Articles by Michael Epstein

Gary Burton's Arrival: Celebrating 50 Years

by Michael Epstein
April 24, 2010

Gary Burton's Arrival: Celebrating 50 YearsBerklee Performance CenterBoston, MAApril 8, 2010 When was the last time you saw a concert that featured Gary Burton, Mick Goodrick, Abe Laboriel, Harry Blazer, Joe Lovano, John Scofield, Steve Swallow, Antonio Sanchez, Tiger Okoshi, Jim Odgren, Donny McCaslin, Makoto Ozone, Julian Lage, Vadim Neselovskyi, Luques Curtis, James Williams, and Chick Corea? Unless you were at the Berklee Performance Center on Thursday, April 8, the answer is never.

You are wrong Billy Cobham

by Michael Epstein
December 19, 2008

Billy Cobham was featured in the the November 2008 issue of JazzTimes sounding off about fellow drummer Tony Williams. I respect Cobham's contribution to modern music, but he made comments about Williams that will no doubt spark debate.

Here's the context. In the magazine's Before & After column, Cobham was asked for his opinion of “Abracadabra" by Cindy Blackman, from that drummer's album Music for the New Millennium (Synth Sound, 2008).

Having criticised Blackman for overplaying, ...

Chris Potter Underground, Live at the Regattabar

by Michael Epstein
September 26, 2008

Chris Potter Underground Regattabar Boston, MA September 10, 2008

For the past four years, Chris Potter has been forging ahead on the music scene with a new vision. Compare his 2004 release on Sunnyside, Lift: Live at the Village Vanguard, with the 2007 Sunnyside release Follow the Red Line. Both were recorded live at the Village Vanguard and clearly show Potter's creative train of thought in action. Among many of the differences is the ...

Danilo Perez Trio at the Regatta, Boston

by Michael Epstein
September 18, 2008

Danilo Perez TrioRegattabar Jazz ClubThe Charles HotelBoston, MassachusettsSeptember 13, 2008 Pianist and composer Danilo Perez has been busy. A brief snapshot of his recent schedule includes last year's Panama Suite, a 15-minute, three-movement composition that was followed up by this year's Across the Crystal Sea (Verve, 2008). As a teacher and director, Perez serves as the Ambassador of Goodwill for Unicef, Cultural Ambassador of his native country of Panama, President and Founder ...

Roy Haynes and The Fountain of Youth Band at Scullers, Boston

by Michael Epstein
August 11, 2008

Roy Haynes and The Fountain of Youth Band Scullers Boston, Massachussetts July 25, 2008

On Friday, July 25th Roy Haynes and The Fountain of Youth Band played to an enthusiastic crowed at Boston's own Scullers Jazz Club. It was hard to believe that Haynes, who recently won Down Beat's 2008 Critics Poll award for drummer of the year, is 83 years old. His spirit, energy, and seasoned leadership continue to drive the quartet ...

Hiromi's SonicBloom at Scullers, Boston

by Michael Epstein
June 25, 2008

Hiromi Uehara: Hiromi's SonicBloomScullers Jazz ClubBoston, MassachusettsJune 13, 2008

Globalization has penetrated every aspect of our lives, and pianist Hiromi Uehara could not be more at home, wherever that may be. Commenting on her 2007 Telarc release, Time Control, Hiromi says, “I was inspired to write these pieces because my life is so hectic. I regularly feel jet-lagged and always seem to be in a different time zone. I find myself at airports with more ...

Taylor Eigsti Quartet at Scullers, Boston

by Michael Epstein
May 24, 2008

Taylor Eigsti QuartetScullersBoston, MassachusettsMay 14, 2008

From recent recordings with John Scofield, Joshua Redman, Peter Bernstein, Christian McBride, Lewis Nash, James Genus, Billy Kilson, the Brubeck Brothers, and the Czech National Orchestra, 23-year-old Taylor Eigsti has already established himself as a brilliant composer and jazz pianist. At such a young age, his unusual level of maturity has helped him earn the respect of major players as well as labels, as evidenced on his recent Concord ...

Ari Hoenig and Punk Bop at the Regattabar, Boston

by Michael Epstein
May 1, 2008

Ari Hoenig and Punk Bop Regattabar Boston, Massachusetts April 8, 2008 On Tuesday, April 8, drummer Ari Hoenig and his Punk Pop trio featuring Gilad Hekselman on guitar and Orlando LeFleming on bass played at Boston's Regattabar. Although he can be heard as a sideman on numerous recordings and performances with artists such as Kenny Werner, Jean-Michel Pilc, Chris Potter and Kurt Rosenwinkel, Hoenig has made a unique niche for himself as ...