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The Music of Carla Bley, part 2; Small and Large Ensemble Recordings
by Larry Slater
The jazz world lost a true original free spirit in October of 2023 when t.he composer, arranger and pianist Carla Bley died at age 87. Carla led both big bands and smaller groups throughout the '70s, '80s and '90s, typically utilizing many of the same musicians, including the trombonist Gary Valente, saxophonists Andy Sheppard & Wolfgang Puschnig and trumpeter.Lew Soloff. Carla's music was uniquely hers--regardless of the size of the ensemble, the sound was pure Carla. Her big ...
Continue ReadingPeter Smith: Smitty Straightens Out
by Thierry De Clemensat
Smitty Straightens Out captivates from the very first notes, drawing the listener into a world where the composer and pianist masterfully channels his years of experience into a singular, compelling and spectacular style. One can already sense the power of its live performance, as the artist's greatest strength undoubtedly lies in the sheer effectiveness of his arrangements. Peter Smith served as Associate Music Director for two seasons of The Four on Fox, working directly with contestants alongside musical directors Rickey ...
Continue ReadingThe Vision of Raul Midón
by Leo Sidran
Raul Midón is a man who sees with sound. Blind since infancy, he has made a life--and a formidable body of work--guided by his ears, his intuition, and his insistence on carving his own path. To speak with Raul is to be reminded that perception is far more than a function of the eyes. It's a matter of attention, of attunement, of willingness to feel and listen. And for Raul, music has always been the most natural language ...
Continue ReadingThe Legacy of Lillian Hardin Armstrong
by Karl Ackermann
In 2020, I published A Map of Jazz: Crossroads of Music and Human Rights (WS Publishing), a book that looks at the culture of jazz on a timeline with cultures of the world. At more than 500 pages, the book is incomplete by necessity; there is no well-marked path, and the history is sometimes nebulous. However, as a map and as jazz music, it leads to unfamiliar places. The series Backstories dives deeper into people and places along the genre's ...
Continue ReadingBig Ears 2025: A Personal Perspective
by Mark Adams
More than simply size, the “big" in Big Ears (March 27-30, 2025, Knoxville, TN) most certainly points to breadth, diversity, a widening or expanse. This is not the Fast Feet festival, though a pair are necessary to accommodate the ever-expanding footprint of venues in Knoxville. This isn't the Huge Heart gathering, though it certainly feels like a reunion when musicians and listeners cross-pollinate as spring tempts town and hope fills the air. Nor is it a solely brain-centric experience, though ...
Continue ReadingHorizon Trio: Horizon
by Troy Dostert
When it is time to lay the cares of the day aside and relax into music infused with contemplative, tranquil beauty, be sure to seek out the Horizon Trio's self-titled debut. On 14 inviting compositions, trumpeter-flugelhornist Garrett Folger and his partners, pianist Anthony Fuoco and drummer Carmen Castaldi, provide balm for the soul. Already a rising presence in Cleveland jazz, this promising release should work to lift Folger's profile still further. Castaldi is the best-known name here, having ...
Continue ReadingCharles Mingus: In Argentina: The Buenos Aires Concerts
by Mike Jurkovic
Here, ladies and gentlemen of the jury, is some seriously swinging, seriously rowdy Charles Mingus. Recorded approximately six months before his fateful diagnosis of ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease) the bassist deploys a street fighting melange--trumpeter Jack Walrath, tenor saxophonist Ricky Ford, pianist Robert Neloms and his wingman, drummer Dannie Richmond--and takes on Buenos Aries with all his righteous force. A celebratory exclusive release for Record Store Day 2025, In Argentina: The Buenos Aires Concerts is really about as hot, honest ...
Continue ReadingNew Releases from Cassani, Cheek, Cline & More
by Bob Osborne
A multi-national set of albums of releases this time around, mostly new, but also including a look back at the older work of some current leading lights of the jazz world. Playlist Show Intro 00:00 Roberto Cassani and Graeme Stephen “Empty Chair" from Pictish Spaghetti (577 Records) 00:28 Chris Cheek “Smoke Rings" from Keepers of the Eastern Door (Analog Tone Factory) 07:00 Carlos Mena “Coraza" from Con Personas “With The People" (Pinch Records) 11:14 Nels Cline “Allende" from ...
Continue ReadingJim Doherty: Jim Doherty's Spondance
by Ian Patterson
Jim Doherty never lacked ambition, but a suite for jazz ballet or even jazz dance was always going to be a difficult sell in '80s Ireland. All was not lost for the pianist and composer, however. A few strings pulled here and there saw Doherty and his long- term collaborator, Louis Stewart decamp to Los Angeles, where they spent two days with top session musicians. One day of rehearsals and another in the recording studio resulted in Spondance, a jazz ...
Continue ReadingBranford Marsalis, Thomas Marriott, Mitch Towne, Lorraine Feather and more
by Benjamin Boddie
Today's Music--Right Now! Fantastic music by Branford Marsalis, Altin Sencalar, Reginald Cyntie, Marianne Solivan, Thomas Marriott, Mitch Towne, Paul Hecht, Lorraine Feather, Eric Alexander, Geoffrey Dean, Jackson Potter, Willie Morris, Chicago Jazz Orchestra, Jerry Gimble, Allan Chaubert, Billy Hart, Russ Spiegel, Elaine Dame, MTB, Posi-Tone Swingtet, The Empress, Nnenna Freelon, Rachel Therrien, Yellowjackets, and more. Playlist Branford Marsalis “Long As You Know You're Living" from Yours Belonging (Blue Note) 00:00 Altin Sencalar “Straight Street" from Unleashed (Posi-Tone Records) ...
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