Something Else! Soul Jazz Featuring Vincent Herring Smoke Sessions Having witnessed a live performance by the collective Something Else! a little over a year ago at Exit Zero Jazz Festival, this album comes with anticipation. That’s because the soul jazz genre is not often heard much these days. It’s like traditional blues; we grew up […]
Etienne Charles’ “Creole Orchestra Featuring René Marie” fuses Caribbean influences with big band jazz, reflecting his Trinidadian heritage and memories of American music played on Trinidadian radio. The album features diverse tracks including originals, covers, and collaborations, showcasing Charles’ skill as a composer and arranger on an 80-minute, multi-artist journey.
Matthew Whitaker On Their Shoulders: An Organ Tribute MOCAT If you’ve ever attended a Matthew Whitaker show, you know that the young pianist/organist/drummer Matthew Whitaker has a more than engaging rapport with his audience. They are often on their feet dancing from his first few notes. Whitaker is still only 23 years old and has […]
“Struck Down,” the 16th album by The Fabulous Thunderbirds, marks their 50th anniversary with nine new tracks and a cover of Memphis Minnie’s “Nothing in Rambling.” Kim Wilson’s harmonica prowess and collaboration with guitarist Steve Strongman shine, alongside guest contributions from Taj Mahal, Bonnie Raitt, and ZZ Top’s Billy F. Gibbons.
Olivia Foschi’s album “A Window Within” delivers unique, captivating jazz with her original compositions and expressive vocals. Notable tracks include “Caught Me by Surprise,” “Pieces of Central Park,” and “Live With It.” Foschi’s versatile voice and the talented band create a contemporary, refreshing sound with Brazilian influences. Each song invites listeners into her emotional journey.
Kid and Lisa “Little Baby” Andersen Spirits and Soul Little Village Foundation This two-CD set includes “Spirits” Kid Andersen’s first solo studio recording while his wife provides harmony to his vocal leads. On the second CD they trade places and Lisa “Little Baby” Anderson becomes the leader. Kid first came to national attention as the […]
YUKO ITO SEDUZIR Funny Baby Face Records New York Yuko Ito, vocals; Helio Alves, piano; Edward Perez, bass; Alexandre Kautz, drums/percussion; Willie Ruiz, percussions/vocals; Romero Lubambo, guitar; Steve Wilson, alto saxophone; Vanessa Falabella, vocals. Yuko Ito is a Tokyo-born vocalist who has a deep appreciation for Brazilian music and jazz. She is fluent in Portuguese […]
Black Cat Bones Troublemaker Codacopina Music Formed in 2004 Black Cat Bones is a five-piece rockin’ Blues band with original compositions. “Troublemaker” is the band’s fifth studio album and first since 2019’s “Tattered And Torn”. Their name is derived from Muddy Water’s “I Got My Mojo Working” and the phrase “I got a black cat […]
John Escreet the epicenter of your dreams Blue Room Music John Escreet’s 2022 trio album Seismic Shift (covered here) was so bold and impactful that it likely made it difficult to return with the trio and produce a similarly startling result. Pianist and composer Escreet was wise enough to recognize this and although returning with […]
RADAM SCHWARTZ SAXOPHONE QUARTET MUSIC Arabesque Records Radam Schwartz, composer/arranger; Marcus G. Miller, soprano saxophone; Irwin Hall, alto saxophone; Anthony Ware, tenor saxophone; Max Schweiger, baritone saxophone. GUEST ARTISTS: Micha Josephs, guitar; Carrie Jackson, vocals; Andrew Atkinson, percussion. Radam Schwartz is well-known in the jazz world as a jazz organist. His recordings as a bandleader […]
SERGIO PEREIRA BOSSA + Tiger Turn, LLC Sergio Pereira, voice/guitars/violão/percussion/composer/arranger/producer; Luis Guerra, piano/keyboards; Ariel Ramirez, electric bass; Mauricio Zottarelli, drums/percussion/arranger/co-producer; Chipi Chacon, trumpet/flugelhorn. SPECIAL GUESTS on “One for Pat”: Romero Lumbambo, violão; Ivan ‘Melon’ Lewis, piano; Ivan Ruiz Machado, bass; Jose San Martin, drums. Still smiling from his 2024 win of the World Entertainment Award […]
Christopher Wyze & The Tellers Stuck In The Mud Big Radio Records Christopher Wyze was awarded a “One To Watch” songwriter award by the Nashville Songwriters Association Intl.; this is his debut recording. Eight of the songs were co-written by Chris and his producer Ralph Carter. Two more were written by Chris (a.k.a.Chris Wirthwein) and […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Jill Burkes of Morning Bird MorningBird is an acoustic trio featuring Rob Wheeler (guitar, mandolin, harmonica, stomp box), Jill Burkes (violin, guitar), and Josh Palmi (upright bass, guitar). The trio offer haunting harmonies and eclectic mix of traditional tunes and original music along with powerful string […]
Billy Price Person Of Interest Little Village Foundation This new Billy Price studio album was produced by the Grammy winning Tony Braunagel, of the Phantom Blues Band, and recorded, engineered, and mixed by his band mate Johnny Lee Schell. Billy Price was born William Pollak, in 1949, in Fair Lawn, N.J. In the seventies he […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Brings you Gerry Casey’s Interview with Leah Martin-Brown of EvolWalks With a healthy chunk of attitude, a dynamite lead singer, and a predilection for time-honouredrock ‘n’ roll, EvolWalks has rapidly emerged as a heavyweight contender. Now based in L.A., EvolWalks has bagged an EP, earned plaudits from artists and fans […]
THE BRUCE LOFGREN GROUP INSTRUMENTAL ADVENTURES: EARTHLY AND COSMIC TALES Night Bird Records Bruce Lofgren, acoustic & electric guitars/composer; Billy Hulting, hand percussion instruments; Craig Fundiga, vibraphone; Randy Landas, acoustic, electric & fretless basses; Hope Easton, cello; Geoff Nudell, B flat clarinet. This production reminds me of the Pan Pipe projects. It reflects the original […]
Steve Dawson Ghosts Pravda Well over a decade ago, closer to two, at SXSW I witnessed an impressive performance by Steve Dawson, fronting his Chicago-based band, Dolly Varden. Yes, that Steve Dawson, not to be confused with roots, blues, and folk-rocker, Canadian and Nashville-based Steve Dawson. The former has released several solo albums too and […]
ALLEGRA LEVY OUT OF THE QUESTION SteepleChase Records Allegra levy, vocals/lyricist/composer; Carmen Staaf, piano/Fender Rhodes; Mimi Jones, bass; Allison Miller, drums/shaker; Roxy Coss, tenor & soprano saxophones; Andrew Baird, guitar/ukulele; Aubrey Johnson, background vocals. “Are You Real?” is a tune by Benny Golson with lyrics by Allegra Levy. This song opens Levy’s album with power […]
Oded Tzur My Prophet ECM It’s long been said that some of the greatest saxophonists such as Charlie Parker, John Coltrane, Sonny Rollins, and Coleman Hawkins are easily identifiable in just the first few notes they play. While we’re not yet putting the Israeli-born and raised New York City based saxophonist Oded Tzur in that ‘all-time […]
Damon Fowler Barnyard Smile Landslide Barnyard Smile is the renowned slide guitarist and singer-songwriter Damon Fowler’s ninth release and third for Landslide Records. Fowler offers a handful of soul driven originals, plus innovative Bo Diddley and Jerry Reed covers and a touch of Americana roots rock. Those not familiar with Fowler’s solo work may recall […]
MAC GOLLEHON & THE HISPANIC MECHANICS BITE OF THE STREET Nefarious Industries Mac Gollehon, trumpet/scat vocals/keyboards/composer; Eric Klaastad, bass; Jeanne Carne, drums; Ismael Sanchez, percussion; Adam Perez, keyboards; Ariel Lawler, background vocals; David Brenner, sound effects. The trumpet of composer, Mac Gollehon, bounces boldly atop the percussion of The Hispanic Mechanics featuring Jeanne Carne on […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Brings you an Interview with Nolen Sellwood Nolen is young artist with an old soul. His Beautifully crafted singing and songwriting skills are captured on his sophomore album, Cadence to the Flame. Considering that it’s my first time ever recording any kind of music or going to any kind of […]
Jay Gordon and Blues Venom Live at Woodystock 2022 Shuttle Music Jay Gordon grew up in Chicago where he is known for his slashing guitar and passionate vocals. While his influences include Buddy Guy, Johnny Winter, and Stevie Ray Vaughan, he has his own style. Gordon has recorded 17 CD’s the last being 2019’s “Slide Rules”. […]
Rory Block Positively 4th Street: A tribute to Bob Dylan Stony Plain Records “I grew up in Greenwich Village and was a teenager when Bob Dylan’s songs were becoming huge hits. We didn’t think it unusual to spot John Lennon, Jimi Hendrix or Bob Dylan walking down West 4th Street…My father’s place of business, The […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Brings you an Interview with Kirk Nelson! Kirk Nelson has been “showing off” since his first piano recital at a very young age. Having a long career as a professional musician with countless appearances he has shared the stage and recorded with many legends such as Buddy Guy, James Cotton […]
SHAWN MAXWELL J TOWN SUITE Cora Street Records Shawn Maxwell, alto & soprano saxophone/flute/composer; Michael Barton, electric bass; Collin Clauson, Fender Rhodes/Wurlitzer; Greg Eassig, drums/percussion. Maxwell’s first original tune marches off the compact disc with the drums and bass driving the groove beneath Maxwell’s soprano saxophone solo. His album is appropriately named for his hometown […]
Fernando Huergo Big Band Relentless Whaling City Sound Bassist and composer Fernando Huergo leads his 18-piece big band on Relentless, a set of compositions inspired by Luke Mogelson’s article in the New Yorker, titled “Relentless Absurdity.” These pieces reflect not only the absurdity of war but societal struggles, oppression, discrimination, and environmental challenges. Huergo aims […]
SERGIO PAMIES TIME TO SAY Newtrad Records Sergio Pamies, piano; Ricky Rodgriguez, bass; Jimmy Macbride, drums; Samuel Torres, percussion; Marshall Gilkes, trombone; Michael Thomas, alto & soprano saxophones; Alex Norris, trumpet /flugelhorn. GUEST ARTISTS: Dave Liebman, soprano saxophone; Paquito D’Rivera, clarinet. The title tune of this album encompasses Straight-ahead, Latin jazz, and high energy, percussive […]
Alex Sipiagin Horizons Blue Room Horizons is trumpeter/flugelhornist and composer Alex Sipiagin’s twenty-seventh album as a leader. Having covered just two of those, both on Posi-Tone – Upstream (on these pages) and Ascent to the Blues, Sipiagin impressed with his challenging compositions, fiery playing, and improvisational talent. This is his second for Blue Room, following […]
Black Country Communion V If Joe Bonamassa were a baseball player, he would make all four umpire’s heads spin by the way he slides from base to base. Original, blues-based rock music, classic American blues, British rock and blues, R&B, and even acid funk; you name it, and Bonamassa plays and sings it exceptionally well. […]
HOME PAGE SWEET RELIEF HOME PAGE SHELDON GOMBERG Making a Scene Brings you an Interview with Sheldon Gomberg Sheldon Gomberg has created a release that not only gives an All Star tribute to Lowell George but all the profits go to benefit “Sweet Relief Musicians Fund” In 1994, Sweet Relief Musicians Fund was incorporated […]
ISREA BUTLER CONGO LAMENT Independent label Isrea Butler, trombone; David Loeb, piano; Steve Flora, bass; Bob Chmel, drums; Douglas Lawrence, tenor saxophone. The Isrea Butler quintet opens with the title tune, written by the great Bennie Green. The trombonist (Butler) steps out-front and establishes the melody, with Dave Loeb on piano setting the tempo and […]
Anna Tivel Living Thing Fluff & Gravy Living Thing is singer-songwriter Anna Tivel’s sixth full-length studio album of original material. The album is existential yet relatable, and keenly provocative. During the pandemic, Tivel collaborated as she has done in the past with longtime friend, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Shane Leonard, ultimately recording the album at his […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Brings you Gerry Casey’s Interview with Jimi Fiano! I’ve been playing Guitar professionally for 30 years . I play gigs , Teach guitar and do session work . I play/teach most styles and currently I am a professional Guitarist specializing in Session work (Recording studio) , Live gigs (Touring), and […]
RICKY ALEXANDER JUST FOUND JOY Turtle Bay Records Rickey Alexander, soprano saxophone/clarinet/vocals; Kevin Dorn, drums; Rob Adkins, bass; Brennen Ernst, guitar; Jon Thomas & Dalton Ridenhour, piano; Jon-Erik Kellso, trumpet/cornet; SPECIAL GUEST: Vanisha Gould, vocals. This album turns back the hands of time. With the exception of a solitary Alexander original composition (Promenade), the songs […]
Bruno Råberg Tentet Evolver Orbis Music Sweden-born, U.S. based bassist/composer Bruno Råberg has made 14 recordings as a leader and more than 50 as a sideman since coming to the U.S. in 1981. For this project, Evolver, Råberg returns to a large ensemble format for the first time in 22 years with players familiar to […]
Jake Hertzog Longing to Meet You Self-released Guitarist and composer Jake Hertzog has performed and composed across multiple genres and served as musical director for pop stars. For Longing to Meet You he convened a jazz quartet comprised from their mutual time attending the Manhattan School in New York. They are altoist Matt Woroshyl, bassist […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Randall Deaton On “Silver Bullet Bluegrass – A Tribute to Bob Seger” ABOUT LONESOME DAY RECORDS Located in Booneville, KY, the company was established in 2002 by audio engineer and record producer Randall Deaton. The label has released top charting Bluegrass and Country albums and singles […]
JEREMY GIGNOUX ODD STILLNESS Alberta foundation for the Arts Jeremy Gignoux, violin/viola/composer; Jiajia Li, bass flute/dizi; Keith Rodger, double bass; André Wickenheiser, trumpet; Carsten Rubeling, trombone; Robin Tufts, drums; Rebecca Bruton, voice; Mark Dejong, bass clarinet. Somewhere between restraint and wonder, the string instrument master, Jeremy Gignoux offers this experimental album of ambient instrumental music. […]
Reverend Freakchild Bare Bones Treated and Released Records This is the Reverend Freakchild’s 18th album, recorded in Boulder Colorado. It is performed on a national resonator guitar. It is a 2 CD set including live rendition’s of songs from last year’s, “Songs Of Beauty For Ashes Of Realization”, played solo. The Rev. opens with “All […]
Koppel Blade Koppel Time Again Cowbell Music This organ trio emerges surprisingly. We’ve gotten used to the trio albums, three of them, from altoist Benjamin Koppel, drummer Brian Blade, and bassist Scott Colley. We’ve also witnessed that same threesome performing in front of Anders Koppel’s brilliant symphonic piece, The Mulberry Street Symphony. Yet, close followers […]
CHAD EDWARDS WYOMING ROADS Independent Label Chad Edwards, piano/organ/composer; Robert Kyle, saxophones/flute; Hussain Jiffry, basses; Kevin Winard, drums/percussion. The Chad Edwards project comes lilting through space like a gliding seahawk. The very first tune, “Wyoming Roads” is an original by the pianist. He was inspired by a road trip where he set out to feel […]
Laurie Lewis Trees Spruce and Maple Music Laurie Lewis is an icon in the worlds of bluegrass, old time, and folk, a mentor to such vital artists of today such as Molly Tuttle and an inspiration to peers which Linda Ronstadt and Kathy Mattea, as just a couple of examples. Longtime fans of Lewis know […]
ANTONIO ADOLFO LOVE COLE PORTER AAM Records Antonio Adolfo, piano/arranger/vocals; Lula Galvao, guitars; Jorge Helder, double bass; Rafael Barata, drums/percussion; Dada Costa, percussion; Jesse Sadoc, trumpet/flugelhorn; Danilo Sinna, alto saxophone; Marcelo Martins, tenor & soprano saxophones/flute; Rafael Rocha, trombone. Since childhood, Antonio Adolfo says that the music of Cole Porter has been the soundtrack of […]
The Name Droppers Starshine Horizon Music The Name Droppers is a relatively new band consisting of drummer/vocalist Bobby T. Torello; Scott Spray, bass; Ron Rifkin, keyboards; and Rafe Klein, guitar. Torello is a member of the Classic Drummer Hall of Fame and toured with Michael Bolton, Grace Slick, Johnny Winter, and others. I first heard […]
Tas Cru All Natural Cage-Free and Fan Feed: Live Sub Cat Records Tas Cru lives in Chaumont, New York, not far from the Canadian border. He released his debut recording in 2008. Tas states his unusual stage name was bestowed on him by a Quebecois fan and roughly means “raw potato”. At the International Blues […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Eliza Neals Standing before one of America’s truest art forms with an unconditional passion to give the Blues everything she’s got. Eliza Neals, a Detroit born blues-rock star on the rise, honors the gut-wrenching, soul splitting intent the American roots of contemporary blues represents with inspired songwriting, […]
Jesse Dayton The Hard Way Blues Hardcharger / Blue Elan Records Ever see the TV show Somebody Feed Phil? When Phil Rosenthal (the man behind the historic sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond) becomes especially excited by some kind of ethnic food during an episode, he shakes his hands up on the sides of his head and […]
The Bobby Broom Organ-Sation Jamalot Steele This year’s reviews from yours truly are not as heavily populated with organ trios as in years past but this throwback album by Bobby Broom’s Organ-Sation may well compensate in spades. These are live performances from 2014-2019 of familiar pop songs and standards, in the tradition of his once […]
JIHYE LEE ORCHESTRA INFINITE CONNECTIONS Motema Music Jihye Lee, composer/conductor; Adam Birnbaum, piano; Matt Clohesy, bass; Jared Schonig, drums; Keita Ogawa, percussion; Alex Goodman, guitar; Ben Kono, alto saxophone/piccolo/flute; Dave Pietro, alto saxophone/flute/alto flute; Jason Rigby & Jonathan Lawary, tenor saxophone/flute/clarinet; Carl Maraghi, baritone saxophone/bass clarinet; Brian Pareschi, Nathan Eklund, David Smith & Stuart Mack, […]