jazz2love

Album:  Opening Artist:  Chris Keefe Label: Zugzwangbebop Records Website:  chriskeefemusic.com The camaraderie demonstrated by pianist Chris Keefe, bassist Harvie S, and drummer Adam Nussbaum on Keefe's latest release Opening displays a genuine esprit de corps that affects the listener instantly.  Launching the recording with "Got a Chick?," Harvie S and Nussbaum work with Keefe's musical statements, inseminating arcs and rhythmic beats that enhance the revelry and interplay. The trio's kinetic interplay makes each track enjoyable.  The refinement and liveliness of "Just in Time" is magnetic, and the sleek pendulum-like swells of "Modern" are aurally comforting.  The shuffling beats of "Along Came Betty" have a hardcore bop luster, and the solemn ambience of "Fall In Love Too Easily" has a tranquilizing effect on the listener, imbued with a straight-ahead jazz shine.  "Chobim" permeates a dreamy bossa nova sway t...

Album:  Blues and Cubes Artist:  The Jazz Professors Label:  Flying Horse Records Websites:   flyinghorserecords.com Blues and Cubes , the fourth album from Americ:an jazz sextet, The Jazz Professors, is inspired by the abstract art of Pablo Picasso.  Comprised of faculty members from the Jazz Studies program at the University of Central Florida in Orlando, Florida, The Jazz Professors play an assortment of originals and covers, all in the straight-ahead jazz and hardcore blues-bop framework.  Featured on the recording are the sextet's rendition of Sidney Bechet's and Charlie Parker's classic tunes beside works by members of the band including saxophonist Jeff Rupert, pianist Per Danielsson, and bassist Richard Drexler. It is a momentous outing as the band's percussionist Marty Morell is retiring from his teaching position, and this is projected to be his final recording with the sextet.  Additionally, Dan Miller, who joined the UCF faculty a few ...