MAIN EVENT. A Good Place to Get Started --- a.k.a "Table of Contents"
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MAIN EVENT. A Good Place to Get Started --- a.k.a "Table of Contents" |
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Trombonist Curtis Fowlkes has a rather distinguished background in jazz, having worked with a bunch of superb talents. He did five albums with the Jazz Passengers and has appeared on discs with Henry Threadgill's Very Very Circus, Bill Frisell and Don Byron. Earlier this year he made a European tour with Louis Bellson and the Duke Ellington Orchestra.
His much overdue, long awaited first album as a leader is "Catfish Corner" (Knitting Factory Records), which takes its place as one of the better new releases. In fact, its a doozy.
If you like your jazz with a modern flair, but not so cerebral that you can't figure it out, Fowlkes should be your dish. Working with five other talented players, Fowlkes marches through the program with everything firmly in grasp. This is music that both kicks butt and can turn soft and sensual when needed.
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Allysons new album, "From Paris to Rio" (Concord Records) showcases the warbler in a program of songs sung in French and Portuguese. The music is good, the backing orchestra (complete with strings) does a more-than adequate job of accompanying her, yet the entire production lacks punch.
Allyson boasts a wonderful voice, especially in lower registers. Her voice has a playful quality to it, even when you don't understand the language. But for some indefinable reason, this album drags along, without that emotional power that one has come to expect from Allyson.
In his 22 years with the Concord label, Hamilton has gone from boy wonder to master of his craft. Hamilton says his influences include Ben Webster, Zoot Sims and Illinois Jacquet (great performers all).
Hamilton's new album, "Blues, Bop & Ballads" (Concord Records) marks his 36th set as a leader or co-leader. Usually recorded with a quartet, Hamilton, this time out ,plays with groups ranging from a quintet to a seven-piece band.
The music chosen for this occasion ranges from the familiar to the little known. Four of the songs are from the mid-40s. The ballads include Charlie Chaplin's sentimental delight, "Smile," "Skylark," and "Answer Me (My Love)."
Youll want to put this disc in heavy rotation, as the radio industry calls it.
If I had a rating system (would you like to see albums ranked on a star system?), "Catfish Corner" would be covered with stars. Highly recommended.
The World's Magazine: g21.net
Event #186: Be a Spirit, Not a Ghost
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Karrin Stumbles Slightly
No one should argue with the assessment that Karrin Allyson is one of better jazz vocalists today. No Rosemary Clooney is she, but then who is?
Scott Hamilton Soars
On many of Rosemary Clooney's albums for the Concord label, the saxophone work in small groups is provided by the delightfully droll Scott Hamilton. He boasts that rare ability to be instantly recognizable.
Oops!
In my column from last week, I mistakenly identified writer Ross Firestone as the former pianist for the Tonight Show Band. The correct name is, of course, Ross Tompkins. Believe me, I knew the difference, but my fingers betrayed me when I typed up the column. My apologies to both gentlemen.
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