Blogcritics The critical lens on today's culture & entertainment
Following in the footsteps of an icon like Wes Montgomery, is a daunting prospect; Charlie Ballantine has bravely taken the first of those footsteps.
Read More »Jazz
Music Reviews: Brazilian Jazz from Antonio Adolfo and Carol Saboya
For fans of top-flight Brazilian-oriented jazz, any time Adolfo is recording, that is a very good thing.
Read More »Music Review: Fanfare Ciocarlia – ‘Onwards to Mars’
Fanfare Ciocarlia's 'Onwards to Mars' continues to break all stereotypes you might have about a brass band.
Read More »Music Reviews: Jim Cullum’s ‘Porgy and Bess Live’ and The Oatmeal Jazz Combo’s ‘Instant Oats’
One of the long-running Jim Cullum Jazz Band's great achievements is its jazz-band version of 'Porgy and Bess,' now available on a two-CD set, including narration by William Warfield, who played Porgy on stage many times.
Read More »Music Review: Darren English – ‘Imagine Nation’
If his debut is any indication, both as composer and performer, Darren English is a force to be reckoned with.
Read More »Music Review: Bill Evans – ‘Some Other Time: The Lost Session from the Black Forest’
'Some Other Time' is a welcome addition to the Bill Evans canon.
Read More »Music Review: Henry Robinett – ‘I Have Known Mountains’
Melody is the key to 'I Have Known Mountains.'
Read More »Music Reviews: Jazz Potpourri with Phyllis Blanford ‘Edgewalker,’ Tiffany Jackson ‘A Balm in Gilead,’ & Judy Philbin/Adam Levine ‘Keeping It Simple’
Three Jazz vocalists with distinctive styles.
Read More »Music Review: Sarah Vaughan – ‘Live at Rosy’s’
Jazz singing doesn’t come any better than Sarah Vaughan.
Read More »Film: In ‘Whiplash’ and ‘The Spectacular Now,’ Miles Teller Isn’t Missing a Beat
Actor Miles Teller nails both performances without missing a beat: bad boy Sutter who courts redemption in 'The Spectacular Now,' and the remoteness of the genius in 'Whiplash.'
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