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John Wiitala

John Wiitala has worked with some of the greatest names in jazz, including Joe Henderson, Junior Cook, Charlie Rouse, James Moody, Bud Shank, and Cecil Payne. He has toured with Richie Cole, Arturo Sandoval, Shorty Rogers, and Jessica Williams, and has played at jazz festivals around the world, including Monterey, North Sea, Montreux, Detriot, and JVC/Concord. His recording credits include work with Scott Hamilton, Jessica Williams, Mark Levine, as well as Anton Schwartz.

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Album Review

Gaea Schell: In Your Own Sweet Way

Read "In Your Own Sweet Way" reviewed by Pierre Giroux


Gaea Schell's In Your Own Sweet Way is a captivating journey through the realm of jazz that delivers a fresh perspective on a variety of compositional forms, including Latin-tinged originals to innovative interpretations of songs from the Great American Songbook. Although Schell originally grew up in Alberta, Canada and received her formal education in the piano-jazz studies program from McGill University, in Montreal, Quebec, she presently resides in San Francisco. She is joined on the project by some top Northern ...

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Album Review

The Pacific Jazz Group: Pacific Jazz Group

Read "Pacific Jazz Group" reviewed by Jack Bowers


West Coast jazz from the mid-twentieth century makes a comeback on this earnest album by the Pacific Jazz Group, whose music owes its genesis to the Pacific Jazz label, which recorded many of the Coast's best and brightest stars during that historic and bounteous era. The idea was set in motion by pianist Dred Scott, one of the music's and the label's ardent fans, who assembled a group built to some extent along the lines of the legendary Gerry Mulligan/Chet ...

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Album Review

Randy Porter Trio: Porter Plays Frishberg: Unsung

Read "Porter Plays Frishberg: Unsung" reviewed by Paul Rauch


Pianist/composer/lyricist Dave Frishberg may not be a household name in the world of jazz, but those in the know, musicians and listeners alike, appreciate the often whimsical artist. His works are associated with an “A" list of vocalists, including Blossom Dearie, Rosemary Clooney, Anita O'Day, Shirley Horn and Diana Krall. The 87-year old Frishberg now resides near Portland, Oregon after years in New York, Los Angeles and on the road. Frishberg's presence in the Rose City is the ...

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Album Review

Erik Jekabson Sextet III: One Note At A Time

Read "One Note At A Time" reviewed by Dan Bilawsky


By the time One Note At A Time's first two songs have finished, it's been made abundantly clear that trumpeter Erik Jekabson appreciates a groove as much as he values space. The opener—"Days of Haze"—provides an introductory shot of adrenaline in the form of a tight, funk-framed blues, and “Dusk," in contrast, looks to open vistas, with longer lines and a less-is-more attitude reflecting the liminal spirit in its name. Foreshadowing what's to come, those early offerings prove complementary through ...

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Recording

Dee Bell releases "Sagacious Grace" with Houston Person, Al Plank, John Stowell, Michael Spiro, Colin Bailey and John Wiitala

Dee Bell releases "Sagacious Grace" with Houston Person, Al Plank, John Stowell, Michael Spiro, Colin Bailey and John Wiitala

Source: Dee Bell

Former Concord Jazz Recording Artist Dee Bell Moves to the Laser Label with the new album Sagacious Grace (Cat #0708). Available on CD Baby, Amazon, and ITunes as of 15 August 2011 Featuring Al Plank: piano; Houston Person: saxophone; John Stowell: guitar; Michael Spiro: percussion; Colin Bailey: drums; John Wiitala: bass. Praised by critics both abroad and in the United States for her “gorgeous phrasing" and “clear and easy delivery (Stereo Review)" of the lyrics of a song, West Coast ...

Photos

Concerts

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

In Your Own Sweet Way

Saphu Records
2023

buy

One Note At A Time

Wide Hive Records
2020

buy

Porter Plays...

Heavywood Records
2020

buy

Jazz Noir

Papillon/Blueport Jazz
2016

buy

The Oenophile Anthem

Brooxongs Pubco LLC
2005

buy

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