Music Scene

Ella Fitzgerald fans are going to fall in love with the new release, Ella 100: Live at the Apollo! Released on the Concord Jazz label, the album celebrates the life and music of the legendary Jazz singer Ella Fitzgerald. Featuring a host of Jazz greats including Patti Austin, Andra Day, Lizz Wright & The Ella 100 All-Star Quartet: Shelly Berg, Nathan East, Brian Nova and Gregg Field, Afro Blue, Casandra Wilson, Ledisi, Monica Mancini, The Count Basie Orchestra, David Alan …

Instrumental Blues fans are going to love the 14-track album, 11 Guys Quartet: Small Blues and Grooves, released on the Vizz Tone label group. Longtime friends and musicians, Paul Lenart on guitar, Bill "Coach" Mather on bass, Chuck Purro on drums, and Richard Rosenblatt on harmonica make up the 11 Guys Quartet and they wrote all of the original music, so sit back and settle in for a listen of 11 Guys Quartet: Small Blues and Grooves. The release hit …

I just returned from a fabulous trip to Brazil, and while I could not take our readers along, I can introduce you to Brazil’s own multi-award winning producer, composer, keyboardist and vocalist, Sergio Mendes and his latest album set to hit the streets on February 28, 2020, Sergio Mendes – In the Key of Joy released on the Concord Records label.

American Jazz pianist, keyboardist and composer Chick Corea has over 20 Grammy awards to his name and 63 nominations, so it came as no surpriseto learn that his latest album, Chick Corea The Spanish Heart Band – Antidote, has earned a Grammy nomination for Best Latin Jazz Album. The 11-track release on the Concord Jazz label is 74-minutes of pure listening pleasure. Special guests joining Chick Corea and The Spanish Heart Band (Marcus Gilmore, Carlitos Del Puerto, Jorge Pardo,Niño Josele, …

Contemporary Instrumental Jazz fans are in for a time travel treat from the band Spyro Gyra with their latest album, Spyro Gyra Vinyl Tap released on the Amherst Records label. Spyro Gyra, comprised of Jay Beckenstein, Tom Schuman, Julio Fernandez, Scott Ambush, and Lionel Cordew take the listener back to the 1960s and 1970s by covering some of the best songs from that period. By giving them an instrumental Jazz interpretation and arrangements, the songs feel fresh and fun. Guest …

Tad Robinson – Real Street is a perfect Soulful Blues harmonica-driven album released on the Severn Records, Inc. label to help you ease into Autumn as it hits the streets in September 2019. The 10-track release is a well-crafted blend of original music and four select covers that will have you in the mood for dancing to the Blues. Tad Robinson and his band, Charles Hodges, Leroy Hodges, Howard Grimes, Kevin Anker, Marc Franklin, Kirk Smothers, and Devin B.Thompson deliver …

Philippe Saisse Trio – the BODY AND SOUL sessions Remastered takes the listener down an instrumental memory lane of memorable songs by Steely Dan, Lennon and McCartney, James Taylor, Jorge Ben, Boz Scaggs, and Johnny Green to name but a few. The Philippe Saisse Trio – the BODY AND SOUL sessions, remastered, is 12-tracks of exceptional music by Philippe Saisse on piano, Fender Rhodes, and keyboards, David Finck on bass, and Scooter Warner on drums and percussion.

Adam Holt: Kind of Blues is a 10-track Blues and Southern Rock album released on the Zenith Records label featuring 9 original songs written by the multi-talented singer, songwriter, guitarist Adam Holt, and a great tribute to Bob Dylan on the band’s cover of Lay Lady Lay. Joining Adam Holt are bandmates Owen Finley, Greg Deluca, Donnie Sundal, Lee Yankie, Mark Welborn, and Pierre Robinson, with John Keuler layering in additional guitars. The release hits the streets on May 24, …

The Phil Madeira: Crickets album is one of the best instrumental Jazz piano releases that I have come across in quite a while. Featuring the multi-talented award-winning musician, songwriter, and producer Phil Madeira on piano, Bahsaan Barberon saxophones, Aaron Smith on drums, Roland Barber on trombone and trumpet, James Hollihan on electric guitar, and Chris Donohue on upright bass, the Phil Madeira: Crickets album is one for Jazz collectors’ collections.

Brazilian band, the Blues Beatles deftly combines the band’s love of the Blues with their passion for the Beatles, and their 9-track release, Blues Beatles 2017 goes beyond a tribute and delves deeper into showcasing and melding two distinct styles and imprinting it with their own indelible mark; namely Blues and Beatles music. With songs: A Hard Day’s Night, Eleanor Rigby, You Can’t Do That, Stand By Me, I’ve Got A Feeling, Ticket To Ride, Yellow Submarine, The Word, and …