Jazz/Blues Reviews By Ron Wynn

Thelonious Monk "Misterioso" (Riverside)
Bill Evans "Moon Beams" (Riverside)
The Quintet  "Live At Massey Hall" (Debut)

The latest three releases in the ongoing Original Jazz Classics Remasters series spotlight some historic recordings. Thelonious Monk's "Misterio" was among his finest late '50s sessions. Bill Evans' "Moon Beams" featured early recordings from his second trio, and The Quintet was a summit meeting of bop immortals. The Monk and Evans' dates contain bonus tracks. Each is superbly engineered, with updated notes provided by Neil Tesser, Doug Ramsey and Ashley Kahn respectively.

Revew by Ron Wynn

"Mambo Diablo: My Journey With Tito Puente"(Backbeat/Hal Leonard)
By Joe Conzo with David A. Perez

Though it has been available in limited fashion since 2010, many fans of Latin music may not have read "Mambo Diablo: My Journey With Tito Puente." Now newly reissued and widely available courtesy of Backbeat Books (Hal Leonard Imprints), it is the most extensive and definitive work available on the life and accomplishments of the masterful bandleader, arranger, composer and instrumentalist.  The volume was co-written by Puente's friend of 40 years Joe Conzo, in conjunction with author/musician and journalist David A. Perez.  While not written solely as an alternative to the many other accounts done over the years on Puente, it often operates in that fashion as it clarifies events, demolishes myths,and offers reflections, analysis and accounts of Puente's friendships, collaborations, recording sessions, and passions.

New Jazz/Blues Reviews, by Ron Wynn

Reviewed this month:

Mark Sherman, "The L.A Sessions" (Miles High)
Volker Strifler, "Let the Music Rise" (Vizztone"
Frank Sinatra, "The Concert Sinatra" (Concord)
Tony Bennett, "Isn't It Romantic"  (Concord)

Chick Corea is big winner at the Grammy Awards
By Ron Wynn

Pianist Chick Corea earned multiple honors at the 54th Grammy Awards ceremonies in Los Angeles last week, but his victories were overshadowed by an ongoing, unresolved controversy. This year's decision by the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences (NARAS) to trim the number of categories from 109 to 78 has left another bad taste in many musician's mouths. The television show had already purged from the performing lineup any jazz or blues musicians. The Academy's latest decision reduced the number of winners in the jazz ranks from six to four. The Latin jazz and Contemporary Jazz awards were eliminated. They also consolidated the blues field, abolishing the traditional and contemporary categories. These were folded into one Best Blues Album setting. While a number of high profile types, including past winners Herbie Hancock and Paul Simon protested the decision, NARAS insists there are no plans to restore any awards that no longer exist.

Jazz & Blues Reviews, By Ron Wynn

Ruthie Foster, "Let It Burn" (Blue Corn)
Jeff Hamilton, "Red Sparkle" (Capri) 

Jeff Hamilton's reigned among jazz's finest drummers for over 30 years, and still plays with an admirable ferocity and swing. While that pace is ideal for a big band, it's no less desirable heading a small combo. "Red Sparkle," which will be released Feb. 21, is the newest work from his longtime trio. Hamilton had his own unit since leaving the Ray Brown Trio in 1995. But just as his big band doesn't operate in a predictable fashion, neither does this threesome that includes splendid bassist Christoph Luty and marvelous pianist Tamir Hendelman. They operate as three expert improvisers, each capable of setting a song's direction. But they also easily mesh into a cohesive unit. They excel in a varied setting on "Red Sparkle."

Alto saxophonist, composer and bandleader Donald Harrison refuses to be pigeonholed and has a healthy disdain for categorization. Since being tabbed as part of "The Young Lions" movement in jazz (a label he says makes him shudder) back in the early '80s, he's forged an impressive, extremely versatile career working in numerous styles. His academic endeavors include studying at both the New Orleans Center for Creative Arts and Berklee College of Music. On one end of the spectrum he's played with Roy Haynes and Art Blakey. On another, he's worked alongside Digiable Planets, Jazzmatazz, and The Notorious B.I.G. (who was his neighbor in Brooklyn for eight years). D Harrison played with Lena Horne and Eddie Palmieri during the '90s. Recent collaborations have been with Jennifer Holiday, the Head Hunters and Larry Coryell.