Guitarist Lee Ritenour has assembled an impressive cast of musicians for his latest album “A Twist Of Rit”, which is bascially a collection of re-works of some of his older compositions. Four tracks alone are from his debut album “First Course”, recorded in 1975. “Wild Rice” gets a Funk-Rock treatment here with a cool Fender…
From Philadelphia comes a great singer and songwriter who comes very close to the great Donny Hathaway. The opening “Bleed Me Dry” from Aaron Parnell Brown‘s new album “The Tin Man” reminds me of early 70s Donny records, complete with cute, gospelly background vocals by Shayna Steele and a bluesy sax solo by Andy Snitzer….
No, this is not a new name for a girl group. Even though Gina loves playing in the pool, she didn’t really enjoy the little bath to cool her down in this current heatwave in Berlin. While many of the clubs are on a summer schedule or no schedule at all, we are currently listening…
Bassist and singer Richard Bona from Cameroon is opening a new Jazz club in New York next month. The club is called Bonafide (like Richard’s last album, released in 2013) and is located at 212 East 52nd Street in Manhattan. There will be an exclusive sneak preview of the club this week (August 11th-13th) with…
I know that these days, everything that defies categorization is simply called Jazz. Not only in music, but in all kinds of everyday life matters. This morning, while shopping for our daily doses of Ayran in this heatwave that slows Berlin down to an enjoyable tempo, I came across an apple that was called Jazz….
It’s been ten years already since the release of singer Tracy Hamlin‘s first solo album “Seasons”. Before her solo debut, she was lead vocalist for Pieces Of A Dream and recorded a couple of albums with them. Now comes album number five for the Baltimore-born songstress who has a striking similarity to the great Stephanie…
Happy birthday to one of the most dynamic and interesting drummers, composers and producers of our time: Terri Lyne Carrington celebrates the big 50 today and there is more to celebrate: a new album (which will be exceptional after the first quick listen to some of the songs) which will have a lot of fantastic…
August 7th would have been Rahsaan Roland Kirk‘s 80th birthday. The original and highly influential saxophonist who was probably best known for his ability to play various instruments simultaneously, is feted at San José’s 3rd Annual Rahsaanathon at Café Stritch. His biographer John Kluth will open the celebrations when he joins New York-based baritone saxophonist…
This year’s Musikfest Bremen features some interesting events again. Since 1989, this music festival which covers all kinds of genres, but mostly classical and jazz, has become increasingly popular. For the 2015 edition, here are my picks: Singer Cécile McLorin Salvant will introduce her new album “For One To Love” on September 3rd. Joining her…
The Becca Stevens Band, whose latest record “Perfect Animal” was released a couple of weeks ago, has announced a 7-date tour through Germany in September. Becca is leading a workshop in Siena, Italy, for about a week in early August and will return to Europe for the tour (see dates below). Her 10-song album is…