Dave Townsed

This set works very well. Dave Grusin and his younger brother Don Grusin use a variety of keyboards to create a series of colorful duets. Other than Dori Caymmi's "Southern Wind," all of the fairly spontaneous yet well-planned performances are originals by one or both of the brothers. Even listeners who are not that much into electronics will find much of interest on this melodic and funky, yet often unpredictable set.

Dave Stewart's second album with the Spiritual Cowboys expanded the musical ideas of their debut, although it was slightly less focused and pop-oriented than its predecessor. Dave Stewart and The Spiritual Cowboys was an English band, formed in 1990 after frontman David A. Stewart's departure from Eurythmics. Chris Bostock from JoBoxers, Jonathan Perkins, Olle Romo and Nan Vernon were later joined by Martin Chambers from The Pretenders and John Turnbull from Ian Dury and The Blockheads. They made two albums: the self titled Dave Stewart and the Spiritual Cowboys and Honest. Their live stage act is characterized by spiritual icons and a unique double drum kit played by two drummers.

There is no denying that Dave Brubeck's hit sides for Columbia permanently established him in the popular jazz consciousness, but that's also a limiting factor: he cut great music before and after his tenure there. The Definitive Dave Brubeck, a double-disc, 26-track collection issued just in time to celebrate the pianist's 90th birthday and to coincide with the documentary film Dave Brubeck: In His Own Sweet Time (whose executive producer is Clint Eastwood), fills in key points in the rest of the story. This compilation was assembled by Russell Gloyd, Brubeck's manager, producer, and conductor since 1976…

Avid Jazz continues with its Four Classic album series with a re-mastered 2CD release by Dave Pike, complete with original artwork and liner notes. “It’s Time For Dave Pike”; “Pike’s Peak”; “Bossa Nova Carnival” and “Limbo Carnival”.
Perhaps not the first name that springs to mind when we think of jazz vibes players, nonetheless our latest (unsung) jazz hero, Dave Pike had an amazing career starting with his debut performance in 1958 with the Paul Bley Quartet. Our first two releases find Dave in a more traditional vibes mode, but take a look at the pianist on Pike’s Peak and it will indicate how well he was thought of back then, none other than the legendary Bill Evans joins Dave at his “steamtable” for a fine set of almost “jamming session” intensity…

Avid Jazz here presents four classic Dave Pell albums including original LP liner notes on a finely re-mastered double CD.
The subject may be “Jazz and Romantic Places” and the locations may range from Paris to Rio but the jazz is strictly West Coast and Cool! Dave Pell on tenor sax is joined by the cream of jazz players from the Les Brown band with whom Pell had played for many years. The band having found time between their lucrative “day job” on the Bob Hope TV show to join their old band mate for the trip! For “Jazz Goes Dancing” Dave Pell writes in the original sleeve notes that for this project he was determined to create a jazz album to dance to, just like in the old dance band days…

Saxophonist Dave Liebman and pianist Richie Beirach present a 5CD box set: a true masterpiece. In duo, in individual performances on their instrument as well as in trio with world-class drummer Jack DeJohnette, the two protagonists captivate with fabulous improvisations. Empathy, as the album title suggests, is a harmonious balance of expansiveness and complexity, a series of sound worlds filled with clearly defined details, intimate moments of lightness and depth, surprises and sideshows, and plenty of space.

The all-star cast of Dave Liebman alongside Dave Holland, Jack DeJohnette and Kenny Werner present the album 'Fire' recorded in 2016. Without any doubt, this is an absolute all-star cast: The exceptional saxophonist Dave Liebman, together with percussionist Jack DeJohnette, bassist Dave Holland, and pianist Kenny Werner. All four of them have been involved in shaping modern jazz during the '70s, '80s and continue doing so until today. Now the four friends have come together for a recording session at the Avatar Studios in New York. The result is a unique and innovative album with a lot of power and joy of playing. A late masterpiece!

This unusual compilation from the Kool Jazz at Midem Festival combines parts of three separate sets. The Dave Brubeck Quartet with clarinetist Bill Smith, bassist Chris Brubeck and drummer Randy Jones, has the most interesting program, utilizing an electronic delay along with Smith's clarinet to add a new touch to "Lover Man," offering an energetic version of "Blue Rondo a la Turk" and introducing a recent work by Brubeck, the very swinging "Ol' Bill Basie" which showcases some fine playing by the leader and some choice bass trombone by son Chris. Guitarist Pat Metheny joins the Heath Brothers for "Move To The Groove; " Metheny's bluesy guitar and Jimmy Heath's soulful tenor sax work well together. B. B. King's set is at best average and an odd choice to include on what is predominantly a jazz record.