Jazz Articles

Larry Vuckovich: Somethin' Special

by Bruce Lindsay
August 22, 2011

Pianist Larry Vuckovich made his recording debut as a leader with Blue Balkan (Inner City Records, 1980), although his playing career began in the '50s, after he arrived in the United States from his native Yugoslavia as a teenager. His recorded output as a leader has been relatively sparse--around a dozen albums--but he's carved out a successful career as a sideman, most notably in a 25-year relationship with singer Jon Hendricks. On Somethin' Special, Vuckovich and his ...

Larry Vuckovich: High Wall: A Real Life Film Noir

by Woodrow Wilkins
November 2, 2008

Sequels are all too common in movies--so much so that rather than have distinctive titles, many simply add a sequential number to the original name. In music, however, a thematic sequel is rare. But the Larry Vuckovich Trio attempts to capitalize on the acclaimed Street Scene (Tetrachord, 2006) with High Wall: Real Life Film Noir. Vuckovich is a native of Kotor, Yugoslavia, who came to the United States at a time when jazz was one of the most ...

Larry Vuckovich: Street Scene

by Ken Dryden
October 13, 2007

Larry Vuckovich hasn't been recorded nearly often enough as a leader since his 1980 Inner City debut Blue Balkan, though the Balkan native's Street Scene is clearly one of his finest efforts. Although he had been using horns on recent projects, Vuckovich decided to put more focus on the piano, opting for what is primarily a trio date with bassist Larry Grenadier and drummer Akira Tana. Vuckovich takes a fresh look at several overlooked gems. His approach ...

Larry Vuckovich: Street Scene

by Mark F. Turner
October 29, 2006

From the vibrant history of New York's 52nd Street to the spirited boulevard performance of a New Orleans marching band, the street sounds of jazz have been a celebration of life. This heartfelt exuberance can also be heard on this release by West Coast pianist Larry Vuckovich. With an impressive musical career that has flourished since coming to San Francisco in 1951, Vuckovich has performed with countless artists and has produced a number of noteworthy releases, including ...

Josh Workman: Jumpin' at the Border

by John Kelman
October 17, 2004

Guitarist Josh Workman may have spent his time on both the New York and Bay Area scenes, and has honed a fine mainstream sound in the ensuing years, but what separates him from the plethora of mainstream guitarists out there trying to make a mark is his remarkable breadth of style. Jumpin' at the Border is nothing short of an entertaining history lesson, with Workman and a host of supporting characters taking the listener across a number of borders and ...

Josh Workman: Jumpin' at the Border

by Dan McClenaghan
October 8, 2004

Guitarist Josh Workman's Jumpin' at the Border swings into that rare “I don't get enough of..." category. I don't get enough of his gypsy style with the Hot Club of San Francisco ("Kali Sara"); I don't get enough of his boppin' (Sippin' at Bell's); I don't get enough of Kim Nalley's bluesy and seductive vocals ("I Can't Face the Music/I Want a little Boy" and “You're Drivin' Me Crazy"); I don't get enough of his Brazilian sound (Andre de Sapato ...

Josh Workman: Jumpin

by Michael P. Gladstone
October 7, 2004

The debut recording of the aptly named guitarist Josh Workman is indeed a highlight of this year. There are endorsements on the cover by jazz plectrists Jim Hall, Gene Bertoncini, and Peter Bernstein, some of the best guitarists on the scene. Josh Workman is a Bay Area resident who returned to San Francisco in the mid-'90s after spending time in the New York area. He has previously recorded with Larry Vuckovich, Indigo Swing, and the Jazz Passengers.

Jumpin' ...

Josh Workman: Jumpin' At the Border

by Mark F. Turner
September 24, 2004

From the sounds of Josh Workman's debut release, he could very well be a guitar Renaissance man. His new release covers a lot of ground in jazz styles ranging from bop, Latin, and Brazilian to gypsy and even blues. The music recalls the greats--Django, Bandolim, Dizzy, Ella, Pass, Vaughan, Ellington, Bird, and others. While it might sound like a bit of a stretch, the California based guitarist's new CD, Jumpin' At the Border, is an extremely rewarding release that incorporates ...

Larry Vuckovich/Jon Hendricks: Reunion

by Mark F. Turner
May 1, 2004

Two venerable kings of swing, pianist Larry Vuckovich and vocalist Jon Hendricks, reunite on Vuckovich’s latest recording, Reunion. Vuckovich’s career began in 1959 with a Lester Young influenced tenor player Brew Moore, who was a notable saxophonist and friend of Charlie Parker. Vuckovich’s recent recordings Young at Heart and Blue Balkan: Then and Now prove his musical longevity. Jon Hendricks has been called the “Father of Vocalese” and a jazz vocal innovator who has performed with jazz greats Art Blakey, ...

Larry Vuckovich: Blue Balkan: Then and Now

by Mark F. Turner
June 17, 2002

The true test of good jazz is its ability to withstand time. Whether it's a decade or a millennium; good music is always refreshing and moving whenever heard. Jazz pianist Larry Vuckovich's recording Blue Balkan was recorded in 1980 and featured world inspired music with a stellar cast of musicians. Critically acclaimed, it was hailed for its diverse talent and global influences. It has recently been re-released with over thirty minutes of new music and still proves ...