Jazz Articles
Our daily articles are carefully curated by the All About Jazz staff. You can find more articles by searching our website, see what's trending on our popular articles page or read articles ahead of their published dates on our Coming Soon page. Read our daily album reviews.
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Louis Heriveaux: Triadic Episode
by Dan Bilawsky
Where has Louis Heriveaux been hiding? That's the first question/thought that pops into the head after hearing this music. But truth be told, Heriveaux hasn't been hiding at all. We--the jazz public at large--just haven't had enough exposure to his talent(s). Heriveaux has racked up sideman credits with major jazz figures like guitarist Russell Malone and vocalist Nneena Freelon, he's a central figure on the scene in Atlanta, Georgia, and he's a first call player for jazz heavies (i.e. saxophonist ...
Continue ReadingDarren English: Imagine Nation
by Mark Sullivan
South African trumpeter Darren English (now living in Atlanta) makes an impressive debut on Imagine Nation, a mix of originals and standards. The album's centerpiece is formed by three compositions that are part of a suite paying tribute to freedom fighter Nelson Mandela. The title tune opens the album, an anthemic piece played by English with the core group of pianist Kenny Banks, Jr., bassist Billy Thornton, and drummer Chris Burroughs. English makes an immediate impression, as a composer and ...
Continue ReadingDarren English: Imagine Nation
by Dan Bilawsky
Trumpeter Darren English carries the spirit of South Africa and the entire history of jazz in his horn. On this, his debut album, the Cape Town-born, Atlanta-based English pays tribute to the late Nelson Mandela, matches wits and chops with fellow trumpeters Russell Gunn and Joe Gransden on “Cherokee," partners with vocalist Carmen Bradford on a pair of classics, and goes toe-to-toe with saxophonist Greg Tardy on “Bullet In The Gunn." He comes away from all of it sounding confident, ...
Continue ReadingThe Ted Howe Jazz Orchestra: Pinnacle
by Dan McClenaghan
Pianist Ted Howe offered up one of the finest of Duke Ellington tributes, the piano trio set titled simply Ellington (Summit Records, 2005). It was a heartfelt ride through some of The Duke's most familiar tunes, swinging mightily. He now steps up into Ellington-ian ensemble territory with Pinnacle, by his thirteen piece Ted Howe Jazz Orchestra. In the old “is it classical, is it jazz?" discussion, Pinnacle definitely leans classical--but it does swing. Opening with “Presto for Two ...
Continue ReadingThe Ted Howe Jazz Orchestra: Pinnacle
by Jack Bowers
Big bands come at the listener from a variety of angles these days, some more aslant than others. On Pinnnacle, Los Angeles-based composer / arranger / pianist Ted Howe covers all the bases, navigating his thirteen-piece orchestra through styles ranging from swing to funk, Latin to tone poem, often with classical undertones. Howe gives credit for his eclectic approach to the late Herb Pomeroy, with whom he studied at the Berklee College of Music in Boston and afterward by late-night ...
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