Articles by Giovanni Russonello

Chris Potter's Underground at The Village Vanguard, NYC

by Giovanni Russonello
January 24, 2010

Chris Potter's Underground Village Vanguard New York City January 10, 2010

Maybe there's something to be said for throwback music. It can feel comforting to hear new music laced with the crackle of an old LP, or the warm horn harmonies of a vintage gospel record. But as Gil Scott-Heron reminds us on his classic “B Movie," in politics indulging that nostalgia means “not to face now or tomorrow, but to face backwards"--stagnation in ...

Alfredo Rodriguez at the Jazz Standard: Cuban Piano Prodigy's NYC Debut

by Giovanni Russonello
August 20, 2009

Alfredo Rodriguez Trio Jazz Standard New York, New York July 28,2009

Alfredo Rodriguez is fond of saying that music has been his life since he was very young. The thing is, he's still very young.

But the story of this 23-year-old pianist's daring defection from Cuba, his uncanny virtuosity--enough to pique the interest of Quincy Jones--and his all-hands-on-deck enthusiasm at the keyboard indicate that music will be his fiber for as long ...