Danny Embrey

Known mainly for his honey-sweet fretwork with jazz singer Karrin Allyson, Kansas City guitarist Danny Embrey has released a CD of his own, Dues Blues. Fans of his self-described “laid back” Kansas City jazz “with a gut feel that still lets you burn”—and there are many, if the cheers for him at his recent Sierra Nevada Big Room gig with Allyson are any indicator—should be very pleased to hear this album. Teamed up with a longtime KC cohort and fellow Allyson band member, bassist extraordinaire Bob Bowman, as well as pianists John Beasley and Dave Loeb and drummer Steve Houghton, Embrey gives us a hell of a show here. Four of the nine songs are Embrey originals, and one of those, the title track, goes along in a great kick-back groove until Embrey comes tearing in over the top—fabulous playing on all parts. For more, check out www.dannyembrey.com.