Reviewers aren’t generally supposed to inject themselves into their objective write-ups of shows they see, but, in as delightful a manner as possible, veteran actors turned compelling retro-hipster club performers Al Sapienza and Deborah Rennard delightfully left me no...

The serendipitous story behind Ellen Edwards’ dynamic breakthrough EP A New York Session begins with her songwriting teacher, legendary country artist Suzy Bogguss, loving the Atlanta based singer-songwriter’s jazz-based material and hooking up her student with her for...

Flamenco guitarist, composer, multi-instrumentalist and musical visionary Dave Soldier has been blazing fascinating, culturally transcendent boundaries his whole life – from founding a string quartet that fused punk, classical and R&B to playing punk Delta Blues and st...

Though Amber Weekes’ spirited bio includes mention that her paternal grandparents ran a famed Harlem luncheonette where Duke Ellington, Billy Strayhorn, Lena Horne and Harry Belafonte hung out, there’s no back story necessary to appreciate the heartfelt, expansive arti...

In a world that’ increasingly crazy and chaotic, sometimes it’s necessary to take a step back, put on some wild and trippy retro-minded yet fresh furious and contemporary jazz fusion and realize, as Chicago’s multi-faceted ensemble Bonzo Squad reminds us, that There’s...

A native of New Orleans and big star in his longtime adopted home of the Dominican Republic, pop, R&B and jazz influenced vocalist Anthony Jefferson is keeping it real by calling his latest album All I Am.

Drawing on a wide range of influences and elements of his fascin...

Had I heard it when it first came out last fall, saxophonist Brian Scanlon’s brilliant, rhythmically varied, continuously compelling debut album Brain Scan would not only have been a shoo-in for my Top 10 of 2019 – it may have made #1.

It’s the kind of fun and fiery cre...

Because composer/musicians and their fans tend to compartmentalize their passions into strict genre trappings, it’s rare to find artists bold enough to transcend commercial considerations and expectations and present all of their passions on a single project. You won’t...

Back in 2011, Billboard chart-topping contemporary jazz guitarist Chris Standring and award-winning pop/folk singer/songwriter Kathrin Shorr pulled off a remarkable musical coup for the holidays. Collaborating on a recording for the first time, the L.A. based artists c...

If the only way you’ve ever experienced legendary poet T.S. Elliot’s verses set to music is “Cats,” allow the beautiful, Astrud Gilberto styled Hungarian jazz singer Rozina Patkai take you into the darker, haunting realms with her ambient and hypnotic musical adaptatio...

It’s probably a good bet that master jazz guitarist and all-around Renaissance Man John Basile played his share of Christmas music while touring throughout his lengthy career with everyone from Count Basie and Peggy Lee to Rosemary Clooney and Michael Brecker. And sure...

From the get go on her latest, perfectly titled album Stronger Now, pianist/composer Carol Albert takes us on a soaring, optimistic journey reflective of the own spiritual/emotional breakthroughs she has made in the wake of great personal loss. She sets the gorgeous, s...