George's Briefs
Here's an entire CD of "greatest hits" by any standard of judgment.
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Ken Wiley: Jazz Horn Redux
The French Horn is rarely given a chance in jazz circles; usually there’s a problem with either dynamics or dexterity, so it’s relegated to being a “section” instrument, unless it’s in the right hands (and mouth). Ken Wiley shows how it can be accomplished with a collection of all stars…
Read MoreKen Wiley's Jazz Horn Redux
Ken Wiley's new album is so surprising. He's a french horn player, which obviously sounds a lot more mellow than a trumpet or a flugelhorn or a sax or a trombone. Wiley is celebrating the contribution of horns in the jazz songbook, so we get smooth and textured renderings of such classics as Freddie Hubbard's "Little Sunflower," Charlie Parker's "Scrapple from the Apple," John Coltrane's "Equinox" and Sonny Rollins' "Oleo." You even get two faithful covers from Kind of Blue--"All Blues" and "Freddie Freeloader."
Ken Wiley Jazz Horn Redux
French horn is not a common solo instrument in jazz, often found in ensembles to add musical color such as in Gil Evans orchestrations or Hall Overton’s Big Band arrangements of Thelonious Monk for Monk’s legendary Town Hall Concert. Wiley is among those who have provided more prominence to the instrument and on this disc he has put together eleven interpretations of some famous jazz compositions…
Read MoreKen Wiley - Jazz Horn Redux
The French horn is certainly not among the most used instruments in jazz, but Ken Wiley in these eleven tracks, all standard, shows how it is possible to take rich solos of swing on well arranged arrangements and also enriched by very good sideman.
Read MoreFEEL THE HORN – CD REVIEWS
It’s not often I get to enjoy a French Horn player indulging in straight-ahead jazz as an upfront soloist. This is Ken Wiley’s fourth recording as a leader, but it’s his first project that focuses on straight-ahead jazz and he covers some of jazz music’s greatest musician/composers.
Read MoreKen Wiley’s new CD, “Jazz Horn Redux” displays masterful playing
Veteran French horn player, Ken Wiley, offers smart interpretations of jazz classics on “Jazz Horn Redux.” The Los Angeles, California-based musician is accompanied by some of the best musicians in the area. Together, they educate new and dedicated jazz listeners about the range and dynamics of various horns. This is done through tribute songs that honor the likes of Miles Davis, Freddie Hubbard, Charlie Parker, John Coltrane and Sonny Rollins, plus others.
Read MoreKen Wiley fresh french horn jazz
I didn’t realize it when I first started spinning this very comfortable album, but Ken’s instrument is the French Horn, and as you listen to his interpretation of classic jazz standards like Freddie Hubbard’s “Little Sunflower“, you’ll hear why I fell in love with the album right away…
Read MoreNew and Noteworthy Releases
French horn player Ken Wiley begins the next set with a nice version of Freddie Hubbard's classic "Little Sunflower."
Read MoreKEN WILEY: JAZZ HORN REDUX
These classics from the 50s and 60s are brought fresh and modern. The French horn is thus in the foreground here, and that is not so obvious, but Ken is doing well.
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