There’s a pleasing variety in this collection, which serves up valuable music that might not have otherwise been heard.
Mack Avenue
Jazz Album Review: Christian McBride’s “For Jimmy, Wes and Oliver” — A Mighty Cheery Big Band
Inspired by their leader, bassist Christian McBride, the musicians in this big band always sound like they are having the times of their lives.
Jazz Album Review: Pianist Erroll Garner — The Best Tunes Played with Mucho Gusto
Thanks to Octave and Mack Avenue Records, a significant section of pianist Erroll Garner’s storied career is back, sounding better than ever before.
Jazz Album Review: Christian McBride’s “The Movement Revisited” — Continuing the Struggle for Civil Rights
In this disc dedicated to black heroes of the Civil Rights Movement, Christian McBride insists that everyone must be free if any of us is going to be.
Jazz CD Review: Pianist Erroll Garner — Remastered Sessions from His Prime
Octave is issuing twelve sessions (“newly restored and expanded”) of Erroll Garner material from the ’60s and ’70s, when the popular pianist was at the height of his career.
Jazz CD Review: Welcome Christian McBride’s “New Jawn”
One of the distinguishing characteristics of this set is the smart, energetic, and ever-changing, relationship between bass and drums.
Jazz Preview: Luciana Souza’s “The Book of Longing” & Yellowjackets
Why this team up? Other than that both Luciana Souza and the Yellowjackets have been nominated for multiple Grammys?
Jazz CD Review: Harold López-Nussa — Rhythms Charming and Churning
Pianist Harold López-Nussa is his own bold and expressive rhythm section.
Jazz CD Reviews: A Trio of Adventurous Jazz Vocalists
Three jazz singers go outside of the Great American Songbook — with entrancing results.
Jazz CD Review: “MONKestra, Volume Two” — Reinventing Monk
John Beasley and his big band doesn’t tame Monk or make him uncharacteristically pretty.