Jazz Reviews

Continental Talk by Ratko Zjaca

Continental Talk by Ratko Zjaca

Posted August 20, 2010 at 6:19 am | No comments

This is the debut recording of Croatian guitarist Ratko Zjaca. It is comprised of original material penned by Zjaca and saxophonist Stanislav Mitrovic.

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If You Would Dance by The Wayne Brasel Quartet Review

If You Would Dance by The Wayne Brasel Quartet Review

Posted August 11, 2010 at 6:45 am | No comments

One huge benefit of professionally reviewing jazz guitarists is discovering new voices. There are many fine players today who go largely undiscovered.

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Norman Brown Sending My Love Review

Norman Brown Sending My Love Review

Posted July 26, 2010 at 6:59 am | No comments

Sending My Love is a laid-back, smooth-jazz album by guitarist Norman Brown. Featuring nine original tracks, with a cover of the Kenny Loggins song “Celebrate Me Home,”

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Ethan Mann “It’s All About a Groove”

Ethan Mann “It’s All About a Groove”

Posted July 7, 2010 at 6:24 am | No comments

It’s All About Groove by New York based guitarist, and Vermont native, Ethan Mann. Mann, who relocated to New York in 1991, currently leads the organ trio featured on this recording, consisting of Chip Crawford, keyboards, and Greg Bandy, drums. A graduate of the Manhattan School of Music, Mann has studied with such jazz guitar luminaries as Rodney Jones and Jack Wilkins, and is currently on faculty at Crestwood Music Education Center and Manna House Workshops in East Harlem.

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Lee Ritenour “6 String Theory” Review

Lee Ritenour “6 String Theory” Review

Posted June 29, 2010 at 12:26 pm | 7 comments

I had to smile, just a little when after inputting Lee Ritenour’s 2010 album 6 String Theory into iTunes, it came up listed as genre “unclassifiable.”. I couldn’t have put it better myself, thanks Steve Jobs.

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Eric Krasno’s “Reminisce”

Eric Krasno’s “Reminisce”

Posted June 14, 2010 at 5:15 pm | No comments

Guitarist Eric Krasno has enjoyed a long and varied musical career. He was a founding member of the bands Soulive and Lettuce. Krasno has worked with jazz players such as Joshua Redman, Dr. Lonnie Smith and Chaka Khan. He also appeared with hip-hop artists 50-Cent, GZA and Talib Kweli.

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The Stryker/Slagle Band “Keeper”

The Stryker/Slagle Band “Keeper”

Posted May 11, 2010 at 11:52 pm | No comments

This is the 3rd opportunity that I have had to review Stryker and Slagle. I always look forward to hearing them and am never disappointed. This is a band that has much to offer.

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Ralph Krebs: “Berlin” Review

Posted May 11, 2010 at 11:33 pm | No comments

Ralf Krebs is based in Berlin, Germany. He began his musical career by studying Latin percussion and drumming.

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Alex Machacek’s “24 Tales” Featuring Marco Minnemann

Alex Machacek’s “24 Tales” Featuring Marco Minnemann

Posted May 11, 2010 at 9:59 am | No comments

This is my first exposure to guitarist Alex Machacek.  He was born in 1972 and raised in Vienna, Austria. 

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Frank DiBussolo’s “Average White Cats”

Frank DiBussolo’s “Average White Cats”

Posted April 30, 2010 at 12:46 pm | No comments

Frank DiBussolo is an experienced player and educator. His guitar work has been featured with bands the likes of Buddy Rich, Art Blakey and Dizzy Gillespie.

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