jazz2love

Album:  Will I Fly Artist:  Miwa Gemini Label:  Self-Release Website:  http://www.miwagemini.com Singer, songwriter, guitarist, and banjo player Miwa Gemini demonstrates her versatile and creative imagination on her latest release Will I Fly . Her recordings of acoustic pop mingled with roots rock and porch folk splendor are always a pleasurable experience, and Will I Fly does nothing less than make listening to her music a delightful experience. The bouncy polka style rhythm of the title track launches the recording into a sprightly mood that triggers an infectious Eastern European swing energy. Diversifying her repertoire, the thumbing beats of "Hattie's Love Song" produce a seesaw sway as Miwa's shimmering vocals move sensually across the silhouettes of vibraphone chimes. A country twange accents the melody as the porch folk treads of the guitar hook effectively stick in the listener's mind. The enchanting lullaby of "Japanese Song" is set to a c...

Album:  Fantasy Vocal Sessions Volume 2 Artist:  David K. Mathews Label:  Effendi Records  Website:  www.facebook.com/dave.mathews.16 Fantasy Vocal Sessions Volume 2 is the second installment in a five project series led by keyboardist David K. Mathews. For his forthcoming release, he features a mixture of soul, pop, R&B, and smooth jazz in the tracks.  Accompanied by a dynamic assortment of vocalists and musicians, Mathews demonstrates an instinct for classic soul sensibilities and pleasing harmonic forms. The feminine softness and silky finesse of vocalist Amikaeyla Gaston reimagines songs like Jimmy Webb's pop tune "Wichita Lineman" and Stevie Wonder's hidden gem "Superwoman," inlaying the tracks with gorgeous nuances.  The elegance in her versing is spellbinding.  Her caressing vocals retouch the Isley Brothers' soulful ballad "For the Love of You," permeating a romantic lure reminiscent of Patti Austin. Moving into the playful cha...

Album:  I Just Want To Be Horizontal Artist:  Samoa Wilson with the Jim Kweskin Band Label:  Kingswood Records, LLC Website:  www.jimkweskin.com  &  www.samoawilson.com Vocalist Samoa Wilson and guitarist/bandleader Jim Kweskin make something special on I Just Want To Be Horizontal .  Their reimagination of classic jazz gems fuse a myriad of melodic-enriched traits, dabbling in the earthy country folk textures of Tin Pan alley jazz, mixed with the lively trotting of Prohibition Era hot jazz, and adding a glint of Broadway showtunes-style radiance.   Such sparkling qualities relatable to the jazz made famous in classic Hollywood films are revisited and revamped on Wilson and Kweskin's recording.  Inspired by Teddy Wilson's 1930's recordings that featured blues singer Billie Holiday, the music has roots in the jazz of the early 20th century with Samoa's striking vocals bringing the recording into the 21st century, carving out its right...

Album:  Mood Walk Artist:  Fred Randolph Label:  Creative Spirit Records Website:  https://fredrandolph.com Moon Walk , the fourth CD from bassist-composer Fred Randolph as a leader applies Big Band swing panache with bebop flare.  Inspired by the likes of Clifford Brown, Chick Corea, and John Coltrane, Randolph's team of players perform what one expects from a jazz outing with tunes that shuffle and waltz,  engage in quick steps and stargazing, the recording touches numerous precepts of the jazz repertoire. The honeyed wisps of Sheldon Brown's flute infuse "Strange Game" with a cushiony texture as Brian Rice's percussive chimes shower glittering sprinkles across the track.  The ethereal feel of the composition acts like a balmy salve on the aural senses, evoking a stargazing ambience.  The CD changes course on the title track, blowing out with vibrant Big Band hued shrapnel as the wailing toots of the horns give the composition depth and add ...

Live Premiere of Jazz at Lincoln Center's New Online Series, Led By Award–Winning Saxophonist, Composer, and Educator Alexa Tarantino The Well-Rounded Musician with Alexa Tarantino Thursday, May 7, 9:00 p.m. EDT New York, NY (May 6, 2020) Tomorrow, beginning at 9:00 p.m. EDT, Jazz at Lincoln Center presents its latest free, online series: The Well-Rounded Musician with Alexa Tarantino live on the Jazz at Lincoln Center Facebook page here:  https://www.facebook.com/jazzatlincolncenter Led by Alexa Tarantino, one of jazz’s most exciting and versatile rising stars, the series will explore practical ways to become a more comprehensive artist. This first session will focus on A Day in Your Life. Alexa will discuss and demonstrate her tips on daily practice routines, establishing priorities, time management and productivity tools, and practice preparation and techniques. Jazz at Lincoln Center hopes to accommodate all interested viewers on Zoom at  https://zoom.u...

Album:  Battle Lines Artist:  Steve Fidyk Label:  Blue Canteen Website:  https://www.bluecanteenmusic.com Battle Lines, the forthcoming release led by drummer Steve Fidyk is a reflection of the music that has been in his life as an avid fan of various styles of jazz and as a participating musician and composer to the craft.  His musical experiences have spanned from being a featured soloist with the Army Blues Big Band based in Washington, DC to performing in small groups led by tenor saxophonist Walt Weiskopf and guitarist Jack Wilkins, and more recently performing with the Jazz Orchestra of Philadelphia led by trumpeter Terell Stafford.  For Battle Lines , Fidyk is supported by Joe Magnarelli on trumpet, Xavier Perez on tenor saxophone, Peter Zak on piano, and Michael Karn on bass.  Their effort unites several decades of jazz music, bringing familiar traditions into the 21st century. The quintet's interpretation of Eddie Harris' bebop score "Ign...

Album:  Look For the Light Artist:  Jeff Reed Label:  Stricker Street Records Website:  www.jeffreedbass.com Jeff Reed's jazz quintet is brimming with ingenuity and rapid counterpoints on his latest CD Look For the Light .  Leading on acoustic bass, Reed is accompanied by Sean Jones on trumpet,Todd Marcus on bass clarinet, Jonathan Epley on guitar, and Eric Kennedy on drums.  The 5-piece engage in ample counter movements as each musician provides feedback to one another's assertions.  The swift exchanges manifest into a complementing chaos, mirroring what listeners would hear during an open jam session. Kennedy's drums flare boldly across "Tricotism" as Jones' trumpet and Marcus' bass clarinet sprinkle the track with bursts of flickering toots.  The composition is densely populated with the musicians various remarks, inserting counter phrases from Epley on guitar.  The quintet cools down to a leisurely pace along "Paragon" as Reed's bass ...