Jazz Articles
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Royce Campbell feat. Gene Bertoncini: A Tribute to Charlie Byrd
by Matt Merewitz
Sharing a rare commitment to the mastery of their instrument, jazz guitarists have a strong bond to an axe which – despite huge popularity in other genres – has by and large, seemed to elude jazz throughout the music’s history. When thinking of true non-crossover jazz guitarists, only a handful come to mind: Django Reinhardt, Charlie Christian, Wes Montgomery, Freddie Green (only in terms of longevity, not originality), and Grant Green. George Benson’s roots were in straight-ahead but he eventually ...
Continue ReadingRoyce Campbell: A Tribute to Charlie Byrd
by Matt Merewitz
Jazz guitarists have a strong bond since they share a rare commitment to the mastery of the instrument’s place within that context (as opposed to other “more popular" styles). In a century when guitar became the most widely heard and played instrument--in non-jazz settings--jazz guitarists’ dedication to their trade is admirable because they represent a handful of instrumentalists who dare to delve head-on into the jazz idiom. If you think about it, only a handful of guitarists can truly be ...
Continue ReadingJohn Stein: Conversation Pieces
by Jack Bowers
Blessed are the eavesdroppers, for they shall overhear such consistently beguiling conversations as those between guitarist John Stein, reedmeister David “Fathead" Newman and their eloquent companions, bassist Keala Kaumeheiwa and drummer Greg Conroy. Even though the guitarist “puts words in his mouth" (all of the compositions are Stein's), Newman evidently relishes the thought-provoking interplay, as this is their second album together. The session is evenly divided between trio and quartet numbers with Newman playing alto on “Up and at 'Em," ...
Continue ReadingSteve Rochinski: A Bird in the Hand
by Jack Bowers
Bostonbased Steve Rochinski soars well above the commonplace with A Bird in the Hand, a wellcrafted studio session that elicits a series of remarkable statements from the guitarist and his teammates. Rochinski is clearly a worldclass player with immaculate technique, freeflowing ideas and an unwavering propensity to swing under any and all conditions. While Rochinski seems able to do whatever he pleases, one thing he does not do is focus the spotlight on himself at the expense of his trio ...
Continue ReadingSteve Rochinski: Otherwise
by Jack Bowers
This is guitarist Steve Rochinski’s second album for Jardis Records, and the choice of music isn’t as engaging as on the first one; Otherwise, it’s an effective straight–ahead studio session that benefits greatly from the presence on the five quartet numbers of the brilliant young pianist Chip Stephens. On the one hand, Rochinski earns high marks for unearthing a number of lesser–known tunes (Jobim’s “God and the Devil in the Land of the Sun,” Harry Warren’s “Summer Night,” Michael Leonard’s ...
Continue ReadingJohn Stein: Portraits and Landscapes
by Jack Bowers
Here’s an album that definitely lives up to its name, as guitarist John Stein and his colleagues paint a series of exquisite “pictures in sound,” all but one of which were written by Stein himself. The exception is the standard “Moonlight in Vermont,” given a pleasurable ride by Stein’s working trio (bassist Keala Kaumeheiwa, drummer Greg Conroy) and guest pianist Larry Goldings. Stein keeps the music fresh and beguiling by altering form and tempo, using samba, bossa, hard bop, soul ...
Continue ReadingSteve Rochinski: Otherwise
by Bill Donaldson
A presence in the Northeast jazz scene, and certainly known by the students and faculty of the Berklee School Of Music, guitarist Steve Rochinski unfortunately was unable to scrape together the resources for more than a self-produced CD until recently. His “Until Further Notice" garnered the acclaim of those who heard it, but without distribution and marketing, the word about Steve Rochinski didn't spread too far his base in Boston.His first Jardis-released CD, “A Bird In Hand," all ...
Continue ReadingJohn Stein: Portraits and Landscapes
by Dave Nathan
Jardis Records is the German counterpart of England's String Jazz label. Both concentrate on guitar music and performers. Here Jardis has reached across the Atlantic to put to a CD the styling of Boston's John Stein. Stein, who teaches harmony at the prestigious Berklee College, gathered together some like minded cohorts for a solid session of straight ahead jazz with modern trimmings. All but one of the pieces are by Stein and are especially melodic, avoiding jagged, quirky rhythm patterns. ...
Continue ReadingJohn Stein: Portraits and Landscapes
by C. Andrew Hovan
Once in a while an artist comes along who simply takes you by surprise and that in turn is what keeps jazz the evolving and appealing art form that it is. Such is the case with guitarist John Stein, a mainstay on the Boston jazz scene and an established artist who certainly is deserving of wider appreciation. For his third set as a leader, Stein finds himself allied with the German-based Jardis label, a concern that focuses exclusively on fine ...
Continue ReadingSteve Rochinski: A Bird in the Hand
by Jack Bowers
Most of us have heard the adage about “a bird in the hand.” Here’s a variation: A Bird in the Hand (when borne by Boston–based guitarist Steve Rochinski’s trio/quartet) is worth listening to — and more than once. As I’ve said before, I couldn’t single out one guitarist from another in a blindfold test if failure to do so would result in my being shot at sunrise; but I do know who can play and who can’t. Steve Rochinski can. ...
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