Music Scene

The release of Samantha Fish – Faster marks the eleventh release, on the Rounder Records label, by this remarkable singer, songwriter, guitarist, and overall outstanding musician. The creativity continues to roll from Samantha with 12 new tracks that encompass many different formats (genres). But with Samantha, the term genre is amiss when referring to her work, as creativity like Samantha’s does not fit a single format or category, it fits being listened to over-and-over again.

Blues singer, songwriter, and pianist Ben Levin is already making headway in the world of the Blues at age 22. His album, Ben Levin – Still Here is 12-tracks of the vintage Blues sound that he loves; it is a Blues release for Blues aficionados. Based in Cincinnati, Ohio, Ben Levin clearly lets his passion fly on his newest release that hit the streets on October 22, 2021, on the Vizztone label. Joining Ben Levin on the release are Aron …

Hiromi – The Piano Quintet:: Silver Lining Suite is a stunning 9-track piano jazz album composed and arranged by pianist Hiromi and released in late September 2021 on the Telarc International label, a division of Concord Music Group, Inc. Hiromi – The Piano Quintet is comprised of Hiromi on piano, Tatsua Nishie (1st violin), Sohei Birmann (2nd violin), Meguna Naka (viola), and Wataru Mukai (cello).

Chick Corea Akoustic Band LIVE includes tracks from the Akoustic Band’s song book starting with the 1980s and moving forward, as well as the band pays tribute to some of the greats in the jazz world such as Thelonious Monk, Chet Baker, and Duke Ellington. This is the Akoustic Band’s first release in over two decades, but the sound feels like it was just a few minutes break between sets. This is the last LIVE session by the legendary Chick …

Danish blues singer, songwriter, guitarist Thorbjorn Risager and his band The Black Tornado have been thrilling audiences for just shy of two decades. The band formed in 2003, released their first CD in 2004, and their career has skyrocketed since then due in part to the smoked honeyed whiskey voice of front man Thorbjorn Risager, and the talented band is par excellence as well. The new double-CD release, Thorbjorn Risager & The Black Tornado: Best Of, features 25 fabulous songs …

Sensational is the word that immediately came to mind as I listened to Contemporary Jazz keyboardist David Garfield – Stretchin’ Outside The Box release that hit the street on September 27, 2021. The sixth, and last, in David Garfield’s Outside The Box series, the double CD release has 24 fabulous tracks totaling over 137 minutes of listening pleasure and features an amazing roster of top musicians. Joining David Garfield are Chuck Loeb, Rick Braun, Randy Brecker, Michael Brecker, Gerald Albright, …

Longtime singer, songwriter, multi-talented musician, and Bluesman Al Basile scores another hit with B’s Testimony comprised of lucky 13 song tracks. Joining Al Basile are Kid Anderson on guitars, Mark Teixeira on drums, Bruce Bears on keyboards, Doug James on tenor sax, Jeff "Doc" Chanonhouse on trumpet, and Shy Perry lends her stunning vocals to one of Al’s songs. Released on Al Basile’s Sweetspot Records label, the release hits the street on September 17, 2021. Al Basile fans will definitely …

Jazz composer, musician, band leader Gary Meek debuts his new band comprised of Gary Meek, Michael Lent, Skylar Campbell, and Robert Wider and their new Jazz album, Monterey Groove. Joining the band on this stellar release include special guests Flora Purim, Airto Moreira, Dave Weckl, Dave Marotta, Dan Robbins, Robert Papacica, Anthony Paolini, Akili Bradley, Janice Perl, John Nava, and Dennis Murphy. Released on the Autumn Hill Records label, Monterey Groove, hits the streets on August 27, 2021.

Tito Jackson’s debut 11-track Blues release, Under Your Spell, released on the Gulf Coast Records/Hillside Global label is forty captivating minutes of Blues magic. Joining the legendary singer / songwriter / guitarist Tito Jackson are George Benson, Stevie Wonder, Marlon Jackson, Joe Bonamassa, and Claudette King, to name but a few of his stellar guests. The release hit the streets on August 6, 2021.

Instrumental Jazz composer musician Tom Kennedy has some new tales to tell with his latest release, Tom Kennedy Stories featuring Dave Weckl released on the instrumental label, Autumn Hill Records, that hits the street on June 11, 2021. Tom Kennedy is joined by a musical "who’s who" of talent including Dave Weckl, Jay Oliver, Gary Meek, Roger Squitero, Nick Marchione, Mike Stern, Ada Rovatti, Rand Brecker, Roger Guth, and Bill Evans. Instrumental Jazz fans are in for a real treat …