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Jazz review

7 stories

Five people sit smiling along a concrete loading dock ledge with yellow edging, in front of a white garage door and a brick

MusicAlbum Review: Big Brooklyn – Everyone EverywhereDenver based Big Brooklyn begs the question “what is jazz?” with their new album Everyone Everywhere, in which every track dips a toe into different sub-genres underneath the jazz umbrella.Valerie Vampola · Mar 9, 2022

Woman with dark shoulder-length hair and red sunglasses sits on a stone step before a yellow door with teal trim.

MusicAlbum Review: Julie Koenig – Renaissance WomanJulie Koenig’s debut album explores what it means to be a woman – both the strengths and vulnerabilities – through the singer-songwriter genre and jazz. Unapologetic about her features and her attitude, Koenig uses them to draw strength and elicit feminist ideals, employing a fierce set of original lyrics on being rambunctious.Valerie Vampola · Aug 5, 2021

Boundless Septet poses outdoors before a stone wall and blue sky, seven members in casual dark and denim clothes.

MusicAlbum Review: Boundless Septet – BoundlessBoundless, the debut record by the jazz septet of the same names sounds like many other modern jazz projects to come out in the past few years. But that isn’t a bad thing. Rather, it’s an accomplishment for three young composers Zach Rich, Matteo Sabattini and Joey LeClerc (as well as Daniel Thompson, who pennedValerie Vampola · Nov 26, 2019

A man in a dark suit and open-collared shirt plays a gold saxophone against a black background.

ReviewsAlbum Review: Kenyon Brenner – The Long and Short of ItColorado-based Jazz saxophonist Kenyon Brenner steps into the spotlight on his first solo album The Long and Short of It.Valerie Vampola · Nov 5, 2019

Black and white portrait of a man with slicked-back hair, dark-rimmed glasses, and a houndstooth scarf on white.

MusicAlbum Review: David Baker – Minus PianoDavid Baker’s new jazz album “Minus Piano” is just that. A trio without a piano, or any chordal instrument. Ironically, Baker chose to feature songs written by famous pianists. Without the density of a chordal instrument, the arrangements allow space, demonstrating that bells and whistles can drown-out the tune itself. Baker plays Jay’s Bistro in Fort Collins August 23 & 24, and at Tower 56 in Greeley on August 29.Valerie Vampola · Aug 19, 2019

Photo for “Album Review: Julian Cary – heaven?indeed”

MusicAlbum Review: Julian Cary – heaven?indeedJulian Cary is a jazz artist, but he doesn’t allow the idea of what jazz should be interfere with his expression: On “heaven?indeed” he neglects traditional song form, adapting the music to fit the form of E.E. Cummings’ poems. The record retains a subtle honesty wrapped in moments of dynamic, tonal beauty.Valerie Vampola · Apr 8, 2019

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ReviewsAlbum Review: Jenna McLean – Brighter DayJenna McLean abandons the path of the lounge songstress, instead programming “Brighter Day” like a horn player. As winner of Downbeat’s 2018 Outstanding Vocal Jazz Soloist award in the graduate category, McLean has truly refined her craft.Valerie Vampola · Feb 15, 2019