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Jazz Articles about Darren Johnston

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Radio & Podcasts

Darren Johnston, Rossi / Hess / Moran & Theo Jorgensmann

Read "Darren Johnston, Rossi / Hess / Moran & Theo Jorgensmann" reviewed by Maurice Hogue


This episode of One Man's Jazz is a very mixed bag. There's a preview of an upcoming box set of Charles Mingus' 1970 releases for Atlantic Records, some Jimi Hendrix on tuba from Germany's Pinguin Moschner, electronica from keyboardist Elias Stemeseder and drummer Christian Lillinger, the Polish duo of saxophonist Maciej Sikala and drummer Tomek Sowinsk}, a pair from Diskonife Records (Darren Johnston & the trio of Mick Rossi, Peter Hess and Matt Moran), and much more, including a look ...

3
Radio & Podcasts

Darren Johnston, Jazzanova, Ezra Collective, Minino Garay & More New Releases

Read "Darren Johnston, Jazzanova, Ezra Collective, Minino Garay & More New Releases" reviewed by Ludovico Granvassu


May the fun be with you, and the Funk of the Ezra Collective too, as well the speaking Tango of Minino Garay, the Strata records vault-digging of Jazzanova and much more!Happy listening!Playlist Ben Allison “Mondo Jazz Theme (feat. Ted Nash & Pyeng Threadgill)" 0:00 Ezra Collective “May the Funk Be with You" May the Funk Be with You -Single (Enter the Jungle) 0:16 Host talks 4:41 Jazzanova “Creative Musicians" Strata Records: The Sound of Detroit (Reimagined ...

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Album Review

Darren Johnston: Life in Time

Read "Life in Time" reviewed by Jack Bowers


Brooklyn-based trumpeter Darren Johnston traveled to Chicago in May 2021 to record Life in Time with three of his favorite musicians: saxophonist Geof Bradfield, bassist Clark Sommers and drummer Dana Hall who form their own working trio in the Windy City. The generally charming studio date encompasses ten original compositions, six by Johnston, four by Bradfield. Technically and musically, the foursome is splendid. What is missing—and it takes a tune or two to sink in—is the welcome ...

4
Album Review

The Flatland Quartet: Songs From The Urban Forest

Read "Songs From The Urban Forest" reviewed by Hrayr Attarian


The members of The Flatland Quartet are not only accomplished improvisers, they are socially aware artists. Their activism permeates Songs From The Urban Forest. This is not only because the proceeds from its sale will be donated to the Sacramento Food Bank. All six interrelated pieces are simultaneously abstract and earthy, marked by a sublime balance of the cerebral and the emotive. Opening the set is “Joe Hill's Last and Final Will." It is built around the poem ...

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Album Review

Aaron Bennett / Darren Johnston / Lisa Mezzacappa / Frank Rosaly: Shipwreck 4

Read "Shipwreck 4" reviewed by Glenn Astarita


Chicago-based session ace and solo artist, drummer Frank Rosaly aligns with San Francisco Bay Area notables for a meeting of like-minded, highly skilled improvisers. After a gig in Frisco, the musicians' scheduled time to record this quartet date. Unfortunately, Shipwreck studios was destroyed in a fire a few months after this session and the musicians decided to pay a bit of homage via the album moniker. As improvisers amid the semi-structured song-forms, they do what they characteristically do ...

3
Album Review

Aaron Bennett / Darren Johnston / Lisa Mezzacappa / Frank Rosaly: Shipwreck 4

Read "Shipwreck 4" reviewed by John Sharpe


Named after the Oakland studio where the disc was recorded, the Shipwreck 4 brings together three West Coast improvisers with Chicago drummer Frank Rosaly for a program of six collectively created selections. As apparent on Everybody's Somebody's Nobody (Clean Feed, 2016), his duet with guitarist Fred Frith, trumpeter Darren Johnston's work maintains a melodic core, albeit one masked by occasional extended techniques. Aaron Bennett matches the trumpeter with adventurous but controlled tenor saxophone, delivered in a light airy tone. Bassist ...

Album Review

Darren Johnston's Gone to Chicago: The Big Lift

Read "The Big Lift" reviewed by AAJ Italy Staff


The Big Lift testimonia l'incontro del californiano Darren Johnston con un gruppo di amici musicisti tra i più attivi e creativi della scena jazzistica di Chicago. Ne risulta un disco delizioso in mirabile equilibrio tra ebrezza dell'improvvisazione e attrazione per la forma compiuta. Non è un caso quindi se i due standard presenti sul disco portano la firma di Ornette Coleman e Duke Ellington, forse i massimi interpreti di questi riferimenti stilistici. “Love Call" è una splendida dimostrazione di come ...


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