Frank Griffith writes in tribute to Lennie Niehaus: Lennie Niehaus, alto saxophonist, composer/arranger and scorer of twelve Clint Eastwood films has died at the age of 91. A consummate polymath of the […]
RIP Lennie Niehaus (1929-2020)
CHBO Drums – “0419NY”
CHBO Drums – 0419NY (Safehouse 194660755995. CD review by Frank Griffith) 0419NY was recorded in April 2019 in Kerhonkson in New York state (hence the title), 80 miles North of NYC, and […]
Paul Nedzela – “Introducing Paul Nedzela”
Paul Nedzela – Introducing Paul Nedzela (Outside In Music OIM 1915. CD review by Frank Griffith) Baritone saxophonist Paul Nedzela‘s debut recording showcases his eloquent yet gritty playing. There are nine original […]
Liverpool International Jazz Festival (27 Feb – 1 March)
Peter Slavid previews this year’s eighth Liverpool International Jazz Festival. It will be his first visit to the festival. He picks a double bill of Martin Archer’s Anthropology Band and Moonmot as […]
Joy Ellis – Dwell
Joy Ellis – Dwell (Otio CD002. CD review by Frank Griffith) Pianist, singer and composer Joy Ellis‘ second release, Dwell, is now out on the Otio label. Since graduating from the Guildhall […]
Boptet and Steve Fishwick Nonet at BOPFEST (2019 EFG LJF)
Boptet and Steve Fishwick Nonet (Toulouse Lautrec Jazz Bar. 23 November 2019. BOPFEST/EFG LJF. Review by Frank Griffith) Much flying Bopster-ity and beyond was to be heard during the seven days of […]
Lorne Lofsky Quartet with Lauren Bush (2019 EFG LJF)
Lorne Lofsky Quartet with Lauren Bush – The Chet Stream (Pizza Express Dean Street. EFG London Jazz Festival. 24 November 2019. Review by Frank Griffith) Legendary Canadian guitarist Lorne Lofsky was making his first visit to […]
Rich Perry – Other Matters
Rich Perry – Other Matters (SteepleChase SCCD 31876. CD Review by Frank Griffith) Other Matters is tenor saxophonist Rich Perry‘s 25th release for Steeplechase, a label which he has been recording with […]
Eliane Elias – Love Stories
Eliane Elias – Love Stories (Concord Jazz. CD review by Frank Griffith) Eliane Elias‘ new album Love Stories is imbued with lush arrangements and unrelenting passion that marks all of her work. […]
Charles Pillow Large Ensemble – Electric Miles
Charles Pillow Large Ensemble – Electric Miles (Mama Records MAA 1005. CD review by Frank Griffith Charles Pillow leads his New York City-based Large Ensemble on his 2018 CD, Electric Miles. In his […]
Electric Lady Big Band – Electric Lady Big Band
Electric Lady Big Band – Electric Lady Big Band (www.electricladybigband.bandcamp.com. CD review by Frank Griffith) To celebrate the 50th Anniversary of Jimi Hendrix’s last studio album, Electric Ladyland (1968) guitarist, vocalist and […]
Olly Chalk Trio with John O’Gallagher in Liverpool
Olly Chalk Trio with John O’Gallagher (The Music Room, Liverpool. 24 August 2019. Review by Frank Griffith) On 24 August, The Music Room at Liverpool’s venerated Philharmonic Hall featured Suffolk-born, Birmingham Conservatoire-trained pianist Olly […]
Tom Pierson Orchestra – Last Works
Tom Pierson Orchestra – Last Works (Auteur 3491/92. CD Review by Frank Griffith) Tom Pierson‘s Last Works CD presents an overview of 40 years of his big band music. A cast of […]
Gwilym Simcock and The Storyhouse Big Band in Chester
Gwilym Simcock and The Storyhouse Big Band (Storyhouse, Chester. 2 August 2019. Chester Music Festival. Review by Frank Griffith) Big Band Jazz is truly alive and well in the North-West of the […]
Bob Mintzer Big Band – Get Up
Bob Mintzer Big Band – Get Up (Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild MCGJ1040. CD review by Frank Griffith) Bob Mintzer, saxophonist, flautist and composer-arranger, celebrates his 20th big band recording with Get Up which offers up […]
