Jazz Articles

Our daily articles are carefully curated by the All About Jazz staff. You can find more articles by searching our website, see what's trending on our popular articles page or read articles ahead of their published dates on our Coming Soon page. Read our daily album reviews.

Album Review

Mark Murphy: Live in Athens, Greece

Read "Live in Athens, Greece" reviewed by Dan Bilawsky

by Dan Bilawsky
April 29, 2016

No figure in jazz personified hip the way that the late Mark Murphy did. For more than half a century he taught the world what it meant to be a true artist, pushing boundaries, walking the tightrope, and going where he pleased. He had it all--wit, charm, guile, good taste, a pure improviser's spirit, a flexible and powerful voice--and he willingly shared it. Murphy remained current and above the trend-based fray(s) for most of his career, starting ...

Album Review

Dan Whieldon Trio: Positive Changes

Read "Positive Changes" reviewed by Bruce Lindsay

by Bruce Lindsay
April 29, 2016

Pianist Dan Whieldon hails from Manchester and has been active in the North West of England's jazz scene for the last decade. Positive Changes is his debut release as leader, made not with fellow Mancunians but with players from Belgium--where he studied and where the album was made--and Holland. Bill Evans is an acknowledged inspiration and Whieldon displays a confident and strongly melodic writing style--a mix that creates a readily accessible first outing.Whieldon's lyrical piano opens “E. P." ...

Album Review

Dewa Budjana: Hasta Karma

Read "Hasta Karma" reviewed by Tyran Grillo

by Tyran Grillo
April 29, 2016

Hasta Karma is the eighth solo album from Dewa Budjana. Though famous as a rock guitarist in his native Indonesia, one might never know it by the way he plays jazz, a path he has been seeking, and owning, for nearly two decades. The expansive foundation of “Saniscara," which introduces this supple set, underscores the talents of a topflight studio band. It's by no coincidence that Dewa should have hooked up with bassist Ben Williams and drummer António Sanchez, both ...

Album Review

Dor Herskovits Trio: Happy

by Budd Kopman
April 29, 2016

Happy is the debut digit-only EP release (available here) from drummer Dor Herskovits who leads his trio, pianist Isaac Wilson and bassist Max Salinger-Ridley through one standard, “My One And Only Love" and four other original compositions totally about twenty-seven minutes of very fine music making. As a piano trio, Wilson is naturally out front, and is an extremely articulate player with a very nice touch and wonderful harmonic and rhythmic instincts, with Herskovits and Ridley providing sensitive ...

Live Review

Jackie Ryan and the Larry McKenna Quartet at Chris’ Jazz Café

by Victor L. Schermer
April 28, 2016

Jackie Ryan and the Larry McKenna Quartet Chris' Jazz Café Philadelphia, PA April 23, 2016 Jackie Ryan is acquiring a reputation as a “must hear" vocalist. When this reviewer heard DJ Bob Perkins ("BP with the GM") praise her singing on WRTI, he decided to attend her show at Chris' Jazz Café to see what she could do in person, the true test of a singer's ability. Then, to increase the anticipation, the band ...

Roads Less Travelled

Ned Kelly's Last Stand, Hong Kong

by Hrayr Attarian
April 28, 2016

Most guides to Hong Kong list the genre melding Fringe and Bert's and the loungish Blue Room among the city's jazz venues. Very few mention “Ned Kelly's Last Stand." The oldest Hong Kong pub has presented live music sessions from the start. Among those who have graced its stage include vocalist Rosemary Clooney, saxophonist Charlie Barnet and pianist Sergio Mendes. Lately it has been home to trombonist and vocalist Colin Atchison and his China Coast Jazzmen who play many hard ...

Album Review

Alex Goodman: Border Crossing

Read "Border Crossing" reviewed by Dan Bilawsky

by Dan Bilawsky
April 28, 2016

Border Crossing was born of guitarist Alex Goodman's careful cogitation concerning his move from Canada to New York. It's a beautifully contemplative bridge-builder of an album, bringing together musicians from both realms and connecting classically-oriented ideals, jazz language, and modern thought into a seamless whole. In soaking in the seven tracks presented here, it becomes apparent that the instrumentation and specific personalities on each instrument have a strong influence on the shape of this music and the ...

Album Review

Avi Rothbard: City Colors

Read "City Colors" reviewed by Tyran Grillo

by Tyran Grillo
April 28, 2016

Guitarist Avi Rothbard, born in Israel and, since 1999, a mover and shaker in New York City, enjoys a distinguished career as a jazz performer and clinician. Sadly, his time in the studio has been intermittent at best. City Colors, his third leader date in 15 years, is his fullest résumé on record. Rothbard is a multifaceted player who is comfortable across a spectrum of genres, handling each with equal respect.Gerry Rafferty's “Baker Street" begins the proceedings with ...

Album Review

Marilyn Lerner / Ken Filiano / Lou Grassi: Live At Edgefest

Read "Live At Edgefest" reviewed by John Sharpe

by John Sharpe
April 28, 2016

Three stalwarts of the improvised music scene combine to persuasive effect on the limited edition LP Live At Edgefest. An excellent sound allows Canadian pianist Marilyn Lerner and the NYC-based pairing of bassist Ken Filiano and drummer Lou Grassi to be heard as part of a truly egalitarian collective. A strong group dynamic is evident straight from the off and consistently on show throughout four freely wrought pieces. At times the discourse takes on a percussive dimension reminiscent of the ...

Extended Analysis

Buddy Collette: Four Classic Albums

by David Rickert
April 28, 2016

Like many of his fellow West Coast musicians, Buddy Collette was proficient on multiple instruments. He could play alto and tenor sax, but tended toward the clarinet and the flute for most of his recording career. His solo records were as light and effortless as most jam form the West Coast tended to be at the time, and they are very pleasant, if a bit toothless at times. There's no doubt that Collette was a main figure of the West ...