Immanuel Wilkins is a Saxophonist, Composer, Arranger, and Bandleader from the greater Philadelphia-area. Moving to New York in 2015 to earn his bachelor’s degree in Music at Juilliard, he soon established himself as an in-demand sideman. Wilkins spent time, touring in Japan, Europe, South America, The United Arab Emirates, and the United States and working and/or recording with artists like Jason Moran, the Count Basie Orchestra, Delfeayo Marsalis, Joel Ross, Aaron Parks, Gerald Clayton, Gretchen Parlato, Lalah Hathaway, Solange Knowles, Bob Dylan, and Wynton Marsalis. It was also during this same period that he formed his quartet featuring his [...]
Guitarist Bill Frisell has released a trio album titled Valentine. The Bill Frisell Trio is Frisell on guitar, Thomas Morgan on bass, and Rudy Royston on drums. Frisell is not only the leader but the chief composer on the date as he establishes the framework for the trio to meticulously explore thirteen selections. “When Thomas is playing with me, it’s like he’s time-traveling. His presence in what’s happening in the moment is so extreme that it’s like he knows what I’m going to play before I play it. There’s almost a physical sensation like he’s caressing my hands when I’m playing my instrument. He becomes a part of me,” Frisell says. In recording, [...]
Pianist Thor Polson has a long history of performing in the Twin Cities and has released two leader titles to date, the first album Northern Lights was met with critical praise, and his latest offering The Portal brings together many new friends in the Portland music scene and the best of his former home base in Minnesota. Though a jazz musician to the core, Polson moved to southern Oregon for a three-year course in classical piano with Dr. Alexander Tutunov at Southern Oregon University. The Portal is aptly titled as the collaboration spans two coasts. The album is dedicated to the late Charles Shelby, who was a notable figure in the Twin City music [...]
Guitarist Frank Kohl has released his fifth jazz offering The Crossing, in a succession of finely tuned jazz guitar offerings. This time around, Kohl focuses on an ensemble that features two guitars and a drumless ensemble sound, with Seattle heavyweight Steve LaSpina on bass, most notably recognized as a sideman for Stan Getz and Jim Hall. On guitar, Kohl is joined by guitarist John Stowell whose credits recording and or performing with Milt Jackson, Lionel Hampton, Art Farmer, Conte Condoli, Herb Ellis, Bill Watrous, Mundell Lowe, George Cables, Billy Higgins, Billy Hart, Richie Cole, Paul Horn, Tom Harrell, and Don Thompson.
The Crossing is [...]
