JAZZ REVIEW | "Open Me" Kahil El'Zabar's Longstanding Ensemble Celebrates 50 Years by Jeff Cebulski
Kahil El'Zabar. Open Me, A Higher Consciousness of Sound and Spirit. Spiritmuse Records, 2023 By Jeff Cebulski | ⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2 Kahil...
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JAZZ REVIEW | "No Expiration Date" Bobby Lewis by Jeff Cebulski
Bobby Lewis. No Expiration Date Cool Horn Records, 2023 By Jeff Cebulski | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ On No Experation Date, the Indefatigable Bobby...
JAZZ REVIEW | "Twin Talk Live" Twin Talk by Jeff Cebulski
Twin Talk. Twin Talk Live Shifting Paradigm Records, 2024 By Jeff Cebulski | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Dustin Laurenzi, tenor saxophone Katie Ernst,...
JAZZ REVIEW | Nicole Mitchell "Bamako* Chicago Soundsystem" by Jeff Cebulski
Bamako*Chicago Soundsystem Nicole Mitchell FPE Records By Jeff Cebulski | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Nicole Mitchell, flute Ballaké Sissoko, kora Fatim...
JAZZ REVIEW | Alyssa Allgood "From Here" by Jeff Cebulski
From Here Alyssa Allgood Next Records, 2024. By Jeff Cebulski | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Generally considered, vocal jazz concept albums can be dominated...
JAZZ REVIEW | Fred Hersch "Silent, Listening" by Jeff Cebulski
Silent, Listening Fred Hersch ECM, 2024. By Jeff Cebulski | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The title of pianist Fred Hersch’s second album for ECM, Silent,...
JAZZ REVIEW | Steve Turre "Sanyas" by Jeff Cebulski
Sanyas Steve Turre Smoke Sessions Record, 2024. By Jeff Cebulski | ⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2 Trombonist and conch shell blower Steve Turre (who appears...
JAZZ REVIEW | Isaiah Collier & the Chosen Few "The Almighty" by Jeff Cebulski
The Almighty Isaiah Collier & the Chosen Few Division 81 Records 2024 By Jeff Cebulski | ⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2 The path that Chicago saxophonist and...
JAZZ REVIEW | Petra van Nuis & Dennis Luxion "From Me To You" by Patrick Romanowski
Petra van Nuis & Dennis Luxion From Me To You Petra van Nuis : Vocals Dennis Luxion : piano Review : Patrick Romanowski A duet in a...
JAZZ REVIEW | John Dokes "Our Day" by Jeff Cebulski
Our Day John Dokes Swing Theory Entertainment, 2024 By Jeff Cebulski | ⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2 On his new album Our Day, Chicago’s smooth-as-silk...
JAZZ REVIEW | Kabir Dalawari "LAST CALL" by Jeff Cebulski
Last Call Kabir Dalawari Shifting Paradigm Records, 2024 By Jeff Cebulski | ⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2 If you venture to Chicago drummer Kabir Dalawari’s...
JAZZ REVIEW | Charles Lloyd "The Sky Will Be There Tomorrow" by Jeff Cebulski
The Sky Will Still Be There Tomorrow. Charles Lloyd Blue Note, 2024. By Jeff Cebulski | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2 After many years with the label ECM,...
REVIEW | FLEX Trio "Facets of Form" by Patrick Romanowski
Flex Trio's new album, “Facets of Form” is a wind up precision cooker from the new Chicago instrumental trio in their recording debut....
JAZZ REVIEW | Big George "One For All" by Jeff Cebulski
One For All Big George Smoke Sessions Records By Jeff Cebulski | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The NYC-based ensemble One For All has carried the post bop...
REVIEW | Andy Pratt's "Trio" by Patrick Romanowski
Andy Pratt’s “Trio,” is a starry, tender knockout. Pratt’s latest studio album is an intimate showcase displaying a handsome...
REVIEW | Chris Potter "Eagles Point" by Jeff Cebulski
Chris Potter Eagle’s Point Edition Records, 2024 By Jeff Cebulski | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2 Four jazz superstars gather for a recording session. What...
REVIEW | Julian Lage "Speak to Me" by Jeff Cebulski
Julian Lage Speak to Me Blue Note, 2024 By Jeff Cebulski | ⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2 As a producer, Joe Henry has guided groups and individuals through...
REVIEW | Joel Ross "nublues" by Jeff Cebulski
Joel Ross nublues Blue Note, 2024 By Jeff Cebulski | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Being in the midst of Black History Month, I think it’s important to note...
REVIEW | Vijay Iyer "Compassion" by Jeff Cebulski
Vijay Iyer Compassion ECM, 2024 By Jeff Cebulski | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2 By Jeff Cebulski (Four-and-a-half stars) An early candidate for Album of...
REVIEW | Eddie Henderson "Witness to History" by Jeff Cebulski
Eddie Henderson Witness to History Smoke Sessions Records, 2023 By Jeff Cebulski | ⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2 The jazz trumpet player Dr. Eddie Henderson...
REVIEW | Lisa Hilton "Coincidental Moment" by Jeff Cebulski
Lisa Hilton Coincidental Moment Ruby Slippers Production, 2023. By Jeff Cebulski | ⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2 West coast pianist Lisa Hilton is a prolific...
REVIEW | Sam Robinson "Third Time's a Charm" by Jeff Cebulski
Sam Robinson Third Time's a Charm Independent Release, 2023 By Jeff Cebulski | ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Throughout the first quarter of this 21st Century,...
REVIEW | Amanda Gardier "Auteur" by Jeff Cebulski
Amanda Auteur Independent Release, 2024 By Jeff Cebulski | ⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2 The alto saxophonist Amanda Gardier, formerly of Indianapolis and...
REVIEW | Shawn Maxwell "J Town Suite" by Jeff Cebulski
Shawn Maxwell J Town Suite Cora Street Records, 2023 By Jeff Cebulski | ⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2 The western community of Joliet has, to me, the look...
REVIEW | Some Holiday Music by Jeff Cebulski
Hundreds of artists present Christmas/Hanukkah recordings each year, so many that it is impossible to cover them sufficiently. Here are...
REVIEW | Paul Giallorenzo Trio "Play" by Jeff Cebulski
Paul Giallorenzo Play Delmark Records, 2023 By Jeff Cebulski | ⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2 When I was teaching general ed composition, I would play...
REVIEW | Zubin Edalji, Four Windows by Jeff Cebulski
Zubin Edalji Four Windows Independently, 2023 By Jeff Cebulski | ⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2 Being a fan of classic quintets, I wasn’t put off at all by...
REVIEW | Two Worthy Albums From Rising Bass Players by Jeff Cebulski
As a person who loves jazz but isn’t a musician, I have learned that the bassist is often a vehicle for clarity and context when the...
REVIEW | "Swing of the Pendulum", John Wojciechowski by Jeff Cebulski
John Wojciechowski Swing of the Pendulum Independent Release, 2023 By Jeff Cebulski | ⭐️⭐️⭐️ 1/2 Saxophonist John Wojciechowski, one of...
REVIEW | "A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving", Vince Guaraldi
Vince Guaraldi A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving: Original Soundtrack Recording, 50th Anniversary Special Edition. Lee Mendelson Film...
REVIEW | "Big Mo & Little Joe: Joe Alterman Plays Les McCann"
Joe Alterman "Big Mo & Little Joe: Joe Alterman Plays Les McCann" Joe Alterman Music, 2023 By Jeff Cebulski | ⭐️⭐️⭐️ Pianist Joe...
REVIEW | Constantine Alexander "Firetet"
Constantine Alexander Firetet Independent release 2023 By Jeff Cebulski | ⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2 For as much as jazz continuously moves forward in...
REVIEW | Christian Dillingham's "Cascades"
Christian Dillingham Cascades Greenleaf Music 2023 By Jeff Cebulski | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I have always believed that the more postmodern,...
REVIEW | George Freeman's "The Good Life"
George Freeman The Good Life High Note, 2023 By Jeff Cebulski | ⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2 The most remarkable thing, to me, about the Freeman brothers,...
REVIEW | Paul Wertico's Drums Without Boundaries
Paul Wertico Drums Without Boundaries, 2023. Da Vinci Publishing By Jeff Cebulski | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Conventional popular music, including jazz,...
REVIEW | Orrin Evans "The Red Door" Smoke Session Records 2023
Orrin Evans, The Red Door, 2023 Smoke Session Records By Jeff Cebulski | ⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2 For all of his talents, pianist Orrin Evans remains...
REVIEW | Paul Marinaro "Not Quite Yet" by Jeff Cebulski
Paul Marinaro Not Quite Yet, 2022. 122 Myrtle Records By Jeff Cebulski | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2 If you think that Frank Sinatra’s In the Wee Small...
REVIEW | Joanie Pallatto - "Accidental Melody" Southport Records, 2023.
Accidental Melody is the accumulation of Joanie and Sparrow’s post-pandemic feelings, represented by often ironic or paradoxical bromides
REVIEW | Joe Lovano Trio Tapestry, Our Daily Bread. ECM Records, 2023.
By Jeff Cebulski Joe Lovano Trio Tapestry, Our Daily Bread. ECM Records, 2023. By Jeff Cebulski | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Being a dean of the jazz...
REVIEW | Walter Smith III, Return to Casual. Blue Note, 2023.
Walter Smith III - Return to Casual. Blue Note, 2023. By Jeff Cebulski | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Tenor saxophonist Walter Smith III’s new album Return...
REVIEW | Eric Alexander "A New Beginning: Alto Saxophone with Strings".
A New Beginning: Eric Alexander Alto Saxophone with Strings. HighNote Records, 2023. By Jeff Cebulski | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ The pandemic created...
REVIEW: Joe Farnsworth "In What Direction Are You Headed?"
Joe Farnsworth In What Direction Are You Headed? Smoke Sessions, 2023. By Jeff Cebulski | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I have been listening to music...
REVIEW: Billy Childs "The Winds of Change"
Billy Childs is clearly one of the more gifted if under-noticed artists in the jazz world. We are reminded by Billy Childs talent!
REVIEW | Chris Madsen "The Trio Book"
Chris Madsen The Trio Book JMarq Records, 2023. by Jeff Cebulski | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ In preparing to write about Chris Madsen’s new trio album,...
JAZZ REVIEW | Buster Williams "Unalome" Smoke Sessions records, 2023.
Buster Williams still knows his stuff and gathers great musicians to craft fresh melodies with deep swing. Unalome is one more exceptional e
REVIEW | Fareed Haque "CASSEUS! The Music of Frantz Casseus Re-imagined"
By Jeff Cebulski Is Chicago jewel Fareed Haque a jazz guitarist, a neo-classical artiste, a World Music wizard? My answer is: all of the...
REVIEW |Ann Hampton Callaway "Fever: A Peggy Lee Celebration"
By Jeff Cebulski The singer Peggy Lee became an inspiration for chanteuses across America somewhat ironically; she decided to gain...
REVIEW | Libby York "Dreamland"
By Jeff Cebulski Libby York has developed a gradually progressive following over a nearly 25-year career, with five albums spaced through...
REVIEW |Shawn Maxwell's "Story at Eleven"
By Jeff Cebulski The saxophonist Shawn Maxwell has earned a favorable reputation in the Chicago area as an excellent, inquisitive jazz...
REVIEW | Christian McBride’s New Jawn "Prime"
By Jeff Cebulski The veteran bassist Christian McBride has probably replaced Wynton Marsalis as the center personality of the popular...
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