Straight, No Chaser - February 10 Picks

Every other Saturday - 8:00 to 9:00 am

in Miami on 88.9 FM Serious Jazz

Song, Artist, Album

“Is What It Is,” Paul Brusger, Go To Plan B
A session of sizzling mainstream hard bop with charts by New York bassist Paul Brusger featuring the heavy baritone sax of fellow New Yorker, Ronnie Cuber in combination with the softer tenor of George Allgaier forming a rich ensemble recording bolstered by the piano play of the late John Hicks in a 2002 recording that was released late last year. (Ed's pick)


“Pistol Pete,” Dave Noland, Nomad
This diverse tenor from Texas brings a rich background of playing experience to his first release as a leader, featuring Dave Demotta on piano, Frank Hauch on bass, and Colby Inzer on drums, with Noland originals alongside standards. (Mark's pick)

“Like It Never Happened,” Jerry Kalaf, Just Like Old Times
One of those not new but overlooked albums, thus qualifying as new to our audience, by Los Angeles-based drummer Kalaf who puts together a piano trio with strings playing an excellent classical jazz sound very similar to the latest recording from Grammy Award winner Alan Broadbent’s “Every Time I Think of You” recorded with the Tokyo strings. (Ed's pick)


“RSVP,” Shirantha Beddage, Roots and Branches
The baritone, tenor, and soprano saxes provide a rich palate of sound for this young player – a Canada native-- with the monster chops. A composer and bandleader who plays many instruments, Beddage and is currently the Director of Jazz Studies at Columbus State University in Georgia. Playing also on this album are Michael Stryker (piano), Ryan Kotler (bass), and Jared Schonig (drums). (Mark's pick)

“Son of Feelings,” The Brian Pastor Big Band, Common Men
A riveting big band album by trombonist Brian Pastor and his Philadelphia-based nineteen-piece big band recording their debut CD blending a combination of jazz standards and original compositions producing a powerful big band sound that swings as evident by this particular tune. (Ed's pick)

“Blue Trane,” Ron Kearns, Looking Back - Stepping Forward
A release from a few years back by one of the DC-areas best tenors and a great teacher as well. Excellent small-group playing with guest Buck Hill on a number of tracks. (Mark's pick)

“Blue Summer,” Landon Knoblock, Listening Between
The debut album from Miami’s own pianist Landon Knoblock a graduate from the University of Miami’s School of Music and experienced sideman of the local jazz scene. The album contains introspective sophisticated music half improvised with light tempos and challenging moods. (Ed's pick)


“Don't Answer That,” The Jeff Gauthier Goatette, One and the Same
A pleasing mix of progressive jazz sounds – some acoustic, some electronic – from a great violin player and his accomplished group. Shades of Pat Metheny, but more textural than melodic when compared with the great guiatarist. Interesting writing and performances from Gauthier and the Goatette – keyboardist David Witham, bassist Joel Hamilton, and brothers Nels Cline on guitar and Alex Cline on percussion. It is jazz-rock? Not many listeners will care. Good stuff. (Mark's pick)

“After The Dance,” Wendy Luck, See You In Rio
Vocalist Wendy Luck offers the sounds of Brazil on a fourteen track new album of beautiful light jazz with a bossa nova and samba flavor recorded in Rio with several Brazilian masters. Luck not only provides the lush vocals but also plays the flute on a session of percussive Brazilian jazz. (Ed's pick)