Rachel Z Sensual Ozmosys Media Group/Dot Time Records. The renowned, virtuoso pianist, keyboardist, composer, and electronic musician Rachel Z, one of the modern-day pillars of jazz fusion, surprises with Sensual. Yes, this writer, having seen her and drummer husband, Omar Hakim, perform at the 2022 Montclair Jazz Festival in a high energy jazz fusion performance […]
Altin Sencalar Discover the Present Posi-Tone Discover the Present is trombonist and composer Altin Sencalar’s fifth album as a leader and by this writer’s count his third for the Posi-Tone label, all covered on these pages. On this date he leads a large ensemble but varies configurations. With eight originals in these eleven, Sencalar is […]
BRANDON GOLDBERG TRIO LIVE AT DIZZY’S Cellar Music Group Brandon Goldberg, piano; Ben Wolfe, bass; Aaron Kimmel, drums. Here is a trio of musicians who make me feel warm and fuzzy as they play a group of familiar, standard tunes I know and love. Goldberg, on piano, is the group leader at the unbelievable age […]
EDY FOREY CULTURE TODAY So Soul Records Guilhem Forey, keyboards/piano/Fender Rhodes/composer/synth bass/vocals/miscellaneous BG vocals; Edy Szewy, vocals/lyricist/sampling; Tom Gordon, drums/percussions; Femi Koleoso, Isac Jamba, Jonathan Tuitt & Seiya Osaka, drums; Leonn Meade, drums/BG vocals; Adam King, Andrew Robb & Luca Alemanno, double bass; Sharay Reed, Michael League & Dean Mark, electric bass; Carlinhos Percussao, percussions; […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with The HawtThorns! Envision and believe in your own universe, and it will eventually form around you. The HawtThorns are reimagining their universe in their latest recording adventures. The sun-kissed songwriting, deft guitar work, and lush vocal harmonies that have been at the core of their sound […]
Mark Lockheart Smiling Edition Saxophonist and composer Mark Lockheart has been on the vanguard of British jazz for four decades now, one surge in the ‘80s and the other here in the 2000s. Yet, his bent for experimentation and genre-agnostic approach would have many considering him an emerging force rather than an elder statesman for the music. […]
Julieta Eugenio STAY Self-released Argentinian-born saxophonist Julieta Eugenio returns with her trio for Stay, a self-released effort following 2023’s acclaimed debut Jump (Greenleaf Music). Eugenio’s trio includes bassist Matt Dwonszyk and drummer Jonathan Barber, and for this outing the outstanding fellow Argentinian keyboardist Leo Genovese joins on Fender Rhodes on two tracks. The inspiration for the album can be found on […]
NEAL ALGER OLD SOULS Calligram Records Neal Alger, guitar/composer; Clark Sommers, acoustic bass; Dana Hall, drums/cymbals; Chris Madsen, tenor saxophone; Chad McCullough, trumpet/flugelhorn. Neal Alger is an educator, (professor at Elmhurst College) a guitarist, a composer, and a lover of all genres of music. From the oldest original tune on this recording, one that he […]
Willy Rodriguez Seeing Sounds Self-released Drummer-composer Willy Rodriguez makes his debut with Seeing Sounds, not a Latin jazz record that we might expect from the experienced Puerto Rico-born, New York based musician but one that ventures into the avant-garde. Joining Rodriguez in his trailblazing adventure are trumpeter Jason Palmer, saxophonist Hery Paz, pianist Leo Genovese, bassists John Hébert and Kenneth Jimenez, special guest artist, saxophonist Dave […]
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ABE POLLACK UNPRECEDENTED TIME Independent Label Abe Pollack, composer/arranger/bass/electric keyboard/guitar; Brad Brose, guitar; Uri Zelig, drums; Albert Behar, accordion/vocals; Marcus Millius, vocals; Jonathan Greene, clarinet/alto saxophone; Ryan Weisheit, tenor and alto saxophone/flute. Bassist, Abe Pollack opens the first album track with what we used to call ‘slap-bass.’ The song is titled “The World is Waiting […]
Dan Weiss Even Odds Cygnus Dan Weiss is one of the leading drummers in jazz and bandleaders of the first order, highly respected in new and improvised music, both acoustic and electronic. His swath is wide, also embracing Indian classical music, contemporary classical, West African, extreme metal, and atmospheric, emotional cinematic music. This effort, Even […]
Nick Gravenities Rogue Blues MC Records Nick Gravenities has never won a Blues Music Award but has been inducted into the Blues Music Hall of Fame twice. In 1976 he was co-producer, with Otis Rush, of the “Right Place, Wrong Time” album on Bullfrog Records. In 2006 the album The Paul Butterfield Blues Band was […]
Making a Scene Presents the PODCAST of LIVE from the Midnight Circus Featuring John Clifton This is the Voice of Indie Blues, the future of the blues. Artists who embrace the diversity of the blues that always has and still is being created from it’s roots. These artists understand the blues is a living […]
AI and the Future of the Music Industry Introduction Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been rapidly advancing and integrating into our lives over recent years whether we see it or not. It is leaving an indelible mark on multiple industries and revolutionizing not only the way see the world around us, but opens up Technological advancements […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Pi Jacobs Pi Jacobs is a lifer. Born in San Francisco’s Haight-Ashbury district, she’s spent two decades onstage and on the road, creating a rhythmic, rootsy sound that’s every bit as diverse as her own upbringing. “My dad’s Filipino, my mom’s white, and my step-grandmother and cousins are […]
Triad Triad Ropeadope Leave it to Ropeadope to break the mold. That should come as no surprise to fans of the progressive label. Triad is not only a trio with instrumentation like you’ve never heard but with a debut album that’s so full of stunning surprises, that you’ll be checking your player to ensure you’re […]
Ian Carey & Wood Metal Plastic Strange Arts Slow and Steady Trumpeter and composer Ian Carey pays homage to his recently passed visual artist father, to whom the cover and jacket art of the album owes. Leveraging a grant from Intermusic SF, Carey added a string trio to his working quartet, Wood Metal Plastic, comprised […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Bring you Gerry Casey’s Interview with Alice Armstrong! Alice Armstrong is a multi-award nominated singer-songwriter and entertainer from Surrey, UK, known for her impressive vocal range, dynamic songwriting and unmatched stage presence. Her voice and songs vary widely in emotional tone and are a common addition to Joe Bonamassa’s personal […]
Vinicius Cantuaria Psychedelic Rio Sunnyside Psychedelic Rio offers a refreshing departure from the cool strains of Brazilian music, most identified by cool and breezy bossa nova or the steamier, danceable samba. Brazilian composer, guitarist, and vocalist virtuoso Vinicius Cantuaria decided to radicalize these forms by going electric and turning up the amps in the vein […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with John Clifton! Who is John Clifton, and why are they saying those things about him? After 30 plus years on stage, the former frontman of a well-known, notorious Central California band started with his brother Bill, is spoken of not only in hushed whispers but in […]
Charlie Parr Little Sun Smithsonian Folkways Minnesota-based singer, songwriter and fingerstyle guitarist Charlie Parr is the epitome of prolific as Little Sun is his eighteenth album in a recording career that began only in 2002. Yet, Little Sun marks a first in a couple of respects. This is the first time that Parr recorded in […]
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Bernard Allison Luther’s Blues Ruf Records Ruf Records is celebrating it’s 30th anniversary. They began by bringing Luther Allison’s music to the world. This two-disc set features 20 stellar tracks from his son, Bernard Allison, each one a Luther Allison composition previously released on one of Bernard’s many albums. “I made a promise…that I’d always […]
Rick Vito Cadillac Man In 1987 Rick Vito was a member of Fleetwood Mac finally taking over for Lindsey Buckingham in 1991. Vito’s first solo album was 1992’s “King of Hearts” on Atlantic Records.In 2001 Vito won a Blues Music Award for writing the Song of the Year “It’s 2 A.M.” covered by Shemekia Copeland […]
DataMind Audio Unveils Virtual AI Instrument and Ethically Sourced “Artist Brains” Wildly creative music tech trailblazers team up with sound designers and music producers to set an ethical, green paradigm for AI in music. While much of the AI-powered tech for music creation spits out replicas or facsimiles, DataMind Audio does something radically different. Founded […]
Making a Scene Presents the PODCAST of LIVE from the Midnight Circus Featuring Katie Henry This is the Voice of Indie Blues, the future of the blues. Artists who embrace the diversity of the blues that always has and still is being created from it’s roots. These artists understand the blues is a living […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an interview with Katie Henry The New Jersey songwriter might have started out banging on doors, braving New York’s blues clubs, playing piano until her fingers bled, and winning over the city one show at a time. But lately, the multi-instrumentalist has raced through career milestones at a rocket […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Brings you Gerry Casey’s Interview with Seth James James and his All-Star Grammy ® winning Band celebrate the great American Roots Music of Delbert McClinton. 11 “deep cuts” and major hits by the man Rolling Stone magazine named the “Founding Father of Americana.”
TOBIN MUELLER AT THE PIANO, VOL. 2 Independent Label “ArtsForge” Tobin Mueller, solo piano. There is nothing more exposed than an artist playing solo. Anyone who is brave enough to do so sheds all pretense and camouflage. Tobin Mueller is not only brave, but he is also talented and prepared to mesmerize us with his […]
ALLISON BURIK REALM Independent Label Allison Burik, composer/arranger/co-producer/Alto saxophone/bass clarinet/vocals/alto flute/ guitar; Magdalena Abrego, guitar; Sylvaine Arnaud, recording engineer/mixing/co-producer; Peter Atkinson, recording engineer/winds; Harris Newman, mastering; Renee Abaroa, bone typeface on cover. For several years Allison Burik has gained notoriety and audience in the world of modern jazz and experimental music. The opening “Be the […]
Remy Le Boeuf Heartland Radio Soundspore Heartland Radio is not the kind of title one expects from a jazz orchestra. Yet, four-time Grammy-nominated composer and saxophonist Remy Le Boeuf wanted a soundtrack for his move from New York City to Colorado. Thus, he peppers these large ensemble offerings with pop, indie rock, soul, and electronic […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Amanda Grace! Amanda is a Minnesota native and has released music drifting between folk, alt- pop/rock and Americana. With roots as a pianist her writing is thematically varied with an emphasis on melody; with ballads wrapped in warm vocals. In 2016 she received a Front Of […]
Tony Monaco Trio Over and Over Chicken Coup Hammond B3 organ master Tony Monaco returns with his thirteenth album Over and Over. Somehow, we missed his 2022 Four Brothers but did cover his 2019 Definition of Insanity. So, as mentioned there, Monaco studied under the great Jimmy Smith and is well immersed in the music […]
KELLY GREEN SEEMS Green Soul Studios Kelly Green, piano/vocals/composer/arranger; Luca Soul Rosenfeld, bass; Evan Hyde, drums; Elijah J. Thomas, flute/alto flute/piccolo. SPECIAL GUEST: Rich Perry, tenor saxophone. For Kelly Green, her album titled “Seems” is meant to be a recorded statement of hope and an optimistic musical manifesto. She has composed five of the nine […]
GRACE KELLY WITH STRINGS AT THE MOVIES Pazz Productions Grace Kelly, alto, baritone, tenor and soprano saxophone/vocals; Cooper Appelt, upright & electric bass; Eli Bishop, classical Nylon-string guitar/tenor banjo/mandolin & mandolindo; Tamir Hendelman, piano; Adam Bravo, additional synth programming; Jake Reed, drums/percussion; Cory Wong, Shaun Richardson & Pasha Riger, electric guitar; John Schroeder, acoustic & […]
Lauren White Making It Up As We Go Along Café Pacific Vocalist Lauren White returns with her fifth album, Making It Up As We Go Along, a follow-up to her 2021 Ever Since the World Ended, which we covered here. White, though not a composer, is a lover of lyrics and spoken words, having worked […]
#indieblues #roots #makingascene #soul #spotify #musicbusiness #indie #blues #rootsrock #americana #newblues #newmusic #originalmusic #rock #podcasts #Fridaymotivation #MusicFridays
The Wicked Lo-Down Out of Line Gulf Coast Records The Wicked Lo-Down snaps, crackles, and smokes ‘em from one end to the other on their second album, Out of Line, a set of songs not to be missed by fans of the kind of raucous, blues-based rock and roll laid down by the vintage Fabulous […]
Canned Heat Finyl Vinyl Ruf Records Canned Heat the seminal American blues rock and boogie rock band was first founded in Los Angeles in 1965. The original co-founders were Alan “Blind Owl” Wilson, who passed away in 1970 and Bob “The Bear” Hite who died in 1981. They named the band after a 1928 song […]
Leon Lee Dorsey, Mike Clark, and Michael Wolff Letter to Bill Evans Jazz Avenue 1 Letter to Bill Evans is the seventh installment of the partnership between bassist Leon Lee Dorsey and drummer Mike Clark, many of which we’ve covered here. For this outing, they enlisted pianist Michael Wolff, who has long internalized the music […]
Bex Marshall Fortuna As the presenter of a radio show I often felt I’ve got the best job in the world. The volume of music I receive and the quality of it constantly surprises and amazes me. That was most definitely the case when I received Fortuna the new album by London based blues artist Bex Marshall. Fortuna […]
Ernesto Cervini’s Turboprop A Canadian Songbook TPR Toronto drummer and composer Ernesto Cervini leads his Canadian sextet Turboprop on their fifth album, A Canadian Songbook. While Cervini also leads other projects, notably Tetrahedron and Tune Town, Turboprop earned a JUNO Award nomination for their 2022 Joy, for which this is their follow-up. The band features […]
Making a Scene Presents the PODCAST of LIVE from the Midnight Circus Featuring Sam Morrow This is the Voice of Indie Blues, the future of the blues. Artists who embrace the diversity of the blues that always has and still is being created from it’s roots. These artists understand the blues is a living […]
John Primer and Bob Corritore Crawlin Kingsnake Vizztone Label Group Bob Corritore was born in Chicago and got hooked on blues Harmonica when he was twelve years old. He studied and received playing tips from Carey Bell, Big Walter Horton, Junior Wells and others. At the age of twenty-five Corritore moved to Phoenix, Arizona. Ten […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Sam Morrow Five albums into an acclaimed career, Sam Morrow has carved out a sound that exists somewhere outside of genre and geography. It’s his own version of modern-day American roots music: a mix of roadhouse rock & roll, bluesy R&B, and country-fried funky-tonk, driven forward […]
REZA KHAN MYSTICAL Independent label Reza Khan, acoustic & electric guitars/composer/producer; David Mann, composer/arranger/ producer/keyboards/drum programming/soprano, tenor & alto saxophone; Jeff Lorber, keyboards/mini-moog; Jimmy Haslip, electric bass; Brandon Rothwell, Mark Egan & Mel Brown, bass; Gary Novak, Brian Dunne, & Lionel Cordew, drums; Bernd Schoenhart, rhythm guitar/ additional acoustic guitar; Programming, saxophone; Bob James, Keiko […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents Gerry Casey’s Interview with These Wicked Rivers Established in 2014, These Wicked Rivers are Derby’s entry to the new wave of rock and roll that is sweeping across the United Kingdom. Drawing influence from the well of rock legends and blues greats, the band have made quite an impact […]
DAVID LEON BIRD’S EYE Pyroclastic Records David Leon, composer/soprano & alto saxophones/alto flute/piccolo; DoYeon Kim, gayagum/vocals; Lesley Mok, drums/percussion/glockenspiel. When Miami-born David Leon became curious about his Cuban heritage, Leon began studying with master percussionist, Manley “Piri” Lopez. Lopez comes from a legendary family of rumberos, who became quite famous as the creators of an […]
HOME PAGE Making a Scene Presents an Interview with Matt Blake Matt Blake is a decidedly self-effacing sort of guy. He paid his dues, working his way up the proverbial ladder, gaining practical music business experience while cultivating what it takes to write songs that resonate with others, just like his musical heroes continue to […]