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. GraeberFO/MO/DEEP
Eclecticism
DON BRADEN & KARL LATHAM
Big Fun(k) Live
Various Blue Note Artists
Somethin’ New
PAUL RENZ QUINTET
Rebop
CHARLIE HUNTER
GENTLEMEN I NEGLECTED TO INFORM YOU YOU WILL NOT BE GETTING PAID
Brandi Disterheft
Blue Canvas
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