The Temple University students in this fine big band homage to the late saxophonist/composer Jimmy Heath sound professional — tight and well rehearsed. They are joined by all-stars Joey DeFrancesco and Christian McBride.
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Classical Album Review: Escher String Quartet — Barber & Ives String Quartets
Here is an outstanding recording from the Escher String Quartet of music by two stylistically divergent 20th-century American composers, Samuel Barber and Charles Ives.
Rock Concert Review: The Black Crowes — Flying High
You would never suspect from this big ol’ rock ’n’ roll show that The Black Crowes was essentially toast just a few years ago.
Jazz Appreciation: Remembering George Wein (1925-2021)
The sum total of George Wein’s career was a successful wedding of art and commerce.
Film Review: “Blue Bayou” — “I’m Going Back Someday…”
Blue Bayou’s story deserves to be told and heard. But rather than focus slowly and intently on its central crisis, the script kneads in a dizzying array of additional threads and sidelines.
Television Review: “Chicago Party Aunt” — Livin’ the Vida Loca, Windy City Style
The bizarre half hour animated comedy is a hilarious love letter to The Windy City.
Book Review: “Blue Swan Black Swan” — Madness Made Beautiful
Whether we call this slim volume poetic prose or prose poetry, a novella or a collection of verse, seems beside the point. It is haunting, hypnotic, and moving.
Rock Album Review: The Plastic Ono Band Celebrates 50 — A Nice Warm Cup of Instant Karma
After having diagnosed the ails of modernity, screamed out his most deeply held traumas, and shrugged off his role in the biggest band ever, John Lennon is content to have a riverside cuddle under a tree in the sun with the woman he loves. Amen.
Jazz Album Review: “Chick Corea Akoustic Band Live” — A High-Spirited Reunion
A judicious mix of jazz classics, standards, and Corea compositions, Live is a blast.
Television Review: “Sex Education,” Season 3 — Growing Up Grand
Amid the political point-scoring, Netflix’s Sex Education remains effervescently charming.