The Messenger is a project that reflects not only the guitarist’s virtuosity on his instrument, but also his impressive compositional skills—writing all but two tracks. Best described simply as a “Kevin Eubanks” recording—without specific categorization—as his intent with The Messenger is to communicate the breadth of his artistic influences.
This two-CD tribute to Art Blakey, recorded live over two nights in 2018 at the Side Door Jazz Club in Old Lyme, Connecticut, does justice to its honoree’s high standards. Ralph Peterson, the last drummer to perform side-by-side with his mentor, united five alums of Blakey’s Jazz Messengers: tenor saxophonist Billy Pierce, alto saxophonist Bobby…
With her new album, Hélène Grimaud takes us to Salzburg, where she fascinatingly juxtaposes W. A. Mozart and the Ukrainian composer Valentin Silvestrov (b. 1937). Following on from her successful DG debut album "Credo", this innovative combination is typical of her approach and signals another new beginning.