Bman's Blues Report

ALBUM REVIEW Technocats - Passionata: The Music of Gregg Hill Label: Cold Plunge Records Released: August 28, 2026 DR: TBD T he Technocats are a soulful, Michigan-based jazz collective built around a pretty cool mission: bringing the original music of composer Gregg Hill to life. Born out of the tight-knit scene surrounding the Michigan State University Jazz Studies program, the group is all about bridging generations, mixing seasoned jazz veterans with some of the most exciting young players on the contemporary scene. The band actually took its name from a Gregg Hill tune that captured the high-energy vibe of late-night jam sessions, and that same spontaneous, collaborative spirit drives everything they do. They lean heavily into a classic, straight-ahead jazz sound, but they keep things fresh with sharp, modern arrangements that feel like a nod to the past while pushing firmly into the future. Co-led by bass trombonist Chris ...

ALBUM REVIEW Antone's 50th presents Chicago Bound Label: Blues Till 2 Recording Company Released: August 28 , 2026 DR: TBD "A ntone’s 50th" refers to the milestone celebration of Austin’s legendary blues club, Antone's Nightclub, marking half a century as "Austin's Home of the Blues." Founded by Clifford Antone in July 1975, the venue became globally famous for nurturing blues prodigies like Stevie Ray Vaughan and Jimmie Vaughan, while hosting icons like Muddy Waters, B.B. King, and Buddy Guy.  Rather than just a calendar date, the 50th-anniversary campaign manifested as a massive multimedia project and an overarching musical collective known as the Antone’s 50th Allstars.   1. The Historical Foundation Clifford Antone started the venue with a singular ethos: “The Blues is so big that no one person could ever learn it in a lifetime.” Over its 50-year history, the club operated as a cross-gener...

ALBUM REVIEW   Clarence Hines Jazz Orchestra - Along The Way Label: Origin/OA2 Records Released: October 23 , 2026 DR: TBD C larence Hines is a trombone player, writer, and teacher who has spent his career playing all over the world and helping the next generation of players find their sound. Right now, he hangs his hat at the University of North Florida as the Director of the School of Music, where he keeps busy coaching students in jazz trombone and big band arranging. Over the years, he has shared the stage with a wild mix of music royalty, trading notes with everyone from pop icons like Frankie Valli and the Temptations to heavy-hitting jazz names like David Sanborn. Whether he is writing charts for major concert halls or clinics, he knows how to make a large ensemble feel alive and easygoing.  With his latest album, Along the Way, he finally put his own spin on the big band tradition by stepping out as a leader fo...