CDs of Note - Short Takes

Taking a look at new CDs by Alyssa Allgood, Dave Anderson, Jane Bunnett & Maqueque, Frank Kimbrough, Oleg Kireyev & Keith Javors, and the U.S. Army Blues Swamp Romp ….

Whitney James excels with her tight jazz trio

Catching very fine live jazz is a great way to avoid Black Friday madness. 

Whitney James

St. Petersburg-based singer Whitney James delivered the goods on Friday, November 25 in her first visit to the Jazz Club of Sarasota's Jazz at Two matinee series at Unitarian Universalist Church in Sarasota.

Looking ahead: Southwest Florida jazz preview

The 2016-17 jazz concert season will continue through May, bolstered by the gradual arrival of the snowbirds. Here is a rundown of noteworthy jazz events, principally in the Sarasota to Naples territory, from now through January.

A stunning return by a crafty jazz band

Jim Roberts

You experience far more than great playing when pianist Jim Roberts brings his sextet to town. That was clear on Monday, November 14 when Orlando-based Roberts performed at the Charlotte County Jazz Society's concert series with his Saxtet.

Danny Jordan

The band features three reed players:  Danny Jordan, Rex Wertz and David MacKenzie - all doubling on sax and flute. They are backed by Roberts, bassist Charlie Silva and drummer Eddie Metz Jr. 

Opening Day for South County Jazz Club's 2016-17 season

Two days after baseball concluded its year with a historic Chicago Cubs win in the World Series, the South County Jazz Club featured trombonist Greg Nielsen's quartet for the opening of its 2016-17 concert season.

Greg Nielsen

Nielsen, a 30-years-plus music educator at Sarasota's Booker Middle School, is one of the most versatile musicians around. Trombone is his main instrument, but he also brought his flugelhorn and trumpet. Somehow he forgot the double-belled euphonium that he also plays on occasion.

His band for this event featured bassist Don Mopsick, drummer-vocalist David Pruyn and a pleasant surprise at the piano: Danny Sinoff. Eddie Tobin had been advertised for the gig, but somehow double-booked himself - and had a simultaneous gig of his own in Sarasota.