John Hilderbrand
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Review: Ray Lyon – Figures of the True
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When I started listening to contemporary jazz in the late 80s, the music I enjoyed most was that created by those who had something more to share than a five-minute pop-jazz composition. Since most of the music I get these days fits into what has become smooth jazz, I was ecstatic to receive two discs…
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Nnenna Freelon Kicks Off 2008 Right
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One of my favorite singers, Nnenna Freelon, is starting the new year with a one-two punch. Concord just released a compilation from her catalog at the label titled Better Than Anything: The Quintessential Nnenna Freelon. In addition to pulling from the seven albums she recorded for Concord, the compilation includes the track “Ooh Child” previously…
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News: Oscar Peterson Tribute, David Benoit, John Beasley Tribute To Herbie Hancock
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Quincy Jones, Herbie Hancock, Stevie Wonder, and Nancy Wilson were among the musicians who paid tribute to the late Oscar Peterson on January 12 at Toronto’s Roy Thomson Hall. The event, titled “Oscar Peterson: Simply the Best” saw 2500 fans offering a final farewell to the legendary pianist. He died on December 23, at the…
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Reviews: Paradise Swamp from Catherine Delgadillo; Transformation from Tal Wilkenfeld
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I recently downloaded two new releases, both by ax–wielding women, Catherine Delgadillo, a guitarist, and bassist Tal Wilkenfeld, who started out on guitar before switching instruments. Both of these young women show promise, poise and maturity on these, their debut releases. Delgadillo’s Paradise Swamp is a fusion offering that treads very heavily in progressive instrumental…
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Review: Brian Mitchell – Rhythm & Poetry
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Another recording I came across, searching for information on current jazz recordings I’ve recently picked, on MySpace, is Brian Mitchell’s Rhythm & Poetry. I never heard of Mitchell, but he’s on a few of my recent acquisitions. This is one funky release. “The Duo” of Marco Benevento and Joe Russo, along with Mike Dillon, aids…