The clarinet is often thought of as an instrument of limited appeal and possibilities, but anyone who opines thusly should listen to “Lili,” an instrumental…
Clarifying the clarinet
Author: Tom Orr
Tom Orr is a California-based writer whose talent and mental stability are of an equally questionable nature. His hobbies include ignoring trends, striking dramatic poses in front of his ever-tolerant wife and watching helplessly as his kids surpass him in all desirable traits.
A Progressive Twosome
A Brazilian duo called Máquina Voadora mixes dance rhythms from their home country with rock, jazz and soul overtones on a track called “A hospedaria…
Mama Knows Best
Italy’s Mama Djarra infuses “Mana” with full-blooded declarations of female empowerment, resistance and solidarity, which happen to be a perfect match for the song’s militant…
Tried, True and Terrific
The longstanding relationship between jazz and samba remains as strong as ever, with “Afosamba” by Brazilian pianist Antonio Adolfo and his octet a shining example…
Enjoy the View
Comprised of musicians from several different regions and combining jazz with traditional rhythms from Reunion Island, a band called Jozéfinn’ Austral View is right and…
It Begs the Question
With immigration being the hot button issue it is nowadays, Cuba’s Yeisy Rojas brings her own take on it into focus via “Inmigrante y qué?”…
Northern Southern
A bluegrass outfit from Canada, The Southern Residents hit a bullseye in Americana roots music with “Between Love and Blood.” All-acoustic instruments, fine fiddling, vocals…
Going South in a Good Way
American singer Carrie Marshall combines the sway of a bossa nova rhythm with silky smooth vocals and the added sweetening of Appalachian-style fiddle on “Southern Shade…
Done Deal Dub
It’s long been proven that authentic dub reggae need not come from Jamaica, and Italy’s Bonzo Faya reinforces that contention throughout “Indaco,” a saxophone-seasoned slice…
Have a Sip
Born in Ivory Coast and currently based in Atlanta, drummer/percussionist Yakou N’guessan scores with “Tchapalo” (named for a traditional beverage) a layered piece of jazz…