Terence Blanchard Quintet at Yoshi’s
With more than 50 film scores under his belt, Terence Blanchard is a master of capturing a scene, but to call his music cinematic is not enough. Blanchard is an auteur.
Archive for August, 2009
Leny Andrade at Birdland
What is it that makes a great singer? That rare ability to walk into a room, take a microphone and instantly own it all: the music, the audience, the moment, time itself.
Aug 14, 2009 | 0 comments | View Post
New York Diary: Day 3
You don’t often get to hear a single artist playing in two cities 3,000 miles apart over a four-day span — I don’t, anyway. But an early start to my third day in New York allowed me to do just that.
Aug 13, 2009 | 0 comments | View Post
New York Diary: Day 2
I hadn’t expected to catch any live music tonight, but I was able to slip back to Smalls for a couple of late sets by two artists who have been on my radar for a while, Owen Howard and Nick Hempton…
Aug 12, 2009 | 2 comments | View Post
Five Questions for: Kim Nalley
Kim Nalley’s knockout vocals and glowing stage presence have vaulted her to the top of San Francisco’s jazz scene. Nalley talks frankly about Billie Holiday, Rhoda Scott, and life after Pearl’s in this special interview.
New York Diary: Day 1
Hey, kids! Your friendly neighborhood Jazz Observer is taking a four-day excursion to New York. There’s no better excuse to catch a load of jazz shows, and I’ll be reporting what I hear so stay tuned!
Aug 11, 2009 | 3 comments | View Post
San Jose Jazz Festival: Lionel Loueke
Lionel Loueke’s music is instantly recognizable, with a sound unlike any other in jazz. Eerie, weightless and beautiful, flashing like diamonds, enigmatic as the Sphinx.
San Jose Jazz Festival: Winard Harper
Winard Harper began his set at the San Jose Rep by clearing the air, using brushes, mallets and his own bare hands to define a serene circle. And then, without warning, he erupted.
San Jose Jazz Festival: Fil Lorenz Orchestra
The Fil Lorenz Orchestra is a bluesy big band in which loud, punchy brass gets an extra injection of soul from Hammond B3 organ for a distinctly 1960′s vibe.
Aug 09, 2009 | 2 comments | View Post
San Jose Jazz Festival: Wayne Wallace
Bringing a heavy clave beat and a funky attitude, trombonist Wayne Wallace’s band made it clear from the first note that they were here to get down. NOW.
Aug 08, 2009 | 0 comments | View Post
San Jose Jazz Festival: Sylvia Cuenca
In her set at the Smith Dobson Tribute stage, Cuenca matched the elegant precision of a Swiss watch with the thumping solidity of a New York subway train.
Aug 08, 2009 | 0 comments | View Post
San Jose Jazz Festival: John Calloway
Flutist John Calloway and his band Diaspora keep things hopping with a mix of breezy, feel-good vibes, block-party energy and thoughtful depth.
