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. GraeberJay Geils, Duke Robillard and Gerry Beaudoin
New Guitar Summit
CHICK COREA & GARY BURTON
The New Crystal Silence
Mike Longo And The New York State Of The Art Jazz Ensemble
Live From New York
ELISABETH KONTOMANOU
Back to My Groove
Mark Isbell
Encontro
Kate McGarry
The Target
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