Finnish pianist Iiro Rantala refers in the notes to his John Lennon tribute album to Lennon’s honesty in his songwriting and that he really believed the things he sings about. Iiro has tackled different topics and collaborations in the past; the most intriguing probably his “Lost Heroes” album. His new solo project opens with the…
Cécile has made quiet a jump in the past years: from studying in Aix-en-Provence to receiving a Grammy nomination for her album “Woman Child”. She sings in French and English and has been the voice of various Chanel ad campaigns. The last time I saw her perform live was at New York’s Lycée Francais on…
Savoy Jazz will release a 10-LP set of Charlie Parker recordings in November. “The Complete Savoy and Dial Studio Recordings 1944-1948” was nominated for a Grammy and produced by Orrin Keepnews. The 180g vinyl set not only showcases the legendary saxophonist during his career beginnings, but also includes performances from artists like Miles Davis, Erroll…
The SFJAZZ Collective, the famous octet which has released a great body of work since their debut in 2004, has announced a new member: trumpeter Sean Jones joins the group and replaces trumpeter Avishai Cohen. Also on the horizon: a new album which will be the first with Sean and which will explore the music…
Danish Jazz singer Sinne Eeg releases her 7th album, a vocal-bass duet with Thomas Fonnesbaek on acoustic and electric bass. Her last album “Face The Music” has won the Jazz Vocal Album of the Year award from the Académie du Jazz in France. Obviously, you can’t help but compare this new effort with the master…
This is only the third album this year that receives a five-paw rating from Gina. It finds exactly the right balance between Jazz and Soul or, as drummer, producer, arranger, and composer Terri Lyne Carrington says in her liner notes, highlights the Soul in Jazz and vice versa. The album is the latest with her all-women…
I had a lunch meeting yesterday with a good friend and colleague and we were talking music, of course. When we talked about the upcoming fall concert season, I mentioned to him that Michel Legrand would come to town. Since he wasn’t aware of that concert highlight, I thought I publish Michel’s tour dates here…
It is really hard to believe that Incognito already celebrated their 35th anniversary last year. But then again, if you think about it, they have accompanied me musically ever since the early 80s so there you go… Founder and band leader Bluey assembled his group plus a few guest vocalists for a party-like concert on…
Only a few of the so-called Smooth Jazz artists have survived over the years. Most certainly those who take chances to spread out a bit or try some edgier sounds. Saxophonist Boney James comes up with a new album and even though he is among those artists whose records from 10 or 15 years ago…
So Gina took some days off and when we came back, we were delighted to see this year’s Enjoy Jazz Festival line-up. The Festival for the Mannheim-Ludwigshafen-Heidelberg area (Rhein-Neckar) runs from October 2nd until November 14th and features – again – a lot of acts and something for everyone. The opening concert will feature South…