Jazz Articles

Kirk Whalum: Romance Language

by Larry Taylor
February 11, 2012

Romance Language is very appropriate for Valentine's Day--the perfect background for a romantic evening. Tenor saxophonist Kirk Whalum has teamed up with his brother, vocalist Kevin Whalum, on this recreation of the classic John Coltrane and Johnny Hartman (Impulse!, 1963).Moreover, throughout this daunting task, the brothers succeed in brushing a smooth jazz veneer on the great ballads celebrated in the historic original release. The Whalums' effort follows vocalist Kurt Elling's tribute album, Dedicated to You: Kurt Elling Sings ...

Stan Getz: Legacy

by Jack Bowers
August 10, 2009

Here's a pleasant surprise: “previously unissued material" by tenor sax giant Stan Getz that by and large deserves to be more widely disseminated and heard. Legacy is comprised of five sessions spanning the years 1980-86, including three numbers with the Woody Herman Herd and another with Getz and pianist Jimmy Rowles performing Rowles' “The Peacocks." The other seven tracks embody three quartet dates.

While the sound is uneven, as one would expect on such a compilation, the audio's not as ...

Wayman Tisdale: Way Up!

by Jeff Winbush
October 19, 2006

When a rookie, no matter how fierce his reputation was in college, hits the hardwood floor of the National Basketball Association, he's got to step up his game or he's going to get his head handed to him by the older pros who aren't impressed by flashy moves and big egos.For twelve seasons in the NBA, Wayman Tisdale brought his “A" game to arenas across the country. In 1995, he released his debut jazz album, the appropriately titled ...

Kyle Eastwood: Paris Blue

by George Harris
May 13, 2006

At last! A recording firmly planted in the jazz tradition of Charles Mingus, but updated and as fresh as this morning's brew. Bassist Kyle Eastwood has brought together a collection of (mostly) original compositions and mixed them with programmed or hip-hop rhythms underneath a mainstream horn section to create an accessible yet challenging listen.

On the original “Marrakech," Michael Stevens' keyboards and programming create an exotic Middle Eastern flavor that melds perfectly with the serpentine soprano sax and mourning duduk. ...

Michael Lington: Stay With Me

by Brian Soergel
August 9, 2004

Saxophonist Michael Lington pulls it all together on his fourth CD, a work that should lift him from the fringe and put him on stage with the top tier of smooth jazz talent. What makes this recording so good? Lington's a passionate player who's had some tasty hits before, of course, but here he picks ten songs that all work together, gets top producers and writers such as Paul Brown and Brian Culbertson, and concentrates on making ten pop-jazz songs ...

Wayman Tisdale: Hang Time

by Mark Sabbatini
August 3, 2004

C'mon Wayne--you've got more game than this.

The former NBA star forward turned bassist roams familiar territory on his sixth album, Hang Time, playing mostly originals by himself and keyboardist Jeff Lorber. In courtside terms, the big man needs a better playbook and more support from his teammates.

Unlike Shaq the rapper, Tisdale the jazz musician is no novelty act. His playing, which bears a strong resemblance to Stanley Clarke's and showed real promise on 1998's ...