Six-time winner of Downbeat magazine’s Critic’s Poll as Talent Deserving of Wider Recognition and past winner of the Jazz Journalist Association’s “Baritone Sax of the Year”, Claire Daly’s love of jazz began as a young girl in 1971, just three months after starting saxophone lessons. While attending a big band concert, the reed section stood …
Category: KCCK Blog
Branker’s Ascent; Warfield’s Octet – Bob Stewart
“With a unique combination of depth and accessibility, Branker is able to put forth a jazz perspective steeped in soulful optimism…crafting some of today’s finest compositions.” So says All About Jazz of composer Anthony Branker, who leads his band Ascent on their fourth release, “Together.” Dr. Branker is director of the jazz studies program at …
Poncho’s Anniversary; Winard’s Posse – Bob Stewart
Given all the ups and downs the music industry has experienced in the past three decades, it’s remarkable to find anyone who still retains a sense of allegiance or loyalty. Master conguero, band leader and Latin Jazz legend Poncho Sanchez is the exception. Thirty years ago, close friend and jazz icon Cal Tjader recommended he …
A Taste of Abbasi; Hamilton Drives DePaul Ensemble – Bob Stewart
“Producing so vivid a music that it can almost be tasted, Abbasi sounds like no one who has gone before him. His compositions are sheer genius.” So says All About Jazz regarding New York guitarist and composer Rez Abbasi, who has emerged as one of the most creative musicians of his generation. His forays into …
Ninety Miles Live; Pharez For the People – Bob Stewart
Perhaps better than any politician or diplomat, musicians understand inherently that when we look at each other as individuals and focus on the similarities, the divide between us is actually quite short. Vibraphonist Stefon Harris, saxophonist David Sanchez and trumpeter Christian Scott first crossed that divide on their “Ninety Miles” disc of last year. Recorded …
Fret Phenoms – Bob Stewart
Although one of the most emotive interpreters of standards repertoire, guitarist Kurt Rosenwinkel is also one of his generation’s most prolific composers. The NEA Composer’s Award winner asserts that it is his writing which helped develop what has now become a singular voice in modern jazz. For his first quartet disc in more than ten years …
New Music – Bob Stewart
Most jazz fans probably know saxophonist David Bixler from his many years in the first alto chair of Arturo O’Farrill’s Afro-Cuban ensembles. O’Farrill describes him as “a brilliant mind, an outsider looking in at all the restraints of what is normally called jazz, but like true observers not bound by any of them. His is …
Expanded Claytons, Koplant’s Third – Bob Stewart
A new Clayton Brothers release is always a family affair-not only due to the actual blood ties of siblings John and Jeff Clayton and son/nephew Gerald, but in the sense that quintet-mates Terell Stafford and Obed Calvaire have become part of the Claytons’ extended family through years of touring and recording. On their new CD …