Bman's Blues Report

ALBUM REVIEW Clay Giberson - Moment's Notice Label: Origin Records Released: October 23, 2026 DR: TBD C lay Giberson is a jazz pianist and composer based in Portland, Oregon, with a style that blends thoughtful songwriting, adventurous improvisation, and a strong sense of melody. Growing up in Washington, with a piano teacher for a mother, music was part of his life from an early age. After studying jazz at the University of Miami and earning a master's degree in music technology in New York, he went on to develop his own voice as a performer, bandleader, and recording artist. Giberson has worked with an impressive range of musicians and explored everything from intimate solo piano to lively, modern jazz with his groups Upper Left Trio and Go By Train. His recordings reflect a curiosity about sound and a willingness to follow an idea wherever it leads, without losing sight of the melody. Now part of Portland's vibr...

ALBUM REVIEW Miss Robin Banks - Lost In Austin featuring The Moeller Brothers  Label: Independent Released: July 1, 2026 DR: TBD R obin Banks isn't your average blues singer—she’s a powerhouse with a voice that can stop you in your tracks and a stage presence that completely commands a room. Growing up in Windsor, Ontario, she fell hard for the raw, soulful sounds of legends like Etta James and Koko Taylor, and she's been chasing that authentic groove ever since. Instead of waiting around for big labels, Robin took the wheel herself, self-producing her own records and hitting the road to tour across Canada, the US, and Europe. She eventually found herself drawn to the legendary music scene in Austin, Texas, soaking up the local vibe and jamming with top-tier players. That laid-back, lone-star energy directly inspired her 2026 album, Lost in Austin, proving that no matter where she wanders, she knows exactly how to del...

ALBUM REVIEW Haruna Fukazawa - Plays at the Wrong Time Label: Orange Paw Records Released: July 31, 2026 H aruna Fukazawa is a killer jazz flutist who grew up in Tokyo and eventually made the leap to the New York jazz scene to really stretch her creative wings. She actually started out with a heavy classical background, but her musical world completely flipped when she discovered jazz and ended up being mentored by the absolute legend Frank Wess. That classical precision combined with a deep, soulful love for swing gives her playing this amazing edge. Whether she is leading her own quintet at iconic rooms like Blue Note or drop-kicking a groove on the alto flute, she just has this incredibly warm, expressive style that makes complex jazz feel totally welcoming and fun. Add this Record to Your Collection Available in CD and Vinyl Formats. 🛒 Purchase via Amazon Store ...

ALBUM REVIEW Kat Riggins and Her Blues Revival -  Everyday is Saturday  Label: Independent Released: August 27, 2026 DR: TBD K at Riggins is a Miami-born singer-songwriter who brings a gritty, high-energy approach to contemporary blues. Raised on a steady diet of gospel, soul, and rock records, she found her primary vocal inspiration in the raspy, emotional styles of artists like Koko Taylor and Tina Turner. Through what she calls her "Blues Revival Movement," Riggins focuses on keeping the genre current by blending traditional blues roots with a tougher, modern edge. Over the course of her career, she has built up a steady discography with albums like Cry Out and Progeny, earning several Blues Music Award nominations along the way. Working closely with multi-instrumentalist and producer Tim Mulberry, Riggins writes straightforward, personal songs that are heavily built around her live performances. Whether in the s...