Southern California may be the land of abundant sunshine and insufficient rain, but it is also the home of one of the most vibrant jazz scenes in the US. This month, Thomas Cunniffe reviews new albums by Denise Donatelli, Mark Christian Miller, Carol Welsman, and Mark Winkler which offer superb musicianship (by both the singers and the instrumentalists) and intriguing programs which include unusual song choices alongside the standards and originals.
This month’s new CDs include a solo set by Dena DeRose, a live quintet recording by Lewis Nash, an exploration of jazz and Brazilian music by Monday Michiru, an album of originals by the Uptown Vocal Jazz Quartet, a wide-open collection by the Hot Club of Detroit and a tribute to Duke Ellington and his saxophonists by an all-star band led by Mark Masters of the American Jazz Institute. Thomas Cunniffe and Amy Duncan provide the details.
It might seem unlikely that a 77-year-old legend of bop trombone and a 53-year-old instrumental music teacher would create a lasting collaboration, but Curtis Fuller and Keith Oxman have done just that. Thomas Cunniffe reviews their latest performance at Denver’s Dazzle night club.
Curtis Fuller & Keith Oxman at Dazzle, Denver (April 13, 2012) Read More »
Our vocal CD reviews showcase three remarkable young singers who have mastered the jazz language and could either carry old traditions into the next generation or blaze innovative trails. Thomas Cunniffe discusses impressive new releases by Cyrile Aimée, Gregory Porter and Nicky Schrire.
Bright Vocal Talents Read More »
In the midst of a New York Voices tour of the Western US, Peter Eldridge and Lauren Kinhan came to Denver’s Dazzle to perform what Eldridge called a drive-by gig. With the assistance of several outstanding local musicians, they offered a sampling of their original and genre-blurring music. Thomas Cunniffe reviews the performance.
Peter Eldridge & Lauren Kinhan at Dazzle, Denver (February 9, 2012) Read More »
In a brilliant program of progressive and re-imagined classic jazz pieces, clarinetist Anat Cohen and her trumpeter brother Avishai brought a taste of the burgeoning Brooklyn jazz scene to Denver’s Wolf Theater. Thomas Cunniffe was there and provides this review of the concert and the latest CDs from this talented family.
Anat and Avishai Cohen at the Wolf Theatre, Denver (October 27, 2012) Read More »
Barbra Streisand is not a jazz singer, but her friend Ann Hampton Callaway certainly is, and Callaway’s jazz sensibilities enlivened her Streisand tribute with the Colorado Symphony Orchestra. Thomas Cunniffe was in the audience and offers this concert review.
Ann Hampton Callaway & the Colorado Symphony, Denver (January 19, 2013) Read More »
Perhaps the best answer to the age-old question is that big bands never truly went away. Since their first appearance in the 1920s, big bands have been a constant presence on the jazz scene. In this month’s instrumental CD reviews, Thomas Cunniffe examines discs of established jazz orchestras led by Christine Jensen, Pete McGuinness and David White.
Big Bands Of Our Time Read More »
From the stage of the Lakewood Cultural Center, Cyrille Aimée told the audience that she loves performing in Colorado. And so, just a few months after performing in Denver, she and her quartet returned for concert performances of the music from her CD It’s a Good Day. In his review, Thomas Cunniffe notes that while the music was superb, the program only showcased part of Cyrille Aimée’s abundant talents.
Cyrille Aimée at the Lakewood Cultural Center (March 27, 2015) Read More »
Ever since King Oliver and Jelly Roll Morton combined forces on a recording of “King Porter Stomp”, jazz musicians have played some of their most intimate performances in the duet format. The past few months have brought several new CDs in this venerable format. Thomas Cunniffe offers capsule reviews of the best new duet releases, including discs by Christian McBride, Ran Blake, Jane Bunnett, Eddie Daniels and Bill Kirchner.
We first introduced you to vocalist Cyrille Aimée last month on her guest appearance on Doug Munro’s “A Very Gypsy Christmas”. Her solo album, Live at Smalls finds her in a straight-ahead jazz setting, and Thomas Cunniffe reports that her scat singing is on the same high level as her stellar accompanists.
Cyrille Aimée and Friends: “Live at Smalls” (Smalls Live 18) Read More »
Now approaching the 40th anniversary of their first duo album, Crystal Silence, Chick Corea and Gary Burton are still making music together, with a new album due in September. Thomas Cunniffe reviews a recently reissued DVD featuring the duo in a 1997 concert from Munich.
Chick Corea/Gary Burton: “Live at the Munich Philharmonie” (Naxos/ArtHaus) Read More »
Antonio Adolfo is not very well-known outside of Brazil—yet! His new CD, Chora Baião is a tribute to two well-known Brazilian composers, Guinga and Chico Buarque, and our Latin jazz expert Janine Santana feels that this album may be the one to bring Adolfo greater recognition.
Antonio Adolfo: “Chora Baião” (AAM 703) Read More »
By 1959, Duke Ellington had appeared in several films with his orchestra, but had never been commissioned to write a film score. So when an offer came from Otto Preminger to score “Anatomy of a Murder”, Ellington accepted the assignment. Thomas Cunniffe reviews Criterion’s new DVD edition which offers an audio option that makes the music stand out.
Anatomy of a Murder (Criterion) Read More »