Marius Preda, Mission Cimbalon Review

Marius Preda, Mission Cimbalon Review 1

Marius Preda is a multi-instrumentalist that has earned the respect and lauding of other musicians for his mastery and power on a multitude of instruments he performs on. Ten time Grammy Award Winner and trumpeter Arturo Sandoval explains it best, “Marius is a gift from God for our own enjoyment.” His latest album is titled, Mission Cimbalom, … Read more

Run N’ Fly Review

Run N' Fly Review 3

The band Run N’ Fly pays homage to strong feminine role models that have defined pop culture on their self-titled release. Sandro Albert is the architect, guitarist, composer and producer of the dynamic collective, Run N’ Fly. The collective is, Brazilian lyricist and artist Manu Lafer, drummer Omar Hakim, percussionist Bashiri Johnson, bassist Derrick Murdock … Read more

Gabe Evens Trio, The Wrong Waltz Review

Gabe Evens Trio, The Wrong Waltz Review 7

Pianist and composer Gabe Evens is the Assistant Professor of Jazz Piano, Composition and Arranging at the University of Louisville, Jamey Aebersold Jazz Studies Program. Evens is a certified teacher of the Alexander Technique, which is a process that attempts to develop the ability to avoid unnecessary muscular tension by retraining physical movement reactions. Evens … Read more

The Eyal Vilner Big Band, Hanukkah Review

The Eyal Vilner Big Band, Hanukkah Review 9

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

Larry Ham/Woody Witt Presence Review

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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 Review: Rites of Ascension

Nick Maclean Review: Rites of Ascension 13

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

Alex Weitz Review: Luma

Alex Weitz Review: Luma 15

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

Katharine McPhee Review: I Fall In Love Too Easily

Katharine McPhee Review: I Fall In Love Too Easily 17

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

Katherine Penfold Review: Keep Christmas with You

Katherine Penfold Review: Keep Christmas with You 19

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