Articles by Dean Christesen

Fight the Big Bull: Dying Will Be Easy

by Dean Christesen
September 10, 2008

Fight the Big Bull's debut record begins darkly, with a fear brooding in the growl of a distorted trombone, unsettling bass and haunting shakers. It ends in a similar, yet tweaked tone, with an epic chorus making way for one last statement of defeat (or is it victory?). Amidst the rest of the work emerges a big band heavy on the slop--like jazz found in the back woods, blues from dirt road nomads and hymns from the swamps of the ...

Angles: Every Woman is a Tree

by Dean Christesen
July 2, 2008

Every Woman is a Tree is dedicated to the women of Iraq, whose children cling to their branches for protection during this time of war. It asks the brutal question of what happens to the children when the branches are cut and the tree is killed, as well as questions of leadership and societal upbringing. The six musicians of Angles make this a personal matter through their music, as each track is unified by the sense that the men are ...

Glows in the Dark: Music to Listen to Glows in the Dark By

by Dean Christesen
June 6, 2008

Guitarist Scott Burton's compositions are as natural and uncontrived as his guitar playing: they work seamlessly with meaning and breadth. The debut record from his quintet, Glows in the Dark, features eight originals by the guitarist. Often shifting from dire marches to vicious free jazz to driving punk beats, the music never freezes. It would be unfair to categorize the album by these extremes alone, for there is so much more in between.

Burton's arrangements for his group--Reginald Pace (trombone/percussion), ...

Brad Mehldau Trio at Wolf Trap

by Dean Christesen
May 18, 2008

Brad Mehldau TrioWolf Trap, The BarnsVienna, VirginiaApril 30, 2008

A well-developed solo is a beautiful construction that takes time. Using time to their advantage, the Brad Mehldau Trio played an intoxicating set at the Barns at Wolftrap. The trio's latest album, Live (Nonesuch, 2008), came to life as the sense of blossoming solos on the recording was fully in flower on stage.

They played material none of which was on the latest release, performing an ...

Clusone Trio: Love Henry

by Dean Christesen
May 16, 2008

Introduced on the first track as “der Free Jazz Veteran," Han Bennink lives up to his reputation on this live German festival concert recording. The Clusone Trio of drummer Bennink, wind player Michael Moore and cellist Ernst Reijseger constantly feed off of each other's energy and contribute to form a unique group sound that explores the humorous, the aggressive and the beautiful.With a repertoire of pieces but no prior knowledge of their order or how to get from ...

Andre Ceccarelli Trio: Avenue des Diables Blues

by Dean Christesen
April 30, 2008

The French can swing hard. Let Andre Ceccarelli's 2005 release Avenue des Diables Blues be evidence of this. Frenchmen drummer Ceccarelli and guitarist Bireli Lagrene along with Joey DeFrancesco on Hammond organ display fine technique and wisely executed playing all throughout this Parisian release.

“Nardis" leads off with a bang and wandering time before snapping into the melody. The band explores different feels as they feel appropriate, which becomes somewhat of a theme for the whole album. Nothing ...

Branford Marsalis Demonstrates Leadership in Richmond

by Dean Christesen
April 21, 2008

Branford Marsalis Quartet Building Leaders Symposium at St. Christopher's School Richmond, VA April 12, 1008

With legendary musicians right in front of their eyes, a field house filled with people of all ages and all musical backgrounds watched as Branford Marsalis and his quartet donned the stage. For some, this was the first jazz they had ever heard. For others, this was a rare event not to be missed. The event was a leadership ...