Articles by Anastasia Bogomolets
Sean Vokes: Mundane Fascinations
by Anastasia Bogomolets
On his second release for his own indie label, Minor Third Records, pianist and composer Sean Vokes invites listeners into a deeply personal sonic world where everyday moments are transformed into vivid, emotionally charged musical snapshots. Mundane Fascinations is a collection of original compositions inspired by images, concepts or fleeting moments and developed with the same emotional precision a film composer might bring to a scene. Vokes shared that the album began with the song “Rain," which he ...
Continue ReadingDarren Pickering Small Worlds: Three
by Anastasia Bogomolets
Darren Pickering Small Worlds' release, Three, continues the quartet's ongoing exploration of jazz fused with cinematic flavour and electronic possibilities. The group, led by pianist and composer Darren Pickering, offers a set of emotionally nuanced compositions, some anchored in jazz language, others bringing in filmic atmosphere. Electronic tools--an array of modular systems, synths and apps--play an active role in shaping the sound. Rather than being added after the fact, they function as part of the compositional language. Pickering ...
Continue ReadingShuffle Demons: Are You Really Real
by Anastasia Bogomolets
Celebrating four decades of genre-blending jazz, the Shuffle Demons return with Are You Really Real, a studio album that fuses funk, post-bop, theatrical satire and spiritual jazz. Influences ranging from Eric Dolphy and Alice Coltrane to the Red Hot Chili Peppers shape the band's eclectic high-energy aesthetic. The opening track, “X Marks the Spot," sets the tone with multivoiced saxophone lines and a rhythm section that oscillates between swing and funk. Tenor saxophonists Kelly Jefferson and Matt Lagan ...
Continue ReadingEster Andujar: Inner Songs
by Anastasia Bogomolets
Ester Andújar Rico's album Inner Songs is a mesmerizing journey through language, culture, and emotion. Andújar effortlessly transitions between Spanish, Valencian, Portuguese, and English, making each track feel like an intimate conversation across borders. Even if you are not fluent in all of the languages, the album provokes introspection on how language modifies the listener's perception of music. Andújar's vocals carry a subtle but powerful influence from Spanish vocal traditions, particularly in the way she infuses her phrasing ...
Continue ReadingYaron Herman: Radio Paradise
by Anastasia Bogomolets
"When I started working on this album, the first thing that came to my mind was melody. I have been writing a lot over the last few years, mostly in my notebooks, for myself. On the road or at home, anything from long lines to short fragments. With time, (and hard work) these “motifs" started to take shape and turn into 'songs,'" Yaron Herman shares about his backstage process. Even though there are no human vocals on the ...
Continue ReadingThe Story Of The Bishkek International Jazz Festival Jazz Bishkek Spring: Celebrating Music Against All Odds
by Anastasia Bogomolets
The international jazz festival Jazz Bishkek Spring takes place in the capital of Kyrgyzstan every year in April, spanning two or three nights across multiple venues. This vibrant event offers a dynamic mix of local and international talent, providing a unique experience for jazz enthusiasts and highlighting the city's evolving cultural scene. For Bishkek, a city still finding its footing on the cultural stage, the annual jazz festival holds great importance. It serves as a key platform for ...
Continue ReadingPatrick Naylor: Organza
by Anastasia Bogomolets
Organza from Patrick Naylor, David Beebee and Eric Ford reimagines the classic guitar-organ trio. With Beebee on Hammond organ, Ford on drums and Naylor on guitar, the album includes six original compositions by Naylor and two by Beebee. These tracks showcase the strong musical chemistry between the two, who have been creating music together since their school days. Over the course of eight tracks, Naylor's guitar weaves a silky, melodic presence that carries the listener on an atmospheric ...
Continue ReadingJazz: Cultural Diplomacy, Art or Show Business?
by Anastasia Bogomolets
There is a firm belief among scholars that jazz and the American Jazz Ambassadors programme played an important role during the Cold War era. Extensive literature explores the significance of jazz in shaping global post-war relationships. The world has changed dramatically since then. On one hand, music, including jazz, has become increasingly commercialized; on the other, unlimited access to free streaming platforms has significantly reduced governments' ability to influence musical preferences. Do you think we are entering another historical period ...
Continue ReadingMelissa Kassel & Tom Zicarelli Group: Moments
by Anastasia Bogomolets
Take a little bit of cool jazz, add boldly inventive vocals at times distinctly rooted in the realm of free jazz, gently sprinkle with bebop solos here and there, and season with heartfelt lyrics. Mix until smooth. Enjoy Moments by Melissa Kassel and the Tom Zicarelli Group. “I do not believe the studio always captures the essence of a live performance where everything is naturally spontaneous," Kassel notes. Yet, with this recording, she has undoubtedly achieved that goal. ...
Continue ReadingThe Future of Jazz Standards: Will Contemporary Jazz Leave a Lasting Legacy?
by Anastasia Bogomolets
Some of what we now call jazz standards originated on Broadway, while others were initially composed as jazz masterpieces by the genius composers of the past. These jazz standards form the backbone of the “jazz tradition." Aspiring jazz musicians typically learn a couple of hundred of these standards to build their repertoire and launch their careers. As the jazz movement continues to grow globally and incorporating more cultures, jazz itself becomes increasingly diverse, blending a variety of folk ...
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