Archive for the ‘Reviews’ Category

JOHN FEDCHOCK NY SEXTET: Live at the Red Sea Jazz Festival CD Review by F. Norman Vickers This CD, John Fedchock NY Sextet, led by trombonist John Fedchock features selected members of his New York Big Band performing at the 2008 Red Sea Jazz Festival. In the liner notes, Fedchock (more…)

SCAT SINGER ORI DAGAN’S DEBUT CD: S’CAT GOT MY TONGUE CD Review by F. Norman Vickers Toronto vocalist Ori Dagan has released his first CD. He’s a baritone with good delivery. There is a varied selection of original material featuring his scat singing including the title piece, S’cat Got My (more…)

THREE’S COMPANY: Holly Hoffman and Bill Cunliffe CD Review by F. Norman Vickers Isn’t it wonderful to drop in on a beautiful conversation, whether verbal or musical? Improvisation is the conversational musical equivalent, and when done eloquently, can be most satisfying. Two recordings from Capri Records of Bailey, CO provide (more…)

THREE FOR THE AGES: Michael Pagan Trio with Bob Bowman and Ray DeMarchi CD Review by F. Norman Vickers Michael Pagan is pianist, arranger-conductor and music educator. He is currently assistant director of jazz studies at U. Missouri/Kansas City. He keeps his pianistic chops up with a one night a (more…)

SALTMAN KNOWLES: YESTERDAY’S MAN CD Review by F. Norman Vickers This CD by bassist Mark Saltman and pianist William Knowles is their sixth CD. All  ten tunes are original, composed by  either of the leaders.  It is interesting that each has five tunes.  Sometimes, a CD with all original tunes (more…)

Randy Sandke’s Jazz for Juniors Arbors Records ARCD 19385 CD Review by F. Norman Vickers Here’s a CD written especially for the young, but like many classic efforts-think Wizard of Oz and Christopher Robin stories-there is inspiration for all ages. Jazz trumpeter Randy Sandke has written delightful music and clever (more…)

A STRAIGHT-AHEAD MELODIC JAZZ ALBUM CD (Why We’re) Happy Together ( www.markguest.net ) Review by F. Norman Vickers Jazz guitarist Mark Guest, of Asheville, NC is featured on this outstanding CD with pianist George Mesterhazy, a former pianist with the late vocalist Shirley Horn, and Guest’s regular members of the (more…)

LARRY HAM: JUST ME, JUST YOU CD Review by Norman Vickers This solo piano album is Larry Ham’s first for the Arbors Piano Series. However, he’s played as sideman on several Arbors issues: The Earl May Quartet: Swinging the Blues; Dave Glasser: Above the Clouds; and Jazz Ambassador: Scott Robinson (more…)

CHRIS FLORY: FOR YOU CD Review by Norman Vickers Manhattan-based guitarist Chris Flory, now in his mid 50s, is presented on this his debut album for Arbors Records. He selects jazz standards for this album with the exception of his own composition on the lead cut, J H Blues, a (more…)

Allen Vache’: WITH BENNY IN MIND CD Review by Norman Vickers Clarinetist Allen Vache’ ( pronounce va-SHAY) has recorded with a small group of excellent musicians including guitarist Vincent Corrao, vibraphonist Christian Tamburr, pianist John Sheridan, bassist Phil Flanigan and drummer Ed Metz, Jr.  There are swinging arrangements associated with (more…)