Category Archives: NY Musicians

CD Review: Rana Santacruz (Mexico) using his multi-instrumental and lyrical talents to great storytelling effect

Rana SantacruzArtist: Rana Santacruz
Title: Por Ahí
Label: self-produced
Genre: influences as diverse as Mariachi music, classic Mexican cinema, American bluegrass, and post-punk

Laughing at funerals and playing music at the apocalypse: Rana Santacruz releases Por Ahí
CD Review by Dawoud Kringle

Por Ahi is the latest from eclectic – and eccentric – artist Rana Santacruz.

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Follow Up of NY’s Brass Band The RED BARAAT

Text by Sohrab Saadat Ladjevardi

RED BARAATRED BARAAT a unique (brass) band with a unique sound. A hardworking band for about 6 years.
Please watch the two videos below which will tell you visually the new musical developments of this band. This band could be a role model of “how to succeed in today’s music business.”

What’s so great about this band is that they are not afraid to experiment with new sounds and musicians. Not maintaining the status quo, repeating themselves but reinventing themselves. By doing so they may lose some fans who can’t accept the new musical changes, but this is something a band should never consider as a minus in their career.

It’s great to see one of my NY favorite drummer Chris Eddleton joining the RB. Continue reading →

Farewell, Ornette. Meditations on a Giant Who Walked Among Us

Ornette ColemanText by Dawoud Kringle

On the morning of Saturday, June 27th, 2015, I attended jazz legend Ornette Coleman‘s funeral.

It somehow seems inappropriate to write a “play by play” about this event. Sure, I could list those who spoke, sharing beautiful and sometime hilarious anecdotes, or described his genius and influence. I could talk about the beautiful music offered by Pharaoh Saunders, Cecil Taylor, Henry Threadgil, Bachir Attar, Geri Allen, Ravi Coltrane, and others. Somehow, that doesn’t quite work in the context of Ornette.

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