Articles by: S. Victor Aaron

John Escreet - 'the epicenter of your dreams' (2024)

John Escreet – ‘the epicenter of your dreams’ (2024)

Pianist John Escreet took his great L.A. group and made it even better for the epicenter of your dreams.’ Call it addition by sweet addition.

SticklerPhonics featuring tenor saxophonist Raffi Garabedian and trombonist Danny Lubin-Laden (an alum of the SFJAZZ High School All-Stars). Standout members of the Berkeley High Jazz Band’s class of 2006, they continued playing together while studying in New York. Since returning to the East Bay they’ve co-lead Brass Magic, an uproarious horn-powered band that has honed an irresistibly celebratory sound by drawing on hip hop, funk, R&B, rock, and electronic dance music. Embracing his role as a veteran leader, Amendola has joined forces with the younger players to explore an array of kinetic approaches with their rollicking stripped-down trio, exploring new sonorities and high-energy grooves.

SticklerPhonics – ‘Technicolor Ghost Parade’ (2024)

SticklerPhonics’ secret weapon isn’t the combination of instruments, but the imagination and wherewithal to make music that’s fresh and fun.

Oliver Wood, "Yo I Surrender" from 'Fat Cat Silhouette' (2024): One Track Mind

Oliver Wood, “Yo I Surrender” from ‘Fat Cat Silhouette’ (2024): One Track Mind

Here’s the official video of “Yo I Surrender,” a down-home ditty by Oliver Wood that manages to be uplifting without even trying too hard.

John Blum Quartet feat. Marshall Allen - 'Deep Space' (2024)

John Blum Quartet feat. Marshall Allen – ‘Deep Space’ (2024)

John Blum’s ‘Deep Space’ might have some Sun Ra flavor in it thanks to Marshall Allen, but the free jazz pianist follows his own muse and it’s a good one.

Nicola Caminiti - 'Vivid Tales of A Blurry Self-Portrait' (2024)

Nicola Caminiti – ‘Vivid Tales of A Blurry Self-Portrait’ (2024)

‘Vivid Tales of A Blurry Self-Portrait’ tells a story with not words but with feel, and you can’t help but notice the unpretentious emotional investment Nicola Caminiti put into his debut album.

Remembering David Sanborn: "Sounds In the Fog" (1993)

Remembering David Sanborn: “Sounds In the Fog” (1993)

Defying smooth jazz stereotypes, David Sanborn shined when joined fellow ex-Julius Hemphill pupil Tim Berne in adventurous performances of Hemphill songs.

Shane Parish -  'Repertoire' (2024)

Shane Parish – ‘Repertoire’ (2024)

In making the sometimes-hidden genius of these wide assortment of composers visible on the all-covers ‘Repertoire,’ Shane Parish showed some of his own genius.

Remembering David Sanborn: "Ramblin'" from 'Upfront' (1992)

Remembering David Sanborn: “Ramblin'” from ‘Upfront’ (1992)

Just as long as you like to move, there’s no reason not to like David Sanborn’s take on the Ornette Coleman classic “Ramblin’.”

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Remembering David Sanborn: “A Tear For Crystal” from ‘Backstreet’ (1983)

David Sanborn’s anthemic ballad “A Tear For Crystal” goes slow, but it also goes hard.

Remembering David Sanborn: "It's You" from 'Voyeur' (1981)

Remembering David Sanborn: “It’s You” from ‘Voyeur’ (1981)

Not much crossover jazz from the 80s holds up well today soundwise but David Sanborn’s “It’s You” from ‘Voyeur’ is timeless.