Concert Reviews (851)
Nothing beats experiencing live jazz music as its being created right in front of you. Stop here for reviews of your favorite jazz artists live and in concert.
Kurt Elling performed one extended set a the intimate Diesel Playhouse, a sold out show, standing room only. Thankfully the organizers of the show did their best to find chairs for everyone. Audience members also shared tables and chairs so that the concert became a warm, friendly and comfortable experience. Kurt Elling came out on stage, standing midway between his microphone and the stage left curtain, he sang to the audience, "Autumn". Impressive was his delivery, intonation, cocky phrasin
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Singers unlimited could be a more descriptive title for this group of high energy singing sensations under the direction of media mogul Jaymz Bee. Jaymz made mention of the fact that he had a very limited role in leading this group, "I made sure to pick people in the orchestra who are all leaders of their own groups, that makes my job much easier." The orchestra is comprised of a who’s, who, on the T.O jazz scene. Names such as Juno award winners, Richard Underhill (alto saxophone) and Christ
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IT’S NOT THE HEAT, IT’S THE TAB It’s a cold dark evening in Colorado, the onset of winter approaching and the temperature hovering around 16 degrees. Heat and thrill seekers from all over Denver and beyond came to Herman’s Hideaway, www.hermanshideaway.com, Friday and Saturday nights to experience the scorching guitar licks from the legendary Tab Benoit and to celebrate Herman’s 26th anniversary. It is darker earlier now, and there is a full moon. Tab has a new CD out, "M
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Rinsethealgorithm, a high powered contemporary quintet of incredible keys, melodic bass, wicked drums and killer saxophone in digital format is excellent. To see them live in concert is exceptional. The bands recent engagement at Lula Lounge in Toronto was a special performance, promoting their new CD, Locutions. Under the leadership of electric bassist Rich Brown, Rinsethealgorithm performed two sets, about twelve songs, the complete CD, plus a couple of new tunes. The show started wi
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During his long and varied career jazz bassist Charlie Haden has had many collaborations ranging from his duet with Ornette Coleman on the classic album "Soapsuds, Soapsuds" to pianist Keith Jarrett (with whose American Trio he performed) to guitarist Pat Metheny to tango musicians. But Charlie's Liberation Jazz Orchestra holds a special place in his distinguished career. The group came together during the 1960s and debuted with its self-titled Liberation Music Orchestra in 1969. It f
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It was a rollicking night of blues and rock ‘n’ roll with the Paul James Band at Toronto’s Premier Blues Club, the Silver Dollar Room, Saturday November 15th, 2008. The Dollar is a great venue for blues, and recently celebrated its 50th Anniversary in the biz. Paul’s band includes 30-year James Band keyboard player Gary Gray. Bassist Rick Ramsey is a familiar face, who’s been part of Paul’s band for a few years
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One of the more iconic figures in modern day jazz came to Houston’s Arena Theater on November 15, 2008 to bring entertainment of a different color to the Space City. Considered by many to be the poster boy for smooth jazz ideology, saxophonist Kenny G has been at the forefront of the industry since recording his chart-topping album ‘Duotones’ in 1986. Following that success came ‘Silhouette in 1988,’ another notable release commanding considerable acclaim. Since th
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Flutist Ali Ryerson is the epitome of the hard working jazz artist; on a recent two-day visit to the Washington DC area she packed in two club performances, individual lessons with private students and a flute workshop at a local university. It will be her last road trip for some time as she turns her attention to some more long-term projects.. Ryerson's first appearance was in the lounge at the Tabard Inn, a comfortable and informal room near Dupont Circle, where bassist Victor Dvoski
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An intimate jazz club concert with two dynamic saxophonists. Dave Liebman, American tenor and soprano saxophonist and Mike Murley, Canadian tenor and soprano saxophone player. The two, along with bassist Pat Collins and New York based drummer Ian Froman performed at Hugh’s room, a jazz club in the west end of Toronto. The quartet put on a high energy show for an appreciative audience, a packed house. The crowd was primarily older looking, but a good contingent of students appeared to be on hand.
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It was great night of blues when legendary blues piano man Pinetop Perkins graced the stage of Sound Academy 2 in Toronto, Thurs. June 26, 2008. This was Pinetop’s 95th Birthday Bash concert a musical feat that’s sure hard to beat. It was a Jeff Healey's Roadhouse Presentation promoted by Berel's Blues, so you know it was going to be good! Backing Pinetop this night was Juno-winning blues guitarist Jack de Keyze
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The band's area was assembled on the Palladium's stage , one organ on the left and another organ on the right, drum set-up in the middle, guitar amps and guitar stands filling the space in between: A stage set-up that telegraphed the spirit of interaction that was to come. The show started out with the band doing a few soft, rootsie type, acoustic/electric blues numbers and then continuing on into some serious electric blues. The crowd seemed to particularly enjoy the long jam s
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For the second time pianist Aaron Goldberg, Pavani Thagrisa and Jazz for America’s Future have brought together great celebrated jazz musicians to benefit the next President of the United States. The Jazz for OBAMA this evening at the 92nd Street Y featured Roy Haynes, Roy Hargrove, Joe Lovano Christian McBride and Aaron Goldberg for openers. Four years ago a stellar group supported John Kerry’s bid for President at the New York Society for ethical Culture. Those appearing at both events were
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"Music has to breathe and sweat. You have to play it live." ~ James Brown (The Godfather of Soul) Las Vegas was treated to an unequaled night of smooth jazz flavored with a heaping helping of soul tinged rhythm and blues when Soul Express played the intimate Chrome Showroom inside the Santa Fe Station Hotel/Casino. Soul Express is the grouping of three jazz/soul headliners on one dynamic concert card with each world-class performer leading their own set of songs wh
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The headline concert of the festival, a double bill by John Zorn featuring his bands, The Dreamers and Electric Masada. John Zorn’s role in the Dreamers was primarily as conductor, although he played alto saxophone on a couple of numbers. The Dreamers is comprised of Marc Ribot (guitar), Jamie Saft (piano), Kenny Wollesen (vibes), Trevor Dunn (bass), Cyro Baptista (percussion) and Joey Barron (drums). The show started with a tune that featured the guitar playing of Ribot sounding very similar
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I enjoy all different types of music, jazz being one of my favorites, classical being another of my favorites. When jazz meets classical with an eye for discovery, experimentation and reaching outside the box, it is a wonderful thing. The concert at the Youth Music Centre in Guelph, an intimate performance theatre with fine acoustics, featured three excellent musicians, Barry Guy acoustic bassist, Maya Homburger, violinist and Jeff Reilly, bass clarinetist. The material that they presented was e
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The crowd inside the Chrome Room at the Santa Fe Station Hotel & Casino was in for an extra special treat when gifted guitarist Craig Chaquico made an appearance and found his way back to his rock music roots. He blended some classic Jefferson Starship songs, that he had a hand in writing, alongside his more current guitar driven contemporary jazz numbers. The houselights were dimmed and the band began playing "Bobby Sox" from Craig’s "Midnight Noon" CD. A minute
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Every now and again, one is presented with a timely event or experience that will remain etched in memory, easily accessible at any time. I had such an experience when I attended a concert at Alexandria, VA's Birchmere headlined by the legendary Maysa. Opening for Maysa were Kendall and Kelvis Duffie, aka Kloud 9, a sensational vocal duo I’d reviewed a while back here at Jazz Review. There on a three-day tour, this duo’s onstage performance was matched only by the p
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Many jazz cats would surely remember of Francesco Cafiso, the young sax player that has been taken under Wynton Marsalis’ patronage: under this teenaged jazz player’s artistic direction, the 1st edition of the "Vittoria Jazz Festival - Music & Cerasuolo Wine" was held in Vittoria, a small center of Ragusa area, in Sicily, from May 31st to June 22nd. Italian All Stars Saturday 31 May 2008 The kicking-off concert featured Italian All Stars Andrea
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Michael Kaeshammer seems to be on a mission, he is driven, charismatic, talented and determined. Blessed with boyish good looks, charm and oozing a vibrant personality he transfers this zest for life to his attentive audience. His performance is an attack on your senses, you have no choice but to like this guy. It helps that his piano playing and singing are very good. Stage presence in abundance, anyone else on the stage becomes a near distraction. Michael Kaeshammer comes on fast, a little
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The Huntsville Jazz Festival now in its second year and with the backing of a major sponsor, TD Canada Trust, is booking international acts and big name Canadian talent. I am very happy that I came across this festival, it takes place in one of my favorite places and it features my kind of entertainment. The lineup for the festival, Hilario Duran Trio, Marcus Belgrave Septet, Michael Kaeshammer, Dionne Taylor and Manteca. Hilario Duran trio started the festival Wednesday evening. I didn’t wit
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"Good music touches the Emotions and the Spirit in a way Nothing Else Can." ~ E.W. Ho On a scorching hot July summer night, two of the most celebrated and distinguished performers in the smooth jazz genre made an exhilarating appearance. The high energy pairing materialized at the 512 seat Ovation Theatre located inside the lavish Green Valley Ranch Station Hotel/Casino. Their inspired performance was just as torrid as the Nevada desert air outside. Trumpet maestro Rick Bra
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Let’s remember that the Jazz at the Lincoln Center Orchestra does for big band jazz what the Preservation Hall Jazz Band does for Dixieland jazz: preserves it. The difference is that the JLCO dusts off charts from a bygone age, dresses them up in contemporary designer gear, and re-presents them. And like all good jazz, to the keen listener, the original form is still there no matter what the latest development. Wynton Marsalis describes the big jazz band as "the American orchestra", and as such
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Age, experience, the sage like qualities of a master musician all translated into a performance of perfection by octogenarian alto player Red Holloway. He set the bar very high for his younger summit attendees at this Toronto Jazz Fest Alto Summit. His younger alto saxophone band mates, Bobby Watson, Donald Harrison and Greg Osby, specialists each and everyone, have amassed a wealth of experience playing with a whose who of musicians. The spokesman of the group, the energy igniter for the eve
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They came to see a Cuban Latin Jazz Master, the headliner of the concert and the magnetic draw for a packed house, the great trumpeter, multi-instrumentalist, Arturo Sandoval. What they got as added bonus was one of the most dynamic Latin Jazz trios on the planet. Opening for Maestro Sandoval was Toronto’s own, by way of Cuba, the Hilario Duran Trio, made up of Roberto Occhipinti on bass and Mark Kelso playing drums. The trio played at a very high level of excitement with a glorious sound. They
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The 22nd anniversary of the Toronto Jazz Festival was one for the record books with more venues, more musicians and more aspirations of becoming the very best North American jazz festival. There literally was something for everyone. That seems to be the theme for most festivals these days, but with 50 venues, 350 concerts and an estimated 1,500 performers this event aims to please. The big shows focused on piano, the Grandmasters series, featuring Ahmad Jamal, Michel Legrand and Dave Brubeck. Mi
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