Articles by Matthew Warnock
Doug Wamble: A New Direction
by Matthew Warnock
It's never easy for an established artist to make a change in their musical output mid-career, especially if up until that point they have made a name for themselves in the realm of traditional jazz. While some of these artists make a switch because for monetary reasons or to reach a wider audience, others are drawn to a new and exciting sound that they feel the need to explore further and share with their fans, both old and new.
Continue ReadingKevin Eubanks: Refocusing and Looking Forward
by Matthew Warnock
For millions of people across the U.S. and abroad, Kevin Eubanks will always be associated with The Tonight Show band, after his 18 years alongside Jay Leno. But for those who have followed Eubanks' career off the set, where he has been a highly prolific composer and recording artist, it's his work as a guitarist that makes him memorable. Sure, his infectious laughter and banter with Jay Leno was fun to watch night after night, but six-stringers in the audience ...
Continue ReadingMike Keneally: Behind the Creative Mind
by Matthew Warnock
Percussionist Marco Minnemann's Normalizer 2 series grew out of an interesting and challenging premise. The accomplished drummer recorded an hour-long improvisation and then submitted the same recording to other artists, including John Czajkowski, Phi Yaan-Zek, Trey Gunn and Alex Machacek, and asked them to compose accompanying music to pair with his improv. Though this approach to composition sounds difficult to say the least, the results have proven to be highly inventive and musically smooth, if one didn't read the liner ...
Continue ReadingFabrizio Sotti: When Life Gives You Lemons, Make a Great Album
by Matthew Warnock
Recording a jazz album is never easy. Compared to most genres of music, where everything is prearranged and planned out ahead of time, there is a large amount of spontaneity when it comes to laying down a jazz record. Many times, the best takes are the least thought-about beforehand--the ones where improvisational magic just jumps out of every musician, where all the stars align and the music culminates in one of those special moments where high-level improvisation is captured on ...
Continue ReadingJohn Fifield: It Is What It Is
by Matthew Warnock
It is What It Is is an entertaining and exciting modern-jazz album from Florida based guitarist John Fifield. The album mixes modern harmony and feel with Latin and rock grooves in a manner that is a nod to those who have come before, while still keeping one eye firmly on the forward horizon. All of the players are sharp on this session, which only adds to the interest created by Fifield's well thought-out compositions and arrangements. As ...
Continue ReadingDan Arcamone: In Motion
by Matthew Warnock
In Motion is a burning modern jazz album from Connecticut-based guitarist/pedagogue Dan Arcamone. This highly original record, with a slight tip of the hat to guitar virtuoso Tim Miller, is a solid follow-up to Arcamone's self produced debut, 2008's Trioism. Joined by his working trio of bassist Rich Zurkowski and drummer Tom Ash, along with some special guests, Arcamone has once again proved why he is one of the bright young stars on the East Coast modern jazz scene.
Continue ReadingLage Lund: Looking Forward
by Matthew Warnock
Growing up in Norway, a young Lage Lund dreamt of moving to New York, though not to play guitar, but to break dance in the NY subway system. Luckily for jazz guitar fans, this dream was never realized. Instead, Lund picked up the guitar at the age of thirteen and hasn't looked back. Since then, he has recorded on numerous records as a sideman, released three albums under his own name, and won the most prestigious jazz competition in the ...
Continue ReadingSteve Cardenas: From K.C. to N.Y.C.
by Matthew Warnock
Kansas City has had a long and storied place in jazz history. From Count Basie, to Charlie Parker and Lester Young, some of the best and brightest in the genre have either been raised or cut their teeth in K.C. While there seems to be an historical tinge to the city whenever its contribution to jazz is concerned, the Paris of the Plains still produces many top-notch instrumentalist and vocalists from its clubs, high schools and universities. With such a ...
Continue ReadingTimucin Sahin: Fretless and Fearless
by Matthew Warnock
Exciting, creative, challenging, noise, nonsense, genius--all of these words and more have been used for decades by critics and listeners alike to describe the avant-garde movement in jazz. While there seems to be no consensus on the genres appeal, some love it and others detest it, the avant-garde has always had a unique ability to draw out emotions in people, regardless of their listening preferences. The music is technically and musically challenging to the performers and to the listeners as ...
Continue ReadingTessa Quayle: Tessa Quayle: Whisper Not
by Matthew Warnock
Whisper Not is a fresh take on the traditional jazz repertoire by New Zealand vocalist Tessa Quayle. A gifted melodicist and improviser, Quayle brings a unique and personalized approach to these ten jazz and American Songbook standards. While she may not be a household name, yet, Quayle gives a performance that stands on its own two feet, firmly solidifying her as a singer to watch for as she moves forward in her budding career. Quayle has chosen a ...
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