Jazz Articles
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BEATrio: BEATrio
by Doug Collette
It is quite the compliment for banjoist Bela Fleck to compare the creative dynamic of his longstanding quartet, the Flecktones, to the artistry he has formulated with harpist Edmar Castaneda and percussionist Antonio Sanchez. The brilliant abstract art on the cover of the latter trio's self-titled album is an accurate reflection of the music: the camaraderie in action makes it all the more enticing to become both absorbed in and addicted to the sounds therein. The composite of ...
Continue ReadingChick Corea and Bela Fleck: Remembrance
by Doug Collette
As much as master banjoist Bela Fleck loves to play, he loves to perform with other like-minded musicians virtually as much. Consequently, in addition to his long-standing role as leader of The Flecktones ensemble, he has continued to explore his love of the bluegrass music by which he first made a name for himself, My Bluegrass Heart (Renew, 2021), but also ventured far afield to collaborate with equally adventuresome creative partners like Edgar Meyer and Zakir Hussain for As We ...
Continue ReadingBela Fleck: As We Speak
by Doug Collette
As We Speak is an emphatic continuation of banjoist Bela Fleck's eclectic adventures dating back to his high school days. It is thus only fitting that this LP's title alludes to the ongoing artistic process wherein creativity can ensue, virtually non-stop, no matter what other dialogue(s) might be going on at the time. In fact, the trio of Fleck, tabla master Zakir Hussain and bassist Edgar Meyer have collaborated in the past--see The Melody of Rhythm (Koch, 2009). ...
Continue ReadingBlackberry Smoke: Find A Light
by Doug Collette
Since that flash-point in the Fifties by which blues and country musics were fused into rock and roll, this hybrid has evolved via a seemingly endless series of permutations, the most derivative of which are an amorphous amalgamation of influences. In contrast, the most memorable instances--or at least the ones with the most potential for extended existence--are those individuals or ensembles with the most noticeable and direct roots. It's in this latter category where Blackberry Smoke resides, and where the ...
Continue ReadingDelbert McClinton: Prick of the Litter
by Doug Collette
Texas-born Delbert McClinton is one of America's great natural resources. And that three-time Grammy Award-winning reputation is based on more than just his nurturing of John Lennon's interest in the harmonica back in the early '60s when McClinton, as part of the duo Delbert and Glen, were touring with The Beatles. A string of more than nineteen handsomely wrought albums melding, blues, country, soul and jazz is the real foundation of Delbert's reputation and Prick of the Litter adds substantial ...
Continue ReadingDelbert McClinton and the Self Made Men: Prick of the Litter
by C. Michael Bailey
Delbert McClinton is from Lubbock, by way of Fort Worth Texas. I don't suspect that anyone would accuse Texas of being a “Soul" capital of anything. Isn't that Memphis, Muscle Shoals, Detroit, and Philadelphia? How can we account for who may possibly be the best white soul singer? Beginning in 1972, partnering with singer Glen Clark, McClinton began constructing his Texas brand of soul-blues. He wrote “Two More Bottles of Wine," “B-Movie Boxcar Blues, and “Every Time I Roll the ...
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