Results for "John Webber"

John Webber

For generations, the Midwest has been a fertile ground for producing talented jazz bass players. St. Louis native Jimmy Blanton revolutionized the role of the bass during his years with the Ellington band in the 1930s. Oklahoman Oscar Pettiford co-led the first bebop group (with Dizzy Gillespie) to play on New York City's famed 52nd St. And Ron Carter, born in Michigan, redefined the role of the bass in small group jazz during his tenure with the great Miles Davis Quintet of the 1960s. And while Bebop Generations bass player John Webber would modestly assert that he doesn't belong in the same league with legends such as Blanton, Pettiford and Carter, he is a prime example of the continuing stream of jazz musicians from the Midwest who have migrated to the jazz scene in New York — and who help keep it going strong as the center for jazz activity in the world. "I was actually born in St

Reeds and Deeds: Cookin'

by C. Andrew Hovan
February 22, 2024

Chances are that if you're reading these notes right now you're more than a bit familiar with the talents of tenor saxophonists Eric Alexander and Grant Stewart and might even have picked up Wailin' (Criss 1258), their first effort together leading a quintet billed as Reeds and Deeds. As such, it would probably be redundant to ...

Ryan Kisor: Power Source

by C. Andrew Hovan
June 22, 2023

Taking full advantage of what might be termed his “second wind," Ryan Kisor has grown into one of the most mature trumpeters of his generation. Back in 1990 when he impressed his elders by taking the prize at the Thelonious Monk Institute trumpet competition, things appeared promising and a major record label deal even came through ...

David Hazeltine: Inversions

by C. Andrew Hovan
April 30, 2023

It's often said that those with enviable skills make the most sophisticated actions look easy. Be it glass blowing or ice-skating, what appears to be within the grasp of the novice often involves an underlying complexity not readily apparent at first. The same could be said of higher forms of music such as classical and jazz. ...

Jordan VanHemert: Nomad

by Jack Bowers
May 7, 2022

Although his name offers no clue, saxophonist Jordan VanHemert's heritage is Korean. He salutes that legacy on Nomad, his second album as leader, with a pair of Korean folk songs and half a dozen comparatively modern themes written by Koreans or Korean Americans. Most are performed by VanHemert's trio: (Rodney Whitaker, bass; David Alvarez III, drums). ...

Doug Lawrence & Friends

Label: Self Produced
Released: 2021
Track listing: Night Flight; Soul Street; Latona; Tenderly; Early Morning Stroll; I Want a Little Girl.

Mabern Plays Coltrane

By Harold Mabern

Label: Smoke Sessions Records
Released: 2021
Track listing: Dahomey Dance; Blue Train; Impressions; Dear Lord; My Favorite Things; Naima; Straight Street.

It's All Your Fault

By Mike LeDonne

Label: Savant Records
Released: 2021
Track listing: It’s All Your Fault; Matador; Rock with You; Still; Party Time; Bags and Brown; Biggest Part of Me; Blues for Jed.

Doug Lawrence: Doug Lawrence & Friends

by Jack Bowers
December 11, 2021

If the name Doug Lawrence doesn't sound familiar, the name Count Basie surely should. What is the Lawrence- Basie connection? Well, for more than two decades Lawrence has been the featured tenor saxophone soloist with the renowned and still- active Count Basie Orchestra, a chair once impressively occupied by the likes of Lester Young, Eddie “Lockjaw" ...

Harold Mabern: Mabern Plays Coltrane

by Mike Jurkovic
November 27, 2021

As is too often the case, we gain more and more respect and insight into an artist after he or she has passed away. Harold Mabern may have been overshadowed by many of his peers but he remained true to himself: bringing to the music a Memphis-bred hard bop blues and flourishing as both sought after ...