Apr 2, 2024 12:59 PM
Saxophonist, Sonic Explorer Casey Benjamin Dies at 45
Casey Benjamin, the alto saxophonist, vocalist, keyboardist and producer who stamped his distinctive sounds on the…
The 1989 classic The Healer served as a true comeback for John Lee Hooker.
(Photo: Jazz Detective)Around this time of year, it’s sometimes just hard to stop! So, here are a few more great titles to check out!
Ahmad Jamal
Emerald City Nights: Live At The Penthouse (1963–1964) and (1965–1966) (Deep Digs/Jazz Detective)
Just in time for Record Store Day’s Black Friday extravaganza, producer Zev Feldman launches his new imprint, Jazz Detective, with two volumes of previously unreleased live music by the great pianist Ahmad Jamal. Each volume delivers two LPs of music from the famed Seattle-based nightclub. The packages come on 180-gram vinyl transferred from the original tapes and mastered by Bernie Grundman. deepdigsmusic.com
John Lee Hooker
The Healer (Craft)
This 1989 classic served as a true comeback for the legendary bluesman. With a little help from friends like Bonnie Raitt, Carlos Santana, George Thorogood, Charlie Musselwhite and others, the record went on to win accolades, awards and listeners, bringing a new generation of fans to Hooker’s music. craftrecordings.com
Jazz Re:freshed x British Underground
Outer National, Live From Studio Two, Abbey Road Studios
Here we have a live recording featuring U.K.’s rising jazz stars performing in the winter of 2021 during COVID lockdown. Tuba player Theon Cross leads this cast of artists that includes DoomCannon, Camilla George, Richard Spaven, Noya Rao, Daniel Casimir and Tess Hirst. britishunderground.net
Tom Skinner
Voices Of Bishara (Brownswood/Nonesuch)
Another voice from the London scene, drummer, composer, producer and bandleader Tom Skinner serves up a deep groove on Voices, which features cello, bass and two saxophones. It’s a hip and hypnotic blend of East meets West. nonesuch.com
RA Washington/JahNada
In Search For Our Father’s Gardens
This auspicious debut features RA Washington on piano, drum machines and vocals, and Jah Nada on bass, drums and synths. It’s a two-LP set with a 14-piece cast. Cool that sides B and C were designed to be played separately … or together. DB
Check out all of DownBeat’s Holiday Gift Guide here!
Benjamin possessed a fluid, round sound on the alto saxophone, and he was often most recognizable by the layers of electronic effects that he put onto the instrument.
Apr 2, 2024 12:59 PM
Casey Benjamin, the alto saxophonist, vocalist, keyboardist and producer who stamped his distinctive sounds on the…
“He’s constructing intelligent musical sentences that connect seamlessly, which is the most important part of linear playing,” Charles McPherson said of alto saxophonist Sonny Red.
Feb 27, 2024 1:40 PM
“I might not have felt this way 30 to 40 years ago, but I’ve reached a point where I can hear value in what people…
Albert “Tootie” Heath (1935–2024) followed in the tradition of drummer Kenny Clarke, his idol.
Apr 5, 2024 10:28 AM
Albert “Tootie” Heath, a drummer of impeccable taste and time who was the youngest of three jazz-legend brothers…
“Both of us are quite grounded in the craft, the tradition and the harmonic sense,” Rosenwinkel said of his experience playing with Allen. “Yet I felt we shared something mystical as well.”
Mar 12, 2024 11:42 AM
“There are a few musicians you hear where, as somebody once said, the molecules in the room change. Geri was one of…
Henry Threadgill performs with Zooid at Big Ears in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Apr 9, 2024 11:30 AM
Big Ears, the annual four-day music celebration that first took place in 2009 in Knoxville, Tennessee, could well be…
