Iiro Rantala, the brilliant pianist from Helsinki who is equally at home in Jazz, Classical, and Film score composing, brought his new project to Berlin’s A-Trane last night. His album “Anyone With A Heart”, released earlier this year on ACT, features the croatian cellist Asja Valcic and the polish violinist Adam Baldych. During his first…
“I don’t listen to my music but I would put this on”, said a good-humored Joni Mitchell in an interview last week with talk show host Tavis Smiley. She was referring to her monumental 4-CD Box set “Love Has Many Faces: A Quartet, A Ballet, Waiting To Be Danced”. It took her two years to…
For many years, Rodney Kendrick was the musical director and pianist for Abbey Lincoln. The 54 year old pianist and keyboarder wanted to express, as he states in the liner notes of his new trio album “The Colors Of Rhythm” (Impulse), “the sweet and the sour, the dark and the light, the bad and the…
The 71 year old released his first album back in 1964: “Samba Demais”. And it was as early as the mid 60s that he had his first hits like “Samba De Verao”, also known as “Summer Samba”. His international career in the ensuing decades incorporated Jazz, Pop, Electronic, Soul and Reggae and his songs were…
She has a French father and a Dominican mother so it is no surprise really that singer Cyrille Aimée‘s songs include some Gypsy Jazz as well as hints of World Music and Latin. Her child-like voice and instant joy she conveys is evident once more on her new album “It’s A Good Day”. She sometimes…
“Anat’s Dance”, the first song clarinetist Anat Cohen played at her show at Berlin’s A-Trane last night, probably is the best introduction to her versatility: she extends so much joy from stage to audience it is really infectious. That particular song was written by pianist and keyboarder Jason Lindner who has learned with Barry Harris…
I’ve been an admirer of Raul Midón’s work ever since he came on the scene in about 1999. One of my favorite songs still is “Cerca De Mi” which can be found on the brilliant Louie Vega album “Elements Of Life”. Pure Bliss! Raul has been touring the world over several times since then and…
It really happens quiet often that prejudices are proven true in the end. When I read the names of the ten artists on the cover of the new Nina Simone tribute album “Round Nina – A Tribute To Nina Simone”, I immediately thought that especially three artists wouldn’t do anything to me or enhance this…
Bebel Gilberto has released her fifth album in 14 years. The Brazilian singer, daughter of Bossa Nova great Joao Gilberto and singer Miúcha, has created another one of her signature Bossa Electric Lounge albums, but doesn’t come near the immensely popular and sophisticated “Tanto Tempo”, her first solo album in 2000 which was one of…
Freda Payne is probably best known for her huge hit “Band Of Gold” which came out in 1970. Her sister Scherrie was a one-time Supreme member. She did a lot of musical and film work, but her love for Jazz has been present more or less all the time. She released a couple of albums…