O’s Notes: Sylvia Brooks Live is a warm set of ballads backed by musical director, pianist Christian Jacob and his band. The place is Herb Albert’s Vibrato Jazz Grill in Los Angeles. Sylvia’s soft vocals and rich tones are perfect for these blues-based ballads with very intriguing stories. Among the best are “Blues In the Night” – an instrumental, “The Red Pig Flew Up the Hill” with sweet horn harmonies, and “Tender Trap” with Jacobs dazzling solo. This is a fine showcase of the headliner’s songwriting and musical talents.
When Jazz Meets Classical: Musicians Who Bridge Two Timeless Traditions
Although the borders between jazz and classical music might look well defined, some of the greatest jazz musicians in history have played so freely, so defensively, as to create inspired work that exists somewhere in between. Indeed, the rich history of jazz that’s...
