Reviews Archives - Eye On The Music - Jim Brock Photography

Dec 17

by Jim Brock in Reviews 0 comments tags: #fujimusicphotography, #fujixt3, #mrmusichead, Cameron Graves, concert photography, Eye on the Music, Fuji music photography, jazz photography, Jim Brock Photography, JustJazz, Mack Avenue Records, Mr. Musichead, music photography, Planetary Prince, West Coast Get Down

Mack Avenue Records Takeover with Alfredo Rodriguez and Cameron Graves Trios, Mr. Musichead Gallery

December 12, 2018 What a monster night last Wednesday with the Mack Avenue Records Takeover of Mr. Musichead Gallery. Featuring two richly textured and completely energized piano trios. The new to me Alfredo Rodriguez was lyrical and joyful, as if the best of mid-career Pat Metheny flowed through the ivories via Cuba and Brazil. Bassist Munir Hossn, he of the cheshire grin and constant motion, would switch to a nylon string cutaway in quieter moments, and both Rodriguez and Hossn picked up the sticks to join drummer Daniel Rodriguez in percussive celebration before closing with a samba take on “Thriller”. (Q, a big influence on pianist Rodriguez). After a break, Cameron Graves took the rest of the night in another direction, mixing material from last year’s stellar “Planetary Prince”with new material for his trio, that includes Maximillion Gerl on bass, and the phenomenal Mike Mitchel on drums. Graves and fellow West Coast Get Downers Kamasi Washington, Miles Mosley, Ryan Porter, Ronald Bruner, Jr. among them, continue to shape and push and challenge and tug at jazz traditions, and hearing this trio do it’s thing in such an intimate space was a thriller of a different sort. Especially, drummer Mitchel, who […]

Jul 06

by Jim Brock in Reviews 0 comments tags: #arroyosecoweekend, 80s music, 90s music, Alanis Morrisette, Alynda Lee Segurra, Arroyo Seco Weekend, blog, blues photography, Cesar Rosas, Chrissie Hynde, classic rock, concert photogaphy, concert photography, Dorothy Martin, Dwight Twilley, Eye on the Music, Gary Clark Jr., Gibson ES-335, Gomez, Gretsch guitar, Hooray for the Riff Raff, Irma Thomas, Jack White, jazz photography, Jeff goldblum, Jim Brock Photography, Kamasi Washington, Kay hollowbody, Led Zeppelin, live music photography, Los Lobos, Luther Dickinson, Margaret Glaspy, Margo Price, Mildred Snitzer, Milk Carton Kids, music photography, Neil Young, North Mississippi All Stars, Pharoah Sanders, Pretenders, Prince, Promise of the Real, Rickenbacker, Robert Plant, rock photography, Ryan Porter, Seven Nation Army, Shakey Graves, Susanna Hoffs, Telecaster, The Bangles, The Revolution, The Specials, Typhoon, Vicki Peterson, Wendy and Lisa, Wendy Melvoin, West Coast Get Down

Arroyo Seco Weekend, Brookside Golf Course, Pasadena

June 23-24, 2018 Arroyo Seco Weekend is not fussy. The beer is thick with local crafts, the something for everyone eats abundant with vegetarian options, and, yes, it felt like a day in the park with a rich soundtrack. The inclusive, relaxed setting and vibe made for one of most satisfying fest experiences I’ve had outside New Orleans. Goldenvoice worked out many of the freshmen kinks to bring us a uniquely L.A. area festival that was musically textured and easy to navigate, with zero attitude, when it so could have gone the other way. No need to pony up for VIP treatment here. Getting around was no issue, food and (pricey) drinks were never too far, Rose Bowl bathrooms were always an option, and while the Oaks stage was packed for headliners, it was manageable and easy to get close throughout most of the day. Oh, did I mention parking was included with entry? Even with only three stages, I still racked up 7-8 miles a day covering 30 of 36 acts over the weekend, but the 8th and 9th holes and driving range of Brookside felt like carpet compared to most fests. Near perfect June weather helped. Saturday highlights […]

Mar 22

by Jim Brock in Reviews 0 comments tags: Cameron Graves, Carlitos del Puerto, Eye on the Music, jazz photography, Jim Brock Photography, Kamasi Washington, Matt Haze, Miles Mosley, Planetary Prince, Ronald Bruner, Stanley Clarke, Tony Austin, Troubadour, West Coast Get Down

Cameron Graves, Planetary Prince Album Release, The Troubadour

March 16, 2017 The “world famous” Troubadour is not the first venue that comes to mind for boundary morphing contemporary piano driven ensemble jazz. But then, the L.A. based collective known as the West Coast Get Down, has yet to do anything by the books. It’s been a heady 2017 already for these dudes coming on the heels of bassist Miles Mosley’s headlining date at the El Rey in January, drummer Ronald Bruner Jr.’s album release party at the Teragram a few weekends back and saxophonist Kamasi Washington’s post-Epic musical and visual installation for the Whitney Biennial in NYC. Last week, it was pianist Cameron Graves turn to front this band of one/band of many, for the drop of his stellar CD, “Planetary Prince” on Mack Avenue Records (disclaimer, more astronomical adjectives could follow). Like Mosley before him, Graves got a well deserved shout out as one of 10 new artists you need to know this year by Rolling Stone, and for good reason IMHO. My ears have been pretty stuck on “Planetary Prince” the past few weeks. With eight tracks covering almost 80 minutes and the shortest clocking in at 7:28, there is an emotional arc to each built […]

Feb 02

by Jim Brock in Reviews 0 comments tags: Cameron Graves, concert photography, El Rey Theatre, Eye on the Music, jazz photography, Kamasi Washington, Miles Mosley, Ryan Porter, Tony Austin, West Coast Get Down

West Coast Get Down, El Rey Theatre

January 28, 2017 The West Coast Get Down is better known as the L.A. collective of talent including saxophonist Kamasi Washington. Washington has commanded a lot of attention the past few years, and for good reason. That audacious 3-disc debut, “The Epic” on Brainfeeder, his collaboration with Kendrick Lamar, and 2016 dates at Bonnaroo and Coachella, to name a few. But for a change, this isn’t about Washington. This is about the band that brings those head spinning sonics to life in studio and performances. When I finally caught up with Washington for the first time at the 2016 Newport Jazz Festival, I was pretty knocked out, but when upright bassist Miles Mosley took center stage, uh, the dimension took on another dimension. Whether feverishly bowing with Hendrix like distortion and effects, or running the neck, Mosley, has mad presence and skills. The LA Weekly dubbed him “an assassin on the upright bass” for good reason and Rolling Stone called him out as one of 10 new artists you need to know, and he has a rather impressive resume of his own (Jeff Beck, Rihanna, Lamar, to drop a few names, not to mention extensive film and television credits). It’s […]