Jazz Articles

Luis Perdomo: Universal Mind

by Dan Bilawsky
February 10, 2012

While pianist Luis Perdomo has earned plenty of praise for his work in Latin jazz settings with different artists such as percussionist Ray Barretto and saxophonist Miguel Zenón, classifying him as a “Latin jazz pianist" would be a mistake. Perdomo may earn his daily bread playing piano with many Latin luminaries and legends-to-be, but his work with saxophonist Ravi Coltrane and his own albums place him at the vanguard of modern jazz, in all of its expansive and inclusive glory. ...

Robin Eubanks + EB3: Live Vol. 1

by Jim Santella
June 18, 2007

Trombonist Robin Eubanks believes in staying up with the times. Not that electric trombone, trumpet or saxophone are anything new but relatively few jazz artists use them in concert since the looping and the pedal work can be quite complex. The opportunity to see it done live or on DVD is always something special. Eubanks' contemporary trio performance with EB3 features several electronic instruments, such as keyboard, bass, percussion pads and his unique electronic trombone, providing a thrilling concert based ...

Robin Eubanks & EB3: Live Vol. 1

by John Kelman
June 16, 2007

While ongoing developments in the area of technology have made it possible for artists to create a big band sound on a small band budget, you'd be hard pressed to find a group integrating it as seamlessly and interactively as trombonist Robin Eubanks' EB3 on Live Vol. 1. Thankfully Eubanks, rather than leaving listeners scratching their heads wondering who is doing what, has included a DVD that lets you watch five of the CD's nine performances. After seeing the footage, ...

Luis Perdomo: Awareness

by Budd Kopman
March 8, 2007

From the very first notes, pianist Luis Perdomo's Awareness demands attention because of its enormous energy: this record simply will not fade into the aural background. As shown by his debut release, Focus Point, Perdomo is a very thoughtful and intense musician who refuses to be pigeonholed in any single genre among the styles that comprise the sum of his influences. He calls himself a jazz musician first and a Latin musician second, and this release makes ...

Luis Perdomo: Awareness

by Mark F. Turner
December 11, 2006

Awareness is a resolute work of progressive jazz by one of today's emerging pianists, Luis Perdomo. The Venezuela native has memorably contributed to recordings of bright jazz names like Ravi Coltrane (In Flux, Savoy, 2005), Miguel Zenon (Jibaro, Marsalis Music, 2005) and Dafnis Prieto (About The Monks, ZOHO, 2005). Where his 2005 debut Focus Point (also on RKM) was more of an introduction, this recording is a dynamic view of original pieces that are more distinct and ...

David Gilmore: Unified Presence

by Phil DiPietro
November 21, 2006

David Gilmore Unified Presence RKM Records 2006

Let's break it down. You won't find this statement in David Gilmore's bio or on his website, but here it is: Gilmore is one of the baddest guitarists on the planet. Here's why--rhythmic acuity. If I were to write a book on jazz, one of its chapters would be titled “Instrumentalists Who Play Linear Rhythms", or maybe “Harmony As A Drum." I'm talking about players like Vijay ...

Luis Perdomo: Awareness

by John Kelman
November 4, 2006

Venezuelan-born pianist Luis Perdomo is one of a new breed of Latin artists (also including saxophonist Miguel Zenón and pianist Edward Simon) who, while remaining true to their cultural roots, are equally informed by broader interests--including modernistic jazz concepts and European classical music. His debut, Focus Point (RKM, 2004), confirmed his forward-thinking ability to find the nexus of diverse styles already evident in his work with Zenón and saxophonist Ravi Coltrane.

Awareness is a more stripped-down and conceptually focused affair ...

Luis Perdomo: Focus Point

by John Kelman
February 18, 2005

A focus point refers to the place where many things, often disparate, converge into one. Venezuelan pianist Luis Perdomo, who has emerged onto the vibrant and cosmopolitan New York live scene in the past few years, provides an apt example. His début release of the same name exposes a player who, while unquestionably rooted in Afro-Cuban concerns, has far broader interests, yet manages to tie them together with a personal style that is cogent, clear and, well, focused. Artists with ...

Luis Perdomo: Focus Point

by Russ Musto
December 9, 2004

Luis Perdomo's maiden voyage as a leader is as impressive a debut disc as any released by a young musician in recent memory. The pianist/composer presents ten original compositions (eight by himself) in a variety of settings (solo, duo, trio, quartet and quintet) that clearly demonstrate how woefully inadequate the term Latin jazz is in describing the work of such an immensely talented musician.

The opening “You Know, I Know" is a labyrinthine Afro-Cuban tour de force (propelled by Roberto ...

Ralph Alessi: Vice & Virtue

by AAJ Staff
July 25, 2003

Two of the inaugural three releases on RKM Music rely on the talents of Ralph Alessi, which all things considered bodes very well for the new label. The three letters in the label's name embody the first initials of executive producer Ravi Coltrane, his wife Kathleen Hennessy, and reedman Michael McGinnis. But their stated goal is to place control over recording solely in the hands of the artists.

Vice & Virtue proudly displays the talents of drummer Shane Endsley alongside ...