Articles by Troy Dostert
Sun Ra: At The Showcase (Live In Chicago, 1976-1977)
by Troy Dostert
Describing the music of Sun Ra is always challenging--perhaps even more so when it is documented on a live recording. A case in point is this offering from the Jazz Detective label, a substantial slice of Ra taken from two concerts at Chicago's Jazz Showcase in the mid-'70s. It can be dense and opaque, even impenetrable at times. But it also swings mightily, with a generous big-band sound which should appeal to all but the most close- minded jazz listeners. ...
read moreChristian Marien Quartett: How Long Is Now
by Troy Dostert
Drummer Christian Marien represents the kind of omnivorous musical sensibility that is so valuable in an age in which conventional musical categories seem increasingly irrelevant. His undeniable reverence for the jazz tradition is evident through his work with I Am Three, in which he has teamed with saxophonist Silke Eberhard and trumpeter Nikolaus Neuser to offer marvelous re-interpretations of Charles Mingus, both on Mingus, Mingus, Mingus (Leo Records, 2016) and, joined by vocalist Maggie Nicols, Mingus' Sounds of Love (Leo ...
read moreCurtis Taylor: Taylor Made
by Troy Dostert
From the classic Blue Note-inspired cover design to the wide range of bop-based jazz influences found within, trumpeter Curtis Taylor leaves no doubt about the vibe he is aiming for with his debut full-length release, Taylor Made. Taylor has been a frequently used sideman by artists such as Gregory Porter, Billy Childs, and Cyrus Chestnut, so it is a welcome occurrence that he is now able to step out on his own more convincingly. Seven well-designed compositions, and accomplished performances ...
read moreIvo Perelman, Chad Fowler, Reggie Workman and Andrew Cyrille: Embracing the Unknown
by Troy Dostert
Since founding Mahakala Music in 2019, saxophonist Chad Fowler has done as much as anyone to continue the spirit of unfettered free jazz, drawing on an illustrious roster which includes veterans such as William Parker, Matthew Shipp, Joe McPhee, Ivo Perelman and many others, with Fowler himself frequently appearing alongside them. The label is also doing a superb job of bringing together cross-generational assemblages of musicians, as on 2022's Alien Skin, which brought Shipp, Parker and Perelman together with Fowler, ...
read moreHenrique Mota Trio: É Pra Jazz
by Troy Dostert
Fusing the Brazilian rhythms of São Paulo with the feel of modern jazz, pianist Henrique Mota offers seven enticing cuts on his latest trio release, É Pra Jazz. With the top-shelf contributions of his bandmates, bassist Iury Batista and drummer Cuca Teixeira, not to mention a couple of esteemed guests, bassist Thiago Espirito Santo and saxophonist Cássio Ferreira, Mota has assembled a winning team for this album, and the resulting music is both joyful and exuberant. The opening ...
read moreChris Rottmayer: Being
by Troy Dostert
Pianist Chris Rottmayer has been a valued presence in the Madison, Wisconsin jazz scene for some time, both as a faculty member at the University of Wisconsin and as the leader of a couple of well-conceived albums. His Sunday at Pilars (Pilars, 2019) and So in Love (self-released, 2020) reveal a self-assured musician who can handle classic repertoire with authority. But his latest effort, Being, ups the ante by offering a collection of his own compositions, in this instance animated ...
read moreGrdina/Lillinger: Duo Work
by Troy Dostert
One would be hard-pressed to find a more versatile guitarist than Gordon Grdina, who somehow manages to try something different with each release. And he is no slouch in terms of productivity either; with at least a dozen releases since 2020, this is an artist who requires multiple palettes. His sensitivity on the oud is one of his most remarkable traits; witness his superb playing on the Persian-inspired The Marrow (Attaboygirl Records, 2024) with vocalist Fathieh Honari as proof. As ...
read moreRich Halley: Fire Within
by Troy Dostert
The cover and title of Rich Halley's latest, Fire Within, have a menacing edge, alerting us to the incendiary qualities that are always a part of the tenor saxophonist's music. But one of the remarkable things about Halley's output is that it is never one-dimensional; there are abundant nuances and surprises to keep a listener engaged, with plenty of rhythmic fervor and lyricism even amidst the more anarchic moments. And as he is united once again on his third outing ...
read moreMarcel Bonfim: Farewell/Despedida
by Troy Dostert
Although he has spent most of his life in his native Brazil, bassist Marcel Bonfim has resided in Chicago since 2015, when he began pursuing advanced jazz studies at DePaul University. Having been immersed in two distinctive musical environments has lent a wide perspective to his vision, and his debut release, Farewell/Despedida bears that out, with a variety of jazz styles on display, all given their due by Bonfim and his well-chosen colleagues. The bouncy opener, “Casa Forte/Zanzibar," ...
read moreScott Hesse Trio: Intention
by Troy Dostert
Guitarist Scott Hesse self-released his debut album, Intuition, in 1998, but he has been criminally under-recorded since then. At least, that is the conclusion many will draw after listening to his superb trio disc, Intention, recorded live in Chicago in 2023. His most recent date as a leader since 2015's The Stillness of Motion (Origin Records), here he is partnered with bassist Clark Sommers and drummer Dana Hall, with an opportunity to showcase his formidable talents in a way sure ...
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