The Whole Music Experience

Jazz   Project Them A Jazz Collective   Miles High Records When veteran jazz musicians get together and collaborate, the music that results is often invigorating and in-the-moment.   Project Them, a collective (and album title), including: Bob Franceschini (saxophone and flute), Mark Sherman (vibraphone), Mitchel Forman (piano and organ), Martin Gjakonovski (bass), Adam Nussbaum (drums) and Paolo Di Sabatino (piano), contains performances where you can feel the musicians admiring and honoring each other’s talents.   They aim for a big ensemble sound with strong melodies, and intriguing musical texture.   And a track such as, Close Enough for Love , leaves a romantic imprint with its sweet use of vibraphone, piano, and a laidback rhythm section. However, don’t think for a minute that we’re listening to “smooth jazz” here.   One listen to rousing opener, Submissive Dominants with high-end drums, driving bass and go-man-go saxophone, w...

Mark Sherman With Bill Cunliffe, John Chiodini, Charles Ruggiero The LA Sessions Miles High Records While I have reviewed instrumental recordings featuring an array of instruments Mark Sherman’s The LA Sessions is the first vibraphone album that has ended up in my mailbox. Vibraphones have wonderful resonance that warms up the heart chakra and the be bop jazz classics that appear on this recording certainly provide an uplifting groove.  Sherman’s quartet includes Bill Cunliffe on hammond organ, John Chiodini on guitar, and Charles Ruggiero on drums and this combo's be bop renovations turn heads and get feet tapping. This uptempo album features songs by Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, Bud Powell, Miles Davis, Milt Jackson, John Coltrane, Benny Golson, Burke Van Heusen, and one lone track by Sherman.  The album acts as an homage to the musicians who inspired Sherman during his formative years and when at 18 years of age he switched from drums to vibraphone t...