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…
I think we have to thank Donald Byrd, the trumpet master, for encouraging the young Otis Brown III to pursue a career in playing music instead of music education. And sax ace Joe Lovano for taking him out on tour with his band. Finally, here’s his debut album on Blue Note which, thank heaven, is…
She grew up in the middle of nowhere in the heart of Sweden, learned her craft in New York and now the singer is back with her sixth album on the Munich-based ACT Music label. She is on a new path with “When You Make Me Smile”, since this is her first album with a…
I thought it was very brave to start with Joni Mitchell’s “Woodstock”. But Laila Biali delivered an entertaining and convincing first set last night at Berlin’s A-Trane as part of her first German tour. The Canadian singer and pianist, who also writes her own songs, is a 2011 JUNO nominee for “Best Vocal Jazz album…
At first I thought oh no not another version of “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” and “Amazing Grace”. But then after I listened to the first few bars of the opener “Truth In Blue”, she already had me convinced. Alicia Olatuja’s strong, robust and yet crystal clear voice had changed my mind. Her debut album “Timeless”…
Pianist Jerry Léonide is from Mauritius, a place not necessarily associated with Jazz. But there has always been a pretty active and lively music scene and yet, the young Léonide decided to move to Paris at age 17. Léonide says of his home turf: “Mauritius is a country of many different ethnic influences and that’s…
Esther Phillips was one of the first female superstars of R&B. She had seven Top 10 hits on the R&B charts in 1950 alone. In 1972, Creed Taylor took her to his newly created Kudu Records label, a subsidiary of his main CTI Records. On Kudu, Grover Washington, Jr. recorded his first highly acclaimed albums….