Photo by Andrea Canter

Last winter, area vocalist Carole Martin released her first recording in 30 years. Thankfully, Vicky Mountain only waited a decade. Don’t Go to Strangers, released in early 2005, came eleven years after Birds of a Feather. Noted Vicky, “I wanted this CD to be as eclectic as my performing career; the happy swing and scat, the beautiful ballads, the avant-garde, and a taste of the soulful R&B.” This diverse description aptly reflects the content of Don’t Go to Strangers, and the wide ranging talent of Vicky Mountain.

Photo by Andrea Canter

Who is Chill 7, and why is it “7” when there are only four musicians? Bandleader/tenor saxman Josh Brinkman’s only explanation is that at one time or another, the group has gone through 7 drummers. While he and guitarist Michael Burand formed Chill 7 in 2001 and appeared together on the group’s first recording, Big Fish Eat Little Fish (Aquarium Records, 2002), there has been turnover in the bass and drum chairs and the group has appeared with (and recorded with) keyboards as well. Today the quartet includes bassist Jason Swanson and drummer Andy Artz along with Brinkman and Burand. Artz also served as designer, mixmaster, and recording engineer for Probable Cause.

Richard Luck performs the songs on this recording with flair and a style that echoes New York of the 50's. Luck's original songs are inventive and even on familiar tunes there are twists and turns to keep listeners interested. This debut CD offering provides a glimpse into what should be a promising future contributing to the world of jazz.

Richard studied at Goldsmiths' College, University of London studying piano and performing with the University Big Band. He began Post Graduate work in Jazz Performance at Trinity College of Music, where he began performing with many ensembles including Trinity College Big Band and the National Youth Jazz Orchestra (NYJO). It was at Trinity College he formed what is now his working trio. Richard spent the best part of a year touring the world on the QE2 and backing up many world-class acts.

Listen to samples from the CD at

It’s taken Little five years to find his way back to the studio—he’s been too busy with projects that have taken the San Francisco native in diverse directions. As a committed jazz educator, Little directs the Twin Cities Jazz Workshop, which provides learning and performance opportunities for young area musicians; he has also been selected to participate in the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra’s “Artist in the Schools” program. For the past four years, Little has collaborated and toured with Italian pianist Giacomo Aula, including appearances at the 2004 Twin Cities Hot Jazz Festival and tours and master classes in the US and Italy. And last fall, Little initiated a new ensemble, Seven Steps to Havana, dedicated to integrating Cuban rhythms with post bop harmonies.