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Jason Lewis
Jim Witzel Quartet: Breaking Through Gently
by Pierre Giroux
Offering a refined exploration of jazz guitar, Jim Witzel's release Breaking Through Gently balances accessibility with a modern, lyrical edge. Accompanied by a seasoned trio of pianist Phil Aaron, bassist Dan Feiszli and drummer Jason Lewis, Witzel presents a collection consisting primarily of his original works, along with some by Aaron and a reimagining of a Paul Simon tune. The result is a captivating yet understated journey into contemporary jazz. The session opens with a Witzel composition, My ...
Continue ReadingJason Keiser: Shaw's Groove
by Jack Bowers
The Shaw" in guitarist Jason Keiser's album Shaw's Groove is the late great Woody Shaw, one of the more innovative and influential jazz trumpeters of the twentieth century. Even though he lived only forty-four years (he died in May 1989), Shaw was an important role model whose sweeping influence remains strong to this day, both as a player and composer. The first four songs on Shaw's Groove were written by Shaw himself, among the many he composed ...
Continue ReadingJim Witzel Trio & Quartet: Feelin' It
by Jack Bowers
Feelin' It, guitarist Jim Witzel's second album as leader, features his trio (Brian Ho, Hammond B3 organ; Jason Lewis, drums) on five of eight numbers, with tenor saxophonist Dann Zinn added on a trio of Witzel's original compositions. Although Witzel has recorded only twice in the past thirty years, that is basically because his successful career as an educator and in- demand sideman and leader has kept him from returning to the studio. As Witzel shows on ...
Continue ReadingYvonne Flores: Sheer Bliss
by Edward Blanco
The debut album from Bay Area vocalist and composer Yvonne Flores, Sheer Bliss is musical magic from a wonderful singer armed with a sensuous voice and is sure to grab critical attention. The album contains seven original sand two standards in an offering of contemporary jazz and pop with a touch of the Latin and Brazilian flavors. Flores draws upon the talents of eighteen players with several heavy hitters among them. Latin jazz guitarist and producer of this ...
Continue ReadingSandra Marlowe: The Heart Always Remembers
by Dan Bilawsky
The heart always remembers, but so too do the ears. Vocalist Sandra Marlowe, probably aware of that fact, quickly grabs attention by demonstrating a real métier for metric play and gymnastics on pianist Larry Dunlap's witty, album-opening arrangement of Fascinating Rhythm." Once that focus is on her work, Marlowe doesn't let up. In short order there's a balladic When Did You Leave Heaven?" which dials things down (and offers some space to bassist Dan Robbins), a waltzing take on Sting's ...
Continue ReadingThe Michael O'Neill Quartet: And Then It Rained
by Dan McClenaghan
San Francisco area-based reedman Michael O'Neill, noted most prominently for his work with vocalist Kenny Washington, takes his artistry on a new tangent with And Then It Rained. The set features a top-tier Bay Area quartet which digs deep into a set of O'Neill originals. Recording-wise, this is new territory for O'Neill, who, in addition to his work with Washington and singer Tony Lindsay, writes music for corporate and industrial films, documentaries and television. Early in his career, ...
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For Every Living Thing
From: For Every Living ThingBy Jason Lewis
Organ Grinder
From: Shaw's GrooveBy Jason Lewis