Band leader, saxophonist, composer and arranger Eyal Vilner has released unique holiday album titled, Hanukkah. Presenting six traditional Hanukkah songs (“These Candles” is a bonus track, only available digitally), the album features Vilner’s 16-piece big band, a vocal trio (in the style of the Boswell Sisters) and special guest, Israeli flutist, Itai Kriss. The big … Read more
Houston based tenor-saxophonist Woody Witt, and educator Larry Ham have teamed up the create a swinging session, that burns the bebop and swing lantern very brightly. Their co-album Presence features Woody Witt and the Larry Ham Trio (comprised of pianist Ham, bassist Lee Hudson and drummer Tom Melito). After meeting in 2008, while Ham was … Read more
Nick Maclean is a Toronto-based pianist, synthist, composer, arranger, educator and band leader that has just dropped his new CD, Rites of Ascension. His quartet explores a set of modern standards and original repertoire. Maclean’s foursome delivers jazz between the two poles of thoughtful introspection and hard-swinging post-bop era improvisations. With self-declared influence from Herbie … Read more
Saxophonist and composer Alex Weitz is a Miami based artist that has released his second album, Luma. Weitz composed all nine tracks on the CD, ranging from post-bop burners to intimate twentieth century classical inspired moments, to straight eight grooves. Weitz is joined by bassist Ben Tiberio, Tal Cohen on piano, and drummer Michael Piolet. … Read more
I Fall In Love Too Easily is Katharine McPhee‘s new album, the 33-year-old American Idol alum has released her fifth studio album of ten tracks that focus on romantic arrangements of standards. Produced by Don Was and recorded at Capitol Recording Studios, the music and her voice are simply gorgeous. Front and center on this … Read more
Nova Scotia born, Vancouver based singer/songwriter Katherine Penfold swings and sways on her new album of holiday classics, titled Keep Christmas With You. The ten-song project includes great interpretations of Christmas classics with a touch of modernity, as well as pieces destined to become new classics such as, “This Christmas” (Donny Hathaway) and the title … Read more
Tunisian oud master Anouar Brahem has released, Blue Maqams. The CD features Brahem with bassist Dave Holland, drummer Jack DeJohnette and pianist Django Bates. Although Brahem has never had ambitions to be a jazz player, he has long felt a sense of solidarity with the music’s practitioners. The aesthetics of jazz are very different than … Read more
Rock Candy Funk Party (RCFP) was formed for one thing and one thing only, the love of groove. RCFP might improvise like a jam band, but their compositions, song forms and adept skills of listening to each other put them in a category all of their own. Each player brings their own unique individuality and … Read more