Traditional Reviews

Traditional Reviews2020-02-23T01:54:55+00:00

    It’s About Time

    April 2, 2025

    O's Notes: Australian composer, producer Adrian Cunningham (t-sax, cl, fl) leads a quartet with David Kikoski (p), Yasushi Nakamura (b), and Clarence Penn (d). For his latest release It’s About Time. Guest trombonist Wycliffe Gordon stands out on “Battle Hymn Of The Republic” and “Song For Wycliffe”. We also enjoyed “Summertime”, “Julia” featuring Nakamura, “Pamela”, and “Fake News”.

      Forward!

      April 2, 2025

      O's Notes: The Dam Jawn is an international jazz quintet that currently resides in The Netherlands. Martín Díaz (a-sax) and Joan Foart (g) are from Spain, Philip Lewin (b) is from Germany, and Nitin Parree (d) & Frank Groenendijk (t-sax) are Dutch. They all met in an exchange program at Temple University. Veteran saxophonist Dick Oatts is their featured guest. The music swings with a head-bobbing groove on the title track and “Blues For Oatts”. We also enjoyed “Wayne’s Mind’s Eye”, the more relaxed vibe of “Fairmont Park”, and “Doors”.

        It’s About Time

        April 3, 2025

        O's Notes: Australian composer, producer Adrian Cunningham (t-sax, cl, fl) leads a quartet with David Kikoski (p), Yasushi Nakamura (b), and Clarence Penn (d). For his latest release It’s About Time. Guest trombonist Wycliffe Gordon stands out on “Battle Hymn Of The Republic” and “Song For Wycliffe”. We also enjoyed “Summertime”, “Julia” featuring Nakamura, “Pamela”, and “Fake News”.

          Forward!

          April 3, 2025

          O's Notes: The Dam Jawn is an international jazz quintet that currently resides in The Netherlands. Martín Díaz (a-sax) and Joan Foart (g) are from Spain, Philip Lewin (b) is from Germany, and Nitin Parree (d) & Frank Groenendijk (t-sax) are Dutch. They all met in an exchange program at Temple University. Veteran saxophonist Dick Oatts is their featured guest. The music swings with a head-bobbing groove on the title track and “Blues For Oatts”. We also enjoyed “Wayne’s Mind’s Eye”, the more relaxed vibe of “Fairmont Park”, and “Doors”.

            Lamentos Mestizos

            April 2, 2025

            O's Notes: Spanish drummer, bandleader Gonzalo del Val features Mexican singer Valentina Marentes on his latest recording Lamentos Mestizos based on his interpretations of the Mexican songbook. Benjamín García (b), Luis Giménez (g), Paquito Cruz (p) flesh out the band. The lyrics are all in Spanish, but the warmth of the program is easily appreciated, as is the percussion. Highlights are “La Martiniana”, the racy “Prenda Del Alma” featuring Giménez, and “Deja Que Saiga La Luna”.

              Lamentos Mestizos

              April 3, 2025

              O's Notes: Spanish drummer, bandleader Gonzalo del Val features Mexican singer Valentina Marentes on his latest recording Lamentos Mestizos based on his interpretations of the Mexican songbook. Benjamín García (b), Luis Giménez (g), Paquito Cruz (p) flesh out the band. The lyrics are all in Spanish, but the warmth of the program is easily appreciated, as is the percussion. Highlights are “La Martiniana”, the racy “Prenda Del Alma” featuring Giménez, and “Deja Que Saiga La Luna”.

                Motherhood

                April 2, 2025

                O's Notes: Singer, pianist, composer Brenda Earle-Stokes adds Motherhood to her lists of talents and follows with ten songs associated with that experience. Evan Gregor (b), Ross Pederson (d), and Ingrid Jensen (t) support her with Melissa Stylianou & Nicole Zuraitis providing backing vocals. These are songs that any mother can relate to with experiences from birth to the numerous challenges during childhood.

                  AlL right Okay You Win

                  April 2, 2025

                  O's Notes: Vocalist Doug Ferony is shadowed by Jenny Sabi, Sophia & Kat Ferony, and backed by his powerful, Swingin Big Band. The program includes fourteen, crisp, classic tunes, certainly a few that you’ll recognize. Among the best are “You Make Me Feel So Young” featuring Bill Ash (t), and “’S Wonderful” with Joe Mariano on tenor sax.

                    Motherhood

                    April 3, 2025

                    O's Notes: Singer, pianist, composer Brenda Earle-Stokes adds Motherhood to her lists of talents and follows with ten songs associated with that experience. Evan Gregor (b), Ross Pederson (d), and Ingrid Jensen (t) support her with Melissa Stylianou & Nicole Zuraitis providing backing vocals. These are songs that any mother can relate to with experiences from birth to the numerous challenges during childhood.

                      AlL right Okay You Win

                      April 3, 2025

                      O's Notes: Vocalist Doug Ferony is shadowed by Jenny Sabi, Sophia & Kat Ferony, and backed by his powerful, Swingin Big Band. The program includes fourteen, crisp, classic tunes, certainly a few that you’ll recognize. Among the best are “You Make Me Feel So Young” featuring Bill Ash (t), and “’S Wonderful” with Joe Mariano on tenor sax.