In The Spotlight: Sammy Stein Talks To Charlotte Keeffe

Charlotte Keeffe is one of the most intriguing and interesting improvisers on the music scene. A hugely respected musician, she has an extraordinary ability to take a lungful of air, blow it through a tiny hole in a mouthpiece and create extraordinary music. This year, alongside a kaleidoscope of colourful and talented fellow musicians, Charlotte …

In The Spotlight: Sammy Stein Talks To Roberta Donnay

Roberta Donnay is a vocalist known for her renditions of vintage songs. Critical Jazz Blog has described her as ‘taking old school jazz and making it new cool,’ and Jazz Times as ‘having a singularly enticing sound.’ Donnay is the leader of The Prohibition Mob, with a mission to explore, celebrate, and promote America’s jazz …

In The Spotlight: Sammy Stein Talks To Andrea Wolper

Andrea Wolper is a jazz vocalist, improviser, songwriter, arranger, teacher, and composer from New York who has been on a journey In music her whole life, agreed to talk to Platinum Mind’s Sammy Stein about her life in music ahead of her upcoming album ‘Wanderlust’ released Bandcamp on April 12th and set to hit other …

Single Review: “Shut The Door” – LEHI. Words: Sammy Stein

Hailing from Hartlepool, England, Lehi is a solo artist who writes, plays, records, and produces his music. Lehi began composing music as a child and became a guitarist in a band at a young age. In 2015, he began recording music with a friend in his college music studio. He and a school friend formed …

In The Spotlight: Sammy Stein Talks To Naadia Sheriff

Naadia Sherriff is a composer, musical director, educator, arranger, and pianist. She is a founding member of Hafla Band, Yazz Ahmed’s group, and has also recorded with Kate Dimbleby, ISQ, and has performed at many prestigious venues, including The Barbican. During lockdown, her ‘Beyond The Fear’ release raised an impressive £1000 for the charity Breast …

In The Spotlight: Sammy Stein Talks to… Kym Vincenti

Kym Vincenti on music and life Kym Vincenti is a songwriter and vocalist who has featured in major publications and on BBC Radio. Her music draws on life experiences and the world as she sees it. Her songs are evocative and emotionally charged with lyrics that explore themes including love, loss, and self-discovery. A trail-blazing …

Album Review: “384,000” – Terence Collie. Words: Sammy Stein

Terence Collie is a talented pianist, composer, and leader. At age seventeen, he joined a band in Jersey, Channel Islands which led to a weekly gig at the Blue Note Bar in St Helier, where he experienced playing supportive concert slots for visiting artists including Teddy Edwards, The Average White Band, Georgie Fame, Andy Sheppard, Jason Rebello, and Digby Fairweather. In …

Album Review: “Green Park” – Benet McClean. Words: Sammy Stein.

It’s the energy that grabs you. I reviewed Benet Mclean’s ‘The Bopped and The Bopless’ back in 2016 and have not tired of it. So, it was a little trepidation I pressed ‘play’ on Mclean’s latest release ‘Green Park’. I mean, how can you top ‘The Bopped and The Bopless’? Mclean does not even try …

Album Review: “Admiratio Magna” – Frank Clare. Words: Sammy Stein.

Frank Clare is a neoclassical pianist and composer. His debut album ‘Admiratio Magna’ is inspired by his appreciation for 19th-century classical music, philosophy, science, and mindfulness. The album explores themes including the cycles of creation and the power in stillness, and curiosity. Clare began playing piano when he was 15. Finding he was better at composition …

Album Review: “The Summoned” – Mama Terra. Words: Sammy Stein.

I became aware of Mama Terra when I took part in a Jazz FM panel show at Pizza Express, Holborn, London. The band was exploring and recreating partially, Herbie Hancock’s 1973 album ‘Head Hunters’. I was impressed by co-leader Marco Cafolla’s animated exposition of why he likes Herbie Hancock – and then by the music …