CD Reviews

CD Reviews

Phil Ravita’s New Album Oriana Evokes Sights and Sounds of Daybreak in the City

Oriana, released March 25, 2023 by Phil Ravita Jazz, is Ravita’s second album as a leader, following the highly praised 2021 album Jagged Spaces. In addition to bassist and leader Ravita, this quartet consists of Greg Small, piano; Nucleo Vega, drums; Benny Russell, saxophone; and Mark Leppo, vibe, conga; with vocalist Deidre Jennings. | Read more>> Read More
CD Reviews

Alan Blackman’s New Album, Sacred Spaces, Reflects the Beauty of Nature.

Alan Blackman and I met for the first time on a sunny morning in January at Ceremony Coffee in Mount Vernon, Baltimore. He arrived wearing a tweed cap, blue sweater, jeans, and brown shoes, giving off a somewhat cerebral vibe. We greeted one another, shook hands, and then sat down for our interview about his latest album, Sacred Spaces. | Read more>> Read More
CD Reviews

Erin Connelly: Fruitful

Erin Connelly’s debut album Fruitful is a beautiful snapshot of four talented artists caught in the moment of creation. Recorded live at Peabody Conservatory’s Joe Byrd Hall, the album features Derrick Michaels on saxophones, Tony Martucci on drums, and Zach Swanson on upright bass, and consists of just three tracks, each a fully improvised work with its own colors and textures. | Read more>> Read More
CD Reviews

In the Valley: Todd Marcus’ New Album

Todd Marcus is a widely acclaimed Egyptian-American musician, composer, and arranger, raised in New Jersey but long based in Baltimore, Maryland. As a composer and arranger, he says he is self-taught. But as a self-taught musician myself, I know that he has music in his blood—and this, along with his early musical training, is credential enough for his amazing composing and arranging skills. | Read more>> Read More
CD Reviews

Seth Kibel’s Newest Album Clarinetflix & Chill

Woodwinds extraordinaire Seth Kibel has received much praise for his stellar performances throughout the years, eventually becoming a highly sought-after performer all around the Mid-Atlantic region. He has recently released his fifth album Clarinetflix & Chill where five tracks straddle a variety of musical styles, offering much delight to the listener. | Read more>> Read More