Eric Alexander © Andrea Canter

With 17 CD's out under his own name and appearing as sideman on countless others, Eric Alexander has made his mark on the jazz world and documented his progress as a tenor master. He has a rich tone and an aggressive, driving style that grabs the listeners attention and doesn't let go. One can hear the influence of Sonny Stitt, Jackie McLean and George Coleman in his playing. 

“I like to think of myself as an original. I have my own sound. That's not easy to come by, I worked on it for many years. But I like to think that I sound like Dewey Redman” –Dewey Redman 

Dewey Redman&cop;Andrea Canter

Dewey Redman once described himself as “survivor.” He survived criticism of the “free” music he played with Ornette Coleman in the late 60s, well before the jazz public was ready for the unusual harmonies of what was then known as “avant garde.” He survived prostate cancer (diagnosed in the late 90s), coming back to perform and record in the 21st century, playing into his 70s and outliving, outplaying many of his early cohorts. And he survived a fair amount of oversight, in his later years known more as the father of modern lion, Joshua Redman, despite his years as a singular artist with a very different style than his offspring. Dewey passed away on September 2, 2006, but his music and memory live on. The Artists Quarter, where Dewey last performed in 2004, will host its second tribute to the late saxophonist featuring some of his favorite Minnesota sidemen, on November 21-22. 

"The true test of a musician, or any artist for that matter, is he compels your attention. Jamal makes you sit forward because you want to hear what comes next" (Matt Schudel, Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel).

Ahmad Jamal photo by Frank Capri

--Cabaret Magazine 

Jacqi Naylor©Andrea Canter

Jacqui Naylor’s new release will either serve as a grand introduction to one of the most creative contemporary vocalists or a reaffirmation of her wide-ranging talent as inventive singer and songwriter. In assembling You Don’t Know Jacq for her Ruby Star label, the Bay area native complements her most requested tunes with never-released covers and new originals. On November 21st, she returns “home” for a night at San Francisco’s Herbst Theater, part of her current tour promoting YDKJ. And with the holidays approaching, her 2007 hit, Smashed for the Holidays, will undoubtedly provide some good cheer to audiences as well. 

Eddie Higgens©Andrea Canter

There were three generations of keyboard giants in town this past week (October 20-November 1), although only one has really stirred much press. And at 21, he is the youngest. 
 
When Eldar Djangirov was born in Kyrgyzstan (in the former Soviet Union) in 1987, Rick Germanson was a teen piano whiz in Milwaukee; Eddie Higgins had been playing piano for over 50 years (he started at age 4). Eldar took over the Dakota for one night on October 29th; Rick Germanson returned to favorite haunt, the Artist Quarter, for the weekend, while Eddie Higgins capped the week with one night at the Dakota on Saturday. If you worked out your schedule carefully and drove with a bit of gusto, it was possible to catch all three, even making multiple sets for Eldar and Rick. And among this threesome, you would have heard nearly all that one can imagine in modern jazz piano.