“Since I started to tour in the late ’70s, I’ve collected instruments from Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Eastern and Western Europe and North and South America,” says Joe Lovano, who, in addition to his instantly recognizable tenor sax, improvises on many other horns and an array of percussion. “I’ve spent a lifetime feeling the …
Category: KCCK Blog
A World of Jazz – Bob Stewart
“What’s up, San Francisco? Are you ready to have a good time?” asks the timbales player and band leader Pete Escovedo at the beginning of “Live From Stern Grove Festival”, his new CD capturing a live show he played earlier this year at the legendary 75-year-old San Francisco cultural venue and institution. Early in his …
Dawkins’ New Ensemble; Feather’s Nouveau Stride – Bob Stewart
One of the life goals of Ernest Dawkins is for his music and compositions to reflect the evolving collective cultural memory of the American jazz aesthetic. Dawkins is one of the world’s premiere saxophonists and composers. He is an entrepreneur with years of experience working with new media technologies to produce and promote his work …
Bari Claire; Prohibition – Bob Stewart
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 …
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 …