2008-02-16
First and foremost, Matt Savage is something of a child prodigy. I think he’s 15 or so and this is his eighth album of jazz compositions! He’s been on Marian McPartland’s “Piano Jazz,” which gives him street cred in and of itself. The liner notes and press release on this one reads like a resume, with appearances on Late Night with Conan O’Brien among others. Most of the songs, including the salsa-flared “Muy Caliente,” are Savage compositions. He even takes on the giants with Miles Davis’ “Seven Steps to Heaven.” Recorded live at Tufts University’s Distler Performance Hall in Boston, this is a polished set of work. That being said, that’s just what this recording is – polished. To me, it was very “recital.” A talented musician, no doubt, but this is very thin on substance. - Daniel J. GraeberPAUL MOTIAN BAND
Garden of Eden
Brandi Disterheft
Blue Canvas
Lou Caputo Not So Big Band
Uh Oh!
Shirley Horn
Live At The 4 Queens
ELISABETH KONTOMANOU
Back to My Groove
Steppin’ In It with Rachael Davis
Shout Sister Shout
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