Jazz Articles

Rene Marie: Live At the Jazz Standard

by C. Michael Bailey
April 9, 2003

The biggest surprise perhaps on Rene Marie’s inaugural live recording is the conspicuous absence of her controversial reading of Billie Holiday’s “Strange Fruit" and the traditional “Dixie" in medley from her last MAXJAZZ recording Vertigo (MXJ114, 2001). To Marie’s credit, she does cover her previously covered “How Can I Keep From Singing" (the title of her initial MAXJAZZ release). Stunning in this release is Ms. Marie’s beautiful coupling of Ravel’s “Bolero" and Leonard Cohen’s “Suzanne." This daring association alone (the ...

B-Sharp Jazz Quartet: Searching for the One

by AAJ Staff
January 20, 2003

Searching for the One was released by the California-based MAMA Foundation (which stands for “Musical Archives, Musical Archives") -- a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting preservation of experimental and “culturally significant" artists who might not otherwise have the opportunity to spread their magic. This record by the B Sharp Jazz Quartet is indeed a quest for the furthest reaches of modern music.

Arranged by drummer Herb Graham, Jr., the album begins with "The Spirit of Jazz Today, part I (this ...

Carla Cook: Simply Natural

by C. Michael Bailey
October 2, 2002

A Third by Ms. Cook...

Carla Cook is the first singer on the MAXJAZZ roster to release three discs. Her previous two, It’s All About Love and Dem Bones both received considerable attention upon release. Here, Ms. Cook continues in fine form and under the direction of producer/pianist Bruce Barth. Cyrus Chestnut is again on hand to provide his well-developed support and ditto for the rhythm section of bassist Kenny David and Drummer Billy Kilson. Ms. Cook’s originals, the title ...

Carla Cook: Simply Natural

by Jim Santella
October 1, 2002

"Simply Natural." The song's title describes what Carla Cook is all about and what makes her such a thrilling vocalist. She's genuine. Both her scat singing and her lyric interpretations result in a relaxed atmosphere where everyone can sit back and enjoy being a part of it. Accompanists Bruce Barth and Cyrus Chestnut are in fine form. The program's song selection offers a wide variety that allows Cook's natural beauty to shine through. She's crossed generations by combining classics such ...

Carla Cook: Dem Bones

by Jim Santella
May 1, 2001

The title of Carla Cook's latest album refers to the trombone choir she's enlisted to blend with her silky smooth voice. Her natural ability makes this one work. Whether she's scat singing, crooning soft ballads, or spinning acrobatic vocalese, Cook is always on pitch and quite in control. Her expressiveness is what makes her performances special. Cook, who grew up in Detroit, has made the connection between jazz and similar art forms. She made her decision to become a jazz ...

Carla Cook: Dem Bones

by C. Michael Bailey
March 1, 2001

Carla Cook follows up her Grammy-nominated It's all About Love with a slightly funkier fair...but only after some mainstream flirtations.

Carla Cook's 1999 It's All About Love was one of the inaugural releases of the then fledgling MAXJAZZ label. It was honored with a Grammy® nomination for Best Jazz Vocal Performance. It was an eclectic and ingenious collection of tunes from all corners of the genre spectrum. This year's Dem Bones is no exception to the precedent she set with ...

Carla Cook: Dem Bones

by C. Michael Bailey
March 1, 2001

Carla Cook follows up her Grammy-nominated It's all About Love with a slightly funkier fair...but only after some mainstream flirtations.

Carla Cook's 1999 It's All About Love was one of the inaugural releases of the then fledgling MAXJAZZ label. It was honored with a Grammy® nomination for Best Jazz Vocal Performance. It was an eclectic and ingenious collection of tunes from all corners of the genre spectrum. This year's Dem Bones is no exception to the precedent she set with ...

Joao Paulo & Peter Epstein: Esquina

by Mark Corroto
February 1, 2001

The two-microphone approach MA Records utilizes in this recording by Portuguese pianist Joao Paulo and American Peter Epstein is reminiscent of the large, lush “ECM sound.” Recorded in the Saint George British Anglican Church in Lisbon, Portugal, this richly acoustical, rather large sound environment is a treat for audiophiles. Where the “ECM sound” sometimes comes under the criticism for a cold sterile timbre, MA’s disc resonates an organic radiance.

Paulo is perhaps the Portuguese Keith Jarrett, expressing himself in both ...

Peter Epstein Quartet: The Invisible

by Mark Corroto
September 1, 2000

Saxophonist Peter Epstein changes sound and form as needed for the different lives he leads. In one prior life he sits in a cathedral alone, playing for the gods (see this month’s review of Solus ), in another he wears a Downtown existence in Jerry Granelli’s Badlands. Then there’s his Portuguese folk/jazz (see review of Almas), Mid-Eastern music with Brad Shepik, then again his ECM chamber jazz work. His ability to morph makes him all things to most people.

His ...

Peter Epstein: Almas/Solus

by Mark Corroto
September 1, 2000

My ‘what I did during summer vacation’ essay would begin simply enough. “I listened to jazz.” I guess you can call what I listen too, ‘jazz.’ But then again, when is jazz not jazz? And can a jazz artist make a non-jazz record? Certainly, ask Miles Davis (sorry), ask Keith Jarrett and Wynton Marsalis, both have been exploring classical music most of their careers. Without re-igniting the ‘what is/is not jazz’ argument I venture into two recent discs by saxophonist ...