Apr 23, 2018
#7 in the JazzWeek Radio Charts today and reviewed in Germany’s Melodiva CD Charts
“Another “supergroup”: pianist and composer Monika Herzig has drummed up an international group of virtuoso jazz talents (her “Sheroes”) for her latest album. These include Ingrid Jensen (tp / Canada), Reut Regev (tb / Israel), Mayra Casales (perc / Cuba), Rosa Avila (dr / Germany) and Leni Stern (g), Jennifer Vincent (b), Ada Rovatti (sax ) and Jamie Baum (fl) from the USA. Herzig has long been known as a jazz visionary, who prepares a stage especially for female offspring. However, the eight musicians not only contribute to their playing but also to their compositions in part. Thus, the various backgrounds and preferences make the album a varied pleasure: Leni Stern brings “African Bubbles” with Bubbles, Herzig’s “Cantos” spreads Caribbean flair, Reut Regev contributes with “I Am A Superstar” Middle Eastern sounds. In the interpretation of “Is not No Mountain High Enough”, the playful troupe casually surpasses fictitious obstacles with a veritable rejuvenation of the atmosphere. Even “The House Of The Rising Sun” gets a new dress with characterful solos of flute, piano and drums.”
*Translated from German to English by Google Translate
Apr 2, 2018
“Of appeal to Norma Winstone fans firstly in comparative terms to strike a chord of recognition of a male counterpart somehow of the great English singer’s attuned artistic sensibilities in the melding of lyrics and emotion as a series of observed truths and melody, and secondly a fascination for fans of instrumental jazz because singer Fred Farell provides new contexts by singing the music of Dave Liebman and Richie Beirach which he has written lyrics for. “ READ MOREof Marlbank’s review of Fred Farell’s Distant Song here.
Oct 27, 2017
By: Leonid Auskern
Serbian vocalist Alma Mizic has gone a long way, typical for many talented jazz performers from Europe. She was born in Belgrade, she began to learn to play the piano at six, and later realized that her element was vocal. At the age of 17, she sang with Big Band radio band and admired the art of Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan and Betty Carter. In the late 90’s, Alma went to study overseas, at Berkeley, and, having received a bachelor’s degree there, settled in New York, becoming there a notable figure with all the abundance of first-class vocalists in the Big Apple. Alma’s first album was released in 2004, followed by several more CDs, and today’s That Old Feeling, released by a well-known independent label from Dartmouth, Massachusetts Whaling City Sound, was the fourth in her discography.
The album’s structure resembles some previous CDs of the singer. Seven of the nine tracks are standards, with very well-known and very often performed ones, like Cry Me A River, Honeysuckle Rose or Blue Moon, and two tracks are their own, only to this performer: Alma’s own song, Ne Zaboravi Me balladand Russian-gypsy romance Solnishko. Standards – this is a touchstone for any jazz singer: I do not speak at all about the professionalism of the performance, the main thing is whether the given singer or singer is able to contribute something individual to the well-known topics. In my opinion, Alma Mizic does it. Her main trump card is magnificent intonation, the ability to “live” a song with her character and an impeccable sense of style. And her version of Honeysuckle Rose may well stand in line with the best samples of this evergreen from the greatest stars. Well, and in his “own”, Slavic-Gypsy field Mizic is not imitated at all. Her clean, silvery color voice conveys the lyrics very emotionally, penetrating into the very depths of the hearts of listeners.
A considerable part of the success of this album can be recorded by the accompanying Alme Ensemble, in which I would especially single out her husband, guitarist Rale Mizic and very good bass player Corcoran Holt. If the expression “King is playing suite” is true, then Her Majesty can sincerely thank her partners – they were good. I think that those who hear That Old Feeling will be able to appreciate the skill of the singer, and the class of her colleagues
To see the original review in Russian, click here
To buy That Old Feeling, click here
Oct 23, 2017
By: George W Harris
October, 1, 2017
With a career spanning 3 score years and including work ranging from BB King to Elvis, Etta James and Roy Orbison, session guitarist Reggie Young delivers a classy instrumental album that oozes style and substance. He teams with buddies like Clayton Ivey-Catherine Marx-Jim Brown-Mike Rojas/key, David Hood-David Hungate-Dennis Belfield/b, Chad Cromwell-Shannon Forrest/dr, Jennifer Lynn Young/cel and a Jim Horn-led sax section teamed with Steve Herman/tp and Charles Rose/tb. Throughout the seven tracks, Young takes you through a sumptuous mix of soul, country and jazzy blues, never pretentious, and always swingingly professional.
To see the full review click here
To Check out Reggie Young’s album, Forever Young, click here
Music industry consultant and publicist Ginny Shea has garnered international exposure for her clients through radio and video promotion, print media, and her vast industry network.