She has accompanied us during the first years of the century with her inimitable voice and amazing production work by her husband, Louie Vega. Anané (Ana Martins), daughter of brilliant singer Joyce Moreno and percussionist Tutty Moreno, debuted with a full-length album in 2010. Now, ten years later, we get a 21-piece collection of many…
Composer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Doug Stuart (bass, synth, Rhodes, piano, vocals, percussion) has studied with Robert Hurst and Geri Allen, ans has recently collaborated not only with jazz artists, but in Hip-Hop, House, Downtempo (listen to the 2019 Brijean wonder) and experimental genres as well. “Familiar Future” (out on Ropeadope October 16th) draws the line…
Keyboardist, pianist, composer, and singer Taber Gable, who has played and toured with Marcus Strickland, Nubya Garcia, Terrace Martin, Carolyn Leonhart, among many others, who has studied with Wynton Marsalis and Kenny Barron, and who is a much sought after musician on the New York scene, has finally released his debut album. I usually try…
I’m currently reading Ben Sidran‘s fascinating, behind-the-scenes biography of one of the most pivotal producers of the past decades, Tommy LiPuma. He has produced almost everybody from Miles Davis to George Benson, Barbra Streisand to the Manhattan Transfer, Rickie Lee Jones to Michael Franks. And he also produced Diana Krall who reflects: “Tommy was my…
The man who got me started into music turns 70 today. Happy birthday Stevie Wonder! Another essential artist for this writer is Roy Ayers. A new track has been found while digging through his older material for the re-release of the 2003 album “Virgin Ubiquity”, which featured unreleased material from his amazingly fruitful period 1976-1981…
One of the highlights of last year’s North Sea Jazz Festival, which will not take place this year due to the corona crisis, was a duo concert by two brilliant improvisers: Edmar Castaneda (harp) and Grégoire Maret (harmonica). What they both delivered on stage in terms of musicianship, teamwork, improvisation, and the creation of a…
Nina Simone‘s “Fodder On My Wings” was recorded in 1982 for the French Carrere label and has now been released on hi-res audio on LP and CD on Verve. The album was re-released in 1988 on the French Cy label and included three additional tracks, also included here. Nina had already moved to Paris and…
Vocalist and songwriter Kathleen Grace finally had won me over while singing “I can see it in your eyes” from “The Thrill Is Gone”, the famous Ray Henderson/Lew Brown classic which has become a standard. Her heartfelt, very subtle and vulnerable performance, backed only by pianist Larry Goldings, is one of the highlights of her…
Saxophonist Jimmy Greene opens his new Mack Avenue album “While Looking Up” with the Cole Porter classic “So In Love”. And once again, from the very start of the disc, his lyricism and intense and emotional playing becomes the main force, like on his previous projects. Aided by guitarist Lage Lund and pianist Aaron Goldberg,…
Saxophonist Mike Phillips has come up with the perfect combination of soul, jazz, and contemporary groove. With the help of several guest artists, his new album “Pulling Off The Covers” soothes the soul and simply brings a lot of joy to these ears. Singer Brian McKnight shines on a funky and smooth cover of Slave’s…