Diane Coll Old Ghosts Happy Fish Atlanta-based folk singer-songwriter Diane Coll brings us her second release, Old Ghosts, which follows her debut in 2022, Happy Fish and other Delights and her 2023 EP Into the Fire. While the initial impression of the album may be dark and moody, certainly introspective, there are multiple healing messages […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Smoky Greenwell Smoky Greenwell was born in Michigan on the 4th of July 1951, reared in Delaware, and schooled in Spain and Tennessee. Smoky learned harmonica in earnest in the mid-1970’s and began sitting in with the venerable blues masters Furry Lewis, Piano Red and Mose […]
Ulysses Owens Jr. and Generation Y A New Beat Cellar Music Group GRAMMY-Award winning drummer and composer Ulysses Owens Jr. has risen quickly from “young lion” to seasoned mentor. In jazz’s time-honored tradition of recruiting younger musicians to keep pushing the music forward (i.e. Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers and Miles Davis’s Second Great Quintet, as […]
Anthony Gomes Peace , Love , And Loud Guitars Well what can I say about this remixed album of High Voltage Gold . Back in 2018 when I heard the original version I was blown away with the quality of this album. At the time, entering the amazon charts at #1 and deservingly so . Six […]
PAT BIANCHI, COLIN STRANAHAN, TROY ROBERTS THREE Independent Label Pat Bianchi, organ; Colin Stranahan, drums; Troy Roberts, tenor saxophone. Anyone who knows me well knows that this journalist loves a jazz organ trio! Pat Bianchi is carrying the torch for organ jazz in a magnificent way. His trio opens with “Love for Sale” as they […]
Mark Winkler The Rules Don’t Apply Café Pacific The Rules Don’t Apply is the 21st album for vocalist and songwriter, the L.A. based Mark Winkler. This is the fifth time this writer has reviewed a Winkler effort, one a year since beginning to write on these pages. To his credit, he brings a different configuration […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with a Pro – Clay Hawkins of The Open Music Exchange Introduction It is no secret that the current revenue from streaming services like spotify/youtube/pandora, etc. is not sustainable as a business model for the music industry. The Digital Revolution has however proven to be very fluid […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Will Scott of The Now The Now are making a massive impact in the UK with their music getting featured on ITV, BBC, Sky Sports, MTV and majority of local independent radio stations. The Now are even putting their feelers out to the other side of […]
SOFIA RUBINA I AM SOUL Independent Label Sofia Rubina, vocals/composer; Evgeny Lebedev, piano; Anton Revnyuk, bass; Ignat Kravtsov, drums. MAIN STRINGS: string quartet. Estonia is a small country in Northern Europe and the birthplace of Sofia Rubina. This country, with a population of about 1.3 million people, is located bordering the Baltic Sea and the […]
The Dave Stryker Trio w/ Bob Mintzer Groove Street Strikezone At this point you surely know what you’re getting with the soul-jazz of Dave Stryker’s Trio with the leader on guitar, the redoubtable Jared Gold on organ and groove maestro McClenty Hunter on drums. Yet, this session, Groove Street, adds the legendary tenor saxophonist of […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Chest Fever The Band left behind a timeless legacy of unforgettable music and a vast catalog of fabled songs. Band members Garth Hudson, Levon Helm, Richard Manuel, Rick Danko and Robbie Robertson embodied a musical alchemy that has been firmly cemented in myth and legend. Their […]
HOME PAGE Making A Scene Brings you an interview with Phil Coyne of Phil Coyne and the Wandering Aces Strap in for the tone and fury of mid 50’s Chicago blues. Phil Coyne and the Wayward Aces; bluesharp, guitar and rhythm taking no prisoners. Catch us live and discover for yourself why our EP blasted in […]
ANTONIO GAVRILA TANGO SUITE BUENOS AIRES Zoho Records Antonio Gavrila, piano/composer; Walther Castro, bandoneon; Quique Sinesi, guitar; Horacio “Mono” Hurtado, bass. The opening composition by A. Piazzolla is arranged in a dramatic way, with Antonio Gavrila’s piano spraying like a powerful waterfall across the chord changes and demanding attention. He builds this tune, starting with […]
Chris O’Leary The Hard Line Alligator Records Chris O’Leary plays entertaining roadhouse blues styles from boogie woogie to Southside Chicago and Louisiana stompers. These performances emote passion and authority.His forceful harmonica accentuates his powerful songwriting. His first album “Mr. Used To Be” was nominated for a Blues Music Award and won a Blues Blast Award for […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an interview with Alex Lopez Alex’s vision has always been to give his fans a show which transcends beyond a concert into a musical experience by blending great songs with high energy and musical prowess. In order to deliver the best performances, Alex has surrounded himself with top caliber […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Brings you Gerry Casey’s Interview with Charlie McGettigan Charlie McGettigan is a folk singer, has released a few CDs, lives in a proper small town and by the way, in 1994 won the Eurovision Song Contest together with his musical partner Paul Harrington. So overall no big deal for an […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Sam Wilbur Samuel Wilbur, is an environmentally conscious Minneapolis based singer/songwriter/educator. A high school social studies teacher by day, and rock star by night, Samuel Wilbur has been writing and recording his own music since he was 16 years old. Wilbur’s music, which is over-stuffed with lush […]
GERALD CANNON LIVE AT DIZZY’S CLUB: THE MUSIC OF ELVIN & McCOY Woodneck Records Gerald Cannon, bass/composer; Lenny White, drums; Dave Kikoski, piano; Steve Turre, trombone; Joe Lovano, tenor saxophone; Sherman Irby, alto saxophone; Eddie Henderson, trumpet. When you put together an all-star group of musicians to play the music of Elvin Jones and McCoy […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Cassius King and the Downtown Rulers Every musician has a dream of making music their livelihood. But the reality of the situation is that very few have the opportunity to make a living solely from their art. Cassius King is no exception. Cassius has spent the […]
Blue Moods Swing & Soul Posi -Tone We kick off 2024 with Posi-Tone’s super quartet Blue Moods delivering a stirring set of soul-jazz and swing that will invariably evoke the glory years of Blue Note Records. Aficionados may note, though likely covered before that the name “Blue Moods” is a play on hard bop/soul-jazz trumpeter […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with The Cedar County Cobras Cedar County Cobras play American roots and blues music from the last century. The music takes on an “old time” blues feel that would most likely be found in a juke-joint down a gravel road in rural Iowa. Tom Spielbauer is behind […]
The Allman Brothers Band Manley Field House, Syracuse University, April 7th, 1972 Allman Brothers Band Recording Company This latest archival release by the keepers of The Allman Brothers Band flame captures the iconic group doing what they did best during one of the unique, short-lived periods in their 45-year-long existence. Singer and keyboardist Gregg Allman, […]
CONSTANTINE ALEXANDER FIRETET Independent Label Constantine Alexander, trumpet/flugelhorn/composer; Julius Tucker, piano; Greg Essig, drums; Ben Dillinger, acoustic bass; Roy McGrath, tenor saxophone. This album is ‘hard bop’ at its best! Opening with a tune Alexander penned titled “The Show” I am swept into the energy and excitement of this Chicago-based trumpeter and his capable quintet. […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents Gerry Casey’s Interview with Don Powell of Slade Don was born on 10 September 1946 in Bilston, Staffordshire – and christened Donald George Powell. He had a fairly normal childhood. When his young his parents obtained their very first home – a council property in Bilston – an industrial […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Peter Veteska of Peter Veteska and Blues Train Peter Veteska and Blues Train was formed in 2013 and is led by Peter Veteska on guitar and vocals; B3 legend Jeff Levine on keyboards; and drummer Alex D’Agnese – the only original member and instrumental in creating the […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene brings you an interview with Ned Bolle of Mean Old Fireman and the Cruel Engineers Art may imitate life, but without a doubt, life has shaped the music of slide guitarist/multi-instrumentalist, Ned Bollé. He brings his varied life experience that are as diverse as his instrumental influences: Sonny Landreth, Joe […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with D’Lakes d’Lakes has a new album and it’s amazing! It has a specular title too “HEAVEN IS A SILENT DISCO.” I can’t wait for you to hear it! I really appreciate all the chances and direction that Drew and his band took on this album. It’s […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents Gerry Casey’s Interview with Don Powell of Slade Don was born on 10 September 1946 in Bilston, Staffordshire – and christened Donald George Powell. He had a fairly normal childhood. When his young his parents obtained their very first home – a council property in Bilston – an industrial […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Brings you an interview with the Tokyo Tramps Hailing from the Land of Rising Sun (Japan), TOKYO TRAMPS is a group of American roots music fanatics. The musical journey started when Satoru left Japan to go to Louisiana searching for the spirit of Rock’n’Roll. Soon he found the key, Blues. […]
The Memphis Blues Box Original Recordings First Released on 78s and 45s, 1914-1969 Bear Family Here are the staggering numbers: 534 songs, 161 artists, 360 11×11 pages in a hefty hard-bound coffee table book, 20 CDs, 13 years in the making, for a total weight of 10.5 lbs. How can we possibly do justice to […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Brings you an interview with Jimmy Deveney HIGH DESERT SOUL. THAT’S WHAT JIMMY DEVENEY CALLS HIS MUSIC. ITS GOT THE HIGH ENERGY, DRIVE AND GROOVE OF ‘60S AND ‘70S SOUL MUSIC, AND THE EXPANSIVE, OPEN, SOMETIMES LONELY FEEL OF THE HIGH DESERT. IT’S MUSIC THAT CELEBRATES THE SHARED HUMAN EXPERIENCE, […]
Rob Susman Top Secret Lab Self-released Trombonist, composer, and arranger Rob Susman is a veteran of many NYC-based large ensembles, two of which we have covered on these pages – Swingadelic and Funk Shui NYC. Top Secret Lab is his first effort as a leader since his eponymous album in 2002, giving him the opportunity […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Brings you an interview with Jim Kahr JIM KAHR…. vocalist / guitarist / composer / mandolin. Born & bred in Chicago with deep embedded roots in the “Chitown” music scene. He quickly became a respected fixture around town. JK toured and recorded with several icon legendary artists over decades of international […]
Micah Thomas Reveal Artwork It seems only appropriate as we finish 2023 to have a review of a jazz pianist as one of final reviews. It has been an extraordinary year for jazz pianists and for jazz piano trio and solo albums. This new label, Artwork, in his first year boasts a Grammy nomination for […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Brings you Gerry Casey’s Interview with Sean Chambers Florida born Sean Chambers began his career in the Blues back in 1998 when he toured with the legendary Hubert Sumlin as his guitarist and band leader until 2003. During Sean’s tenure with Mr. Sumlin, Britain’s own Guitarist magazine named Chambers as […]
Charles Owens Trio Here It Is LA Reserve Here It Is follows up 2021’s 10 Years from the Charles Owens Trio, a jazz-funk unit from Richmond, VA, the same town in which Butcher Brown resides and, in fact, claims the other two members of saxophonist Owens’ trio. They are drummer DJ Harrison, a master of […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Stephan Jacques A true artist and songwriter world-renowned for his prolific, heartfelt alt-rock love songs, Stephen has released ten albums to date, with his eleventh on the way. He is produced by Steve Albini. His body of work was culled from a lifetime of experiences, including […]
Tom Clarke’s Top 10 Roots and Blues Albums of 2023 In No Particular Order Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway City of Gold Nonesuch A guitar prodigy, rousing songwriter, and vivacious singer, Molly Tuttle is the real deal wrapped up loosely and attractively in the whole package. Tuttle won the 2022 Best Bluegrass Album […]
Uncle Lucius Like It’s the Last One Left Boo Clap/Thirty Tigers The Austin, TX band Uncle Lucius returns after a five-year hiatus with Like It’s the Last One Left. Essentially this is the story of a fan base that just wouldn’t let this band fade away. Yet, there were other fortuitous factors at play as […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Jenelle Roccaforte of Roccadile The dynamic and infectious band Roccadile was formed in New Orleans, LA as the brain child of bassist extraordinaire, Jenelle Roccaforte. Their sound is an intoxicating blend of neo-soul, funk, and R&B. Roccadile’s performances are a captivating journey of original music through […]
Bloodkin Out of State Plates World Will Turn This reissued, remastered, remixed, and appended Bloodkin’s Out of State Plates revisits the band’s 1999 effort, their third album and the first produced by the near legendary David Barbe. Barbe is the main culprit here as well, as he gained permission from co-founder Eric Carter and the […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents Gerry Casey’s Interview with Sister Lucille Hailing from Southwest Missouri and deeply inspired by the musical legacy of Memphis, Sister Lucille has turned the worlds of Blues, Roots and Soul on their collective head and created their own genre – Memphunk! The band’s musical genetics run wide and deep. […]
Don Thompson Rob Piltch Bells… Now and Then Modica Music Being pleasantly surprised is always good. In this case, approached an album recorded some 42 years ago, held modest expectations at best but the music from veteran multi-instrumentalist Don Thompson and the accomplished fingerstyle guitarist Rob Piltch not only sounds uniquely creative but compatible with contemporary offerings. Bells… […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Bob Corritore Bob Corritore is one of the most active and highly regarded blues harmonica players on the scene today. His style passionately carries forward the old school of playing that Corritore learned as a young man directly from many of original pioneers of Chicago Blues. […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Jim Mitchell and The Repeat Offenders Outlaw band of musical gypsies with a killer live show! Whether blazing through guitar and steel guitar solos on ORIGINAL and country/rock songs or bringing it all home on a traditional country ballad these guys can flat git it! Led […]
Palle Mikkelborg/Jacob Bro/Marilyn Mazur Strands: Live at the Danish Radio Concert Hall ECM Three generations of Danish jazz greats come together for this concert, recorded in February of 2023 at the Danish Radio Concert Hall. Octogenarian trumpeter and flugelhornist Palle Mikkelborg’s gorgeous tones float spaciously through the hall, buttressed by the supportive and at times […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Michelle Malone about her new Hot Toddies Christmas Release A mainstay of American roots music for more than 30 years, Michelle Malone has built an award-winning career as a singer, songwriter, and road warrior. Her music is ingrained in the soundtrack of the American South, […]
Lisa Hilton Coincidental Moment Ruby Slippers Productions It is to the point now that we can mark the beginning of December on our calendars and know that we’ll have a new release from pianist and composer Lisa Hilton. She returns with Coincidental Moment featuring her mainstay bass-drum tandem of Luques Curtis and Rudy Royston, along […]
Rich Halley Fire Within Pine Eagle The expression “three strikes and you’re out” becomes “three and you’re on again” as force-of-nature tenor saxophonist, Oregon based Rich Halley once again teams with leading creative music scene improvisors pianist Matthew Shipp, bassist Michael Bisio and drummer Newman Taylor Baker for the more than aptly named Fire Within. […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents Gerry Casey’s Interview with Tommy Womack Right, I’m not going to say it stinks, am I. If you like me, you’ll love this new one. If you don’t like me, you might be surprised. If you’ve never heard of me (that’s most of you), this could be the start […]