New Blog

I’m planning on using this little slice of cyberspace to highlight some local, regional, and national jazz artists that I’m digging on. Kind of a “what’s in my CD player right now” if you will. Yes, I still listen to music on CD as often as I can.

In particular I will be focusing on artists you might not be as familiar with. There are some very talented artists in Atlanta alone, let alone the Southeast as a whole. When I decided to move from NYC, what drew me to ATL was the pile of talented musicians who live and play here. Oh, and I missed Southern cooking!

Right now I can’t stop spinning Laura Coyle’s disc. Laura is an Atlanta-based jazz vocalist whose voice is buttery and sweet. And she picks great tunes! She sings “Close Your Eyes” and “I Can’t Get Started” with grace and purpose. She has that all-too-rare quality that Billie Holiday mastered; the ability to make you truly believe what she’s singing is coming from her, not just some interpretation of an old torch song. Her voice and in fact her entire vibe is plucked right out of the 50’s. Back when jazz was lived and not merely imitated the way it often is today.

Her recording also features one of my favorite pianists, Louis Heriveaux. His name sounds funny but trust me, his piano playing doesn’t. Touch, swing and and an ear for just the right flavor to add to the melody.

If you want to come check Louis and I out, we’re both at Churchill Grounds this weekend playing saxophonist Mace Hibbard’s new recording “About Time.” Mace is sick. Soul, chops and great tunes. He’s ATL’s own Cannonball Adderley and David Sanborn. I’m excited about this one!

Til next time!

– Justin Varnes