Hidden Gems
shaun@blittzedmarketing.com April 2, 2025
O's Notes: Guitarist Brent Laidler spent his time sampling the archives, fake books, and old song lists to come up with these “Hidden Gems”. He breathes new magic into good, yet obscure titles with fresh melodies and a solid band. There’s mild Calypso on “Gemani” featuring Ned Boyd (a-sax). Ned also shines on “#5 Shameday Way”. Trumpeter Mark Buselli takes the lead on “Ballad for B” anchored by Jamie Newman on organ. We also enjoyed “Riffy Business”, “Evening Song”, and “Petite Parasol”. Scott Pazara (bass) and Richard “Sleepy” Floyd (drums) anchor the rhythm section.
The Point
shaun@blittzedmarketing.com April 2, 2025
O's Notes: New York-based saxophonist Boyce Justice Griffith makes his debut leading a quintet with Anthony Hervey (t), Isaiah J. Thompson (p), Marty Jaffa (b), and John Sturino (d). It is an interesting endeavor centered around a recurring theme, The Point, with many different moods. They swing hard on “Something To Prove”, Hervey & Justice Griffith shine on “The Walk”, and Jaffa stands tall on “Balrog”. The four-part title track is also notable, leaving us anticipating the next release.
Live At Vics Loft
shaun@blittzedmarketing.com April 2, 2025
O's Notes: Paul showcases a rather gruff tone from his tenor sax in two configurations. He forms a quartet with Marc Neely (t, flugelhorn), Patrick Poladian (p), and Roy Cumming (b) for the odd numbered tracks, and a trio with Dan Kostelnik (organ) and Rudy Petschauer (d) on the even numbered songs. While the album is titled Live at Vic’s Jazz Loft (Jim Thorpe, PA), the trio were recorded in a studio with better audio quality. Kendall sounds best on “Up Jumped Spring “, “Nardis”, and “Strolling”
Sui Generis
shaun@blittzedmarketing.com April 2, 2025
O's Notes: Composer, producer, arranger Mark Masters creates another breathtaking album with Sui Generis featuring trumpeter Tim Hagens. All the music was composed with Tim in mind and goes beyond Masters’ imagination with edgy, courageous solos! Hagens is not the only strong musician in this octet. Drummer Kendall Kay has several strong solos notably on “Interlude”. Our favorites were the swingers: “The Stoic”, “Waxing and Waning”, and “Meet Me At Sal’s & Angie’s” with solos by Jeff Colella (p), Chris Colangelo (b) and of course Hagens.
Mundoagua
shaun@blittzedmarketing.com April 2, 2025
O's Notes: Pianist, composer and band leader, Arturo O’Farrill and his Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra celebrate the late Carla Bley, O’Farrill’s mentor and a true musical inspiration. Mundoagua is a musical statement supported by liner notes that are highly informative discussing water, our precious resource, Bley, and the Aztec people. The program consists of three section, two composed by Arturo surrounding Bley’s final composition “Blue Palestine”, commissioned by O’Farrill. We liked “Blue Palestine Part Four”, and “Glacial”, the first movement to the title track.
Hidden Gems
shaun@blittzedmarketing.com April 3, 2025
O's Notes: Guitarist Brent Laidler spent his time sampling the archives, fake books, and old song lists to come up with these “Hidden Gems”. He breathes new magic into good, yet obscure titles with fresh melodies and a solid band. There’s mild Calypso on “Gemani” featuring Ned Boyd (a-sax). Ned also shines on “#5 Shameday Way”. Trumpeter Mark Buselli takes the lead on “Ballad for B” anchored by Jamie Newman on organ. We also enjoyed “Riffy Business”, “Evening Song”, and “Petite Parasol”. Scott Pazara (bass) and Richard “Sleepy” Floyd (drums) anchor the rhythm section.
The Point
shaun@blittzedmarketing.com April 3, 2025
O's Notes: New York-based saxophonist Boyce Justice Griffith makes his debut leading a quintet with Anthony Hervey (t), Isaiah J. Thompson (p), Marty Jaffa (b), and John Sturino (d). It is an interesting endeavor centered around a recurring theme, The Point, with many different moods. They swing hard on “Something To Prove”, Hervey & Justice Griffith shine on “The Walk”, and Jaffa stands tall on “Balrog”. The four-part title track is also notable, leaving us anticipating the next release.
Live At Vics Loft
shaun@blittzedmarketing.com April 3, 2025
O's Notes: Paul showcases a rather gruff tone from his tenor sax in two configurations. He forms a quartet with Marc Neely (t, flugelhorn), Patrick Poladian (p), and Roy Cumming (b) for the odd numbered tracks, and a trio with Dan Kostelnik (organ) and Rudy Petschauer (d) on the even numbered songs. While the album is titled Live at Vic’s Jazz Loft (Jim Thorpe, PA), the trio were recorded in a studio with better audio quality. Kendall sounds best on “Up Jumped Spring “, “Nardis”, and “Strolling”
Sui Generis
shaun@blittzedmarketing.com April 3, 2025
O's Notes: Composer, producer, arranger Mark Masters creates another breathtaking album with Sui Generis featuring trumpeter Tim Hagens. All the music was composed with Tim in mind and goes beyond Masters’ imagination with edgy, courageous solos! Hagens is not the only strong musician in this octet. Drummer Kendall Kay has several strong solos notably on “Interlude”. Our favorites were the swingers: “The Stoic”, “Waxing and Waning”, and “Meet Me At Sal’s & Angie’s” with solos by Jeff Colella (p), Chris Colangelo (b) and of course Hagens.
Mundoagua
shaun@blittzedmarketing.com April 3, 2025
O's Notes: Pianist, composer and band leader, Arturo O’Farrill and his Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra celebrate the late Carla Bley, O’Farrill’s mentor and a true musical inspiration. Mundoagua is a musical statement supported by liner notes that are highly informative discussing water, our precious resource, Bley, and the Aztec people. The program consists of three section, two composed by Arturo surrounding Bley’s final composition “Blue Palestine”, commissioned by O’Farrill. We liked “Blue Palestine Part Four”, and “Glacial”, the first movement to the title track.