GEORGE'S BRIEFS

Chad LB; The Shadow Of Your Smile

Tenor saxophonist Chad LB displays highest level energy on material ranging from Eric Clapton to Jimmy Van Heusen to Johnny Mandel to someone named JS Bach! Wow, talk about something for everyone! LB is tender and perfect on “Shadow” and nicely upbeat on “It Could Happen To You”. He also gets into screech and scream mode on other selections and is over the top for these ears.

Self produced; 2025; appx. 52 min.

Jung Stratmann; Confluence

This very cohesive quartet of piano, bass, drums, and guitar gives us five original compositions with every emotion ranging from jazz to some classical orientation, and even a new age thought. Very nice for a hot cup of tea on a rainy winter night.

Self produced; 2025; appx. 29 min.

Todd Zimberg; Not A Tango

This trio session is under the leadership of drummer Todd Zimberg and features the spicy and fresh presence of Michael Gotz on piano and Perry Thoorsell on bass. “Birk's Works” and “Beautiful Love” are the two familiar choices but the trio also provides several well served and spirited originals. Nothing earth changing here but certainly to these ears, this is in the realm of straight ahead piano trio tradition.

Spring Beach Music; 2025; times not indicated

David Sneider; Introducing David Sneider

David Sneider shows us a hard swinging trumpet style perhaps out of the Freddie Hubbard bag. On this session of five originals and standards “Bye Bye Blackbird” and Monk's opus “Hackensack”, Sneider is at times fiery and at others lyrical and lilting. With some up and coming playing mates, David Sneider is a trumpet ace to become acquainted with and enjoyed.

Cellar Music Group; 2025; appx. 48 min.

Francesca Prihasti; Beneath The Sun

Here is your opportunity to discover a fresh, melodic, and invigorating set of diverse original works led by pianist Francesca Prihasti. The group, comprised of piano, bass, drums, guitar, and saxophones (not every player is on every selection) lays down some occasional complex but accessible lines, with Prihasti's a leadership role. At times thought provoking and at other times openly swinging, you might enjoy your morning coffee with Francesca and friends.

Apra Amcos; 2024; 35:05

The Flying Horse Big Band Meets George Garzone

If you're on the trail of exciting, challenging charts, here's your album. Champion Berklee sax faculty member George Garzone joins this stimulating big band on four of the seven selections. The most familiar on the menu are “Giant Steps”, “Reflections”, and “Impressions”. This is a roaring hard working big band that lets us know they're solidly in the game.

Flying Horse Records; 2025; appx. 37 min.