Where can you hear jazz and blues music in Milwaukee?
There’s something about both jazz and blues that gets deep into your fibers. Genres with myriad powers. Music potent enough to make you muse, sway or wail. They’re cousins, of sorts. Jazz, pioneered by [...]
Miles Davis: Two Docs Called ‘Round Miles’
Last week, Ken Deifik sent along two super documentaries on Miles Davis. Interestingly, both are called Round Miles. [Publicity still above of Miles Davis in the late 1940s] Here's director Charles Carlini's documentary in [...]
SWLA violin prodigy Jairus Daigle carries on a legacy of jazz music – KPLC
Lake Charles, La. (KPLC) - This week in our tribute to Black History month, we’re highlighting a young man who represents the future of jazz here in Southwest Louisiana. Jairus Daigle picked up a [...]
Reviews -
Tia Fuller
- Diamond Cut -
Tia Fuller is one of the top alto-saxophonists in jazz of the past decade. She plays with the passion of a Jackie McLean. Every note means something to her and is expressed emotionally and with passion. Born in Colorado to a pair of local jazz musicians, she began playing alto in high school and attended Atlanta's Spelman College. Since 2006 Fuller has been part of Beyonce's backup female band. However that association should certainly not be held against her (!) for she has worked steadily in creative jazz settings. Along the way she has toured with Esperanza Spalding, and worked with Teri Lyne Carrington's Mosaic Project, the Ralph Peterson Septet, T.S. Monk, Jon Faddis' Jazz Orchestra, Rufus Reid, Sean Jones, Dianne Reeves and Nancy Wilson among others.
Diamond Cut is Tia Fuller's fifth CD as a leader and fourth for the Mack Avenue label. She is featured with a sparse group that also includes guitarist Adam Rogers, either James Genus or Dave Holland on bass, and Bill Stewart of Jack DeJohnette on drums. There are also two appearances apiece by organist Sam Yahel and producer Terri Lyne Carrington on percussion. Fuller performs eight of her originals (with "Joe'N Around" heard twice) and reworkings of three standards.
While Rogers has many rewarding guitar solos and the other musicians make contributions, Tia Fuller (whether on alto or soprano) is the main star throughout this set. She comes up with fresh statements on the always-soulful "Save Your Love For Me," Cole Porter's "I Love You" (which is given some complex rhythms) and a reinvented "Soul Eyes," and engages in post-bop explorations on her songs. Among her most rewarding originals are the ballad "Crowns Of Grey," the episodic "The Coming," and the medium-tempo "Tears Of Santa Barbara."
Tia Fuller continues to grow in power with each release and Diamond Cut is an easily recommended example of her musical talents.
