Jazz Articles
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Ned Rothenberg: Looms & Legends
by Troy Dostert
Solo recordings, at least when they feature instruments other than piano or guitar, can be a challenge even for the most committed jazz listeners. The excitement generated by the dialogue of multiple instrumentalists is, of course, missing, and even the most talented artists can have trouble sustaining one's interest for an entire album. Such releases can be rather rewarding, however, when the musician in question has either astonishing technique or compelling emotional substance--or both, as is evident on multi-instrumentalist Ned ...
Continue ReadingAki Rissanen: Imaginary Mountains
by Neil Duggan
Finnish pianist Aki Rissanen has built an impressive discography through collaborations with artists including Rick Margitza, Dave Liebman and Randy Brecker, contributing to 18 albums as either leader or co-leader. Yet he is perhaps best known for the part he plays in leading one of European jazz's most distinctive piano trios, the Aki Rissanen Trio. The album Imaginary Mountains, the title of which is a nod to the influence of Keith Jarrett's Personal Mountains (ECM, 1989), features jazz ...
Continue ReadingJoe Farnsworth, Snorre Kirk, Alex Sipiagin, Tom Gershwin and more
by Benjamin Boddie
Today's Music--Right Now! Fantastic music by Joe Farnsworth, Sam Dillon, Etienne Charles, Tyreek McDole, Cory Weeds, Jimmy Greene, Snorre Kirk, Ryan Keberle, Mike Freeman, Brandee Younger, Michael Dease, Alex Sipiagin, Steve Allee, Vladimir Kostadinovic, Lauren Henderson, Mark Winkler, Gregory Tardy, Tom Gershwin, Tyler Henderson, Jim Witzel, Jonathan Moritz, Airmen Of Note, Art Hirahara, and more. Playlist Joe Farnsworth “Continuance" from The Big Room (Smoke Sessions) 00:00 Sam Dillon “No Promises" from My Ideal (Cellar Music Group) 06:18 Etienne ...
Continue ReadingMiguel Zenón Quartet: Vanguardia Subterránea: Live at The Village Vanguard
by Mark Corroto
The perfect sports analogy for saxophonist and composer Miguel Zenón might just be baseball legend Roberto Clemente. Both were born in Puerto Rico, and both are revered as masters of their respective crafts. Clemente was a perennial All-Star, a World Series MVP, a Gold Glove winner and a National League batting champion. Zenón, for his part, has been honored with a Guggenheim Fellowship, a MacArthur “genius" grant and a Doris Duke Artist Award. He is frequently recognized as alto saxophonist ...
Continue ReadingSheila Jordan, Nancy King, Ola Onabule, Dara Starr Tucker, Nicolas Bearde and More!
by Jua Howard
Greetings Music Family! It's time for another episode of the “First Instrument Jazz Show." I've got music from two vocal jazz giants who recently joined the ancestors, Sheila Jordanand Nancy King. I also have a lot of new music to share including music from Ola Onabule, Dara Tucker, Sinne Eeg, Kelly Green, Camille Thurman and Peter Campbell. Come get lost in the music with me. Playlist Intro 00:00 Sheila Jordan “Laugh Clown, Laugh" from Portrait of Sheila (Blue ...
Continue ReadingBrad Mehldau: Ride into the Sun
by Frank Housh
Elliott Smith (1969-2003) recorded six solo studio albums and was acclaimed for poignant, sophisticated songwriting and reedy, melodious voice. Tragically, he suffered from mental health issues and substance abuse throughout his life. On October 1, 2003 Smith died of two stab wounds to his chest. While initial media reports said the fatal wounds were self-inflicted, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner refused to endorse suicide as a cause of death. Toxicology tests found no illegal or controlled substances in his ...
Continue ReadingKneebody: Everywhere From There To There
by Mike Jacobs
From the group's self-titled 2005 debut, “Everywhere From There to There" is a gem that features a rare acoustic piano appearance. All of the Kneebody hallmarks--as well as a healthy dose of bodaciousness--are in force. Enjoy. ...
Continue ReadingPat Metheny & Brad Mehldau: Summer Day
by Geno Thackara
"Summer" is a frequent shorthand for “loud and bright," but the span of the day can include a whole lot of tones more subtle and colorful. This is the scene Pat Metheny and Brad Mehldau paint on this highlight of their mostly-duo debut recording (Nonesuch Records, 2006), weaving a broad palette of tones like a sky changing colors at sunset. ...
Continue ReadingAruán Ortiz: Créole Renaissance
by Jack Kenny
Cuban Cubism is central to Aruán Ortiz's musical identity--but in this album, his vision extends far beyond. While the 1930s Negritude movement was a literary endeavor, Ortiz seeks to embody that movement not through words but through music. His compositions channel their spirit with abstraction, tension, and a deep sense of diasporic reflection. Ortiz, born in Santiago de Cuba--the island's second-largest city--is shaped by its distinctive sonic culture. His influences stretch widely, encompassing American and European 20th-century composers ...
Continue ReadingSven Åke-Johansson: Two Days at Cafe OTO
by Fran Kursztejn
Sven Åke-Johansson's death in 2025 felt distinctly like a chapter closed. There is a cliche in Jazz to characterize players of a certain class and longstanding influence as “youthful" or otherwise endlessly inventive despite multi-decade, multidisciplinary careers. Its excessive use is justified by elements of the medium's own construction and history. Jazz itself appears to be an eternally youthful tradition, a set of lofty and difficult characteristics which coalesce into an incorruptible, universal playground. What results is an often tumultuous ...
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