Jazz Articles

Paul Hofmann: New Inventions

by John Kelman
April 25, 2004

Integrating classical influences within an improvisational context is nothing new. What is less common, however, is the idea that there is a syntactical similarity between jazz artists including Bud Powell, Charlie Parker and Duke Ellington and classical composers including Chopin and J.S. Bach. With New Inventions pianist/ composer Paul Hofmann bridges the gap between these seemingly disparate styles; asserting, in fact, that they share more in common than one might think.

Hofmann forwards the not-so-novel but rarely considered idea that ...

Paul Hofmann: Topsy Turvy

by John Kelman
April 22, 2004

Some people might say that hard bop and bebop albums are a dime a dozen. Certainly there is a plethora of artists out there who continue to mine the wealth of commonly-played material. Harder to find are artists like pianist Paul Hofmann, a performer/composer/educator who chooses to examine lesser-known tunes by artists including Herbie Hancock, Sonny Clark and Herbie Nichols. On Topsy Turvy , his eighth album as a leader for his own MHR Records, Hofmann elegantly blends the old ...

Michael Melito Quartet: 'Bout Time!

by Dr. Judith Schlesinger
January 1, 2003

There's a ton of splendid music coming out of Rochester, New York, probably because the first-rate Eastman School of Music is located there. Although few Noo Yawkers would admit it, The Big Apple doesn't have the state monopoly on stellar jazz, and here's another northern star to prove it. Mike Melito is a strong, straight-ahead drummer who's produced a classy, swinging CD with some of his local colleagues, all with impeccable credentials. It's a melodic session of fresh material, full ...

Michael Melito Quartet: 'Bout Time!

by C. Andrew Hovan
August 1, 2002

With advanced technology to the point that just about anyone can put together and sell their own CD (with little regard as to whether or not the music is worthy of dissemination or not, mind you), so much of the self-produced jazz which reaches this reviewer's doorstep is half-baked and not worth much more than a few spins. In a dichotomous turn to the other direction, drummer Michael Melito's second and most recent project is of such a high caliber ...

Michael Melito: 'Bout Time!

by Dave Nathan
June 21, 2002

For his third album for the MHR Record label, upstate NY young drummer Michael Melito leads a trio increased to a quartet on most tracks by the tenor sax of Grant Stewart and for one track, the flugelhorn of Joe Magnarelli. Being a leader as a drummer can be a frustrating undertaking. Typically in a drum small combo setting it's the piano that carries the load, and that's the case here with the talented Paul Hofmann. What Melito brings to ...