Jazz Articles
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Junichiro Mataga: Landscape
by Dan McClenaghan
Japanese pianist Junichiro Mataga made the move to the United States in 2019 to study jazz piano. He completed his Master of Music in Jazz Studies at the Aaron Copland School of Music in New York. With that background and a good deal of success in competitions--the Lennon Award in jazz for songwriting in the jazz category for his “Escher's Staircase," his future is bright. “Escher's Staircase" is included in his second album, and the one at hand, ...
Continue ReadingAnt Law: Unified Theories
by Neil Duggan
Guitarist Ant Law exemplifies the modern jazz polymath. Beyond leading his own quintet, he maintains a musical partnership with British/Turkish vocalist Brigitte Beraha, sustains an ongoing collaboration with saxophonist Alex Hitchcock and co-leads the innovative Trio HLK. This venture sees him forming an entirely new ensemble for their debut release, Unified Theories, all while continuing collaborations with renowned artists including Linda May Han Oh, Tim Garland and Jeff Ballard. Law's background mirrors his musical versatility. Raised in Jeddah, ...
Continue ReadingClaudia Vorbach: Rainbows Of Your Love
by Richard J Salvucci
For listeners of a certain age, this recording evokes memories of Melanie performing “Candles in the Rain." That was a long time ago--1970--and Melanie is no longer with us, but her influence is evident in Claudia Vorbach's stylings. There was a kind of cheerful irony in Melanie's work, a wink and a nod in “Brand New Key (The Roller Skate Song)" in 1971 that made people grin, especially if they were of a mind to try on roller skates.
Continue ReadingIngrid Laubrock: Purposing The Air With Music And Voices
by Lawrence Peryer
Today, the Spotlight shines on saxophonist and composer Ingrid Laubrock. Ingrid's just released Purposing The Air (Pyroclastic Records, 2025), a double album that sets 60 brief poems by Erica Hunt to music through four different vocal-instrumental duos. It's an ambitious project that transforms Hunt's emotionally sharp koans into what Ingrid calls “a library of moods"--each piece capturing a different feeling, from the everyday to the searching. The project began during Ingrid's master's studies, when she met ...
Continue ReadingGuy Klucevsek - Tales of a Well-Tempered Accordionist
by Ludovico Granvassu
A heartfelt tribute to Guy Klucevsek, the gentle giant who unleashed his accordion onto Downtown, and beyond. Happy listening! Playlist Ben Allison “Mondo Jazz Theme (feat. Ted Nash & Pyeng Threadgill)" 0:00 Guy Klucevsek “Stolen Memories" Stolen Memories (Tzadik) 0:16 Host talks 5:49 Accordion Tribe “Chalk Dust" Live in Nijmegen 2002 ([Unreleased]) 7:34 Host talks 9:50 Alan Bern, Guy Klucevsek “Don't Let the Boogie-Man Get You" Notefalls (Winter and Winter) 11:32 Phillip Johnston, Guy Klucevsek “A ...
Continue ReadingMelisma, AI, and the Bivalve Mollusk
by Mr. P.C.
Melisma Dear Mr. P.C.: Melisma. I know it's something vocalists do, but no one will tell me exactly what it is or why some people really don't like it. --Henry Of West Lafayette Dear HOWL: Melisma is a progressive and incurable disease, but with treatment, its effects can be ameliorated. It begins as harmless ornamentation, then grows exponentially; in extreme cases, the vocalist is completely unable to let go of a ...
Continue ReadingMichael Arbenz meets Andy Sheppard: From Bach to Ellington - Live
by Neil Duggan
Recorded live at the Bird's Eye Jazz Club, Basel, Switzerland, in 2024, From Bach to Ellington--Live, has Swiss pianist Michael Arbenz and British saxophonist Andy Sheppard reinterpreting four of Duke Ellington's classics, together with two original pieces from Arbenz inspired by Johann Sebastian Bach. Arbenz came to All About Jazz's attention when, along with his brother Florian, he worked with Ron Carter on The Alpine Session (Self Produced, 2025). As part of the trio Vein, Arbenz has released ...
Continue ReadingMary Halvorson: About Ghosts
by Doug Collette
Since Mary Halvorson began her prolific affiliation with Nonesuch Records, she has refused to repeat herself except with a purpose. The simultaneous release of Amaryllis & Belladonna (Nonesuch Records, 2022) was the precursor to the expansive Cloudward (Nonesuch Records, 2024), while About Ghosts represents a retrenchment, albeit a productive one. On five of these eight cuts, the identical Amaryllis Sextet that appeared on the latter LP interacts smoothly with guest saxophonists Immanuel Wilkins and Brian Settles. Such synchrony ...
Continue ReadingKessoncoda at True Tone Festival
by Marek J. Śmietański
A collection of photos from the Kessoncoda concert at The Ruins of Victoria Theatre in Gliwice on May 24, 2025 featuring Tom Sunney and Filip Sowa. ...
Continue ReadingJohnny Hartman, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Will Downing, Joanna Majoko and More
by Jua Howard
Greetings Music Family! It's time for another episode of the “First Instrument Jazz Show"! I've got new music from Dee Dee Bridgewater, Joanna Majoko and Sandra-Mae Lux, and more timeless music from Johnny Hartman, The Blackbyrds, Whitney James, Will Downing, Etta Jones, Darmon Meaderand many more. Come get lost in the music with me!Playlist Intro 00:00 The Blackbyrds “Walking in Rhythm" from Flying Start (Fantasy) 2:55 Terrence Blanchard feat. Jane Monheit “Too Young to Go Steady" from Let's ...
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