Jazz Articles

Mike Melvoin Trio: You Know

by William Grim
August 27, 2006

"Adult songs for and about adults." That is Mike Melvoin's description of this trio album, and all of the prose poems that could be written about the technical brilliance of the performances contained therein would miss the essential truth of those six words. This is music of the highest quality with a seriousness of purpose that dares to suggest that there is more to American culture than the Neanderthal yelpings of hip-hop, the dumbed-down blatherings of teen pop, and the ...

Mike Melvoin Presents Dan Jaffe: Playing The Word

by Mark Corroto
March 7, 2006

A quick trip to Borders finds rows and rows of books about jazz history, biography and discography in the music section. Most of them will certainly help you fall asleep late at night. Give me the oral history of our music: the stories, the myths and the lies.

Jazz is about the beat, and really nothing but the beat. Jack Kerouac knew this, so did Kenneth Patchen and Tom Waits. You know a jazzman when you meet him. ...

Mike Melvoin: It's Always You

by Bill Tannebring
May 9, 2003

I first heard Mike Melvoin when he worked with flautist Paul Horn in the ‘60s. The innovative Horn had chosen a brilliant rhythm section that included, along with Melvoin, bassist Steve Gilmore and drummer Bill Goodwin. And now, nearly 40 years later, that same trio reunites on It’s Always You, Melvoin's newest CD on the City Light label.

Melvoin's long career includes collaborations with legendary artists that include Leroy Vinnegar, Gerald Wilson, Joe Pass, Oliver Nelson, and Milt Jackson. He’s ...

Mike Melvoin: It's Always You

by William Grim
April 2, 2003

Pianist Mike Melvoin's new CD, It's Always You reaches the same high standards of his last issue, Oh Baby. Building upon his trio with Steve Gilmore on bass and Bill Goodwin on drums, Melvoin considerably ups the musical ante by including legendary alto saxophonist Phil Woods. The album showcases a nice blend of standards and Melvoin originals. In this age of so- called "lite jazz" pabulum, it's so refreshing to hear musicians who can swing and provide food for thought ...

Mike Melvoin: Oh Baby

by William Grim
February 2, 2003

Oh Baby is about as good a jazz piano trio album as you’ll ever hear, at least in this millennium. Mike Melvoin is one of the unsung heroes of the music industry, a prolific composer/arranger/producer for countless albums, television shows and films. As a pianist he’s logged more hours in the recording studio than just about any pianist on the planet. He’s been President of NARAS, he’s been the musical director for the Grammy Awards, and now he’s going back ...

Mike Melvion: Oh Baby

by AAJ Staff
April 12, 2002

When Mike Melvoin is not busy as musical director of the Grammy's, or is otherwise occupied conducting, arranging or scoring for films, he returns to his first love, jazz in the be-bop mode. Anyway you look at it Mike Melvoin is a brilliant Pianist who jazz chops are alive and well. Brian Bromberg coaxes every possible sound that can be achieved on the Bass. Nobody yawns when he plays, that's for sure. John Guerin is a Drummer who speaks volumes ...

David Basse: Old Friends-New point

by AAJ Staff
April 12, 2002

Live from the New Point Grille in Kansas City September 9, 2001 David Basse's voice texture has a nodding acquaintance with Johnny Mercer, but his delivery is strictly his own. An ability to scat is his strong suit and it is displayed at it's best on this Disc. Angela Hagenbach will simply steal your heart away. Her low sultry voice combined with a clever vocalese style is the perfect counterpoint to Basse. Bobby Watson, on Alto, provides a ...