Jazz Articles

Andrew Beals: Gravy Train

by Elliott Simon
April 19, 2008

Andrew Beals Gravy Train NASMusic 2008

For half a century, saxophonists have gravitated toward Hammond B3-led bands to hone their chops. The demands of the “chitlin' circuit" combined with those burnin' B3 lines create the perfect musical training ground. Consequently, some of the sagest advice for an aspiring musician is simply, “If you want to really learn your instrument go play with a B3."

One of the best to play ...

Joe Friedman: Cup O' Joe

by Ralph A. Miriello
September 16, 2007

Cup O' Joe is a surprisingly upbeat and enjoyable debut album for St. Louis-born guitarist Joe Friedman. After playing alongside contemporaries like Cyrus Chestnut and ably providing guitar duties on tour for chanteuse Eartha Kitt, Friedman was given the chance to record his first album as a leader by a fellow Oberlin College alumni, producer and drummer Neal Smith. Alumni brotherhood aside, Smith obviously saw a certain special something in Friedman's playing and his instincts were apparently right on the ...

Joe Friedman: Cup O'Joe

by Ernest Barteldes
March 25, 2007

From the opening riffs of guitarist Joe Friedman's up-tempo arrangement of “Pure Imagination (taken from the soundtrack of Willie Wonka and the Chocolate Factory), it is clear that this is a new talent who deserves quick recognition. He plays electric guitar cleanly, with little or no reverb or other electronic effects, and turns many clever phrases, as on Monk's “Bolivar Blues . There are two original compositions on the disc. “A Darker Shade of Rose begins as ...

Neal Smith: Some of My Favorite Songs Are...

by Elliott Simon
January 28, 2006

Debut recordings can give a deceptively strong impression of a leader, since his or her best hour of material is showcased. Many an artist can't match that initial effort and fall prey to the dreaded sophomore jinx. Drummer Neal Smith has confounded that scenario by releasing his second recording along with his first--and when they are taken together, one is left stunned by a multifaceted drummer who is at home in a variety of milieus. While Swingin' is Believin' was ...

Neal Smith: Swingin' Is Believin'

by Elliott Simon
December 26, 2005

Swingin' is Believin' is evidence that Neal Smith is well aware of the Indian proverb “A good drummer listens as much as he plays. Not to say that Smith is a wallflower. Au contraire, he has that much-desired talent of solidifying an organized sound while driving the music in interesting directions. Coupled with an obvious connection to pianist Rick Germanson and bassist Michael Hawkins, Smith, pianist Cyrus Chestnut's first-call drummer, has elected to share the spotlight with no less than ...