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202 articles

Bruce Crowther

For many years he wrote books and 49 had been published by the end of 2022. More than half of these were crime fiction; the non-fiction books were mainly on cinema and jazz. Long ago there were a few television plays and a stage play. For a number of years he worked with Colin Larkin on his Encyclopedia of Popular Music and the BTOE, contributing 5-6000 entries to these projects. His first Jazz Journal article was in the mid-1970s, record reviews beginning a decade later. His jazz books include a biography of Gene Krupa and three books in collaboration with Mike Pinfold: The Jazz Singers, The Big Band Years and Singing Jazz. Other than jazz, he enjoyed the blues, opera, old country, gospel, R&B, and popular songs of the 1930s and 40s. Bruce Crowther died in August 2023 as reported here.

Natashia Kelly: Dear Darkening Ground 

Strong-voiced Belgian singer leads piano, guitar, bass and drums in a set of originals that emphasises improvisation

Paul Clarvis, Liam Noble, Cathy Jordan: Freight Train

With drummer Clarvis and pianist Noble, Irish singer Jordan reminds of Mose Allison as she convincingly blends a disparate range of styles

Ray Charles: Genius Loves Company

Genius fans shouldn't be put off by the presence of guests such as Elton John and Johnny Mathis since they adjust to the prevailing mood

Carme Canela, Rossy, Llombart: Lost In The Stars

Popular Spanish singer born in Barcelona in 1962 plays a Latin-flavoured set of originals and standards with vibes, guitar and guest soloists
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Jeremy Wong: Hey There

Accompanied by a lithely swinging quintet, Canadian singer brings a warm and youthful touch to interpretations of the GAS and two originals

Tammy Burdett: Fancy Free

Following a tip from Marc Myers, Jordi Pujol has reissued work by a talented Seattle-based singer and songwriter who should be better known

Obituary: Carol Sloane

Gifted interpreter of Great American Songbook ballads, which she would subtly draw into jazz as she underscored her singing with lithe swing

Vanessa Racci: Jazzy Italians

New York based singer continues to realise her fascination with her roots, taking a jazz-flavoured view of songs with Italian connections
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Nicki Leighton-Thomas: One Good Scandal

The British singer again shows her ability to deliver Fran Landesman's lyrics in a manner that is always understanding and never depressing

Heather Ferguson: Lush Life

Canadian singer does the GAS and standards not so much as a vocalist fronting a band, rather as one of a group of highly compatible musicians

Sarah Elizabeth Charles: Blank Canvas

The NYC-based singer's brainy, world, jazz and soul styled songs are performed by a quintet plus guests including Christian Scott

Kate Baker & Vic Juris: Return To Shore

Husband and wife duet ranges from Broadway to Glen Campbell and the Beach Boys and forms a tribute to the late guitarist Juris
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