Jazz Articles

Gina Schwarz Unit featuring Jim Black: Woodclock

by Eyal Hareuveni
July 2, 2016

Austrian, Vienna-based double bassist Gina Schwarz found a true, like-minded musical partner that helped her realize her irreverent vision for today's jazz. American drummer Jim Black joined Schwarz's quintet for her fifth album, solidifying her reputation as a “live-cell therapy to jazz," an opinionated musician who likes to play with opposites--wise and free, gentle and wild, contemplative and energetic, organic and eccentric, blending acoustic instruments with electronics. When you think more about it, these descriptions characterize Black's great ...

Ulrich Drechsler Quartet: Humans & Places

by Mark Corroto
October 4, 2006

Ulrich Drechsler asks and answers the question: how can the saddest music in the world be delivered with so much hope?

Humans & Places follows Drechsler's loving tribute to Thelonious Monk on the 2004 disc The Monk In All Of Us, where his bass clarinet conjured the spirit of Eric Dolphy. On this quartet recording his music directs itself more towards Bill Evans than Dolphy. Perhaps the influence of Norwegian pianist Tord Gustavsen is what imparts this music ...

Drechsler/Steger/Tanschek Trio: The Monk In All Of Us

by Mark Corroto
January 24, 2005

Remember when you first encountered Thelonious Monk's music? His compositions came at you from such a new perspective that you might have rejected them flat out. Or perhaps, interest piqued, you listened to more, succumbing to Monk's logic.

Yes, now you are a member of Monk's world. One with crazy dances and headgear, a knowing world, nearly a quarter century after the composer's death, that has never failed to be hip.

Covers and cover bands abound. ...