jazz2love

Album:  It Comes In Waves Artist:  Denin Slage-Koch Label: Slage-Koch Records Website:  www.deninkochmusic.com Award-winning guitarist, composer, and educator Denin Slage-Koch demonstrates his zeal and striking melodic sensibilities on her latest recording It Comes In Waves .  His music illustrates the capacity of the human spirit to move forward with an uplifting outlook.  The bubbling mood of "The Road Home" stokes the embers of good cheer, as the serene swells of the title track bask the listener in a reclining climate reflective of David Brubeck. The smooth radiance emanating from Slage-Koch's guitar strings along "One For Honey" has a soft bluesy texture amplified by the rollicking beats of Bobby Wiens's drums and Gavin Allen-Dunn's tricking keys.  "The Cost of Apathy" shifts the recording into a mellow ambience as the horns vibrate at varied temperaments from a sullen stride to soaring brightly, flanked by brushed drums and subdued keyboa...

Album:  Hangin' Out Artists:  Jim Self and John Chiodini Website:  https://www.bassethoundmusic.com Fluid and ambient, the music of tuba player Jim Self partnered with guitarist John Chiodini has a traditional jazz sonorous that flows seamlessly, advancing effortlessly through the sound passages. Their newest release Hangin' Out displays the sensitive playing of Self combined with the elegant strumming and chime-like fibrillations of Chiodini's guitar strings.  Joining the pair is trumpet player and flugelhornist Ron Stout, baritone saxophonist David Angel, tenor saxophonist Tom Peterson, and trombonist Scott Whitfield. The recording comprises of a mixture of straight-ahead jazz standards, samba romps, bossa nova ballads, and classic pop staples. Self and Chiodini each contributed one of their own original compositions with Peterson and Whitfield also contributing original material. The uncommon union of the tuba and guitar opens the jazz panoply to vibrant innovati...

Album:  The View From The Top Artist:  Gemma Farrell Quintet Label:  Self-Released Website:  http://gemmafarrellmusic.com Gemma Farrell Quintet's second endeavor, The View From The Top , is a modern jazz-leaning recording filled with easy listening scores that complement people's lifestyles.  Based in Australia, saxophonist Gemma Farrell leads her quintet through original works composed by her, showcasing a penchant for hard bop hydraulics, straight-ahead jazz motifs, and improvised spins.  Supported by Sam Hadlow on trombone, Dan Garner on guitar, Kate Pass on bass, and Ryan Daunt on drums, the Gemma Farrell Quintet create a pleasant listening experience. The harmonious communication formed by Farrell and her crew on "Every Year" is reminiscent of luminary voices familiar to audiences like David Brubeck and Thelonious Monk.  The meandering tweets of Farrell's sax infuse bends and curves which keep the track advancing, acting as a thickening agent that...

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...