Jazz Articles
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Dapp Theory: In The Moment
by Mike Jacobs
This instrumental track from Dapp Theory's breakout album, Y'all Just Don't Know (Concord, 2003), bursts at the seams with Andy Milne's sonic vision, as well as some great improvisational mastery from him and his bandmates. Featuring Sean Rickman, Gregoire Maret, Rich Brown and David Gilmore. ...
Continue ReadingThe Ukraine Connection: Sandy Eldred
by B.D. Lenz
It's an understatement to say that politics are very polarizing right now and one of the most heated topics is that of Ukraine. Regardless of how you feel about the war, we can all agree that it is a very difficult time for the Ukrainian people. With the conflict raging on for years, they're undoubtedly trying to find some semblance of normalcy amongst the terrifying chaos and uncertainty. With this in mind, it was enlightening to speak to ...
Continue ReadingChristoph Irniger's Pilgrim: Human Intelligence (live)
by Mark Corroto
"The one thing I concluded was not to try and reproduce a live event--I thought, live goals are different. There might be more improvisation, more risk," Christoph Irniger reflects in the liner notes to Pilgrim's 2023 studio album Ghost Cat (Intakt). The saxophonist and composer reinforces the idea with this electrifying live recording, captured at Red Horn District in Bad Meinberg, Germany, in November 2023. For 14 years, Irniger's quintet--pianist Stefan Aeby, guitarist Dave Gisler, bassist Raffaele Bossard ...
Continue ReadingGerald Clayton plus music from Roxana Amed, Phil Haynes as well as Nnenna Freelon
by Hobart Taylor
A new Blue Note release from Pianist Gerald Clayton, a soulfully deep ballad from Nneena Freelon, rediscovering Strata East artist Shamek Farrah and celebrating the compositional acumen of Ingrid Laubrock. Playlist Ingrid Laubrock Composer Fay Victor Mariel Roberts “Koan 43" from Purposing The Air (Pyroclastic) 0:00 Trilogy “Luna" from The Slow Road (Cellar) 3:15 Tropos “ Between the Times" from Switches (Self Produced) 12:42 Host Speaks 20:48 Gerald Clayton “Just Above" from Ones and Twos (Blue Note) 23:13 ...
Continue ReadingMatthieu Saglio: Al Alba
by Thierry De Clemensat
European jazz is often deeply inspired by classical music and, on Al Alba, this influence is undeniable. In fact, this album is more a contemporary classical music album than a jazz record--unless one considers a few rhythmic flourishes. It is, therefore, best admired for the sheer beauty of its compositions, its interpretation, its arrangements and its vocal performances. Alfred Deller was considered one of the greatest countertenors of all time. Since his passing in the early 1980s, he ...
Continue ReadingPeter Madsen, Immanuel Wilkins, and the WDR Big Band
by Jerome Wilson
This program contains new music from Peter Madsen, the WDR Big Band and the Steve Allee Big Band. It also features Immanuel Wilkins, Jaki Byard, and Taylor Ho Bynum. Playlist Henry Threadgill Sextett “I Can't Wait Till I Get Home" from The Complete Novus & Columbia Recordings of Henry Threadgill & Air (Mosaic) 00:00 Joel Harrison “Skin Frontier" from 3+3=7 (9 Winds) 00:55 Dave Stryker “Cavatina" from Stryker and Strings Goes to the Movies (Stirkezone) 4:08 Jerry Kalaf ...
Continue ReadingEspen Eriksen Trio at Sky Hall
by Marek J. Śmietański
A collection of photos from the Espen Eriksen Trio concert at Sky Hall in Warsaw on March 27, 2025 featuring Espen Eriksen, Lars Tormod Jenset and Andreas Bye. ...
Continue ReadingBig Ears Festival 2025
by Mark Sullivan
Big Ears Festival Knoxville, TN March 27-30, 2025 This year's festival again featured several spotlighted events (but none of them required special ticketing, as was tried last year). “Across the Horizon" was a series of concerts combining Americana and ambient music, curated by Bob Holmes and the band SUSS. “Age of Reflections" hosted ambient music with a light show at Church Street United Methodist. “Blacktronika" celebrates the pioneering electronic artists of color. There were ...
Continue ReadingChristian McBride & Ursa Major at Assembly
by Mike Jurkovic
Christian McBride & Ursa Major Assembly Kingston, New YorkMarch 18, 2025 More than a West Philly kid who fell in love with the city's smooth '70s soul, bassist/bandleader/composer Christian McBride is a true ambassador of the vibe. The man radiates good times and good intent. With over three hundred recordings and nine Grammys in his pocket, McBride spirits five different recording and touring ensembles and oversees his many commitments that include NPR and Sirius ...
Continue ReadingHelge Albin: Homemade
by Fran Kursztejn
If the word “fussy" occasionally rears its head when relating the Helge Albin Quintet's newest release, it is not meant as a slight. Albin--an undeniable staple of the Swedish and wider North European jazz scene--is nothing if not insatiable. Before the quintet's founding, he led the impressive Tolvan Big Band, certainly Sweden's most ambitious musical project in recent memory, an 18-man ensemble almost entirely devoted to Albin's compositions. His record as a sideman is no less storied, working closely with ...
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