Bruce Crowther

Spain

Contributor at Jazz Journal

Novelist at Freelance

Featured in: Favicon

jazzjournal.co.uk

Articles

Debt And Redemption In The Blues – The Call For Justice - Jazz Journal

Oct 28, 2023 | jazzjournal.co.uk | Bruce Crowther

This is a book written by an academic and seemingly aimed at other academics.
Hank Williams: Lovesick Blues - His 58 Finest 1946-1952

Sep 6, 2023 | jazzjournal.co.uk | Bruce Crowther

When Hank Williams was born in Ohio on 17 September 1923, country music was beginning to take on a national presence, thanks in part to a record by Fiddler John Carson. Impressed by guitarist Rufe Tee Tot Payne and urged on by his first wife, Audrey, and his church-organist mother, Lillie, teenage Williams sang and played on street corners and even did a few radio dates on WSFA.
Flamenco Passion: A Tribute To Paco De Lucia

Aug 28, 2023 | jazzjournal.co.uk | Bruce Crowther

That Scandinavia should be home to a flamenco-fusion movement might at first thought seem odd, but the reality surely reflects the way in which skilled musicians of one style can and do associate with those of another. Nominal leaders of Flamenco Passion are guitarist Poul Jacek Knudsen and bassist Nicolai Land and percussionist Anders Pedersen.
Wilma Baan: Look At Me Now!

Aug 21, 2023 | jazzjournal.co.uk | Bruce Crowther

On this, her second album, Wilma Baan confirms first impressions that she is a first-class singer with a warmly mature voice. Her selection of songs also demonstrates that she admires not only the Great American Songbook (Oh! Look At Me Now, A Beautiful Friendship) but also those from the jazz world (Waltz For Debbie, Born To Be Blue), and is prepared to present lesser-known works that clearly deserve the attention they receive here (The Great City, Somewhere In The Hills).
Antonio Adolfo: Bossa 65

Aug 10, 2023 | jazzjournal.co.uk | Bruce Crowther

During the past half-century, Antonio Adolfo has made a considerable contribution to the popular music of Brazil and in that time, thanks to many albums, his special skills have become known around the world. This release is a fine example of piano playing by a superb and highly respected musician who broke into the music business in 1963 when, still a teenager, he worked on Pobre Menina Rica (Poor Little Rich Girl), a musical show written by Carlos Lyra and Vinicius de Moraes.
Julius Wechter: Quartet & Quintet 1956-1957

Jul 27, 2023 | jazzjournal.co.uk | Bruce Crowther

New names are constantly appearing and while vibraphonist Julius Wechter will probably be unknown to many, he is far from being a new kid on the block. Indeed, the music heard here was recorded more than 65 years ago. Is it dated? Not a bit of it. First, though, a little background on the artist, all thanks to extensive details in the liner notes. Born in Chicago in 1935, Wechter played locally in small jazz groups while studying in Los Angeles.
Tom Ollendorff: Open House

Jul 23, 2023 | jazzjournal.co.uk | Bruce Crowther

A relative newcomer on the UK jazz scene, Tom Ollendorff is a gifted guitarist and composer. Awarded a Yamaha Scholarship for Outstanding Jazz Musicianship in 2015, he began his professional career in 2016 and has since worked with artists including alto saxophonist Geoff Simkins, fellow guitarist Dave Cliff, drummer Ari Hoenig and the EYM Trio. Appearing internationally at concerts and festivals, Ollendorff has built a wide following that is due in part to his exceptional instrumental skill.
Sloane: A Jazz Singer

Jul 19, 2023 | jazzjournal.co.uk | Bruce Crowther

There are moments in this documentary film that are happy, some that are sad, others are uplifting, a few tinged with a depressing awareness of the struggles through which so many – too many – jazz artists must struggle, but overall there is an air of joy as the story of Carol Sloane is told. In this always engaging tale, a camera crew follows the singer during the three weeks leading up to her 2019 appearance at Birdland, an engagement to be recorded as her final live album.
Ellie Martin: Verdant

Jul 17, 2023 | jazzjournal.co.uk | Bruce Crowther

Based in Toledo, Ohio, singer-songwriter Ellie Martin is well known in the mid-west and with Verdant, her debut album, her audience will undoubtedly extend both nationally and worldwide. Holder of a doctorate in jazz studies, Martin is vocal jazz instructor at the University of Toledo and at Toledo School for the Arts. She is also a composer and lyricist and all the songs on this album are her own work.
Monika Ryan: Playfully

Jul 10, 2023 | jazzjournal.co.uk | Bruce Crowther