Considering how her previous album Voyager resonated with me long after I had listened to and written about it, I find it intriguing and utterly spot on that pianist/composer Lisa Swerdlow chose the title Lasting Impressions for latest collection, an emotional and powerful yet tonally and thematically very different follow-up to that critically acclaimed 2018 set. Inspired by the fascinating and inspiring history of NASA’s twin Voyager 1 and 2 spacecraft – which became the fi

Back in the 90s, there was a unique phenomenon happening in the realm of new age and contemporary instrumental music. As they approached a mellowing middle age, prominent rockers from legendary bands found success releasing albums that showcased a gentler – and more importantly, deeper – side of their artistry on their chosen instruments. Since launching his independent solo career in 2004 with Beg Borrow Steal, Chris Haugen has followed impactfully in these graceful footstep

Maureen’s Jazz Cellar is a popular multi-faceted club (jazz, classical, cabaret, piano bar, acoustic music and comedy) located in Nyack NY, but the delightfully swinging collection Live at Maureen’s Jazz Cellar by the Tania Grubbs Quintet is lovingly grounded in a musical and personal friendship cultivated for many years on the Pittsburgh jazz scene by Grubbs and renowned jazz and classical singer (and adjunct voice professor at Duquesne University) Maureen Budway, who passed

Considering that we’re still about eight years away from the 200th anniversary of Franz Schubert’s late in life song cycle Winterreise, it seems clear that no special anniversary or commemoration sparked jazz collective Madre Vaca’s interest in adapting this grand musical narrative – based on 24 poems by German poet Wilhelm Muller – to an inventive and eclectic jazz setting. The fascinating concept may have simply grown out of the mission statement atop the ever-evolving ense

Composed by John Finbury, the seven poignant, rhythmically diverse and thematically connected pieces that comprise his concept album Quatro were recorded by Magos Herrera (vocals), Chano Dominguez (piano), John Pattitucci (bass) and drummer Antonio Sanchez (drums) were recorded over two New York sessions in 2019 – many months before the unique events of 2020 altered the world. Yet the overriding issues presented as a collective musical celebration of cultural diversity and im

From his work on the Grammys, Oscars, Emmys, Golden Globes and “Dancing with the Stars” through stints recording with pop, jazz and opera legends (Barbra Streisand, Terry Gibbs, Placido Domingo), veteran composer and multi-instrumentalist Tom Ranier is one of those behind the scenes guys who is usually too busy to focus on his own recordings. Aside from his catchy, lighthearted melodies and the unique way he builds emotional momentum over the expanse of a song (Exhibits A and

Brazilian born pianist/composer Antonio Adolfo has been one of his country’s most prolific and influential artists and performers since 1963, when he joined Samba Cinco, which played in the famous Beco das Garrafas in Rio. A witness and participant to his native land’s grand and globally influential musical history, he follows Samba Jazz Alley, a tribute to the spirit of early bossa nova, with the similarly illuminating, divinely melodic and exotically grooving BruMa: Celebra

In normal times – like say, anytime in recent history before 2020 – Isolde Fair’s emotionally and spiritually empowering debut single “Rise” and its accompanying video would simply mark the emergence of an extraordinarily gifted and insightful young artist. But by releasing the symphonic pop/rock anthem at this juncture - in the wake of COVID-19 and the protests inspired by the murder of George Floyd - the multi-talented 16-year-old singer/songwriter, pianist and violinist t

The remarkably eclectic 15-year recording career of guitarist Kenny Carr makes it very clear that the trademark genius tag applied to Ray Charles extended to the legend’s intuition when it came to choosing the perfect musicians for his ensembles. Auditioning for the band while in his final year at Berklee, Carr responded to Charles’ request to “play the blues” to the tune of ten incredible years of worldwide touring. Nothing you’ve heard before from Carr as he’s explored diff