Music Scene

Mike Zito’s latest release, Mike Zito – Resurrection, shows another side and depth from this extraordinary musician. Mike’s mastery of the guitar is legendary, but Resurrection shows a depth in the lyrics, melodies, and order of tracks to tell a story and create a musical journey. Sharing in his journey are Zach Zito, Matthew Johnson, Doug Byrkit, Lewis Stephens, Eric Demmer, Fernando Castillo, and Lisa Leuschner Andersen.

Need some happy music in your life? Put on your New Orleans Blues dancing shoes and give Maria Muldaur’s latest release with the band Tuba Skinny entitled Let’s Get Happy Together a listen as this is one album that will have you dancing along to the 12-tracks with a smile on your face. Released on the Stony Plain Records label, the album hit the street on May 7, 2021.

Singer-songwriter guitarist Randy Lee Riviere has a new 13-track release entitled Wyoming that is Country accented Blues. Together with Kenneth Blevins, David Santos, Kevin McKendree, James Pennebaker, and Yates McKendree, Randy Lee Riviere: Wyoming is a release that will have you sitting up, taking notice, and giving it many a listen to Randy’s engaging, storytelling lyrics complemented by some exceptionally fine instrumental work. The album hit the street on February 26, 2021 on the Wilderness Records label.

The Dave Weckl Band Live in St. Louis at the Chesterfield Jazz Festival 2019 takes the listener on a musical journey of Jazz and Funk. Featuring the amazing team of Dave Weckl, Gary Meek, Jay Oliver, Tom Kennedy, and Buzz Feiten, the 11-track instrumental Jazz release is an all-round standout of a release. The album hits the streets on April 9, 2021 on the Autumn Hill Records label.

The latest release from Tommaso Starace is Tommaso Starace – The Power of Three and it is one of Tommaso’s best. The release was recorded in a large open venue without the use of headphones, which allowed the band to hear and feel the raw energy they were crafting. The ‘a cappella’ type setting created a big resonant sound that cascades throughout the release. The band takes the baseline of 7 covers and then projects their own feel and music …

The once up-and-coming star, Ally Venable, has not only arrived, but she raised the bar across the Blues-Rock genre with her latest release Heart of Fire. The release features 10 new songs and a rhythmic cover of Use Me by Bill Withers. Heart of Fire features guitar legends Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Devon Allman complementing the guitar wizardry of Ally Venable.

Leonard Bernstein (1918 – 1990) was a highly acclaimed and celebrated American composer, conductor, pianist, and educator, whose music thrilled audiences throughout the world. His music has had a profound influence on the world of Jazz, and Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra – Bernstein Reimagined released on the MCG Jazz label, celebrates his musical style, achievement, and genius. The album hits the streets on January 29, 2021.

Rhythm City the self-titled debut album of Jazz trio Ptah Williams on piano and keyboards, Larry Kornfeld on bass, and Rob Silverman on drums, with special guests Eric Marienthal on saxophone, Randy Brecker on trumpet, and Michael Silverman on synthesizer, runs over 74 minutes of instrumental eclectic Jazz pleasure. Released on the Autumn Hill Records label in December 2020, this 8-track album deserves many a listen. If you love instrumental piano Jazz, you are going to love Rhythm City.

If you love Rock, Blues and Brazilian music, then you are in for a treat with Artur Menezes’ latest release, Fading Away. Joining Artur Menezes on the release are Gui Bodi, Lemar Carter, Kesha Shantrell, Revel Day, Carey Frank, Travis Carlton. Matt Mitchell, Zé Leal, Gary Novak, Chris Chaney, and Special Guests: Joe Bonamassa and Josh Smith. Released on the VizzTone label, this 8-track release is destined to become a favorite. Although the title of the release is Fading Away, …

American singer, songwriter, guitarist Casey James shines on his latest 10-track blues release, If You Don’t Know By Now produced by Grammy® winner Tom Hambridge. Joining Casey James are Tom Hambridge, Tommy Macdonald, Mike Rojas, Rob McNelley, Wendy Moten, Bryan Meggison, and Desmond Ng. The release, Casey James – If You Don’t Know By Now, hit the street on September 18, 2020, so run to pick up a copy.