Monthly Archives: March 2012

CD review: a special woman’s work – woodwind artist Clare Daly’s concept album

Artist: Claire Daly Quintet
Title: Mary Joyce Project: Nothing To Lose
Label: Daly Bread Rec
Genre: Jazz
Reviewed by Jeremy Siskind

Woodwind artist Clare Daly’s concept album, The Mary Joyce Project: Nothing To Lose, based on the inspiring arctic-exploring biography of Daly’s father’s first cousin, is conceived and performed with palpable sincerity and warmth. The music consists mainly of vamp and riff-based tunes for jazz quartet augmented by beat-boxer Napoleon Maddox, whose breathy sounds somehow recall the arctic vastness of Joyce’s journeying; in addition, many of the pieces utilize an American Indian-style pentatonicism to set the mood, even including some chanting and sled-dog yipping. The record is highlighted by the purring warmth of Daly’s baritone saxophone sound (she also plays some flute), readings of some of Joyce’s journal entries over vamps, and very solid rhythm section work by Mary Ann McSweeney and drummer Peter Grant.

“Nu Iranian Vs. Nu Arabic Music” At SoSaLa’s Nu World Trash Cd Release Party in NY!!

Photo by Tasja Keetman

The CD release party for SoSaLa‘s Nu World Trash  is set for March 6 at Manhattan’s Nublu (62 Ave C, between 4th and 5th Street in the Lower East Side. 9pm to 11pm – Ticket: $10), with Sohrab Saadat Ladjevardi on sax and vocals, Damon Banks on bass, Michael Wimberly on drums & dembe, and Sinan Gundogdu on oud  and new member Brian Prunka on guitar. Guest appearance by Sylvain Leroux on fula flute who played on three songs in the CD with openers Al-Amar Ensemble.

The Al-Amar Ensemble is a new group to hit the NY scene, assembled by Timba Harris of Secret Chiefs 3 on the heels of his recent move from Seattle, in collaboration with drummer and percussionist, April Centrone (New York Arabic Orchestra, Secret Chiefs 3), and featuring Harris’ longtime colleague / renowned composer Gyan Riley on guitar, and stunning oud player and luthier, John Vergara (NY Arabic Orchestra). The combination is a new avant-garde, marrying Arabic music and tarab with rock, soul, sensuality and intense energy.

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Another concert review: Homayoun Shajarian and the Hesar Ensemble @ Town Hall

Date: February 18th, 2012
Venue: Town Hall (NY)

Reviewed by Aida Shahghasemi

The inspiring combination of the young talents in the Hesar Ensemble and that of Homayoun Shajarian lifted the spirits on a cold New York  night at Town Hall. Alireza Ghamsari’s compositions and Homayoun Shajarian’s  vocal capacity had shown their considerable compatibility over the past few years through the release of records such as Naghshe Khial (2005) and Aab,  Naan, Aavaz (2008), selections of both of which were a staple of this concert.

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