When indie singer-songwriter recorded his show at The Mint in L.A. in November 2011 in celebration of the release of his second album Blood from Turnips, there’s no way he could have known that some eight and nine years hence, there would be a pandemic that would make sensitive folks around the world stop and realize how precious time – and such moments – are. He thought back to that magical night. All release parties are special for artists, because it’s their chance to show

Frank Simes, former Musical Director for The Who has also recorded with the likes of Mick Jagger, Don Henley and Stevie Nicks, says it all about his longtime friend, collaborator and fellow veteran musician Drake “Munkihaid” Shining: “Not only is Drake one of the most impressive and highly skilled keyboardists I’ve ever worked with on stage as well as in the studio, he has a producer’s ear for nuance, details, and thematic thought. Not to mention, he has an unstoppable sense

Fans of Ellis White’s longtime Jacksonville, FL based ensemble Catch The Groove will vibe instantly with the veteran guitarist’s long awaited debut solo single, “Keeping It Real,” an instantly infectious, buoyant and freewheeling track that captures all the playful, funky and furious energy the hard-working seven piece ensemble was famous for, but with more emphasis on White’s hypnotic, ultra-melodic and crackling electric guitar. Although ace producer Trammell Starks’ arrang

Aside from the splendid, irresistibly infectious chemistry legendary tuba master Jim Self and guitarist John Chiodini create on their third dual album Hangin’ Out, the one can’t miss quirky takeaway everyone can enjoy is adding a new hip musical term to their vocabulary: FLUBA! It’s an super low bass toned tuba sized flugelhorn that was designed and assembled by Robb Stewart upon a concept by Self, who plays it on three of the collection’s most engaging tracks that showcase t

In the glorious L.A. jazz realm, nobody embodies the art of aging gracefully, handsomely and with so much poetic wit and charisma to spare as Mark Winkler, who’s been consistently inspiring listeners and audiences everywhere via his dynamic performances and ever-growing discography since the mid-80s. Though as a lifelong fan and singer/songwriter of all things (and all sub-genres) of jazz he doesn’t quite embody the quirky spirit of the protagonist driving the title track to

True to form when an epic, sonically expansive recording like David Helpling’s IN is released, the promotional wordsmithing includes countless cool suggestions on how those two letters (I and N) relate to the visionary keyboardist, guitarist and composer’s 10 year writing and recording odyssey to create this 13 track double album. All of them naturally apply. Its an INFINITE soundscape of intricate (my word), alternately spacy/trippy and pulsating/rhythmic (my take) guitar, s

Since first meeting and seeing Mark Winkler perform back in what seems like another lifetime (circa 1989), he’s been one of the most poetic, charismatic, inspirational and consistently engaging soundtracks to my now 30+ year jazz life. Having praised for years his prolific array of albums of dynamic original song and themed collection spotlighting the catalogs of influential legends like Bobby Troup and Laura Nyro – and having seen so many dynamic performances it’s easy to lo

In my review of Blair Bryant’s second album Cerulean Blue, I raved not only about his virtuosic multi-bass playing and wild proficiency on a multitude of instruments, but also about the supreme eclecticism of the project – which showcased his passions for contemporary jazz, jazz fusion, pop, R&B, etc, which his manager Damon described as “a smorgasbord for the jazz lover.” Most still emerging artists stick with a single vibe and run with it their whole careers, so Bryant’s se

Since releasing her debut Seashells in my Pocket in 2017, Pam Asberry has been on an extraordinary, emotionally impactful roll that includes many awards and chart accolades from all the major new age and solo piano oriented outlets – including One World Music Radio, Solopiano.com, Enlightened Piano Radio and Zone Music Reporter. Beyond her beautiful compositions and ability to artfully capture so many moods on the multitude of recordings she’s released since, the most amazing

For an indie artist as ultra-talented, multi-faceted and good hearted/service oriented as Andrew Salgado, sometimes having a years-long track record of associations with big name competitions, charitable organizations and superstars he’s opened for has been a bit of a distraction from the emotional vocals and stylistically eclectic, lyrically insightful songwriting that’s the driving foundation of all those other accolades. Those grand achievements – winning the Pepsi Souther

Perhaps it’s a petty point in this streaming age when album art is often experienced as tiny thumbnail images, but the psychedelic Americana/country duo Opal Canyon proves with their second full length collection, the intriguingly titled Tomorrow to the Sea, that you can’t judge the proverbial book – or a sonically trippy, raw, tender and dreamy, then playful and ultimately jumpy and percussive LP like this one – by its cover. Not to say the image of a hazy pink sunset with v

As we listen with rapt attention to the insanely cool phrasing and storytelling couched in the soulful, blues-tinged folk/rock energies of singer/songwriter Crash Taylor, it’s only natural we might want to learn more about this guy and just how he could come up with one of the most cleverly insightful lines ever to describe a musician’s relationship to his guitar: “My fretboard is my Ouija, I go where it leads me.” Or from what inspiration he draws the wild travelogue (which