It may be wintertime now, a winter further darkened by the Covid crisis, but Bill OConnells optimistically-titled A Change is Gonna Come exudes some welcome warmth and sunshine. Even Bills original Covid Blues displays a subtle sense of playfulness, entrusting the slightly off-kilter blues number to the distinctive tone color of Craig Handys soprano saxophone. Likewise the plaintive melody of Sam Cookes title track contains a note of optimism here. But with OConnell at the helm we shouldnt be surprised by imaginative arrangements since he was a Grammy finalist in 2022 for Best Instrumental...
It may be wintertime now, a winter further darkened by the Covid crisis, but Bill OConnells optimistically-titled A Change is Gonna Come exudes some w...
Montauk, the easternmost point of Long Island, has enjoyed a reputation as an idyllic land of the lotus and poppy but now is fully woven in to the Hamptons summer scene. The charms and views associated with that coastal existence served as a backdrop for the creation of this recording. Notable for a number of reasons as the first live band date in a lengthy discography, and a first on-record meeting with drumming icon Billy Hart this OConnell session stands out. Recorded live at the Hamptons Jazz Fest, with an outfit of top-flight artists including saxophonist Craig Handy and bassist Santi...
Montauk, the easternmost point of Long Island, has enjoyed a reputation as an idyllic land of the lotus and poppy but now is fully woven in to the Ham...
