Jazz Articles
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Bill Laurance: Lumen
by Neil Duggan
Five-time Grammy Award-winning pianist Bill Laurance is perhaps best known as a founding member of fusion juggernaut Snarky Puppy, but his musical reach extends much further. Whether performing as a duo with Michael League, collaborating with the Untold Orchestra, leading his own trio, or exploring solo territory, Laurance has consistently demonstrated his versatility across multiple contexts. Lumen represents his most personal album to date. As he explains, “I couldn't have exposed more of who I am than I did with ...
Continue ReadingSharon Mansur: Trigger
by Neil Duggan
Israeli keyboard player Sharon Mansur carries her many influences into Trigger, her debut album on the ACT label. Those influences include classical piano, heavy metal, progressive rock, electronica and Middle Eastern traditions, all fused with improvisational flair to create an intriguing jazz hybrid. It is her classical background and progressive rock influences that make the strongest impression and underpin the eight self-penned tracks. Her dramatic and intense piano and keyboard work is supported by her trio, made up ...
Continue ReadingNils Kugelmann Trio: Life Score
by Neil Duggan
Life Score is the second album from the Nils Kugelmann Trio, following on from Stormy Beauty (ACT Music, 2022). That album (reviewed here) gestated during the pandemic, so there was little chance to test the pieces before going into the studio. This time around the tunes have been arranged and refined over numerous live appearances. Kugelmann is a German bassist with a strong storytelling aspect to his music, as he explains: “For me, making the connection between music ...
Continue ReadingMatthieu Saglio: Al Alba
by Thierry De Clemensat
European jazz is often deeply inspired by classical music and, on Al Alba, this influence is undeniable. In fact, this album is more a contemporary classical music album than a jazz record--unless one considers a few rhythmic flourishes. It is, therefore, best admired for the sheer beauty of its compositions, its interpretation, its arrangements and its vocal performances. Alfred Deller was considered one of the greatest countertenors of all time. Since his passing in the early 1980s, he ...
Continue ReadingMarius Neset: Cabaret
by Neil Duggan
Norwegian saxophonist and composer Marius Neset first captured the imagination with his 2011 album Golden Xplosion (Edition, 2011). Since then, his creative impetus has seen him release numerous albums, write pieces for large ensembles including the London Sinfonietta and Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, collaborate with classical pianist Leif Ove Andsnes and fulfill a busy touring schedule, winning multiple awards along the way. In 2022, he formed a quintet and released Happy (Act Music). The quintet featured one of the ...
Continue ReadingJohanna Summer / Jakob Manz: Cameo
by Neil Duggan
Cameo showcases the remarkable partnership between pianist Johanna Summer and saxophonist Jakob Manz. While their instrumental prowess shines throughout, the duo's true strength lies in their diverse musical influences. These varied inspirations infuse their compositions with unexpected twists that transcend the conventional boundaries of their chosen instruments. Classical music can often be found at the heart of European jazz and serves as the dominant influence on pianist Summer. She frequently performs at classical music venues, often playing free ...
Continue ReadingJulian & Roman Wasserfuhr: Safe Place
by Neil Duggan
There is a place where jazz, classical and chamber music converge and it is home to German brothers Julian & Roman Wasserfuhr. Trumpeter Julian and pianist Roman, both outstanding musicians, have been releasing albums on the ACT Music label since 2006 and captivating global listeners with their distinctive approach. Their compositions are both rigorously crafted and hauntingly emotional, creating an enveloping soundscape that defies easy categorisation. They are joined by Jorg Brinkmann, one of Europe's most celebrated cellists, ...
Continue ReadingBill Laurance and Michael League: Keeping Company
by Neil Duggan
Bill Laurance is one of the UK's most inventive pianists. His compositions and arrangements have involved multiple formats, including trios, duos, orchestras and solo piano, but he is best known as a member of the 19-piece jazz-funk-fusion ensemble Snarky Puppy. He joined the band at the invitation of their founder, U.S. multi-instrumentalist Michael League. They have been collaborating for over 20 years.That long-term musical relationship resulted in their first duo release, Where You Wish You Were (ACT Music), ...
Continue ReadingLars Danielsson, John Parricelli and Verneri Pohjola: Trio
by Neil Duggan
Château Palmer is a wine estate in Margaux, in south-west France. Those that know about these things rate their wines as among the best anywhere in Bordeaux. If you are going to record a jazz album outside of the recording studio, then a light and airy wood-paneled salon at the château with French windows overlooking the serene estate seems to be an inspired choice. The recording came about as the second part of a project between the German label ACT ...
Continue ReadingJan Lundgren & Yamandu Costa: Inner Spirits
by Neil Duggan
They are probably not the most obvious pairing, but pianist Jan Lundgren from Sweden and guitarist Yamandu Costa from Brazil comprehensively prove that the obvious is not always the best. Their album, Inner Spirits, displays a rare kind of chemistry and mutual understanding that defines the concept of musical partnership. It is often the case that piano-guitar duets do not work too well; both instruments seem to compete for the same space. When it works well, the results ...
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