The "language'' of music is most beautifully expressed visa-vie the human voice in all it's wondrous capabilities, i.e. color, timbre, exression, et al. And, this sums up my reaction to the no-nonsense vocalise of one jazz singer extraordinaire Sophia Shorai. Sophia bares herself bravely with her version of the American Songbook with just piano accompinament.The result is in a word compelling and or striking!!

Whenever I write a review for jazz guitarist Royce Campbell & Co. the review seems to take off on it's own and ultimately write itself. Royce and his prowess plus his choice of sidemen practically insure an animated & compelling CD project, bar none!! Royce and group always seem to give us their listeners, music that only be described as both heroic and of the most approachable kind.

Ah yes......Once again, worldly jazz played with panache by 'local' (Florida based) musical savants.  I've had the pleasure to enjoy Jamie Ousley's upright bass prowess, (having sat in with him on the Fla's east coast), and, I must also pay kudos to one of Florida's state treasures, one Ira Sullivan, multi-instrumentalist extraordinaire. With this new project, Jamie exhibits his bent towards discernment in this his subjective approach to jazz.  He and the group handle each song with an examination towards detail and development to both viable

Jazz vibist Ted Piltzecker has by default succeeded in conjuring up a palatable and compelling CD Project if just by his choice of sidemen and the specific jazz standards contained therein. ''Nica's Dream'' stands out as one of the group's successgful treatments that will stir your sensibilities. The group luxuriates and grooves with excitement, charm, and lyricism as they bring this particular take to fruition. The combined group plays with a certain emphatic cadence

Let me state forthwith that jazz pianist Ellen Rowe exemplifies the essence of elegance in her playing style and delivery. Plus, she certainly knows who to hire for sidemen to bring a viable CD project full circle!! Therefore, kudos go to her choice of Ingrid Jensen who brings new meaning to musical taste & expression in her flugel horn offerings within the combined group. The project contains many moments of lyricism and drama with wisps of nostalgic mood and character.  

One simply can't help but reconcile with the panoply of both talent and artistry when you listen to jazz trombonist Curtis Fuller's take of the jazz ballad ''I Will Tell Her''... So moving!!  So Poignant!! This CD project just oozes with anything that one might associate with the jazz idiom, and Fuller's sidemen exemplify this! I'm not familiar with jazz pianist's Chip Stephens, but I must attest to the control he exhibits with his choices of strong jazz harmony as well as viable melodic motifs expressed within the project.

Talk about those savant style players who can reinvent the invention...That potential possibility was never in better hands than in the capable musicianship of Jeff Berlin-bass, Richard Drexler-piano, and Danny Gottlieb-drums. Jeff and his group have taken the American Songbook to as his CD cover fascia states to ''high standards.''  Statements like prodigious, amazing, astounding, stunning, etc don't even come close to the musical power contained in their combined impovising and player prowess.

''I Have Come To Play!! I have come to instruct you in the art of the horn line and the wondrous vagaries of mainstream jazz. '' And so, Dave Glasser with his superb group & alto sax talent(s) literally baptize us in the waters of spirited, albeit intellectual jazz. His take on the jazz classic ''It Could Happen To You''... you gotta' hear... with its anticipations and deceptive cadences. This guy's a revolution in itself!! Dave delivers his music with an admirable continuity of melody and jazz harmony along with a certain spontaneous 'ease of delivery.'

What a fine breath of fresh jazz air from six highly talented jazzers. John Fedchock has combined both artistic prowess and imaginative musical ideas in his choice of the players he's chosen for his new CD project to deliver his original palate of newly penned music. John's model for a freely developed & imaginative sojourn of new material is manifest in his finely honed spate of contemporary musical orig's. He expands his musical ideas in all aspects of his musical model including interesting textural