Author Archives: parker

Jupiter & Okwess   –  BAM MetroTech  –  July 19, 2018 One more case of, if I knew the words they were singing I might have had an additional dimension of appreciation.  But what I got was plenty fine anyhow.  From the … Continue reading →

Ray Mantilla   –  Grant’s Tomb  –  July 18, 2018 Conga master Mantilla (from the Bronx) is of mixed Puerto Rican/Peruvian descent (he called it “Peruvo-Rican), so the set got divvied up accordingly, offering a full helping of diversity.  He’s been … Continue reading →

Helen Sung  –  The Chapel Resoration  –  July 15, 2018 It seems that Sung got around to jazz after a thorough classical piano training. Assimilation of the genre  is complete, with key composers (Ellington, Monk) represented, and all improvisational bases touched in … Continue reading →

Nicky Siano’s Hallelujah Disco/Melba Moore – Central Park Summerstage – June 24, 2018 I didn’t realize that this concert was linked up with Gay Pride Month, not that it mattered (à la Seinfeld).  But a lot of it was non-illustrate-able … Continue reading →

Elida Almeida   –  Rubenstein Atrium  –  June 21, 2018 Almeida and company are from the Cape Verde Islands, which is African more than anything else.  That I find certain similarities in the musics of various African diaspora islands of the … Continue reading →

Johnny Colon  –  Museo del Barrio  –  June 16, 2018 When you say “boogie-down Bronx” (as I hope you do), you are partially referencing the work of Colon, who was one of the originals of the breakout boogaloo craze of … Continue reading →

Brewster Music Festival  – Wells Park  –   June 9, 2018 What could be more convenient?  A festival right in my hometown, thanks to the Town of Southeast Cultural Arts Commission.  Only had time for a couple of hours of … Continue reading →

Marcia Ball  –  CHIRP, Ballard Park, Ridgefield  –  June 5, 2018 CHIRP just keeps getting better and better, quite an extensive lineup for this year, congratulations Ridgefield.   Blues belle Ball has got her red beans cookin’, I don’t know … Continue reading →

Victor Goines & Friends  –  Woodlawn Cemetery  –  June 3, 2018 Goines is an oft-seen element of the Jazz-at-Lincoln-Center/New Orleans pipeline, occasionally a group leader, as he was in this instance.  He’s got some cool friends indeed – top-shelf pianist … Continue reading →

Thornetta Davis  –  Rubenstein Atrium  –   May 10, 2018 Davis is Detroit’s Queen of the Blues, and there’s no mistaking that – I told her that she must have gone to Aretha-school.  Her band provides a full sound to … Continue reading →