Articles by Kyle Simpler
Hillai Govreen: Every Other Now
by Kyle Simpler
Many musicians are content to write and perform songs, while others continuously explore deeper territory. Clarinetist, saxophonist, and composer Hillai Govreen belongs firmly to the latter camp. At heart, she is a storyteller, and with Every Other Now, her debut solo release, she creates music that invites not only listening but also imagination. Govreen first drew notice with Allusions (Starr Street, 2021), a duo with pianist Nitsan Kolko, where her sensitivity and command of dialogue came to the ...
Continue ReadingTranscendence: The Music of Pat Metheny
by Kyle Simpler
Although Pat Metheny is known primarily as a guitarist, he has also established himself as one of the most influential composers in modern jazz. His music emphasizes storytelling and emotion over virtuosity. His compositions incorporate various elements from rock, Americana, and world music, adding nuances that appeal to listeners both within and outside the jazz world. With Transcendence: The Music of Pat Metheny, pianist Bob Gluck, along with bassist Christopher Dean Sullivan and drummer Karl Latham, together create a trio ...
Continue Reading50 Years Later: 10 Jazz Albums from 1975 That Deserve Another Spin
by Kyle Simpler
1975 was a landmark year for music, marked by several outstanding album releases. Bob Dylan's Blood on the Tracks (Columbia), Led Zeppelin's Physical Graffiti (Swan Song), Pink Floyd's Wish You Were Here (Harvest), Frank Zappa's One Size Fits All (DiscReet) and Jeff Beck's Blow by Blow (Epic) were just a few of the titles that have since become classic albums. The year, however, was not entirely dominated by rock albums. 1975 was also an essential year for jazz. ...
Continue ReadingAlex Otey: Darwin AI: Surivior Choice
by Kyle Simpler
Concept albums are uncommon in jazz, but pianist, trumpeter, and composer Alex Otey embraces the challenge with Darwin AI: Survivor Choice. This project blends intellect and groove, presenting Charles Darwin's evolutionary theory in a new light by discussing the implications of artificial intelligence through a hybrid of jazz, rock and beyond. Otey's background shapes the album's overall vision. Before turning to music full-time, he studied physics, worked with the Department of Energy and Agriculture and designed software. These ...
Continue ReadingJames Robert Murphy: Sunday Morning
by Kyle Simpler
Some musicians stick to one style and consistently remain true to it, while others continually explore new sounds and musical styles. Guitarist James Robert Murphy, aka Austin Jimmy Murphy, falls into this second category. He has worked in various genres, but he is clearly a jazz player at heart. With Sunday Morning, he offers a satisfying collection of jazz compositions, grounded in blues, shaded with Americana. Much of this comes as a result of Murphy's eclectic ...
Continue ReadingAnat Fort: The Dreamworld of Paul Motian
by Kyle Simpler
Other performers inspire every musician to some extent, but for Anat Fort, the influence of drummer Paul Motian altered her approach to performing and thinking about music. Although Motian passed away in 2011, his presence remains a motivating force in Fort's work. With The Dreamworld of Paul Motian, she pays homage not just to the man but to the mystery, lyricism, and true spirit of his music. Motian elevated the role of drumming in modern jazz. ...
Continue ReadingMeet Kyle Simpler
by Kyle Simpler
I currently live in: Fort Worth, Texas I joined All About Jazz in: 2002 Why did you decide to contribute to All About Jazz? That's an interesting story. I discovered All About Jazz mostly by accident. During the early 2000s, I worked for a company that published newsletters, and one of my responsibilities was researching upcoming concerts in different areas to include on event calendars. We would tailor each newsletter for the particular city where the ...
Continue ReadingEmma Hedrick: Newcomer
by Kyle Simpler
As long as there are songs, there will be singers to sing them, but there is a slight difference between a singer and a vocalist. Singers, no matter how talented, tend to remain in the foreground with the band in support. A vocalist, however, uses the voice as an instrument, becoming an integral part of the ensemble. Emma Hedrick fits that definition completely, and with her debut album Newcomer, she arrives with a voice honed through years of training and ...
Continue ReadingBen Basile: Benergy
by Kyle Simpler
Musical performances often showcase more than just an artist's talent. Whenever musicians play, the audience gets hints at their influences as well, because it is not often easy to conceal the impact of musicians who have helped shape the sound. In many cases, the influences are specific players the artist studied while earning the craft. However, some players draw from a broader palette, and such is the case with Ben Basile. With Benergy, bassist and composer ...
Continue ReadingSteve Bryant: New Town
by Kyle Simpler
Near the end of James Baldwin's short story, “Sonny's Blues," the narrator watches Sonny perform in a jazz club, where he describes the crowd as gathering around the piano while Sonny's fingers filled the air with life, his life. But that life contained so many others. In many ways, this description captures the essence of musicianship. Players bring their creations to life, but each of these carries its own history and influences. This is certainly evident in Red 123's album ...
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