Diane Hoffman - Do I Love You
Diane Hoffman is a multi-faceted talent - a jazzy,
hard-swinging singer and an accomplished painter. Raised in Cambridge, MA,
Hoffman earned a BFA from the California College of Art and later studied
independently with famed painter Jacques Fabert in Erongarícuaro, Mexico (her
works have been exhibited extensively in Mexico, Canada, and the United
States). Hoffman’s singing debut was at the legendary Sonny’s Place, in
Seaford, Long Island in the late nineties, and for years she has been igniting
audiences throughout the Tri-State area and beyond with her emotionally charged
singing. Her often unique repertoire is informed by her painter’s passion for
narrative, tone, and balance, and she has been recognized for her rich-textured
voice, keen rhythm and original phrasing, and natural feel for jazz and blues.
Hoffman has recorded three albums as a soloist, Someone In Love (2000), My
Little French Dancer (2007), and her latest release, Do I Love You The Jazz Network Worldwide
Darien Dean – Detours
The third great album from Darien Dean – a diversely
talented singer, with an approach here that goes way beyond the usual! Darien
can effortlessly belt out a contemporary soul tune – but he's also got this
varied approach that really sets the album apart from the rest – as he seems to
draw equally from jazz, soul, hip hop, and occasional global elements in his
music – which makes for this varied rhythmic quality, and equally diverse sonic
palette! The songs are tight, and confidently written – and Dean's delivery
more than lives up to his words, on titles that include "Black
Widow", "Last Song", "Autopilot", "Todamore",
"Straight Up", "You're The One", "Best Is Yet To
Come", and "Scorned". ~ Dusty Groove
Jim Snidero – Waves Of Calm
Jim Snidero's got a really wonderful group here – a combo
that makes for a perfect complement to his phrasing on the record, which seems
somehow even more magical than usual! The rhythms are open and spacious – lots
of room between the notes, served up by bassist Nat Reeves, drummer Jonathan
Barber, and the great pianist Orrin Evans – who also plays Fender Rhodes as
well as acoustic piano on the session! The trio creates this great space that
really seems to bring out new elements in Jim's playing – especially on the
tracks that also feature Jeremy Pelt on trumpet, which is about half the album.
Titles include "Waves Of Calm", "Visions", "Dad
Song", "Estuary", "If I Had You", and
"Truth". ~ Dusty Groove
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