Quentin Baxter Quintet Art Moves Jazz Charlton Singleton Crossroads BME Baxter Music Enterprises Art Moves Jazz and Crossroads are tandem releases on the same label by two friends, bandmates, and fellow members of South Carolina’s Gullah cultural community. They are two-fifths of the Grammy-winning (Good Time, 2017 Best Regional Roots Album) Gullah community ensemble Ranky […]
Enrico Pieranunzi Quintet The Extra Something Live at the Village Vanguard Camjazz Is it possible to record over eight albums and still remain under the radar? If you are unaware of pianist and composer Enrico Pieranunzi, that’s perfectly forgivable as the Italian piano master has developed most of his career in Europe. The Extra Something […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Matt Lomeo Matt subsequently became the youngest artist ever invited to perform at a Woodstock Festival, taking the stage for Woodstock ’99 alongside his brother at the age of 10. Now in his early thirties, Lomeo has played enough gigs for a man twice his age. […]
Geoffrey Keezer & Friends Playdate Markeez This is the 23rd album as a leader for acclaimed pianist, composer, and arranger Geoffrey Keezer, who lighthearted calls this session, Playdate. While the term connotes arranging a date for a group of kids to congregate and play, Keezer and his bandmates do anything but approach this far-ranging recording […]
Andy Adamson Quintet A Coincidence of Cats Andros The whimsical title threw this writer at first. Maybe pianist and composer Andy Adamson was referencing “cats” as in musicians. Probably not, but it doesn’t matter as the music is rhythmically complex, harmonic, precise, engaging, and just about anything but whimsical. Adamson and his quintet hail from […]
Brian Lynch and Sphere of Influence Songbook Vol. 2 Dance The Way U Want To Hollistic MusicWorks Multi-GRAMMY® Award-winning trumpeter Brian Lynch returns with the second volume of his acclaimed Songbook Series: Brian Lynch And Spheres Of Influence – Songbook Vol. 2: Dance The Way U Want To. Lynch’s concept in the Series is to reclaim original compositions that he […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Lauren Glick Lauren Glick a native of Salisbury MD., and now back living on the Eastern Shore entertains crowds in and around the Ocean City, MD area. Lauren became serious about music in college where she attended Berklee College of Music. She studied under the best […]
Hanka G Universal Ancestry Culture Bridge As stated here previously, discovering a new artist often takes different forms whether by recommendation of friends, a glimpse at a video, or by viewing the accompanying musicians supporting the leader. The latter is the case for New York-based Slovak vocalist Hanka G (Gregusova), who with Universal Ancestry is […]
Making a Scene Presents Gerry Casey’s Interview with Robert Wilson and Stone James of The Dead Show Dealers! Re-broadcasting this interview with Stone James and Robert Wilson of the Dead Show Dealers is tinged with sadness because of the passing of Robert. However it is with immense pride that I replay this interview with members […]
Breezy Rodio Underground Blues Windchill/Bloos The Italian born blues, soul and reggae guitarist Breezy Rodio first made his mark with Linsey Alexander for a decade before debuting solo in 2011 and importantly on Delmark in 2018. So, yes, he is steeped in Chicago blues with a unique guitar style that according to producer of this […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Megan Bee Singer-songwriter Megan Bee writes with an unquenchable wanderlust and a deep love for the land. Her 2022 album “Cottonwood” has been called “as real as it gets – a raw and real telling of engaging, relatable stories.” The track Never Known received an Honorable […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Christian Michael Berry of the Swamp Poets Christian Michael Berry started his professional musical career in San Francisco circa 1969 as a solo artist playing roots based country rock and blues. His early influences were 50’s and early 60’s era “old school” country, (Ferlin Husky, Buck […]
Barry Coates, Jimmy Haslip, & Jerry Kalaf New Dreams Outside in Music New Dreams is a trio of kindred spirits exploring the cerebral, the explorative, and the ethereal as they highlight the collaborative compositions of Coates and Haslip, and in some cases, all three members. The most familiar name to most would be bassist Jimmy Haslip, […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Angel Forrest In 1988, Angel Forrest began a musical career which would span over three decades – and counting. Her first album, Secondhand Blues, featured several classics. The energic vocalist’s work immediately gained attention from critics and new fans. Her tribute show to the legendary Janis Joplin brought Angel into the […]
Color Green Color Green I love it when music like this new self-titled album from Color Green comes my way. Their music is cut from the same fabric as many of my favorite bands, such as Grateful Dead, Allman Brothers, Phish, and Flaming Lips. Formed in Queens, but now based in Los Angeles, Color Green is comprised of co-founders Noah Kohll and Corey Madden. Together this duo creates a […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Brings you Gerry Casey’s Interview with Deborah Morganfield Most of our interviews are with artists or bands. So on this occasion it’s a little bit different because I spoke with the widow of Joseph Mojo Morganfield. Being the wife of the youngest son of the legendary Muddy Watters is certainly […]
Cliff Stevens Better Days Montreal-based blues-rocker Cliff Stevens has recently released his fifth studio album Better Days. Loaded with eleven brand-new originals, this record is a genuine dose of heart-tugging blues, reminiscent of the album-oriented music popular in the Seventies. The music ranges from old-school delta blues to that inspired by the likes of Eric Clapton and Stevie Ray Vaughan. It surely makes for […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with PD Adams I wonder what it is that Paul Adams doesn’t do? Working in multiple genres, his 13 critically acclaimed albums have over 118 million streams on Pandora and can be heard on Spotify, Sirius Radio The Spa, Music Choice, Amazon Radio, Echoes, Apple Radio, Tidal and […]
Art Hirahara Verdant Valley Posi-Tone Pianist/composer/ and bandleader Art Hirahara delivers his eighth album as leader on the Posi-tone label, this time with a tight quartet rendering mostly originals with a Wayne Shorter cover and a tune each composed by bandmates, the core Posi-Tone rhythm tandem of bassist Boris Kozlov and in-demand drummer Rudy Royston. […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Emanuel Casablanca Emanuel Casablanca is an ideal example of an artist who possesses the ability, ingenuity and the passion that drives him to succeed. Happily, the combination has paid off. The Brooklyn-based guitarist, singer and songwriter has worked with an array of A-list performers over the […]
Mick Kolassa I’m Just Getting Started Endless Blues Eleven albums in, bluesman Mick Kolassa is proclaiming a reset of sorts with his latest, I’m Just Getting Started. Having just moved to Memphis from Mississippi and having overcome his wife’s passing due to cancer and his own battle with COVID-19 in recent years, no one can […]
Derrick Procell Hello Mojo Catfood This is a powerful blues triumvirate – blues singer/songwriter/instrumentalist Derrick Procell, BMA winner and producer Zac Harmon, and label owner/bandleader Bob Trenchard collaborating on Procell’s Catfood Records debut, Hello Mojo. As you likely realize, given those names, the album was recorded at Trenchard’s go-to studio, Sonic Ranch in Tornillo Texas […]
Kirk Fletcher Heartache by the Pound Ogierea Kirk Fletcher is in a bit of a paradox. While he has all the tools of the best bluesmen and the acclaim to prove it as a five-time BMA nominee and one hailed by such outlets as Guitar World Magazine and Guitar.com, he seldom rises to the top […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Randy C Moore RANDY C MOORE, a Texas music artist and 2022 European Country Music Hall of Fame member. Randy is currently blazing a new trail into the Texas music scene as feature in the Lone Star State’s big market radio stations and major festivals in […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents Gerry Casey’s Interview with Nathan Pope EDGY. DYNAMIC. POWERFUL. These are all common adjectives used to describe the music of blues-rock guitarist, Nathan Pope. Originally from the heart of North Carolina, Nathan received his first guitar at the age of 2 and was teaching himself to play by the age […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Nathan Kalish Nathan Kalish is a multi-instrumentalist, producer, engineer, and wandering storyteller. Born in Milwaukee, WI, to missionary parents, he was moved around for most of his formative years. By the time Kalish had graduated high school, he had already lived all over the Midwest, as […]
Chucho Valdes & Paquito D’Rivera Reunion Sextet I Missed You Too! Sunnyside This is a reunion over 40 years in the making, uniting two of the most iconic Cuban jazz musicians of our times. Saxophonist/clarinetist Paquito D-Rivera has established a decorated legacy of his own since moving to New York in 1980. Among so many […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Todd Sharpville Sharpville first came to public prominence with his 1994 debut blues album release, Touch of Your Love (Red Lightnin’). The album achieved critical acclaim, winning “Best Album” in 1994 in the British Blues Connection awards (Britain’s equivalent to the W.C. Handy Awards). At this […]
Silent Partners Changing Times Little Village Little Village unerringly brings us genuine blues and soul once again with Silent Partners and their album Changing Times, yet another example of sidemen reaching the bright lights. But these aren’t just any sidemen. Between the three of them, they have over 100 years of experience on the road […]
The Steve Strongman Blues Remedy Volume 1 Stony Plains Music “Hard Luck” opens this rocking good time. On most of the tracks Strongman plays guitar, harmonica and bass and takes writing credit. The only co-writes are when he features a special guest. Special guests include fellow Canadians; Steve Marriner on one track. Vocalist Harrison Kennedy […]
Starlite Campbell Band LIVE I’ve been hooked on Starlite Campbell Band since reviewing their first album, Blueberry Pie five years ago. That was such an amazing album. For their third release, wife and husband Suzy Starlite, and Simon Campbell took their songs on the road across the UK and wove together this delightful eight-track album of live performances with drummer Steve Gibson (Buzzcocks, Jack Bruce) and […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with The Reverend Shawn Amos Amos was born in New York. He is the youngest son of Famous Amos chocolate chip cookie founder Wally Amos and the only son of Shirley Ellis Amos, (professionally known as Shirl-ee May in the early 1960s). Throughout Amos’ childhood and adulthood, his mother suffered from schizoaffective disorder and […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Yosh and Yimmy After meeting in 2015, when Josh Glenn opened for Jimmy Willden at the final show of his 2015 tour, the two bearded gingers continued playing shows together. Over time, the shows evolved into Yosh & Yimmy, as they performed as a duo, and […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Maria Francis and Jeff Overbo of Silver Lake 66 Maria Francis and Jeff Overbo provide their own take on modern Americana with Silver Lake 66. With a soulful hybrid of classic country, folk and blues, their songs have been hailed by numerous publications and radio stations. […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Dave Thomas Dave Thomas is the guitarist and bandleader of choice for many of the big blues names visiting from the U.S. He also has a number of critically acclaimed albums in his own right that are as varied as they are classy. If you have […]
Caleb Wheeler Curtis Heatmap Imani You have to give a quick nod or fist bump to saxophonist/composer Caleb Wheeler Curtis. Heatmap is a pretty cool (ah, oh well) title. While Immanuel Wilkins has drawn more ink in the last few years, it’s fair to say that Curtis is also one of more interesting alto saxophonists […]
Sheila Jordan Live at Mezzrow (with Alan Broadbent and Harvie S) Smalls Live Living Masters Series – Cellar Music This release marks good news on two fronts. We get the marvel, 93-year-old NEA Jazz Master, vocalist Sheila Jordan, and we have the debut of The Smalls Live Living Masters Series, which Jordan is inaugurating. Round […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Markey Blue and Ric Latina! Markey Blue Ric Latina Project – Are Multiple Blues Award Nominees and songwriters for film and television – a high-energy Blues American Roots n Soul Band. The members of this national/international blues touring act read like a “who’s who’s” in the […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents Gerry Casey’s Interview with Skenie Anthony of The Poor! The Poor started out playing the pub circuit in Darwin, Australia nearly 2 decades ago. The plan was simple, hard rockin’ hard drinkin’ and world domination.
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Wyatt Easterling Wyatt first came to Nashville as a folk singer on the verge of signing with CBS Records, but in true industry fashion, Sony acquired the label, and the deal fell through. Undeterred, he signed on as a writer with a new publishing company opened […]
Matty T Wall LIVE down Underground Since Matty T Wall’s debut release in 2016 of Blue Skies, I’ve reviewed each of his albums. I’m sure not going to break tradition with his latest, Live Down Underground. Wall very much deserves the kudos. He is a force to be reckoned with and his prowess behind the […]
Steve Cardenas/Ben Allison/Ted Nash Healing Power –The Music of Carla Bley Sunnyside Renowned jazz composer and pianist Carla Bley is one of the most covered composers in jazz over the past six decades. Bley’s groups and those of her life partner, bassist and composer Steve Swallow, have featured such iconic names as Gary Burton, Paul […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Brad Absher! Absher has definitely lived. Born in Tulsa to two school teachers, he began moving around the country when his dad decided to try work in oil instead of the classroom. His father’s job ultimately took the family across the world to Iran, and Absher’s […]
Michael Dease Best Next Thing Posi-Tone Trombonist and composer Michael Dease takes a broader approach to Best Next Thing than he did on 2021’s excellent soul-jazz/hard bop Give It All You’ve Got. While that set honored the sound of the classic Blue Note (often the notion of early Blue Note and Posi-Tone go hand in […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Kat Riggins Inspired by the variety and abundance of music in her parents’ collection, it makes sense that her own music is peppered with hints of R&B, soul, country, gospel, hip-hop, and rock-n-roll. Make no mistake; however, Kat Riggins is undeniably a BLUES WOMAN! She […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents Gerry Casey’s Interview with The Southbound Snake Charmers This dynamic four piece have been conjuring up their own unique brand of swampy blues since 2013. Led by the original Snake Charmer himself: vocalist and charismatic frontman Chris Denman, Brooke Maloney is on Drums, Nat Sutphin is on Bass and […]
Lyle Odjick & The Northern Steam Through the Rain Tone King Here’s a new blues artist from the Great White North. Lyle Odjick hails from the Algonquin reservation of Kitigan Zibi, QC, now based in Ottawa, ON. As you might guess, he went from living in a small town with little exposure to blues or […]
Eyal Vilner Big Band The Jam! Self-released Multi-instrumentalist Eyal Vilner follows up his 2019 swing dancing effort, Swing Out where the band recorded live with swing dancers in the studio with The Jam! continuing to celebrate the renaissance of swing dancing and serve as one of its leading voices on the modern-day big band scene. Born in Tel […]
Dana Fitzsimmons with Bill Graham and Brandon Boone Fault Lines Self-released Jazz trio albums come in many shapes, colors, and configurations with this one, Fault Lines, in the standard piano-bass-drums lineup, anything but standard in its delivery of the music which, for lack of a better term, is free jazz. Drummer and leader Dana Fitzsimmons […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Randy Palmer Randy Palmer is a cross between a painter and a poet. I don’t mean fine art but scraping, sanding, priming, make it like new, painter. You see Randy has roots deep inside a bucket. A son of a painting paint contractor, Randy has an […]
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