his notoriously difficult charts, Zappa commanded the best from his musicians while running a tight ship along the way. Since then, Wackerman has become an in-demand session artist within progressive-rock, jazz-fusion, and jazz idioms amid
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by Geannine Reid Russian pianist Yelena Eckemoff has long been adored by the ECM follower, her working relationships with many likeminded artists such artists as Peter Erskine and, more recently, Marilyn Mazur with her latest endeavor, FORGET-me-NOT, which delightfully features Tord Gustavsen recruit Mats Eilertsen on bass, rounds out the trio perfectly. Sonically pastoral beauty
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Karl H. Stober Under the influence of numerous safari’s in my career with Ms. Hilton, fourteen to be exact, one thing is certain, the Lioness of Jazz still remains untamed and wild in the ivory jungle. Her techniques never stoic, melodies seldom droll, and rhythms never without mental stimuli; Ms. Hilton continues to morph into
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By: Edward Blanco Colombian-born composer and pianist Gabriel Guerrero emerges from the talent-rich jazz environment of New York City as the latest hidden wonder to surface and stake a claim with a brilliant musical statement on FEYAS. Some people believe in angels that exist to protect and guide them. As a young child Guerrero named
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By: Edward Blanco An accomplished actress and graduate of the prestigious American Academy of Dramatic Arts, New York-based vocalist Cristina Morrison unveils her debut album with I Love, offering a superb blend of standards and originals penned by her “partner in musical crime,” alto saxophonist Christian Hidrobo. Born in Miami of mixed American and Ecuadorian
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By: Edward Blanco Veteran jazz singer Wanda Stafford has shared the stage with the likes of the great guitarist Wes Montgomery, pianist and San Francisco icon Al Plank, alto saxophonist and flautist James Spaulding, Freddie Hubbard and legendary bassist Leroy Vinegar among others. Stafford, like Vinegar, grew up in Indianapolis, Indiana and like pianist Plank;
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by Geannine Reid Happy is the title of Lisa Maxwell’s sophomore release and it certainly is a Happy collection of well-chosen and not overdone standards, all presented and well supported by the Keith Ingram Quartet, who is Maxwell’s coach. The word breezy comes to mind when listening to Maxwell, and is a perfect entrée to
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Glenn Astarita Italian guitarist Enzo Rocco’s serious-minded musicianship amid his technical gifts is offset by his sense of humor. Frequent collaborations with the sometimes outlandish reedman Carlo Actis Dato, who also possesses monstrous chops, reveal an element of imprudence interspersed into the freer aspects of jazz and jazz-improvisation. Here, Rocco celebrates a 10-year relationship with
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