Articles by Jim Worsley
Erik Palmberg: Faces
by Jim Worsley
In 2018 Swedish trumpeter Erik Palmberg burst onto the jazz scene withFirst Lines (Prophone). Burst is a bit strong based on the level of noise it made. But it is possibly an understatement when you consider the level of unique and personal articulation. Palmberg's quartet focused mostly on Palmberg originals and brought them to life in what has became a signature sound. You just knew there had to be more to come. Sure enough, three years later along came In ...
Continue ReadingScott Kinsey: Luniwaz Live
by Jim Worsley
Fans of Weather Report or the Zawinul Syndicate or for that matter most any of Joe Zawinul's work, will llikely appreciate this album led by keyboardist Scott Kinsey. The Austrian keyboardist Zawinul, along with legendary saxophonist Wayne Shorter, were the founders of Weather Report. Kinsey became a prodigy of Zawinul and has done more than just keep the music alive. First came (We Speak Luniwaz:The Music of Joe Zawinul, Whirlwind Recordings, 2019). That studio album affirmed not only Kinsey's affinity ...
Continue ReadingTom Kennedy: New Start
by Jim Worsley
When thinking of bassist Tom Kennedy, it can be instinctive to think of drummer Dave Weckl. Or vice versa. The two became friends and musical colleagues in their early teens. That is roughly a half century of playing, recording, touring, and much more together. Kennedy is known around the world as a premier, elite jazz and fusion electric bassist. Weckl has the same notoriety and brilliant skill set behind his drum kit. One could go on at length about their ...
Continue ReadingDean Brown: Global Fusion on Acid
by Jim Worsley
In memory of Dean Brown. This interview was first published at All About Jazz on April 23, 2021. From the outset, the equation was simple enough. Jazz + rock = fusion. However, whether it was Miles Davis, Larry Coryell, John McLaughlin, or any of the pioneers of fusion, the music has always been far from simplistic. Musical depth has long been the trademark of a genre that has been through many incarnations and traversed a multitude of directions. ...
Continue ReadingLeni Stern: The Twenty Year Audition
by Jim Worsley
Composer and musician Leni Stern has big news to share. She chose to do so quietly, with her usual cool, low-key and savoir-faire charm. In conversation with only my wife and I, recently at a jazz club in Los Angeles, she left us elated with the kind of news most other artists would be screaming from a mountain top. But that's not how this classy European-born artist rolls. It's another milestone accomplishment, in a career chalked with them. But let's ...
Continue ReadingJulien Kasper: Julien Kasper
by Jim Worsley
While it can be easier to tell a story through lyrics, words often fall short of the feelings and emotional journey which an artist is choosing to convey. Guitarist Julien Kasper brought together an assemblage of like-minded musicians in order to present seven of his original compositions. At the risk of redundancy the material is indeed original. The compositions are a portrait of a man's soul, captured organically with sentiment, heart, and the benefit of life experiences. Kasper's ...
Continue ReadingHouse of Waters: On Becoming
by Jim Worsley
Flowing in many directions yet forever staying in the moment is largely the challenge and artistic purpose of House of Waters. Here they once again bring forth new and creative concepts that are freely exchanged and intertwined. New beginnings, drawn from multiple sources, as well as further exploration of the past, create the wonder, awe, and awareness of On Becoming. The dulcimer was not part of mainstream culture until Max ZT put it on the map. Joining with six string ...
Continue ReadingDouyé: The Golden Sèkèrè
by Jim Worsley
Nigerian-born singer Douye has integrated the essence of Western jazz with the polyrhythmic sounds of African percussion. In doing so, she has spun the incomparable musical and lyrical genius of The Great American Songbook off its axis. These precious standards have been rearranged and reimagined hundreds if not thousands of times over the years. Douye was focused on presenting them in a fresh and impressionable manner. The concept of adding the wealth of African percussion to the glorious sounds of ...
Continue ReadingJeff Richman: Fresh & Formidable Fusion Pioneer
by Jim Worsley
When the name Jeff Richman enters the conversation, there is a good chance you have nested deeply into the fusion guitarist rabbit hole. Richman recently released his eighteenth studio album XYZ (Blue Canoe, 2023), to go along with six gorgeously respectful tribute records. Now 71, the Berklee College of Music grad, has etched his name in fusion history. His career, which includes composing, arranging, playing, teaching, and writing for television and movies, dates back to the late 1970's. After cutting ...
Continue ReadingJeff Richman: XYZ
by Jim Worsley
XYZ could perhaps reference any number of things. Sparing us that rabbit hole, in this case it references boundaries pushed to their fullest extent with some exceptional new music from fusion guitarist Jeff Richman. Richman's previous release, Sizzle (Nefer Records 2017) was/is a record that lives up to its name. There is something to be said about not putting out a record every eighteen months, twenty-four months, or any other calendar-driven period. It would seem that Richman threw away the ...
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