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Larry’s on-fire piano leads a world-class quintet in a soaring,
swinging exploration of matters of the soul and spirit. Slide Hampton
says, “Man, Larry’s playin’ like he’s on a mission!”
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In Frank’s words, “This is something quite different…I’m
not trying to revolutionize the big band, I’m just telling
it the way I hear it with thirteen horns and a rhythm section.”
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For years, I’ve been itchin’ to find someone to lay down
a heavy duty Latin jazz CD, something closer to the Afro-Cuban roots
than today’s fare. Then my friend Asante, the legendary master
drummer from Ghana, discovered this red hot young lion of Latin
piano—and promptly brought him north to the U.S. more... |
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They created a historic first and they made fun music: their infectious
Afro-Caribbean-Celtic grooves will have you popping your fingers
and step-dancing, whether you’re a jazzer or a Gael.
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Over the past 3 years, I’ve watched Sunny mature into one of
the East Coast’s most soulful ballad singers. So much so that
I jumped at the chance to record this CD, her second. Larry Willis’
soulful piano chops bought out Sunny’s most gorgeous interpretations
of Sarah, Billie and Stevie Wonder songs.
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The Jumpers have been a staple of the vital East Coast swing dance
scene for over a decade. They exude the jitterbug beat of Harlem,
the LA jump blues of the ’50s, and the soulful raunch of N’Orleans
R&B. Throw in the sultry momma-wouldn’t-approve vocals
of Marianna. What’cha got? more... |
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Rebecca’s all star sextet—including Jack Walrath, Steve
Novosel, and Steve Berrios—does her proud. Sonically, a dazzling
percussion soundscape envelopes the ringing warmth of her Steinway.
The woody resonance of the plucked bass is perfect; the trumpet’s
staccato attack is two feet in front of you. more... |
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The trademark low brass punch of the NY Classics knocks out audiences
all over the Big Apple, me included. Not so much a jamming big band
like Clifford’s, they’re more in the tightly-knit Ellington
groove. more... |
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Clifford’s big band wasn’t a machine of stunning precision
like the Basie Band. It was a warm and swinging group with great
jazz soloists, akin to Dizzy’s big band from the late ’40s.
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If you’re a fan of blues-steeped jazz with an unstoppable groove,
you have to hear this CD. The line-up is stellar: Bluiett on bari
sax; ex-Mingus star Jack Walrath on trumpet; young lion Mark Shim
on tenor and a peerless rhythm section—Larry Willis, Keter
Betts and Jimmy Cobb. more... |
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A La Carte serves up a New Orleans street band marinated with a
hot salsa percussion section. The brass section stomps like the
Dirty Dozen and moans like a Bourbon Street funeral..
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