Jazz Articles

Joel Futterman / Ike Levin Trio: Live at the Noe Valley Ministry

by Frank Rubolino
May 12, 2003

On their initial 2001 trio recording ( Lifeline, Bay Records), Joel Futterman, Ike Levin, and Kash Killion demonstrated their comprehension of the interpersonal requirements for constructing music of complexity and artistic integrity. This follow-up expands on the parameters of spontaneous communication so skillfully honed on their first joint venture. Performed in concert at a West Coast venue, the music captures the immediacy of the moment and the trio's responsiveness to the collective vibrations.

The three merge as one ...

The Joel Futterman Ike Levin Trio featuring Kash Killion: Lifeline

by Glenn Astarita
October 10, 2002

Tenor saxophonist Ike Levin and pianist Joel Futterman make for an undeniably potent duo, evidenced by previous releases. Moving forward, the twosome augments its attack with cellist and African Wooden Whistle performer, Kash Killion on this newly issued outing.

With the opener “Paradox,” the musicians express themselves with the veracity and force of a rumbling freight train, due to a series of cyclical cadenzas and emotive interactions. They engage in some downright verbose dialogue during “Choices” – ...

The Joel Futterman - Ike Levin Duo: The Present Gift

by Glenn Astarita
March 1, 2002

This release represents a follow up to the artists’ 2000 trio effort featuring bassist, Randall Hunt. With this outing we find saxophonist, Ike Levin, and pianist/saxophonist, Joel Futterman enjoying a discernible comfort zone via their often-emotive call and response type exchanges and adventurous fabrications. Moreover, this production sports extraordinary sonic characteristics, where every subtlety and nuance shines through in crystalline splendor.

Known as a versatile avant-garde jazz pianist, whose Cecil Taylor influences cannot be underestimated, Joel Futterman also performs on ...

The Joel Futterman/Ike Levin Trio with Randall Hunt: InterView

by Glenn Astarita
January 1, 2001

InterView is brought us by San Francisco Bay Area tenor saxophonist Ike Levin, bassist Randall Hunt and avant-garde pianist Joel Futterman. On this newly released project, the Ike Levin Trio offers a hearty set of original compositions recorded on-the-fly as they say, yet in some instances, the music and overall presentation sparks notions of a well-rehearsed improvisational unit performing previously explored concepts and motifs. One interesting note here correlates to pianist Joel Futterman's acute faculties for embedding lush melodies into ...