2024 WORLD TOUR #8 TANJAZZ - MEDIA PLAYERS
2024 World Tour #8 - Tanjazz
2024 WORLD TOUR #8 TANJAZZ - ALBUMS
Savor Flamenco
GIPSY KINGS
Released 21 October 2013
La Rhumba / Knitting Factory Records
****-
“World Music” is often a meaningless catch-all phrase, a marketing shortcut, but as one of the acts that first helped define the phrase, the Gipsy Kings create music that really does cross all borders.
In 1987, the Gipsy Kings captured the world’s imagination with their self-titled debut album - a record that became a genuine phenomenon, certified gold and platinum around the globe, introducing millions of listeners to a unique, irresistible blend of traditional flamenco styles with Western pop and Latin rhythms. Since then, the band has toured virtually non-stop, to the farthest-flung corners of the planet, and sold almost twenty million albums, all the while retaining the same line-up of virtuoso musicians.
The Gipsy Kings most recent studio recording is Savor Flamenco, their ninth studio album and first new release in six years. The project marks the first time in their storied career that the Kings have produced themselves and written all of the material.
“Music has always been a passion,” says lead guitarist Tonino Baliardo, who with Nicolas Reyes is one of the two remaining original members of the group, each representatives for the two families from which the original group was formed.
Over the years, the music of the Kings incorporated elements of Latin and Cuban styles, Arabic music, reggae, and jazz guitar reminiscent of the French Gypsy master Django Reinhardt.
Yet, as heard on disc and experienced live in sell-out concerts around the world, the still very active touring group has never lost their intense connection to the traditional flamenco of their heritage, keeping a spotlight on Tonino Baliardo’s fluid guitar work and Nicolas Reyes’s powerful vocals.
Read more ... Gipsy Kings
.jpg)
Dame Un Tiempo
(Live, Bremen, 2000)
OMAR SOSA
Released 31 May 2024
M.i.G. music / Moosicus
****-
This is a great live recording from the Schlachthof, Bremen (Germany) from 31 October 2000
Omar Sosa is an award-winning Cuban pianist and composer known for his unique fusion of Afro-Cuban music, jazz, world music and electronic elements. His virtuoso playing technique and creative approach to music has captivated audiences worldwide.
On 31 October 2000, Sosa gave an extraordinary concert at Bremen's Schlachthof with a magnificent band, including US rapper and hip-hopper Sub-Z. Sosa's musical work covers an enormous range. Of course, his music is characterized by his musical roots and his Cuban origins, but the basis is formed by Latin Jazz and Afro-Cuban rhythms as well as traditional North African music, which he likes to combine with elements of merengue, salsa, soul, funk, classical music and even hip hop. In other words:
The superb backing band that accompanied Omar alongside Sub-Z at this concert includes: saxophonist Sheldon Brown, bassist Geoff Brennan, percussionist Gustavo Ovalles and drummer Elliott Kavee.
Read more ... Presto Music
La Gran Diversion
ROBERTA FONSECA
Released 22 September 2023
3eme Bureau / Wagram Music
****-
The exquisite repertoire of the all-too-short album so aptly entitled La Gran Diversión, which translated in English not only means to have “great fun” but shows us just how it is done!
What a fabulously interesting idea for the virtuoso pianist and bandleader Roberto Fonseca to bring together some of the finest musicians in Cuba to lure us away from the distraction of the pyrotechnics of contemporary music. In return for our rapt attention, he performs a programme of son, danzón and bolero with characteristic eloquence, subtle invention.
In doing so with breathless joie de vivre he beckons us with otherworldly magic to world Afro-Cuban music that we thought was washed away in the dissonant noise that seems to have throttled us ever since we were shut out of his beloved Cuba.
There are alluring colourations with which the pianist and vocalists – including himself – meld with the brass and woodwinds to produce the music’s harmonic tension. There is also the ubiquitous and energetic rumbling thunder with which the Afro-Cuban percussion pierces the skin of the melodies. All of this makes for shapely and dramatically vivid music.
Read more ... Latin Jazz Net
Ylang Ylang (EP)
FKJ
Released 12 November 2024
FKJ / AWAL
****-
On one hand, ‘Tension’ is clearly a deeply personal tribute by the Hoodna Orchestra to iconic Mulatu Astatke, but at the same time the recordings emit a remarkable amount of chemistry, and together they have created an essential addition to Mulatu’s rich discography that charts new directions in his Ethio-jazz trajectory and provides the Hoodna Orchestra with their strongest album to date.
Mulatu Astatke requires little introduction at this point. Born in Jimma, Ethiopia, Mulatu went on to live and study in London, Boston and New York. Initially drawn to and trained in jazz and Latin music, he developed the sound he called “Ethio-jazz” over a series of seminal albums combining jazz, Latin, funk and soul, with traditional Ethiopian scales and rhythms.
Formed in 2012 on the south side of Tel Aviv, the 12 member Hoodna Orchestra is a collective of musicians and composers who initially bonded over a shared love of Afrobeat. They have gone on to incorporate psychedelic rock, hard funk and soul, jazz, and East African music into their sought after releases, winning praise and airplay from the likes of Iggy Pop and Huey Morgan on BBC Radio 6 Music.
Over time, members of the orchestra came to find they shared a growing interest in Ethiopian music, particularly the Ethio-jazz of Mulatu Astatke. Since releasing a recording with Ethiopian singer Tesfaye Negatu, Hoodna Orchestra had been looking to find ways to collaborate with Astatke himself and in early 2023 the opportunity arose to invite Astatke to Tel Aviv, record an album and perform it live for their home audience. Stars aligned as Neal Sugarman, multi-instrumentalist member of the Dap-Kings and co-founder of Daptone Records, joined and produced the session with Smilan
Read more ... Bandcamp
.jpg)
Alouane (Live)
WAAJU, MAJID BEKKAS
Released 11 October 2024
UMG Recordings
****-
‘Alouane’ presents a record light on its feet with harmonic nuance and dynamic sensibility, and acts as a powerful contribution to the Gnawa fusion genre.
Waaju & Majid Bekkas’s ‘Alouane’ stands as testament for creation and collaboration even in the most challenging of times. Whilst it becomes increasingly difficult bringing overseas artists to the UK, the record encapsulates connectivity across cultural or generational boundaries, and the explosive energy of live collaboration in the wake of Covid-19’s isolation.
Brainchild of Waaju bandleader Ben Brown, this unique collaborative record features Brown’s expansive arrangements of traditional Gnawa songs, bringing Bekkas’ incredible musical force into the soundscape of potent grooves and trippy delays that Waaju has become known for.
Bekkas, who’s previous collaborators include Pharoah Sanders, Archie Shepp and Peter Brotzmann, is considered one of the foremost figures in Moroccan Gnawa music today and has been key in the music’s revival over the last decade. He’s also never before collaborated with a UK band which, at the time of recording, was his first visit to the UK.
On ‘Alouane’, Bekkas is welcomed effortlessly into Waaju’s simmering chemistry, which can be heard most vividly on their previous studio albums ‘Grown’ in 2020 and a self-titled debut in 2018.
Read more ... Bandcamp
Al Majmaâ
MÂÄK'S SPIRIT & GNAWA EXPRESS DE TANGER FEAT. BABA SISSOKO
Released 2004
Jazz & Muziek in Gent / Igloo Records
****-
This recording from a couple of decades ago celebrates the delightful fusion of the intertwined, innovative, mutually-inclusive musical worlds of gnawa and contemporary and avante-garde jazz.
Gnawa Express de Tanger - Maalem Abdelmajid Domnati born in Tangier into a Gnawa family, Maalem is encouraged to play the Guembri, as well as percussion from 1973 by Maâlem Mohamed Babti, Maâlem Ahmed Al Hadad, Maâlem Mbarak El Kasri, Maâlem Brahim Bahaa, and BaMasoud El Fassi, …As well as Mkadam Fatah El Maasou, Fatah Mai Mouna, Ba Didi, Ba Masoud, Mkadam Ami Ali and Maâlem Saaid who also belong to his first influences.
In 1990, Maâlem Abdelmajid Domnati created his group Gnawa Express from Tangier, which he has led ever since.
A master of guembri and percussion, he is well known for “Lila Trance Nights”, a secret spiritual gathering that has been playing these Afro-Arab rhythms for millennia. However after his concerts in France, Spain, Germany, Austria, Belgium and Poland, he is now known for his openness to other musical colors.
Määk’s Spirit - Määk’s Spirit is a collective of musicians - most based in Belgium - finding its roots in jazz, rock, contemporary western music, contemporary improvised music.
Though line ups have shifted through time, they always retained the blowing core of trumpeter Laurent Blondiau and saxophonist Jeroen Van Herzeele.
With the release of Määk's Spirit - Buenaventura, the band's name was shortened to Mâäk alone.
In 2015, a big band version of the band was also released: MikMâäk.
Other projects - still unreleased in April 2017 - have also been presented to live audiences, like Mâäk Kawral (the meeting of the band and Burkinabe dancers) or the Mâäk Quintet, a back-to-the-core quartet combo presenting original compositions influenced by its diverse artistic encounters.
Read more ... Discogs
Stress Killer
LEON PHAL
Released 15 September 2023
Heavenly Sweetness / Sony France
****-
Over its 10 tracks ‘Stress Killer‘s perhaps the most major and remarkable point is that no drum machines or sampler were used in its creation. Despite its sonic shelving so close to the nightclub sounds, it is made using traditional jazz instrumentation.
Saxophonist Léon Phal presents his new full length album entitled ‘Stress Killer’, which delves deep into the area between nightclub and jazz club culture.
As a graduate of Lausanne’s Haute École de Musique, he’s a key artist within the much spoken about French new jazz scene. With a notoriety that goes beyond the borders of Europe, this Franco-Swiss musician paves his own path in his own way, alongside his faithful quintet of; Arthur Alard (Drums), Rémi Bouyssière (Double Bass), Gauthier Toux (Keyboards) and Zacharie Ksyk (Trumpet).
The saxophone remains the ringleader and master of ceremonies across the album, fusing jazz codes with detailed electronic etiquette, notes and ideas speak to the bodies of dancers and club goers, making you want to move.
A record that has really captured all energies, be them eyes down on dark nightclub dance floors or squeezed into sweaty basement jazz clubs. The sound of Léon’s album may sometimes resemble that of machines, but it always retains its humanity.
Read more ... Bandcamp
Roots & Plugged
HAMID El Kasri
Released 11 March 2022
Metronome
****-
Over its 10 tracks ‘Stress Killer‘s perhaps the most major and remarkable point is that no drum machines or sampler were used in its creation. Despite its sonic shelving so close to the nightclub sounds, it is made using traditional jazz instrumentation.
Hamid El Kasri (Arabic: حميد القصري; born 1961) is a Moroccan Gnawa musician traditionally considered a maâlem (Arabic: مُعَلِّم), or "master musician".
Born in Ksar El Kebir, Morocco, he now lives in Rabat. He began training at age seven, taught by Maâlem Abdelouahed Stitou and Maâlem Alouane.
El Kasri is famed for his deep, intense voice, which has made him one of the most sought-after maâlems, both in Morocco and abroad. In addition to singing, he performs on the guembri (الكمبري), a three-stringed bass instrument.
He is noted for having blended the Gnawa rhythms of the north and south of the Morocco.
Having made a name for himself outside Morocco, El Kasri performs regularly with foreign musicians. Several of these occasions have been at the Gnaoua World Music Festival. In 2004, he played at the festival with Joe Zawinul, later performing there with Karim Ziad in 2010, and Hamayun Kahn and Shahin Shahida in 2011. In 2018, El Kasri opened the Gnaoua World Music Festival with Snarky Puppy, a Brooklyn-based jazz jam band.
Read more ... Wikipedia
.jpg)
Aiche (EP)
PRACE, SAAD TIOULY
Released 23 February 2024
Prace & Saad Tiouly
*****
Their music is a fusion between Gnawa musician Saad Tiouly from #Casablanca, #Morocco, and Dutch music producer Prace, from #Utrecht, the Netherlands.
Saad Tiouly wrote: "I am thrilled to announce the upcoming release of our EP “Aicha,” available from the midnight on February 23rd on all streaming platforms. This project is the result of an exceptional collaboration with @pracemusic
“Aicha” is not just a musical project, it’s a vibrant tribute to my late mother, Aicha ❤️, who has been a source of inspiration and support from the very beginning of this journey. I would also like to express gratitude to all individuals and organizations who played a role in bringing this EP to life,
Read more ... Saad Tiouly, Prace
Sonic Wires
DREAM HOUSE QUARTET
(BRYCE DESSNER, KATIA LABEQUE, MARIELLE LABEQUE, DAVID CHALMIN)
Released 25 October 2024
KML Recordings
*****
"The Bird of a Thousand Voices is an astonishing project, and as I listened and wrote, I weighed up the various superlatives. No other term sufficed. And, to describe it as a concept or a themed album would woefully undervalue it too. The depth and breadth of Tigran Hamasyan’s project is breathtaking and evaluating it requires fulsome engagement. I am not implying that it is unapproachable as there are delightful melodies as light as air, and exotic rhythms to engage, but underlying every note are other worlds, endlessly unfolding - worlds that beg exploration." jazzlocal32.com
The transmedia project The Bird of a Thousand Voices is the first of its kind to bring ancient Armenian folk tale Hazaran Blbul to life. Armenian composer & pianist Tigran Hamasyan and Dutch filmmaker & visual artist Ruben Van Leer are joining forces for a new live staged production that had its world premiere at the Holland Festival.
The mythical bird – whose thousand different songs travel the world to spread harmony – comes to life in an intriguing new kind of music theater, an online game, a kinetic art installation and a series of films - accessible via the bird1000.com website.
Read more ... Tigran Hamasyan
Hoba Hoba Spirit
HOBA HOBA SPIRIT
Released 15 September 2023
Haya Music Division
*****
"The Bird of a Thousand Voices is an astonishing project, and as I listened and wrote, I weighed up the various superlatives. No other term sufficed. And, to describe it as a concept or a themed album would woefully undervalue it too. The depth and breadth of Tigran Hamasyan’s project is breathtaking and evaluating it requires fulsome engagement. I am not implying that it is unapproachable as there are delightful melodies as light as air, and exotic rhythms to engage, but underlying every note are other worlds, endlessly unfolding - worlds that beg exploration." jazzlocal32.com
Hoba Hoba Spirit is a musical fusion band based in Casablanca, Morocco that was formed in 1998.
It is composed of Adil Hanine (drummer), Anouar Zehouani (guitarist), Saâd Bouidi (Bass guitar), Reda Allali - (vocalist and guitarist) and Othmane Hmimar (percussionist). The name of the group is based on a song by Bob Marley.
Hoba Hoba Spirit's musical style mixes Rock, Reggae and Gnawa. They refer to their music as "Hayha". Their lyrics are mostly in Darija (Moroccan dialect), French and sometimes English. Recurring themes in their songs are the disorientation and confusion of young Moroccans.
Since 2003, the band has emerged as one of the most popular rock acts in Morocco, frequently playing the country's major festivals, such as the Mawazine Festival in Rabat, L'Boulevard Tremplin in Casablanca, Timitar Festival in Agadir, and the Gnaoua and World Music Festival in Essaouira.
Read more ... Wikipedia, Hoba Hoba Spirit
Izda Mimoun
JUBANTOUJA
Released 30 April 2023
JIT Records
****-
Jabantouja's music is an engaging fusion of the Moroccan Amazigh musical tradition with western Folk and Indie songwriting.
Founded in 2016 in the High Atlas Mountains, Jubantouja is a Moroccan alternative/indie rock band that mixes the traditional and the modern to present an original style of music, portrayed in their Amazigh tunes and inspired by the landscapes and rich culture of their villages.
With its fascinating varieties, Amazigh (Berber) music is widespread across North Africa and is a very important musical tradition in Morocco. Each variation has unique rhythms and styles. Four-person groups sing with the beat, led by an “amdyaz,” or poet. Amazigh musicians have kept the tradition alive by singing from one village to another, either on special occasions such as weddings or for social events.
Characterized by its use of folk, Amazigh music is also a type of poetry and storytelling. It often addresses social issues the Amazigh faced in their struggle to achieve basic language rights and identity recognition in North Africa.
Read more ... Morocco World News
.jpg)
Lazcar Volcano (EP)
LAZCAR VOLCANO
Released 19 May 2023
Show da Prod
****-
They don't give much away, but their Facebook shows they're active touring outfit. Their approach is free and easy and they draw on all sources to entertain. You heard of Free Jazz? These dudes seem determined to set Jazz free.
Enigmatic Parisian 8-piece Lazcar Volcano (named for an active volcano in Chile) shares only the following via Bandcamp: "Born from the sulphurous union between Mother Earth and a penniless minstrel, Lazcar Volcano landed on the front of the stage, propelled by an explosive eruption. In his body, you will find sand from the beaches of Rio de Janeiro, asphalt from the cities of 93, clay from Lagos, Caribbean pebbles, marshy quagmire from Louisiana or even a coral pearl from Reunion Island".
They're a quirky brass band comprising trumpet, trombone, alto sax, baritone sax. sousaphone, guitar(s), drums and percussion that draws on influences of all kinds from Funk, Ska, Afro Beat to Hip Hop, Rap and Free Jazz. Sometimes we detect the second line of New Orleans, or Samba and Miles. If it's Jazz - they're full of it!
Read more ... Bandcamp
Eternally Mine (EP)
SOUND OF MINT
Released 1 July 2020
Alt Orient
****-
A subtle marriage of electronic music with atypical acoustic & analog instruments. Colorful and richly orchestrated electro-ethnic performances with surprising and bewitching improvisations.
Sound of Mint is a collaboration between DJ/Producer Fadel (Get Physical Music, Toolroom Records, Griffintown Records) and master percussionist / film music composer Joel Pelligrini, a veteran of more than 22 albums recorded in his eventful 35-year musical career.
With North African and Sub-Saharan inspirations, ‘’Sound of Mint’’ is a unique moment of pure emotions often leaving their audiences in a state of trance. It is an invitation to dance, to dance with that same feeling a perfectly spiced Moroccan warm mint tea procures.
And check out Sound of Mint's AI-generated videos for their songs Morocco's Togetherness, Temen and Kolowa (Remix) - they're truly stunning!
Read more ... Beatport
My Shibuya Rave
DAOX
Released 10 January 2022
DAOX Music****-
Abdeslam Alaoui, known as Daox, from Casablanca, Morocco, blends techno and house music in his unique style. With expertise in crowd engagement, he's a favorite at events, infusing high energy and love for music into every performance.
Daox, a pioneering DJ and producer from Casablanca, has solidified his status as one of the leader in the North African underground electronic scene. His signature sound blends deep, atmospheric techno with heavy influences from the legendary Chicago and Detroit schools, crafting sets that are both hypnotic and emotionally charged. As the co-founder and artistic director of the renowned MOGA Festival in Essaouira & Caparica, Daox masterfully merges global underground sounds with Moroccan culture, creating a unique festival experience that draws international attention.
His musical journey has taken him far beyond Morocco, with standout performances at some of the world’s most exciting venues and festivals. Daox has played at cutting-edge spots like Club der Visionaere in Berlin, Ministerium in Lisbon, Jaeger in Oslo, Savage in Hanoi, Rex Club in Paris… where his genre-bending sets leave lasting impressions on global audiences. His ever-expanding international presence includes an impressive tour across Asia, marking a new chapter in his career.
With his passion for pushing musical boundaries and curating unique sonic experiences, Daox continues to be a key figure in the global house & techno scene. His ability to connect diverse audiences through deep, rhythmic narratives in his performances, combined with his role in shaping festivals like MOGA, makes him a vital force in electronic music today.
Read more ... Resident Advisor
My Blue Soul
TERRIE ODABI
Released 12 April 2016
Terrie Odabi
****-
This is an excellent sophomore effort from Terrie Odabi, and it is a testament to what this woman means for the future of blues. This disc is full of poignant songs that are recorded well and appeal to both traditional and modern blues audiences, making it one of the best releases of 2016
With its rich cultural history of jazz, rock, and the blues, the San Francisco Bay area launched many artists’ careers and has been a source of so much fantastic music over the years. None other than the late Etta James got her start in the Bay Area, and Oakland’s Terrie Odabi is doing a marvelous job of following in her footsteps. Terrie’s vocal skill and passion translate well to the studio, and her sophomore album, My Blue Soul, has everything going for it.
Terrie worked in the music business for years before releasing her 2014 debut album, Evolution of the Blues. Based on the pure awesomeness of this disc and her amazing performance ability, Odabi earned the right to be the Bay Area representative at International Blues Competition for 2014 and 2015, and both times she made it to the semi-finals. This lady is the real deal, and has earned all of the respect she gets.
Read more ... Blues Blast Magazine
Captain Rugged
KEZIAH JONES
Released 18 November 2013
Keziah Jones / Because Music
****-
“I’m telling the epic story of refugees, immigration and exile. I wanted to portray these personalities as particularly rugged and robust: they’re survivors, African superheroes,” declared Jones himself.
Funk is a blend of jazz, blues, gospel, rock’n’roll, soul and reggae. All these elements are there in guitarist Keziah Jones’ music. Born in Nigeria, he has lived in England since he was 8 – his father, a prominent businessman, wanted him to have an academic career; he went on to be a busker and then an acclaimed musician.
This concept album based on the superhero from which it takes its title, Captain Rugged, is consecrated to contemporary Africa and its contradictions and demystifies western misconceptions from a unique point of view, that of a person who knows both worlds.
Read more ... Renowned for Sound
PHENOMENA
URBAN FOLKLORE
Released 17 September 2023
Khalil Bensouda Koraichi
****-
From the enchanting coastal city of Essaouira in southern Morocco, a cultural and musical crossroad (and home to the annual Gnaoua Festival), Urban Folklore is a true fusion project of where traditional and progressive forms meet and resolve.
Urban Folklore is a project of Essaouira, Morocco musician Khalil Bensouda. Born in 1990, Khalil started music on a whim when he saw his high school friends forming a rock band and struggling to find a bass player; he received his first bass guitar for his 16th birthday and a passion followed that continues to this day.
Finally, (after many years touring in support of many notable Moroccan and international band leaders and musicians) he co-founded the group "Urban Folklore" in 2019; an Ethnic Jazz group that began by playing Jazz standards mixed with different sounds from several world folklores.
This project developed during the 2020 pandemic to turn towards original compositions at the crossroads between different urban music (Jazz / Rock / Hip Hop) and different folk music (Maghreb / Africa / Latin America). They recorded two Live sessions together in 2021: Replug and Visa for Music.
Read more ... Khalil Bensouda
Crooning Undercover
MARIO BIONDI
Released 29 September 2023
Beyond Srl
****-
Tangier's cultural ties with Italy run deep and reminders of the history are impossible to ignore in the city. Indeed. the heart of the Tanjazz Festival is located in the Italian Palace - and of course, Casa Italia restaurant! So it's no surprise to find an Italian crooner on the bill, alongside the gnawa, Spanish and international jazz acts.
Italian crooner Mario Biondi is well revered amongst those in the know and for his new album, for the first time, he fully embraces the style that inspired his career. He does so by serving up a mix of great covers and plenty of superb unreleased songs that are embellished with help from plenty of friends and peers from both the Italian and international jazz scenes including Paolo Fresu, Stefano Di Battista, Rosario Giuliani, Francesco Cafiso. It was all recorded in Palermo with local players and the whole thing has a noir edge but warm vibe that plays out coherently from front to back despite the range of sounds touched upon.
Read more ... Juno
Brothers
JAMES ANDREWS, TROMBONE SHORTY
Released 30 August 2019
James Andrews
****-
James Andrews epitomises the New Orleans jazz: born into a musical family in the Treme, the older brother of "Trombone Shorty" and himself nicknamed "The Satchmo of the Ghetto".
New Orleans' James Andrews (born January 1969) is from a musical family; grandson of Jesse Hill (R&B and Louisiana blues singer/songwriter, best remembered for the classic song "Ooh Poo Pah Doo"), older brother of Troy Andrews (better known by his stage name of "Trombone Shorty").
A trumpeter and vocalist, Andrews has the nickname "Satchmo of the Ghetto". Raised in the Tremé neighborhood, Andrews played in a number of brass bands, including the Treme Brass Band, Junior Olympia Brass Band and the New Birth Brass Band] before launching his own band, James Andrews and the Crescent City Allstars. He also played with the multi-instrumentalist Danny Barker. In 1998, he released the album Satchmo of the Ghetto, which was produced by Allen Toussaint and featured Dr. John on all eleven tracks.
Read more ... Wikipedia
Make Up Your Mind
WAX & BOOGIE
Released 21 May 2021
David Giorcelli Perez
****-
Eleven songs give shape to the album, four own compositions, three belonging to Drew Davis and the rest are covers that Wax & Boogie take them as their own, giving enough personality, quality and energy to savor them over and over again.
When a band knows what they want to do, follow the way they have decided to do without changing their minds and, besides, all musicians have enough quality to catch wide audiences, success is certainly guaranteed.
This is the case of Wax & Boogie, a Barcelona coming band which for years have bet on the music they most love, like rhythm & blues, boogie and blues, always getting the support of fans. They have already become experienced musicians in these styles, and are booked in countless festivals in Spain, as well as internationally, getting a legion of devoted followers.
Ster Wax's expressive and powerful voice leads the band. By her side David Giorcelli’s keys display the tone and passion necessaries to immediately connect with the audience and become the perfect counterpoint for enhancing Ster’s voice and stage presence. A well-oiled rhythm section, an experienced sax player Drew Davis on tenor and baritone sax and various other collaborators round out the sound.
Read more ... LHDB
Back To Basics
NIREK MOKAR, SAX GORDON BEADLE
Released 21 August 2013
Editions Black and Blue
****-
With this album Nirek, as a pianist and now as a composer, asserts his beautiful place in the boogie-woogie world.
Another step in the very young but already long career of boogie-woogie pianist Nirek Mokar. For his fifth album, he offers us only his original compositions. Just like for the "Live in Soustons" and on most of his concerts, he surrounded himself with his Boogie Messengers , Stan Noubard Pacha , great blues guitarist, Claude Braud sparkling swing saxophonist, Nicolas Dubouchet always spectacular on double bass and Guillaume Nouaux incredible all -field drummer. But this time he invited the American tenor saxophonist Sax Gordon , one of the references of the blues, in the great tradition of screaming saxophonists. It promises great jousts with Claude Braud and indeed, they are coming quickly.
Those who have already seen Nirek Mokar in concert know that you don't stay still for long, the boogie-woogie he offers is dynamite, his piano playing is the detonator and I wonder if this album is not even more loaded with powder or TNT brought by Sax Gordon! I am trying to write this review while dancing, it is not very reasonable ...
... I'll leave you, I'm going back to dancing.
Read more ... Action Jazz
Something's Cookin'
SUGARPIE AND THE CANDYMEN
Released 18 November 2022
Irma La Douce / Irma Records
****-
Formed as a jazz covers band with a taste for the retro, the band has discovered a latent songwriting strength in the team of Delfini and Podesta who contribute to the bulk of this set, which is rounded out by covers Lenny Kravitz, John Fogerty, Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Jagger/Richards and Morisette/Ballard
Sugarpie & the Candymen began in 2008, when five musicians from Piacenza and Cremona – small towns in Northern Italy – decided to share their passion for swing, manouche jazz, blues, soul, pop, and vocal close harmonies. A band was born, with the challenge to marry all these musical styles.
In one night you might hear (surprisingly one next to the other) Led Zeppelin, Django Reinhardt, The Beatles, Bessie Smith, Van Halen, Benny Goodman, Guns & Roses, Gene Krupa, Queen or Peggy Lee!!
And the late-late night set might even be topped off with some Blues and R&B classics. The show is most complete!
From 2008 to early 2016 band was led by female vocalist "Sugar Pie" Georgia Ciavatta however the current Miss Sugarpie, is now Lara Ferrari and her Candymen are: Jacopo Delfini (gipsy guitar and harmonies), Renato Podestà (electric guitar, banjo and harmonies), Roberto Lupo (drums) and Jacopo Sgarzi (double bass).
The band's online profile is dominated by their covers-oriented repertoire, however the band's original songs are more than worthy of headline attention.
Read more ... The Candymen