Harold Mabern, one of jazz’s most enduring and dazzlingly skilled pianists, steps into the spotlight as a leader on his new CD, “Mr. Lucky: a Tribute to Sammy Davis Jr.” During his time on the scene as sideman and leader, the Memphis native has played with such greats as Miles Davis, Sonny Rollins, Wes Montgomery …
Category: KCCK Blog
Not Dead….Not Even Sick – Dennis
Is Jazz on the critical list? Well-known Jazz Critic and author Nat Hentoff has a guest editorial in a recent edition of JAZZed Magazine, “Jazz Revolution Vs. Radio Station Slashing Jazz.” He talks about the recent decision by Boston’s WBGH-FM to dramatically reduce its jazz programming. His main point is the disconnect between media and retail’s general attitude toward …
Anat’s Claroscuro; Cables’ Muse – Bob Stewart
“Claroscuro”, clarinetist and saxophonist Anat Cohen’s sixth recording as a leader, presents the most comprehensive portrait of the award-winning Israeli bandleader to date. The disc takes its title from the Spanish word describing the play of light and shade and its moods range from buoyant dances to darkly lyrical ballads. Cohen is showcased in a …
Second Act From Maceo & WDR; D.C.’s Jazz Nation – Bob Stewart
Saxophonist Maceo Parker pioneered the sounds of funk and soul in the 1960s as the high-profile sideman to the legendary James Brown. He has since established a solo career that embraces not only that seminal funk sound but also jazz, R&B and more. He first encountered the WDR Big Band in 2008 with a Ray …
Elling’s New York Project; New Music from Equilateral – Bob Stewart
“Having done so many projects about my love for Chicago,” says vocalist Kurt Elling,” I wanted to make something that spoke of my love for New York.” The two cities define his career. Elling developed his craft in Chicago, and recorded several of his early discs there. But in fact, the singer and his family …
Saxes Are Wild – Bob Stewart
Jerry Bergonzi’s quintessentially modern tenor sax style melds the linear, chromatic approach of such greats as Joe Henderson and Wayne Shorter with the horizontal chordal techniques of John Coltrane. His manner of playing is utterly spontaneous and distinctive. With such contemporaries as Joe Lovano, Michael Brecker and Dave Liebman, Bergonzi has helped define the modern …
Bentyne’s Porter Therapy; Electric Loueke – Bob Stewart
When Cheryl Bentyne was recovering from cancer treatment and starting again to sing, it was to Cole Porter she first turned as her “saving grace.” With his songs fresh in her mind from recently recording Let’s “Misbehave: the Cole Porter Songbook”, Bentyne connected with Porter’s ability to “cover the human condition,” healing along with the …
New Music – Bob Stewart
Debuts From Vega and DeBriano/Ben-Hur and More… While pianist Donald Vega is beginning to draw attention in jazz circle as Mulgrew Miller’s successor in the Ron Carter Trio, he makes a bold statement as a composer and bandleader on “Spiritual Nature.” Joined by the regal rhythm tandem of Christian McBride and drummer Lewis Nash, Vega …