Articles by Alex Marianyi
Ryan Cohan: Another Look
by Alex Marianyi
Unlike many of his past releases, Ryan Cohan's Another Look focuses heavily on group interaction and improvisation. Penning all but two of the tunes on the album, the pianist's arrangements allow his musicians maximum flexibility. That the CD's main quartet has been playing together since 2003, and was on the road for six straight weeks before this session, further adds to the group identity found on this recording. The main quartet does, indeed, make this album come ...
read moreMarquis Hill: New Gospel
by Alex Marianyi
There's a new generation of jazz musicians brewing on the Chicago jazz scene, and with New Gospel, Marquis Hill has solidified himself as one of its leading trumpet players. Joined by several other young Chicago jazz musicians, Hill makes a bold move by filling his entire first release with his own compositions. Hill's notable orchestrating skills are reminiscent of Booker Little with a modern edge, like that of Roy Hargrove. Even if it's something just as simple ...
read moreRyan Cohan/Geof Bradfield: Chicago, IL, August 11, 2011
by Alex Marianyi
Ryan Cohan, Geof BradfieldMillennium Park Pritzker Pavilion Chicago, ILAugust 11, 2011 The heat wave broke in Chicago and, weather-wise, the night was shaping up to be one of the best all summer. African Journeys, featuring Ryan Cohan and Geof Bradfield, began as saxophonist Bradfield's group took the stage to perform his extended work, “African Flowers." Shortly after a brief musical introduction, Bradfield reminded the audience of the trip that had inspired his set and pianist ...
read moreChicago Yestet: Jazz Is Politics?
by Alex Marianyi
For an introduction to the Chicago jazz scene, look no further than the Chicago Yestet's line-up on Jazz Is Politics?. From drummer Dana Hall (Terell Stafford) to John Wojciechowski, a finalist in the 1996 Thelonious Monk Saxophone Competition, the roster reads like a who's who in Midwestern jazz. Staying true to the album's namesake, the Yestet opens with the “The Decider," a track featuring audio clips from former President George W. Bush speech, famously giving himself the ...
read moreMatt Nowlin Jazz Orchestra: The Good News!
by Alex Marianyi
In a world full of negative media, the Matt Nowlin Jazz Orchestra only wants to talk about The Good News!. The good news is that Chicago- based composer/conductor Nowlin does not hesitate when referencing the great big bands of the past; however, this attitude does not keep him or his soloists from exploring new territory as well. While some tracks feature stride piano introductions à la early Count Basie or saxophone ensemble playing much like the Glenn ...
read moreSarah Marie Young: Expressive
by Alex Marianyi
Who needs a drummer, anyway? Not Sarah Marie Young. It's a certainty that the Chicago-based vocalist has nothing personal against drummers, but despite the absence of drums and percussion on Expressive, the rhythmic intensity, drive and energy they normally bring to the music are certainly not lacking. Expressive's tracks demonstrate considerable variety, from tempo to time signature to style. “Goodbye To You and Me," a loping jazz waltz, features Young's sensitive and relaxed swing feel, while her ...
read moreScott Burns: Passages
by Alex Marianyi
Chicago-based tenor saxophonist Scott Burns has said that he practices each exercise, pattern, or whatever else he may be working on until he gets it perfect. Five times in a row. The results of this type of practicing couldn't be any more obvious than on Passages, release by Origin in 2006. Through this rigorous study, Burns has sufficiently assimilated the sounds of the great tenor players that have come before him in order to produce his own powerful yet unique ...
read moreMatt Nelson Trio: Nostalgiamaniac
by Alex Marianyi
According to The Oxford English Dictionary, nostalgia is defined as “a sentimental longing or wistful affection for the past," and a maniac is “an obsessive enthusiast." Chicago pianist Matt Nelson embodies both qualities on Nostalgiamaniac. The sentimentality of his ballad playing and the keen musical citation of past generations of jazz musicians clearly display the conversation he's having with his own past, and his dedication to music. Without losing momentum in his constant foray into modernity, Nelson ...
read more
Giveaway
Days remaining: 3
