I went to Cologne today which was my homeland in the late 80s/early 90s. And “Homeland” was the reason for my trip. It’s the title of the new album by Moroccan singer Hindi Zarah, which will be released on April 10th. It’s an amazing collection of songs and the album will be reviewed on these pages…
This international Jazz Festival now goes into its 19th season and will run from June 20th until August 8th in various outstanding and charming locations. That’s one of the trademarks of Palatia Jazz: most of the locations are really one of a kind. As for the artists, there will be, for example, top drummer Manu…
This is how a veritable Pop album should sound like in 2015. The British singer-songwriter Rumer (born Sarah Joyce), who was born in Pakistan, has delivered her third album, produced by Rob Shirakbari, and it is another collection of 11 little stories told in her inimitable vocal style which is stuck in the 60s combined…
The International Jazz Day was launched in 2012. Back then, about 70 countries worldwide participated in daylong celebrations of this music and to spread awareness. This year, nearly all 196 U.N. member states are taking part on April 30th with special events planned on that day. Jazz Day again is presented by the Thelonious Monk…
The Armenian pianist Tigran Hamasyan is heavily influenced by the folk traditions and culture of his country. That is again evident on his latest album, called “Mockroot”, his sixth so far. But there is also a heavy rock influence here as well, particularly on the first four tracks. And then there is the common thread…
Synthesizer, human beatbox, and Fender Rhodes. These are part of the new sound of pianist Jacky Terrasson on his new album “Take This”. “I don’t want to repeat myself…I wanted to do something completely different”, says Terrasson in the liner notes. And so he opens the 11-song set with a joyous, uptempo “Kiff” including the…
A collection of nine standards is the latest album by guitarist Bobby Broom. But this is not your typical standard fare – there is a Frederick Loewe song that hasn’t been recorded very often (“The Heather On The Hill”) and all of the tracks come to life by the shining arrangements for his trio which…
Steve Tyrell, the singer with that raspy voice and a little country twang, got his start in the record business early when he had the chance to work at the famous Scepter label. Soon enough, he produced songs for Chuck Jackson or Maxine Brown and promoted the records for Dionne Warwick. It was the time…
His career spanned over seven decades, he received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2010, and he entered hospice care about a week ago. His wife Gwen wrote on his Facebook page: “He left us peacefully, surrounded by his family, students and friends.” Two of my favorite Clark Terry albums are very different affairs and…
As an avid reader of album credits, I came across the name of trumpeter Duane Eubanks (brother of guitarist Kevin and trombonist Robin) on one of the final albums for the great Phyllis Hyman, “Forever With You” from 1998, where he was featured on the title track and on “The Strength Of A Woman”. A…