Jazz Articles
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Bonzo Squad: Pachyderm
by Kyle Simpler
The Chicago-based quartet Bonzo Squad describes their music as “comfort in chaos." While this description might give an impression of free-form experimentation, it is not the case. The chaos aspect of their sound comes from a unique mixture of structure and improvisation, and for these guys, the comfort definitely outweighs the chaos. With Pachyderm, the group offers a perfect example of this description put into practice. Comfort implies an association with a memory, as is the case with ...
Continue ReadingMike Rud: Salome's Dance: The Mike Rud Trio Invites Peter Bernstein
by Dan Bilawsky
Calling guitarist Mike Rud one of the best kept secrets on his instrument is only a bit off the mark. Rud's Notes on Montreal (Self Produced) took home a Juno Award, after all, so his presence has most certainly been felt in his native Canada. Yet his work and name haven't traveled like they should, making a bigger mark below and beyond his homeland. Whether painting with thematic tones as a leader, serving as a sideman with pianist Peter Hum, ...
Continue ReadingJoshua Rager Nonet: Jondo
by Jack Bowers
It's hard to decide what to make of this. Canadian-based composer / pianist Joshua Rager has assembled a splendid corps of musicians, nine in all (plus trumpeter Andy King on the three-part “Prodigal Son Suite"), to perform seven of the leader's original themes, one by Andre White and another by the Hollywood songwriting team of Al Dubin and Harry Warren. Rager writes well, perhaps a touch too well, as much of the music veers more toward scholarly than spontaneous, almost ...
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