February - 2019

Feb 28, 2019

MICHAEL JOSEPH, Into the Blue

The first thought that strikes me as I continue listening to pianist/keyboardist composer Michael Joseph’s extraordinarily sweeping, emotional and melodic debut album Into the Blue is that it’s timeless. It’s like a symphony for our time, texturing gorgeous heart centered piano melodies with lush, soaring strings that underscore and emphasize the main themes, but often are used as launching off points into mystical realms all their own. The reason it’s important to emphasize

Jonathan Widran

Feb 28, 2019

THE CHORDAES, What We Breathe In

With a fascinating hybrid vibe that fuses alternative indie rock, contemporary soft rock and soul with occasional and well placed classic rock influences, The Chordaes have been a popular and critical darling since the release of their full length debut Touch the Ground in 2016. While continuing to play a variety of NYC hotspots, the trio’s momentum continued with their unusually titled 2017 EP In Itinere, which roughly translates in Latin to “during the journey.” That journe

Jonathan Widran

Feb 26, 2019

DR King, It's My Life

If somehow you failed to see Donald Ray King’s electrifying performances as a Top 12 contestant on Season 14 of The Voice last year, the first thing that may hit your consciousness when you see his provocative artist moniker is an image of MLK. Turns out, that lofty association isn’t just a whimsical name game. It makes perfect metaphorical sense once you learn about the Cleveland native’s ascent from poverty to achieve his dream, which now includes joining his Voice mentor K

Jonathan Widran

Feb 21, 2019

SONJA MIDTUNE, "My Light"

An uncommonly intuitive singer/songwriter and storyteller, Sonja Midtune took the deeply intimate emotions shared to her by a close friend and translated them into a timeless universal love song. At a creative and career crossroads a few years ago, the emerging indie artist took on the challenge of writing a piece that her friend could give to her husband as a Christmas present. That gift is now ours, with the release of her new single “My Light,” an ethereal, soulfully seduc

CAROL SUDHALTER QUARTET, Live at Saint Peter's Church

Jonathan Widran

Feb 21, 2019

CAROL SUDHALTER QUARTET, Live at Saint Peter's Church

Long renowned as the pioneer of the Queens, NY jazz scene who founded both the Astoria Jazz Band and Astoria Big Band (going strong now for 33 years), Carol Sudhalter marks two creative firsts on Live at Saint Peter’s Church, a picture perfect date at the Lexington Avenue sanctuary with her remarkable ensemble of Patrick Paladian (piano), Kevin Hailey (upright bass) and Mike Campenni (drums). It’s her first recording ever featuring her on baritone sax and flute with no tenor

LYN STANLEY, London Calling: A Toast to Julie London

Jonathan Widran

Feb 21, 2019

LYN STANLEY, London Calling: A Toast to Julie London

Taking an extraordinarily bold step just five years into her recording career, Lyn Stanley showcases her stylistic range and heartfelt intuition as a vocalist on this epic, warmly produced, playfully titled 17 track tribute to legendary jazz and pop singer Julie London. While Stanley’s voice, while emotionally resonant, isn’t anywhere near as husky and smoky as her muse’s, she makes each song her own - beautifully conveying a sense of hushed intimacy on ballads like “Cry Me A

Jonathan Widran

Feb 20, 2019

URBANITY

The seeds of the uniquely fluid, silky and soulful smooth jazz duo Urbanity were planted narly 30 years ago when guitarist Albert Dadon (aka “Albare”), the pioneer of the acid jazz genre in Australia in the late 80s, recruited young pianist Phil Turcio for his band at the time. For the past few years, Albare (a Latin Jazz nominated producer) and Turcio (also a Grammy nominee) have been doing melodic, light funk business as Urbanity. With simmering blues beds, jazz licks, easy

GREGOR HUEBNER, El Violin Latino, Vol. 3: Los Sonadores

Jonathan Widran

Feb 20, 2019

GREGOR HUEBNER, El Violin Latino, Vol. 3: Los Sonadores

The third album in German born violinist/composer Gregor Huebner’s El Violin Latino series is also the most socially and politically charged, arriving at a volatile time for immigrants in America. Though Los Sonodores is by title and intention a tribute to The Dreamers whose status as residents is constantly being threatened, the vibrant, multi-faceted collection puts a spotlight on and fashions a forward thinking message about all immigrants and what they have and can contin

Jonathan Widran

Feb 20, 2019

DOUG MacDONALD QUARTET, Organisms

Over the years, guitarist Doug MacDonald has showcased his deftness, artsy cool and versatility in a wide variety of settings, from the big bands of Bill Holman, Ray Anthony and John Clayton to his 13 piece ensemble The Jazz Coalition. Organisms, his 14th album as a leader, is his first in years to be attributed to the Doug MacDonald Quartet, and it’s a classic organ fired group that reflects a brisk and effortless, soulful and crackling camaraderie between him and three well

Jonathan Widran

Feb 20, 2019

CLIFFORD LAMB, Blues & Hues

Jazz artists generally make a stark choice every time they enter a studio: create their own interpretations of beloved standards that have inspired them, or showcase their own compositions. On his third album with veteran producer Jeffrey Weber, acclaimed Bay Area pianist-composer Clifford Lamb goes delightfully rogue and emerges as a visionary by taking a novel, highly improvisational and stylistically eclectic approach to the concept of mashup. Generally mash-ups are create

Jonathan Widran

Feb 20, 2019

PATRICE JEGOU, If It Ain't Love

A still emerging jazz singer and standards interpreter extraordinaire who delivers emotional transcendence like the legends whose L.A. studios she’s been recording in, Newfoundland born, Alberta raised Patrice Jegou’s back story is as fascinating, compelling and eclectic as the repertoire and arrangements on her second album If It Ain’t Love. Although with a family of amateur musicians, music was in her DNA, Patrice’s earliest passions and pursuits were dedicated to figure sk

DEBORAH SHULMAN, The Shakespeare Project

Jonathan Widran

Feb 20, 2019

DEBORAH SHULMAN, The Shakespeare Project

The stories and sonnets of William Shakespeare have traveled remarkably well over the centuries, mostly in live theatre productions and on film, where as of mid-2018, IMDB listed over 1,350 adaptations over the last century or so. Considering the wit, passion and poetry involved, one wonders why more composers and musical artists haven’t tackled the Bard. Deborah Shulman is trying to change that conversation.. Driven by tenderly sweet and exquisitely soulful jazz arrangements

THE JW VIBE

Music That Sticks To My Soul

MICHAEL JOSEPH, Into the Blue

THE CHORDAES, What We Breathe In

DR King, It's My Life

SONJA MIDTUNE, "My Light"

CAROL SUDHALTER QUARTET, Live at Saint Peter's Church

LYN STANLEY, London Calling: A Toast to Julie London

URBANITY

GREGOR HUEBNER, El Violin Latino, Vol. 3: Los Sonadores

DOUG MacDONALD QUARTET, Organisms

CLIFFORD LAMB, Blues & Hues

PATRICE JEGOU, If It Ain't Love

DEBORAH SHULMAN, The Shakespeare Project