The piano trio is hardly a new concept in jazz. Certainly Cyrus Chestnut has established himself as a giant in that format, through CDs stretching back to his recording debut in 1990 and his countless appearances at clubs, concert halls and festivals throughout the world. Even so, his new release — “Journeys” — marks a …
Category: KCCK Blog
The Elegance of Stallings and Person – Bob
Passionate, robust singers with the sensitivity of a Carmen McRae and the sass of a Dinah Washington aren’t exactly thick on the ground these days, which is what makes Mary Stallings’ return to the studios a cause for rejoicing. Her voice is, at once, contemporary and timeless, encompassing the entire history of jazz vocals. For …
Donatelli & The World of Jazz – Bob
The problem with jazz singing is that almost no two listeners can agree on exactly what it is. Fans of unbridled scatting tend to dismiss vocalists with a more lyrical side; listeners who enjoy lyrical storytelling have less regard for performers who use words as vehicles for ostentatious display. This makes the singing of Denise …
Accoustic Abbasi, Cohan’s Second Release – Bob
It seems perfectly natural that a musician having developed a distinctive sound and approach to his instrument would want to broaden his palette. Guitarist/composer Rez Abbasi has been perfecting his own guitar voice, mainly playing electric, for some time. With his new CD, “Natural Selection”, Abbasi forgoes the electric and turns to the acoustic guitar …
Jazz Influences Pop, Triveni – Bob
Jazz has a long history of taking popular songs of the day and making them vehicles for improvisation. Organist Joey DeFrancesco’s current exploration of the music associated with Michael Jackson, “Never Can Say Goodbye”, is merely the latest addition to the list. Though this music is linked with the undisputed “King of Pop,” this is …
Barbecued Jazz; Oregon Milestone – Bob
Connoisseurs of the Kansas City barbecue scene are certainly familiar with the world renowned Gates Barbecue. Saxophonist Bobby Watson, who leads the jazz studies program at the Conservatory of Music and Dance at the University of Missouri-Kansas City, is a huge fan. “Kansas City is the Napa Valley of barbecue,” he says. “Gates’ Barbecue stands …
Scofield-Mendoza Collaboration, Lloyd’s New Quartet – Bob
The collaboration heard on John Scofield’s new CD — “54” — had its origins back in the ’90s when Vince Mendoza asked the guitarist to play on his first album. Scofield has since been on two more of Mendoza’s records. When Mendoza assumed directorship of the Metropole Orchestra of the Netherlands in 2005, he and …
The Sound of Latin America – Bob
Born in Quivican, Cuba, in 1941, Chucho Valdes is one of Cuba’s most famous pianists, bandleaders, composers and arrangers. Perhaps best known for founding the famous Latin jazz band Irakere in 1972, Chucho’s illustrious career has also garnered him six Grammy wins and 16 nominations over the past three decades. He’s recorded over 80 CDs …