Peter Hand’s new album is a “welcoming listening experience from first note to last” according to Jersey Jazz

Peter Hand’s new album is a “welcoming listening experience from first note to last” according to Jersey Jazz

Jan 25, 2024

 

Take a superb guitarist like Peter Hand, put him in the company of primo fellow jazzers like saxophonist Don Braden, trumpeter/flugelhornist Eddie Allen, pianists James Weidman or David Janeway, bassist Harvie S and drummer Steve Johns, bring in the tenor sax magic of Houston Person for a couple of tracks and you will get the kind of hip sounds that can be found on Blue Topaz(Whaling City Sound – 140).  Seven of the nine selections are original tunes by Hand, while the other three are Freddie Hubbard’s “Little Sunflower” “One for My Baby” and Stevie Wonder’s “Lately,” the last two having Person lovingly caressing the tunes with support from Hand, Janeway, Harvie S and Johns.  Braden on tenor sax for six cuts, flute and soprano sax for one each is a consummate reed player.  Allen graces seven of the ten tracks with tasty and creative improvisations.  Harvie S is one of those bass players who always finds the right notes, while Johns keeps things in a steady groove throughout.  Blue Topaz, filled with well-conceived arrangements by Hand, is a welcoming listening experience from first note to last. (www.whalingcitysound.com)
Joseph Lang, Jersey Jazz February Issue
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Jazzwise Review: Gerry Gibbs

Jazzwise Review: Gerry Gibbs

Oct 21, 2021

“This fine and devotedly-crafted double album is a vehicle for much thrilling jazzmaking by a superb cast, but it has a rich stream of backstories running through it too. Songs From My Father is New York drummer Gerry Gibbs’ personal tribute to his 96 year-old father and bop-vibes legend Terry, involving 10 months work and 15,000 miles of driving and pandemic-restricted meetings for Gibbs Jnr to involve four star-packed versions of his nine year-old Thrasher Dream Trio across the US.” Click here to read more

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Jersey Jazz Review: Gerry Gibbs

Jersey Jazz Review: Gerry Gibbs

Oct 5, 2021

Drummer GERRY GIBBS, son of the legendary vibraphonist Terry Gibbs, has hooked up with several jazz stars to form four different trios, he calls them the THRASHER DREAM TRIOS, to play 18 appealing compositions by his father on the two-disc set, Songs from My Father(Whaling City Sound – 131).  Gerry Gibbs serves as drummer for the trios with pianist Chick Corea and bassist Ron Carter on Trio #1, pianist Kenny Barron and bassist Buster Williams on Trio #2, pianist Patrice Rushen and Hammond B3 organist Larry Goldings on Trio #3, and pianist Geoff Keezer and bassist Christian McBride on Trio #4.  The booklet explains the intricacies of putting this album together.  One person who was instrumental in this project was the late pianist Chick Corea.  He contributed the one selection not composed by Terry Gibbs, a tribute to Terry titled “Tango for Terry.  Most of the tunes are up tempo, many with catchy titles like “Kick Those Feet,” “Bopstacle Course,” “The Fat Man,” “Hippie Twist” and “Gibberish.”  Then there is a tune like “Lonely Dreams” that could have been a theme from a film noir.  With the caliber of musicianship present on these tracks, it is not surprising that this music grabs you from the first track and never lets you go through the last notes. (www.whalingcitysound.com) 

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Ute Lemper “does an effective job of capturing the Dietrich persona” on latest Release

Ute Lemper “does an effective job of capturing the Dietrich persona” on latest Release

Jul 9, 2020

 

When she received much acclaim for her 1988 performance in the Paris staging of Cabaret, including some comparison to Marlene Dietrich, German actress/singer UTE LEMPER felt embarrassed by this, and wrote a note to Dietrich apologizing for the comparison.  She received a phone call from Dietrich in return, and during their lengthy conversation, Dietrich recalled much of what had occurred in her life.  It was an occasion of great significance for Lemper.  A few years ago, Lemper created Rendezvous With Marlene (Jazzhaus – 184).  This show, originally done as a cabaret performance, provided an overview of Dietrich’s life and career, with Lemper performing 20 songs associated with Dietrich.  I saw the show at the York Theater last year, and greatly enjoyed it.  Lemper does an effective job of capturing the Dietrich persona, but also brings much of her own performing personality to the production.  She is an accomplished actress and singer, who moves easily between being herself and channeling Dietrich.  The recording contains only the musical portion of the show, but stands nicely on its own.
Review by Joe Lang

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