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James Brandon Lewis: Remember Brooklyn & Moki
by Carl Medsker
"Chasing Energy, and that energy can be any type" is how James Brandon Lewis describes his multifaceted musical journey (Jazzwise, November 2024). That journey has taken him through gospel, punk, chamber, blues, reggae, hip-hop, soul, post-bop and free jazz. Along the way, he made a detour to Morocco to study Gnawa music. Lewis integrates all of these into a forward-looking take on this music we broadly call jazz. Art, literature, history and science inform his compositions, amply demonstrated in his ...
Continue ReadingBranford Marsalis Quartet: Belonging
by Mike Jurkovic
For his Blue Note debut, saxophonist Branford Marsalis and his long-standing quartet--pianist Joey Calderazzo, bassist Eric Revis and drummer Justin Faulkner--hit the sweet spot again and again and again, reinterpreting and re-imagining Keith Jarrett's epochal 1974 ECM classic, Belonging. Not only did Jarrett introduce the world to his no-holds-barred fear-no-idea European quartet--saxophonist Jan Garbarek, bassist Palle Danielsson and drummer Jon Christensen--he was also in one of the most creative periods of his decades-long illuminating career. Consider the tense free-wheeling drive ...
Continue ReadingAnother Timbre Changes
by John Eyles
In various ways the three recordings below are very different from one another and may surprise some listeners who think they know what to expect from the Another Timbre label. It is worth remembering that the label was originally set up by Simon Reynell as an outlet for improvising players such as John Butcher, Phil Minton, Rhodri Davies and Evan Parker, all of whom featured on one of the label's first six releases; by the label's tenth release, pianist John ...
Continue ReadingChris Varga: Breathe
by Dan McClenaghan
Setting up shop as a jazz artist in Seoul, South Korea, is probably not the recommended way of raising the profile in the United States. But vibraphonist Chris Varga, who worked the jazz scene in Chicago during the '90s, made that trans-Pacific move and set himself up as a busy and prolific player in Korea's vibrant jazz scene. Coming back stateside for an extended stay in 2024, Varga took advantage of the opportunity to put together a quintet ...
Continue ReadingNels Cline: The Shape of Sound
by Leo Sidran
For nearly two decades, Nels Cline has been best known as the mercurial, shape-shifting guitarist of Wilco, a role that has introduced his name to legions of fans and placed him at the center of a beloved and influential American band. But to reduce Cline's career to his work with Wilco would be to miss the expansive, restless nature of his artistry. He is a guitarist's guitarist--an improviser, a sonic architect, and a musician equally at home in the avant-garde ...
Continue ReadingTrio Jungle (A "Classic" Episode)
by Patrick Burnette
As we noted so succinctly way back in 2014: Some trios play nicer together than others--Pat and Mike investigate.Playlist Discussion of Duke Ellington's album Money Jungle (United Artists) 4:09 Discussion of Terri Lyne Carrington's album Money Jungle: Provocative in Blue (Concord) 26:29 Discussion of Jean Michel Pilc's album Welcome Home (Dreyfus) 40:16 Discussion of Herbie Nichols' album Love, Gloom, Cash, Love (Bethlehem) 54:36 Pop Matters 1:08:04 ...
Continue ReadingAmber Weekes: A Lady With a Song
by Katchie Cartwright
Irving Berlin wrote “Suppertime" (aka “Supper Time") for As Thousands Cheer (1933), a topical revue with several stars and many musical numbers. Ethel Waters introduced it, making history as the first African American woman to star on Broadway. Berlin wrote it specifically for Waters, who also sang his lighthearted “Heat Wave" in the show. “Suppertime" has a more serious story, told in the voice of a woman who--while making dinner--must find a way to tell her children that ...
Continue ReadingNew Releases And Haden On Black Saint & Soul Note
by Bob Osborne
On this edition of World of Jazz, alongside a great selection of new releases, there is a look back at the excellent five album box set which comprises all of the recordings Charlie Haden made for Black Saint and Soul Note record labels.Playlist Show Intro 00:00 Brad Mccarthy's Cannon Fodder “Fun" from Live at JMI (4000 Records) 00:29 Believers--Brad Shepik, Sam Minaie , John Hadfield “Rocinante" from Hard Believer (Shifting Paradigm Records) 08:34 The Ostara Project “Dreams and ...
Continue ReadingMeet Bassist Vincenzo Virgillito
by Cheryl K.
In this hour, an interview with Italian bassist Vincenzo Virgillito. His solo self-release is Precondition. Playlist Fay Victor “Non-Fraternization Clause" from Herbie Nicols SUNG: Life is Funny That Way (Tao “Forms) 6:12 Vincenzo Virgillito “Reset III: Of the Time" from Precondition (Vincenzo Virgillito) 3:38 Vincenzo Virgillito “Goodbye Pork Pie Hat" from Precondition (Vincenzo Virgillito) 4:32 Vincenzo Virgillito “Word Drops (Jaco's Midnight)" from Precondition (Vincenzo Virgillito) 4:12 Vincenzo Virgillito “Stars in the Mirror (My Sons)" from Precondition (Vincenzo Virgillito) ...
Continue ReadingA Brief Guide To Ukrainian Jazz: Part 2
by Ian Patterson
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 The second installment of A Brief Guide To Ukrainian Jazz--a series developed with the cooperation of the Ukrainian Institute--introduces five more highly talented jazz artists/groups from Ukraine. In addition, we profile the jazz festivals and jazz clubs that are keeping the Ukrainian jazz flame burning brightly in these most difficult of times. Pokaz Trio Pokaz Trio takes its name from pianist and composer Andrew Pokaz, ...
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