Articles by Jerry D'Souza
Andrew Dickeson: Is That So?
by Jerry D'Souza
Growing up in Australia, Andrew Dickeson played several instruments before deciding on the drums when he was 10. Over the years he developed his intuition and sensitivity, the dynamics helping create a wellspring of skills. His artistry took him to the finals of the Thelonious Monk Institute International Jazz Drums Competition in 1992 where he was the only non-American. Later, he went on to play with Martin Taylor, Lee Konitz, Mark Murphy and Branford Marsalis among others. Dickeson ...
read moreObsessions Octet: Steppin' Up
by Jerry D'Souza
When Kent Sangster and his wife Joanna Ciapka-Sangster founded the Obsessions Octet in 2005, they brought together three strands of music: classical, tango and jazz. The Octet is divided right down the middle between the classical and jazz segments. Here it takes eight to tango and together they delve into that form of music. The classical string quartet: Joanna Ciapka-Sangster, Neda Yamach, Lianne Maitland and Rhonda Henshaw are regular members of the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra and the Alberta Baroque Ensemble. ...
read moreJason Kao Hwang: Sing House
by Jerry D'Souza
Jason Kao Hwang stirs the melting pot with several stylistic approaches to his music. His contribution to the Asian stream has manifested itself well enough. His immersion in free jazz with an impressive voice for the unusual, adds a daring, eclectic presence. Hwang has worked with the members of his group in different conglomerations. The understanding between them is seen in their interaction which takes off in free flight on No Such Thing. Hwang sets the head before ...
read moreKrzysztof Popek: Fresh Air Project
by Jerry D'Souza
Time has stamped Krzysztof Popek as a potent force on the Polish jazz scene. The flautist could have found a comfort zone in his native land given the accolades he accumulated there. Instead, he gathered a varied supporting cast of international musicians over the years,and built a strong edifice to his musical explorations. He stamps his credentials all over again on this recording. Popek explores through the senses of several composers including himself. His “Letters and Leaves" gets ...
read moreTrio WUH: Live at Jazzinec
by Jerry D'Souza
The first time Skip Wilkins František Uhliř and Jaromir Helešic played together was in January 2012. The following day they got the opportunity of playing at Birdland Neuborg on the Danube. they hit it off and by the time this recording was made in February 2013, they had performed together over 40 times. The trio brings in a mix of standards and originals setting off with “The Second Time Around." Wilkins lets the melody ebb and flow before ...
read moreAlbert Braida/Giancarlo Locatelli: Nel Margine
by Jerry D'Souza
Alberto Braida and Giancarlo Locatelli recorded this album as part of the concert series In Viaggio #9 bis at Sala Vallaperti in Melzo, Italy. The two have played together in the past and have developed an understanding and chemistry that elevates their music. Each is credited with five compositions on this record with “Del Margine" being improvised. The written note may be the signpost for their journeys, but the spark that lights their path is the undefined. Coming into play ...
read moreRemi Alvarez/Joe Fonda/Harvey Sorgen: Trio 3D
by Jerry D'Souza
When drummer Harvey Sorgen met saxophonist Remi Álvarez at the International Musicians Meeting in Monterey, Mexico, he was “taken by his sound, feel and humanity." This is not surprising. Álvarez has cut a wide swath both on record and in live performances as an adventurer who is not afraid to take risks without losing focus. Sorgen, who has blazed his own trail adding to the dynamics with his sense of rhythm and pulse and abetting the music of vibraphonist/pianist Karl ...
read moreThe Fat Babies: Chicago Hot
by Jerry D'Souza
What goes around comes around and time stands still in the future. The Fat Babies shows that, playing tunes from the '20s and '30s with exemplary flair. In this group, nostalgia turns out to be downright delicious.The septet is mellifluous as it unveils the heat and fervor of ragtime in a confluence that packs a great deal of punch. Its enthusiasm cannot be denied but it is its undoubted skill at parlaying the music into a living, breathing ...
read moreErnest Dawkins: Afro Straight
by Jerry D'Souza
Ernest Dawkins is a multifaceted giant of the saxophone. He was part of the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians (AACM), a groove into which he perfectly fit, blowing fresh winds of change into the comfort zone of improvisation. The sum of his parts included commissioned works for the Black Metropolis Research Consortium and the Banliues Bleues Festival. He moves into another compact area this time, playing eight standards and two originals, and once again invests his individualism into ...
read moreLuis Muñoz: Luz
by Jerry D'Souza
Luis Muñoz gathers strength with each of his recordings as he goes past the post of the previous one, making new ideas and developments his haunt. Luz, as the title would suggest, injects new light into his music. Muñoz conceives and marvelous executes his game plan. Driving the rhythm and the beat from the drummer's seat he opens up new vistas for his band. Form and genre are enveloped brilliantly as a spectrum fed by an enlightened ...
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