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Mike Levine
The 14 Jazz Orchestra: Islands
by Jack Bowers
The music on these Islands is almost as sizzling as the summer weather in sun-drenched Miami, thanks to composer/arranger Dan Bonsanti's Florida-based, world-class The 14 Jazz Orchestra, whose fourth album provides yet another textbook lesson in the art of colorful and swinging big-band rhetoric. Bonsanti formed the ensemble as a rehearsal band in 2013, stocking it for the most part with former students at Miami's prestigious Frost School of Music to give teachers and students a forum ...
read moreDan Bonsanti and the 14 Jazz Orchestra: Islands
by Nicholas F. Mondello
"Islands" from Dan Bonsanti is a tour de force consisting of eleven unique selections, colorful textured arrangements, and outstanding ensemble and solo playing. The fare includes straight-ahead bop, to calypso, film and fusion, all presented by a highly-energized ensemble of Miami-affiliated greats and guest greats. The opener, McCoy Tyner's Man from Tanganyika" is an ultra-rhythmic grabber, offering fine solos and polyrhythmic burn. Islands," from Mike Mainieri's pen, is a catchy, upbeat calypso with an extravagant middle section. ...
read moreMike Levine: Just Chillin
by Edward Blanco
A proponent of the more relaxing side of the jazz spectrum, pianist and keyboardist Mike Levine presents his fourth album as leader, offering thirteen primarily original pieces falling decidedly within the smooth jazz category. A talented composer, Levine's music seems to eschew the core jazz tenet of improvisation in favor of catchy melodies perfect for those chilling-out moments that overwhelm us all sooner or later. A first-call musician by anyone's count, Levine draws on his vast experience performing ...
read moreDan Bonsanti: Cartoon Bebop
by Jack Bowers
The malicious coronavirus pandemic that brought most of the world to its knees in 2020 has spawned the use of several reanimated words including virtual," whose meaning is sort of here but not really," as in virtual video chats, conference calls, exhibits, films and even musical performances. Virtual" has spread its tentacles into almost every walk of life including jazz, via YouTube and other creative channels. And now, it seems, to big bands as well. Cartoon Bebop, the third album ...
read moreMike Levine: Star Gazing
by Edward Blanco
Pianist and keyboardist Mike Levine unveils his third solo project Star Gazing providing another laid back, Smooth- styled gem of a recording containing a little of everything, from the obvious relaxing mellow melodies, to some swinging sizzling funky material. An artist who has performed with some of the finest musicians on the planet, during his long-distinguished career, Levine is a mainstay, a fixture in Miami's vibrant Latin music and exploding jazz scene. A man of many talents who has delved ...
read moreMike Levine: Thinking Of You
by Edward Blanco
Presenting his follow-up to the well-received debut, From The Heart (Rhombus Records, 2008), Miami-based pianist/composer Mike Levine offers a lively set of primarily original material on Thinking Of You, full of rich melodies and harmonies in a wonderful artful production of smooth jazz. A first-call and in-demand musician, Levine has performed with many jazz giants in the last 30 years, including saxophonist Tom Scott, harmonicist Toots Thielemans, and trumpeters Randy Brecker and Ira Sullivan, as well as being a part ...
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