Sweet melody to blues to impressionism. “Central Line” from Art Hirahara

Pianist and composer Art Hirahara, born and raised in the Bay Area of San Francisco, has worked with vocalists Freddie Cole and Stacey Kent as well as baritone saxophonist Fred...

Through struggle came this joyful, triumphant music – “All These Hands” – by Michael Dease

For Michael Dease’s 10th album and fourth for Posi-Tone Records, the trombonist, composer and bandleader chooses to take us on a trip. An historical trip with twelve stops, that is,...

Get your coins ready for the “Jazz Jukebox” by Jordan Young

One of the strengths of Marc Free's Posi-Tone imprimatur is that it is responsible for introducing us to many great and upcoming jazz artists. Drummer Jordan Young is a Detroit...

Just What the Doctor ordered, “All These Hands”, by Michael Dease

Gathering a hand picked bunch of all stars to make the trek with him as he brings his sound and vision to fruition, Dease and his bunch make a history...

Midwest Record gives us a look at “Central Line” by Art Hirahara

Here’s a piano man bold enough to make a modern, mainstream date and doing it while surrounding himself with hell raisers like Donny McCaslin, Rudy Royston and Linda Oh.  Swinging...

All About Jazz gives a great review for “Allied Forces” by Steve Fidyk

The military reference in this record's title is right on the mark. For over a quarter of a century, Steve Fidyk has held down the drum chair in the U.S....

Why the World Needs More Folks Like David Gibson

If you follow trombonist David Gibson on Facebook, or are FB “friends” with him, you’re likely familiar with some of his posts that cover a whole host of topics, from the...

A polished trio fronted by an articulate drummer is “Jazz Jukebox”

The predominance of the jukebox in social situations is essentially a thing of the past. But how much has really changed? Those once-ubiquitous machines that brought musical happiness to the...

All About Jazz likes what it hears on “Bright Side” by Doug Webb

From one perspective, Doug Webb's Bright Side is basically twelve tracks clothed in very recognizable forms —a few varieties of soul-jazz, a couple of heartfelt ballads, a taut bossa nova,...