Jazz CD & Gig Reviews

‘The Troubles’ – Review

Submitted by John Fenton on 12 May 2012 - 10:49am

 

This is part one of two posts on ‘The Troubles’; An interview with John Rae and Lucien Johnson to follow in a day.

When I received a brief email from Steve at Rattle Records informing me that he was sending me two very interesting disks I sensed that he was excited about what was on offer.  When the tightly wrapped package arrived I wrestled ‘The Troubles’ from its box.  Putting it straight on, I was stunned by what I heard and I played it through twice, letting the sound wash over me.  Steve was right; this was special. Read more

Source: 
http://jon4jaz.wordpress.com/2012/05/12/the-troubles-review/

‘Dr Dog’ takes the Jazz Pulse of Auckland

Submitted by John Fenton on 7 May 2012 - 12:39am

Animal lovers, children and Jazzers alike were delighted to learn that the ‘Dr Dog’ Jazz quartet would be performing in the Creative Jazz Club (CJC).   This was somewhat of a dream band as it featured ‘I cani popolari‘ from the halls of academia; Roger Manins (tenor), Kevin Field (piano, Rhodes), Oli Holland (Bass) and Ron Samsom (drums). Read more

Video: 
Source: 
http://jon4jaz.wordpress.com/2012/05/07/dr-dog-takes-the-jazz-pulse-of-auckland/

Kevin Field – ‘Field of Vision’ gig & album

Submitted by John Fenton on 2 May 2012 - 2:03pm

 Some die-hard Jazz fans complain that the modern jazz scene doesn’t produce enough music that sounds like that of the ‘classic era’.    This mythical era that they remember so fondly didn’t exist in the way they thought.  They forget that Louis Armstrong accused Dizzy Gillespie of playing ‘Chinese music’ and that Bill Evans was accused of not swinging. Read more

Source: 
http://jon4jaz.wordpress.com/2012/05/02/kevin-field-field-of-vision-gig-album/

Alan Brown Trio @ CJC

Submitted by John Fenton on 23 April 2012 - 9:21am

When ever Alan Brown brings a band to the CJC, the club fills to capacity.  Alan is well-known, deeply respected and he swings like crazy.  The ‘KMC Live’ release was always going to be a significant musical occasion, but on this night the sparks of inspiration flew between the band members and we witnessed something transcendent .  This was an incendiary gig that lifted our spirits; causing us to tap our feet uncontrollably and for some, to dance with abandon in the flickering shadows. Read more

Source: 
Alan Brown@CJC (KMC Live launch)- C3 organ/guitar/drums

Craig Walters/Mike Booth Project

Submitted by John Fenton on 21 April 2012 - 9:46pm

 During Jazz Week it was appropriate that the Creative Jazz Club (CJC) featured a band that was in some ways a metaphor for the greater Auckland scene.   Jazz week is about Jazz in our neighborhoods but it also about how we connect to the wider Jazz community. Read more

Source: 
Craig Walters/Mike Booth Project @ the CJC in Auckland

Dan Kennedy Quintet at CJC

Submitted by John Fenton on 14 April 2012 - 5:07pm

I have known Dan Kennedy for some time now and I have always enjoyed his propulsive energetic drumming.    He has played at the CJC on a number of occasions and most often as drummer for the late night jam sessions.  Dan is popular on the New Zealand scene and he has played beside some prestigious visiting artists and top flight locals. Read more

Source: 
Dan Kennedy Quintet @ CJC – JJA Jazz Week Blogathon entry

Nathan Haines: The Poet's Embrace (Haven/Warners)

Submitted by Graham Reid on 4 April 2012 - 8:00am

At the launch of this classy album recently, the graphic designer Andrew B White -- who had done the cover for both this and Kevin Field's Field of Vision -- made an interesting aside. Read more

Phil Broadhurst Quartet at CJC

Submitted by John Fenton on 3 April 2012 - 11:44pm

I last saw this band at the launch of Phil’s ‘Delayed Reaction’ album. That was September 25th 2011 and things have moved on apace since than. For a start the album has had universally good reviews, reasonable airplay and attracted interest from offshore.  

For a number of reasons it was bound to do well. I suspect that the quality of the interpretations and the musicianship of the band clinched the deal. While a number of well-chosen Petrucciani tunes are featured in the album, it is Phil’s own material that best focuses us on the diminutive masters work. Read more

Source: 
Phil Broadhurst Quartet updated

Callum Passells, trio, quartet, quintet

Submitted by John Fenton on 25 March 2012 - 11:11pm

A few days ago the CJC presented the Callum Passells group.   Callum is a third year student at the Auckland University School of Music (Jazz Studies) and so are his band mates. Read more

Source: 
http://jon4jaz.wordpress.com/2012/03/26/callum-passells-trio-quartet-quintet/

Frank Gibson – ‘Hardbopmobile’

Submitted by John Fenton on 21 March 2012 - 5:03pm

Frank Gibson Jnr is New Zealand’s best known drummer as he has been playing and teaching for most of his life. Read more

Source: 
Frank Gibson – ‘Hardbopmobile’