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Oscar Rossignoli: Making Music Is A Liberating Experience

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Looking at composer-pianist Oscar Rossignoli, one would think the youthful glint in his eyes, the optimistic tilt of his smile denotes a pupil eager to learn his craft, undaunted by the possibility of being scarred by failure, as he ferries across the mercurial waters of jazz improvisation.  That is until Rossignoli sits at a piano and works the twinkling ivories and onyx bars, playing like a well-practiced soul, a multi-faceted creator.  Listeners swear they are in the presence of a seasoned pianist and contemporary maestro, exhibiting the mysticism of Chopin, the ingenuity of Thelonious Monk, the infectious allure of Amina Figarova, and delivering the unbridled passion of an operatic performer. His composing and playing leads one to believe he has a strong sense of himself, or perhaps an alter-ego emerges.  He admits, "Oh, I don't think about any of these things at all, but I'll say this: if I truly let the music speak for itself, it's a truly liberating experience....

Album Review: Live at Vic’s from Nicole Zuraitis

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Album:  Live at Vic's Artist:   Nicole Zuraitis Label:   Self-Released Website:  www.nicolezmusic.com Warm and sensual, Nicole Zuraitis's vocals lure her audiences into an uplifting mood, lull them into a tranquil state, and leaves an indelible imprint in their minds.  Her 2025 release Live at Vic's was recorded in front of a live audience, giving the listener insight into her animated interactions with her band and personalized touch at a live performance.   A fusion of soul, jazz, rhythm and blues, and adult contemporary, Zuraitis's vocals softly cradle the lyrics, as her purring timbres shape and refine the delicate nuances in her delivery of "Pure Imagination," making it an exceptional piece.  Turning her vocals shimmery and percussive through her reimagination of Dolly Parton's tune "Jolene," Zuraitis's vocals portray unbridled passion.  Her duet with bassist Samuel Weber cruises charmingly along "The Coffee Song," demonstratin...

Album Review: In Lieu of Flowers from Dave Anderson

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  Album:  In Lieu of Flowers Artist:   Dave Anderson Label:   LABEL 1 Records Website:  www.daveandersonjazz.com Smooth, cool jazz layered in flowing knolls and blues-infused motifs catacomb in incisions of improvised movements, In Lieu of Flowers from saxophonist/composer/leader Dave Anderson is a pleasurable jaunt.  His crew comprised of Grant Richards on piano, Lorin Cohen on bass, Jimmy Macbride on drums, and himself on saxophone sets out on engulfing the listener in harmonious riffs.   Each track exudes a nocturnal vibe conducive to after-hours respite.   The slow burn of Anderson's saxophone forms glistening cascades of teardrops along "Sanctuary" as Richards's piano solo etches dexterous scrolls across the track, creating a tender, reflective moment.  "Lost City" projects a dreamy vision in the listener's mind brandishing an evocative bass solo played by Cohen, while "One for Wayne," a tribute to Wayne Shorter, is fraught in livel...

Album Review: Conceptions from Geoffrey Dean Quartet

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  Album:   Conceptions Artist:   Geoffrey Dean Quartet Label:   Cellar Music Website:  www.geoffreydeanmusic.com Conceptions is the second album from the Geoffrey Dean Quartet featuring leader-pianist Geoffrey Dean, bassist Harish Raghavan, Dr. Eric Binder on drums, and Justin Copeland on trumpet.  The recording is an array of original music using the framework of straight-ahead jazz with each track written individually by Dean, Binder and Copeland.  The group’s multi-dimensional writing styles showcase a diversity of expressions and interplay using jazz principles.   The heavenly furls of Copeland's trumpet swirling leisurely across "Amidst a Dream" recede as Dean's lightly prancing keys take centerstage, held steady by the trotting beats of Binder's drums and Raghavan's bass.   The bold strokes of Copeland's trumpet flares open "Conflagration" into a blossoming meadow of sonic ripples that retract as Dean's nimbly choreographed keys ...

Album Review: Simply 'S Wonderful-The Magic of Gershwin from Juliet Ewing

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  Album:   Simply ‘S Wonderful-The Magic of Gershwin Artist:   Juliet Ewing Label:   HoneyDiva Music/Lexicon Classics Website: www.julietewing.com INSTAGRAM @thejulietset Facebook #thejulietset Juliet Ewing, a former Broadway theater performer, reveals her affinity for swing jazz in her 2025 release Simply 'S Wonderful, a collection of standard favorites written by George and Ira Gershwin.  From the sashaying samba beats of "Oh, Lady Be Good" to the sauntering stride of "But Not For Me" and the thoughtful mood of "The Man I Love," Ewing reminds audiences what makes the Gershwin tunes relatable to the human spirit and heart.   Her elongation of poignant notes along "The Man I Love" keeps the listener on tenterhooks, solicited to share in the hopeful aspirations expressed in the lyrics. "A Foggy Day" ensconces Ewing's upbeat vocals in a swinging rhythm while the candlelight ambience of "The Lorelei" kindles a ragtime rh...

Shelly Bhushan: Open To Experimenting with New Ideas

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S inger, songwriter, guitarist, and leader, Shelly Bhushan continues to discover new elements in her creativity.  Exploring deeper into the flexibility and range of her vocals.  Traveling further into her musical sensibilities and her appreciation for all types of musicians outside of her comfort zone.   The more she allows herself to tinker and experiment with her voice and ability to create music, the more she opens herself up to learn from other musicians and their creative process.  Opening herself up to embarking on new adventures, charting new parameters, and pioneering new journeys for herself. She imparts, "It’s not simply focused on my vocal takes and performance. I want to experiment more, I want to do more interesting musical projects that make me feel uncomfortable." Reaching beyond her solo projects, which encompass her 2005 EP The Shelly Show , 2007 LP Picking Daisies , 2010 EP Make Believe , 2013 LP Something Out of Nothing , 2020 single When Will...

Erik Deutsch: Taking Audiences To When This Was Then

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T his Was Then is the ninth full-length album by pianist-composer Erik Deutsch.  Its contents take audiences through picturesque dreamscapes filled with psychedelic effects, funky grooves, and quixotic imagery personified in Deutsch's ruminating piano keys.   Audiences are given a glance into Deutsch's imagination, idyllic and multi-dimensional with his nimble keys layered by a pumping bass line played by Jeff HIll, simmering horns performed by reed player Mike McGinnis and trombonist Brian Drye, a soothing and rootsy slide guitar supplied by Avi Bortnick, and bolstered by the pounding drumbeats of Tony Mason.  Adding more layers to the music is percussionist Mauro Refosco and Deutsch's wife Victoria Reed on vocals, giving Deutsch's music greater definition nestled beside a rhythmic stride. Deutsch cheers, "These fine musicians are all friends from my years in Brooklyn!" Williamsburg, Brooklyn, where Deutsch's journey into becoming a solo artist and leade...