Album review: Tam O’Shanter Tales (James Greening & Greening from Ear to Ear)

Trombonist James Greening has always been one of our most joyful and joyous players. His very choice of instrument is joyful – the whinnying, hallelujah-ing of the trombone and the jovial flatulence of the sousaphone just bring a grin to your soul.

Testimony: A Tribute to Charlie Parker

Book review (includes CD): Testimony – A Tribute to Charlie Parker (review by John Shand)

‘…cued by Komunyakaa’s use of multiple voices, Evans assembled discrete bands for each piece, including no less than 11 different lead singers, plus Michael Edwards-Stevens reading some poems as spoken word with musical accompaniment.’

Leigh Carriage Mandarin Skyline cover

Album review by Chris McNulty: Mandarin Skyline – ‘an outstanding, creative accomplishment’

‘ …stunning debut from a vocalist-composer who I’m sure we’re going to hear a lot more from in the future. A wonderfully realized, collaborative effort by an outstanding ensemble headed by a gifted vocalist.’

CD Review: the remembering and forgetting of the air

The compositions, all originals by Zwartz, develop organically and effortlessly, belying the extensive work that has gone into their creation. The soloists tailor their contributions to the mood of each piece, adding to the feeling that the album is a suite of connected pieces. Meanwhile, Zwartz, Stuart, Hevia and McCall lay down a rock solid basis for proceedings.