Jazz Articles
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Slam Stewart and Eddie Durham: Forgotten Innovators
by Larry Slater
Since its inception, jazz musicians have attempted to bring something new to the music. We all know the major innovators: Charlie Parker, Monk, Ornette Coleman and John Coltrane. In this hour, we'll hear from two creative musicians who've been largely forgotten--bassist Slam Stewart and guitarist Eddie Durham.Both came of age during the '30s and '40s but continued to perform well into the '70s and '80s.Slam Stewart developed a unique style of playing that involved bowing his ...
Continue ReadingAdrian Cunningham: It's About Time
by Jack Bowers
Australian-born, New York-based multi-instrumentalist (and vocalist) Adrian Cunningham brings impressive creds to his latest recording, It's About Time, raising the number of albums under his leadership well into double figures. And as if playing an array of instruments were not enough, Cunningham also writes, having composed nine of the album's songs and arranged all of them. The exceptions are George Gershwin's “Summertime" (from the folk opera Porgy and Bess) and the traditional “Battle Hymn of the Republic." ...
Continue ReadingSam Newbould Quintet jazzahead! 2025 recordings, Alice Leggett, Alon Farber and more
by Co de Kloet
Last month we were present at jazzahead! in Bremen. Thanks to our friends at Radio Bremen, we are pleased to present recordings of the showcase concert of the Sam Newbould Quintet. We also have new music by Alice Leggett and Alon Farber, among others. Enjoy the show! Playlist Intro: Marike van Dijk Notet “Landed" (M. van Dijk) Sam Newbould Quintet “Odd Jobs" (S. Newbould) Sam Newbould Quintet “Homing" (S. Newbould) Sam Newbould Quintet “The Road We Run" (S. ...
Continue Reading"Escalator Over The Hill" by The New School Studio Orchestra and Vocal Ensemble
by Paul Reynolds
The New School Studio Orchestra and Vocal Ensemble The Tishman Auditorium at The New School “Escalator Over The Hill" New York, NY May 2, 2025 Ask greying jazz-rock fans about long-lost projects they never saw live and Escalator Over The Hill by Carla Bley is likely to come up. Released as a triple album in 1971, Bley's wonky operatic creation --"A chronotransduction," in her lingo--has barely been performed, save for a 1998 tour of ...
Continue ReadingJordan VanHemert: Survival of the Fittest
by Jack Bowers
Although the title of saxophonist Jordan VanHemert's fifth album, Survival of the Fittest, may elicit images of a crash course in self-defense, that is not at all what he had in mind. The music is thematic, he says, and represents the twin lodestars of adversity and resilience. Even that, however, becomes largely irrelevant once VanHemert and his supporting cast launch what is at its heart a narrative of contemporary post-bop jazz. It is a cast that varies in ...
Continue ReadingNick Hempton Cory Weeds: Horns Locked
by Pierre Giroux
The storied tradition of tenor saxophone battles has produced some of jazz's most thrilling moments, dating back to the classic duels of Gene Ammons and Sonny Stitt or Johnny Griffin and Eddie Davis. Carrying that torch forward with equal measures of bravado and reverence are Nick Hempton and Cory Weeds on Horns Locked, a rollicking straight-ahead session that captures the spirit of friendly combat and deep mutual admiration. Split between an electrifying live performance at Frankie's ...
Continue ReadingSteve Allee: Naptown Sound
by Steve Allee
Submitted on behalf of Kyle Long, Producer/Host at WFYI in Indianapolis.If you ask the average music fan to name the greatest jazz cities in America, it's unlikely that Indianapolis would top their list. That's a shame, as those familiar with the city's history know better. They see the unique fingerprints of Indianapolis musicians across the broad timeline of jazz. In all fairness, Indianapolis, or Naptown as we locals affectionately call it, doesn't have the unrivaled depth ...
Continue ReadingTorino Jazz Festival 2025, Part 2
by Antonio Baiano
Part 1 | Part 2 A collection of photos from the Torino Jazz Festival in Torino, Italy from April 23rd, 2025 to April 30th, 2025 featuring Lakecia Benjamin, Dudù Kouate, DoYeon Kim, Francesca Remigi, Elias Bailey, Dorian Phelps, Jason Moran, Nasheet Waits, Tarus Mateen and others. ...
Continue ReadingKevin Fort: Everything I Love
by Hrayr Attarian
Pianist Kevin Fort is a virtuoso improviser and an imaginative composer with a refreshingly novel style rooted firmly in the mainstream tradition. In addition to playing with several Chicago-area artists, Fort leads a cohesive trio that has created a unique, delightfully textured sound. It is mostly with this ensemble that he has recorded his four superb albums, the last of which is the disc at hand, the captivating Everything I Love. A mix of standards and Fort's originals, ...
Continue ReadingGiant Steps: Rahsaan Roland Kirk to Vijay Iyer
by David Brown
This week on the Jazz Continuum will be a “cover band" take on John Coltrane's historic recording, Giant Steps. Recorded May 4-5, 1959, several pieces on this album went on to become jazz standards. Each work will be played in album order as performed by Rahsaan Roland Kirk, The John Coltrane Quartet (live), The Vijay Iyer Trio, organist John Patton, and pianist Tommy Flanagan. A set of piano music will follow with Barbara Carroll , Geri Allen, Matt Mitchell, Roland ...
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