Jazz Articles

The Great Jazz Trio: Someday My Prince Will Come

by Mark Sabbatini
September 7, 2004

When three guys with 130 years of experience collaborate on a set of oft-recorded tunes, certain things are expected.

They'll be rock-solid and, if not the freshest sound going, still capable of some surprises. There won't be any nonsense or players who don't “get" what their colleagues are up to. Traditionalists will find something to make it worth hailing as an important statement.

This trio can actually get away saying “mission accomplished."

Someday ...

The Great Jazz Trio: Someday My Prince Will Come

by Jim Santella
August 3, 2004

Founded in 1976 by Hank Jones, the Great Jazz Trio produced several recordings and changed bassists and drummers frequently. This album marks the final studio recording for brothers Hank and Elvin Jones together. Elvin, who is heard here in his prime, soloing frequently and coloring everything admirably, passed away in May at age 76.

The trio interprets these chestnuts with authority. As Richard Davis reiterates “Moose the Mooche" with bowed bass, he applies his personal zeal to the ...

Eddie Henderson: So What

by Russ Musto
December 12, 2003

Despite its title, this Miles Davis tribute's focus is not on the classic unit that recorded the track after which the album is named, but on the style and music of the trumpeter's great ‘60s quintet with Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter and Tony Williams. Eddie Henderson's mellifluous sound, meticulous choice of notes and atmospheric use of space clearly place him at the apex of the Miles continuum, and his working quartet with pianist Dave Kikoski and bassist Ed ...

Clark Terry and Max Roach: Friendship

by Steven Robinson
July 25, 2003

On the day this lovely recording was released, co-leaders Clark Terry (trumpet) and Max Roach (drums), legends both, were 82 and 79 years old respectively. Perhaps it would be best to get the clichés out of the way. Yes, it’s important that elder statesmen of jazz keep recording, and no one deserves that title more than these gentlemen. And it’s also great that the “old" guys have still “got it,” as they both most assuredly do. But what about the ...

Ravi Coltrane: Mad 6

by Terrell Kent Holmes
July 25, 2003

It is unfair when a talented person has his or her accomplishments examined through the lens of pedigree. Some, like Barry Bonds, have handled it well, but countless others have bent beneath the weight of great expectations. Saxophonist Ravi Coltrane has forged a notable career in jazz because of (and, perhaps, in spite of) his bloodlines. His latest release, Mad 6, carries on his father's tradition and further establishes him as one of the important voices on the current jazz ...

Ravi Coltrane: Mad 6

by Jerry D'Souza
April 14, 2003

Ravi Coltrane returns as a leader on an album that shows not only a great deal of maturity but also a focus on his vision of jazz. The saxophonist fronts the six musicians who are, over the scheme of things, actually split into two quartets. For the music that comes out of them and their interpretation of the tunes, the division nails it straight on the head.

Coltrane has included some neat surprises along the way. He turns ...

Eddie Henderson: So What

by Jerry D'Souza
April 10, 2003

Imitation may not be the best form of flattery, as trumpeter Eddie Henderson found out several years ago when he learnt a couple of Miles Davis tunes right off the record, thinking that he would impress Davis (who was not). Now years into the future, he breathes his own spirit into them.

Henderson is erudite. His tone can wallow resplendently in the lyrical and then suddenly scoot off into a convoluted alleyway or spew trills. All are ...

Roy Haynes: Love Letters

by Jerry D'Souza
April 7, 2003

At 77, Roy Haynes is agile, active and still draws a stellar cast of musicians. Those represented on this recording span a generation, and each one endows the music with his own vivid imprint. The division between the players as partners in the adventure of music draws on their strengths and their pliability within the working environ. The chemistry gets going, bonds are forged and a song is given a whole new dynamic. The end result is a veritable feast ...

Clark Terry & Max Roach: Friendship

by Jerry D'Souza
April 7, 2003

Trumpeter Clark Terry has long been known to have a puckish sense of humor. That he still has it is obvious when he jumps in on the pliant rhythm set up by Max Roach to simmer and stir the blues with growling note chewing intensity. One minute and 45 seconds later he is done, leaving in his wake a stunning statement not only of the state of the art, but of his playing as well. And at the end of ...

Ravi Coltrane: Mad 6

by Mark F. Turner
April 3, 2003

Ravi Coltrane comes out swinging hard on his new release as a leader.

Let's get the preliminaries out of the way. Ravi Coltrane is the son of the one of the greatest jazz saxophonists whoever lived--John Coltrane. But lay aside all comparisons; Ravi has his own voice and definitely has something personal to declare. While new to some, he is not new to jazz. He's been on the scene for a few years and has performed with many artists and ...