Category Archives: Reviews

Concert Review: Arcane Insignia…a unique trek through fantasy realms that are, at the same time, in sync with the world we live in.

Date: July 24th
Venue: Sullivan Hall (NY)
Review by Dawoud Kringle

After an oppressive heat wave in NYC broke, and enjoying the cool summer night breeze, I ventured downtown to Sullivan Hall to hear Arcane Insignia.

Arcane Insignia is in a category of their own. Describing themselves as acoustic prog rock band, they use complex lyrical themes, instrumental passages, and concept songs in a stripped down acoustic format. The band members are James Alexander on 7 string classical guitar, Jimmy Lopez on percussion, Antoinette Ady on 5 string violin, and Jennifer Catherine Shaw on cello.

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Concert Review: Holly Ann Cordero & Trunculently Audacious… This started as a swing, and went in some unexpected directions. But it still swung, no matter what.

Date: July 11, 2013
Venue: the Nuyorican Poet’s Cafe

Review, photos and video by Dawoud Kringle

downloadBilled as “The Sound of Jazz to Come,” it was with great interest that I ventured to NYC’s Lower East Side to attend the CD release party on this leg of the “Sight of Sound Tour” for Truculently Audacious; the band/project led by bassist/composer/performer Holly Ann Cordero.

Cordero started playing piano when she was five, bass at age 14, and guitar at 15. Her interest in all aspects of music has propelled her on a most interesting and fruitful musical journey. She claims to have been most inspired by John Cage and his idea that Life itself is music; and tries to capture that idea in her compositions.

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CD Review: Holly Ann Cordero…”There is more to music than we hear everyday.”

28095_Screen shot 2013-07-01 at 12.42.25 AM_1372653909Artist: Holly Ann Cordero
Title: Truculently Audacious
Label: See The Sound Studios
Genre: jazz/classical

Review by Dawoud Kringle

“Born,” the first track on the CD opens with a synth pad over which Cordero’s vocals invoke a brooding minor melody; effectively ripping to pieces the preconception of this being your typical jazz recording.

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Concert Review: Elio Villafranca (Cuba) – a brilliant mind exploring arcane and recondite ideas

eliosidebarphotoDate: July 14, 2013
Venue: Iridium (NY)

Review by Dawoud Kringle, photo by Sohrab Saadat Ladjevardi

On a warm, humid summer Sunday night in NYC, Iridium hosted Cuban pianist/composer Elio Villafranca. He was joined by Ulysses Owens Jr. (drums), Gregg August (bass), and Terell Stafford (trumpet).

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