Music Scene

Van Wilks – 21st Century Blues is his first studio release in 10 years, and the wait was well worth it! The 12-track release starts out blazing, continues to add steam, and culminates in an impressive finish that begs the finger to hit the play button again. Joining Van Wilks on this fabulous release are special guests Christopher Cross and Malford Milligan.

Jefferson Grizzard establishes his talent front and center, with Daydream Of Hope, a follow-up to his acclaimed Learning To Lie CD, released on the Back Porch Syndicate Records label. The 9-track release features all original music written by Jefferson Grizzard, with impressive guitarmanship, storytelling lyrics, and a honeyed whiskey voice that helps Jefferson Grizzard and the band lay down a release that you will want to add to your collection.

Mike Zito & The Wheel – Keep Coming Back released on the Ruf Records label is a rollicking Blues follow-up to his releases Songs From The Road and Mike Zito & The Wheel – Gone To Texas. Joining Mike Zito are Jimmy Carpenter, Rob Lee, Lewis Stephens, Scott Sutherland, Anders Osborne, Trina Shoemaker, Suze Simms, Riley Zito (Mike Zito’s daughter), and David Farrell who keep the Blues moving along nicely on this fabulous 12-track release.

The Jazz group, Fourplay: Bob James, Nathan East, Chuck Loeb, and Harvey Mason, with special guests and ex-Fourplay members Larry Carlton and Lee Ritenour, celebrate their 25th anniversary with their aptly titled CD, Silver, released on the Heads Up International label, a division of Concord Music Group.  Fourplay – Silver is a mix of Funk, Fusion, Pop, Jazz, Blues, and that all so familiar tight melodies and the Fourplay exactness from talented musicians at the highest level.

Jazz vocalist Luciana Souza is at her most daring with her latest release, Luciana Souza – Speaking in Tongues on the Sunnyside Records label. She deftly explores and melds musical heritages, cultures, and genres with her ensemble of Lionel Loueke, Gregoire Maret, Massimo Biolcati, and Kendrick Scott, and the listener is enriched by the journey that leads to new discoveries.

Grammy® winning Jazz guitarist Lee Ritenour (aka Captain Fingers) celebrates his 40th anniversary since his debut album release in 1976. His latest release, a TWIST of RIT, is not a "best of" rehash of old tunes; it consists of 12 tracks of new and old favorites with a "twist and flip" released on the Concord Music Group label.

Love the Big Band Jazz sound? Look no further than Sasha’s Bloc – Heart On Fire Featuring Jane Monheit, an 11-track release of original music by bassist, songwriter  Alex Gershman that pays tribute to the Jazz of the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s. Put on your dancing shoes and get ready to dance and romance as you listen to this gorgeous release.

Samantha Fish – Wild Heart is a blend of polished guitar work and engaging vocals that crosses genres from Rock, to Country, to Blues, and more. Her guitar riffs are like flint on steel as they ignite a musical flame which burns brightly throughout the release. Accompanied by Luther Dickerson, Brady Blade, Lightin’ Malcolm, Sharde Thomas, and Dominic Davis, Samantha Fish stakes her claim as a musical force to be reckoned with for many years.

Blues Rock fans get ready to rejoice; Royal Southern Brotherhood – Don’t Look Back: The Muscle Shoals Sessions the band’s third release on the Ruf Records label, is 14-tracks of listening pleasure. In addition to “the usual RSB suspects” – Cyril Neville, Charlie Wooten, Yonrico Scott, and Bart Walker, joining the band on the release are the talented Ivan Neville, Tyrone Vaughan, Jimmy Hill, Max Abrams, and Paul Armstrong.

Tommaso Starace’s latest release, Tommaso Starace Quartet – Italian Short Stores, is the melding of music and photography that touches all your senses. The photography of renowned photographer Gianni Berengo Gardin is the driving force and the muse to the creative genius of Tommaso Starace and the Tommaso Starace Quartet.