Jazz Articles
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Judy Wexler: No Wonder
by Dan Bilawsky
Judy Wexler imbues every song she touches with a sense of realism, wonder and depth that's ever so rare. An inimitable artist, this celebrated singer adds volumes to each story she encounters, be it a post-millennial jazz tune, '60s counterculture anthem, glimmering Brazilian jewel or any number of other finds. In the case of No Wonder--Wexler's seventh album, arriving two decades after her debut--she demonstrates her gifts with a marked emphasis on standards. Longtime collaborator/pianist Jeff Colella's ...
Continue ReadingThe Jazz Men: How Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong and Count Basie Transformed America
by Richard J Salvucci
The Jazzmen: How Duke Ellington, Louis Armstrong, and Count Basie Transformed America Larry Tye 416 pages ISBN: 035838043X Mariner Books 2024 In 1986, a guy walked into a Post Office in South Texas--no, this is not the opening line of a joke. He lined up to buy some stamps. Big deal, right? But there was a bit of an altercation up front. Things moved more slowly than usual. When the customer got to ...
Continue ReadingMassimiliano Cignitti, Marianne Solivan, Tim Berne, Martin Tétreault
by Cheryl K.
During this week's two-hour program of Jazz and improvised music, selections from new releases by bassist Massimiliano Cignitti, spoken word poet Don Paul, vocalist Marianne Solivan, saxophonist Tim Berne, free improvisation musician and visual artist Martin Tétreault, and pianist and composer Steve Sandberg. Playlist John Coltrane “Lush Life" from Lush Life (Impulse!) 13:54 Brent Laidler “Ballad for B" from Hidden Gems (BEL) 6:21 Massimiliano Cignitti “Ninna nanna in blu" from Quella stanza segreta (omaggio a Edda Dell'Orso) (Dodicilune) ...
Continue ReadingPierre de Bethmann Quartet: Agapé
by Artur Moral
Pierre de Bethmann's selection as best “Artiste instrumental(e)" at the 2024 Victoire du Jazz Awards (the Grammy Awards' French equivalent) stands as a major victory for the restless and sophisticated pianist and composer from Boulogne-Billancourt, near Paris. A recognition that, beyond rewarding a professional career that has now completed its third decade, is also a deeply personal triumph: it has not been an easy year for De Bethmann, and not precisely because of musical matters. Furthermore, another factor that has ...
Continue ReadingRenee Rosnes, Peter Erskine, Brad Goode & George Cables
by Joe Dimino
Kicking off the second episode of 2025, we dive straight into brilliance with the legendary George Cables, showcasing music from his stunning new album, I Hear Echoes. From there, we honor one of his heroes and collaborators, the iconic Art Blakey. The journey continues with fresh sounds from Montreal's electrifying improv duo Simon Angell and Tommy Crane, alongside innovative tracks by Thelonious Garcia, Brad Goode, and Rick Roe. Sprinkled throughout are gems from jazz legends Peter Erskine, Renee Rosnes, and ...
Continue ReadingIogor Willcox Quartet, Michel Cury, Mederic Collignon, Federico Malaman, Tribal Tech, Yo Miles
by Len Davis
Igor Willcox Quartet with their latestTime Traveller, Steve Smith & Vital Information New Perspective, Brazillian pianist Michel Cury with Brainwaves and Japanese guitarist Ken Sato. Italy based Brazilian bassist and guitarist Vinicius Surian, french cornet player Mederic Collignon with Arsis Thesis, Belgrade band Bosque Sound Community, Hungarian guitarist Mike Gotthard, Italian bassist Federico Malaman and German organist Simon Oslender. Yo Miles with Wadada Leo Smith and Henry Kaiser with Upriver, Jing Chi with 3D, Tribal Tech, X and we close ...
Continue ReadingThe Silver Snarling Trumpet - The Birth of the Grateful Dead: The Lost Manuscript of Robert Hunter
by Doug Collette
The Silver Snarling Trumpet -The Birth of the Grateful Dead: The Lost Manuscript of Robert HunterRobert Hunter256 Pages ISBN: #978-0306835155 Hachette Book Group2024 Notwithstanding occasional recordings under his own name and his even more rare live performances, the late Robert Hunter maintained a decidedly low public profile during his extended tenure as lyricist for the Grateful Dead. Accordingly, he kept to himself the extended writing that would become The Silver Snarling Trumpet. ...
Continue ReadingJakub Paulski: Free' Odde
by Ian Patterson
After the genre-slippery trio album Preludium (Jazz Sound, 2020), which drew from Jimi Hendrix, Bill Frisell, Dmitri Shostakovich and Henrik Wieniawski--modernists all--for inspiration, Polish guitarist Jakub Paulski stretches his compositional palette in a more personal direction on Free' odde. In settings that switch between nimble trio intimacy and large (ish) ensemble ambition Paulski leans towards a modern-jazz aesthetic that lies somewhere on the flight path between Charles Mingus and Marius Neset. On these eight through-composed pieces Paulski orchestrates ...
Continue ReadingClarence Penn: Jazz Makes Me a Better Person
by Stephen Braunginn
From drum beats to life lessons, Clarence Penn waxes philosophical about teaching and jazz, providing deeply held beliefs about the connection between teaching music and how to be a better person. Tune in for a deep dive into the world of this drummer extraordinaire and jazz! Clarence Penn is nominated for a Grammy!Playlist Clarence Penn “Send One Your Voice" from Behind the Voice (Origin Records) 03:15 Clarence Penn “Hackensack" from Monk: The Lost Files (Origin Records) 0:6:17 Clarence ...
Continue ReadingJonathon Grasse: The Life & Music Of Eric Dolphy
by Lawrence Peryer
Today, the Spotlight shines On author Jonathon Grasse. His new book, Jazz Revolutionary (Jawbone Press, 2024), traces Eric Dolphy's journey from the clubs of 1940s Los Angeles to his groundbreaking work in New York City's avant-garde jazz scene.Eric Dolphy's revolutionary voice in jazz was silenced far too soon. He was an artist who pushed the boundaries of what was possible on alto saxophone, flute, and bass clarinet, collaborating with giants like John Coltrane and Charles Mingus before his ...
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