Live albums are either superb or meh. Luckily, vocalist Catherine Russell sounds amazing, whether in a studio, jazz club or theatre setting. Live at Jazz at Lincoln Center exhibits the singer’s soulful vocals as well as wonderful backing support from the musicians joining her: guitarist Matt Munisteri, pianist Ben Paterson, bassist Russell Hall, drummer Domo Branch, trumpeter Jon-Erik Kellso, trombonist John Allred and Evan Arntzen on tenor sax and clarinet. Russell’s usual style is prevalent throughout the project. The mix of vintage New Orleans jazz, swing, rhythm and blues is always sure to delight a variety of listeners.
Whether it’s a slower melody or an upbeat, toe-tapping tune, the pieces are sung with emotion and sensitivity.
Tag Archive: Catherine Russell
Most think of the origins of the blues in terms of the Delta acoustic guitar style yet Afro-Romani cornetist, saxophonist, historian, and producer Colin Hancock is bent on disproving that notion. In fact, the original Black music of this country was not called ‘blues’. That later became a marketable term for music shaped by violinists, conservatory-trained pianists, and artists rooted in classical, Caribbean, and African American traditions. We all know that later this music, primarily horn-based, took on the term ‘jazz.’ Teaming with revered vocalist Catherine Russell, who is as knowledgeable about 1920s forms of music as anyone, they present Colin Hancock’s Jazz Hounds and the resulting album Cat & the Hounds.
Besides Russell and Hancock, the band includes…