After leading his legendary group Quest in the 1980s and after over two decades of the Dave Liebman Group, the NEA Jazz Master unveils a brand new band, Expansions. The adventure features members of a new generation of talented musicians eager, like their bandleader, to alter the language of jazz. These musicians, heard …
Category: KCCK Blog
New Music Monday for December 22, 2014
Legendary alto saxophonist Richie Cole first heard the Washington DC-based Uptown Vocal Jazz Quartet in 2012 and immediately declared them “my new discovery, the whole package.” Cole, who has worked extensively with the Manhattan Transfer, instantly recognized the vocal appeal of the UVJQ and the unique songwriting and arranging talents of their leader, Ginny …
New Music Monday for December 15, 2014
A lot of commitment is required for a band to develop musical ESP, and it was in this spirit that saxophonist Jeremy Udden and trumpeter John McNeil began to meet regularly in 2011 to work on their concepts of composition and improvisation. Over time, they added a rhythm section of bassist Aryeh Kobrinsky and …
New Music Monday for December 8, 2014
New Music Monday Playlist on Youtube and Spotify. For many years, a special part of David Hazeltine’sChristmas Eve ritual was to go to the Village Vanguard and listen to Cedar Walton play. The pianist has been listening to and trying to incorporate aspects of Cedar’s style since 1974. He first met Walton in 1982 …
New Music Monday, Christmas Style
New Music Monday Playlist on YouTube and Spotify. The Hammond organ may just be the musical instrument best suited to Christmas and holiday-themed music. It produces a gloriously warm, rich and full-bodied sound, the aural equivalent of a hug from Santa Claus. Place that instrument in the hands of a genuine virtuoso and you have …
New Music Monday for November 24, 2014
Listen to this week’s playlist on YouTube and Spotify Dayna Stephens has developed into one of the most important saxophone stylists playing today. His lush tone on tenor, soprano and baritone has led to his involvement with musicians of legendary status and those of the scene nouveau, from Al Foster and Kenny Barron to Taylor …
New Music Monday for November 17
Listen to this week’s playlist on YouTube and Spotify. “While their acoustic instrumentation, virtuosity, and improvisational brio scream jazz, their music displays influences from all over the map, including classical, rock, ambient, and electronica. James Farm has big ears. And the quartet grooves fiercely.” That’s the Boston Globe talking about the quartet James Farm, featuring …
New Music Monday for November 10, 2014
Listen to this week’s playlist on YouTube and Spotify. “There’s something about being the age I’m at now,” reflects iconic guitar hero Bill Frisell.” I turned 63 this past spring, and after playing for more than 50 years, it just feels right to once again play some of the music which shaped my consciousness during …