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

Dan Wilkins Ensemble: Jnana-Vijnana (Awake)

Read "Jnana-Vijnana (Awake)" reviewed by James Nadal

by James Nadal
December 7, 2015

In the study of Hindu Vedanta philosophy, jnana-vijnana is a Sanskrit term for the pursuit of knowledge combined with intuitive realization arising from perception. If applied to music in a jazz framework, it is free from agitation and flows with a meditative rapture. The Dan Wilkins Ensemble took this spiritual direction on Jnana-Vijnana (Awake), and interpret the essence of the scripture in a tranquil harmonious concept. “Transfigured," is the beginning of the process where leader, composer, and tenor ...

Album Review

Velocity: Displacement Over Time

Read "Displacement Over Time" reviewed by Dan McClenaghan

by Dan McClenaghan
December 6, 2015

The band Velocity, with its recording, Displacement Over Time, explores the laws of physics with its music. If that sounds off-puttingly cerebral, not to worry. The Tacoma, Washington-based quartet's sounds travels crisp, tightly-woven modern jazz terrain not unlike that of pianist Chick Corea's Elektric Band: groove-centric drums and bass, a hot saxophone not quite out front but incorporated more equally into the ensemble sound, and some fine and fancy electric keyboards giving the music a futuristic feel. The ...

Album Review

Will Mason Ensemble: Beams of the Huge Night

Read "Beams of the Huge Night" reviewed by Karl Ackermann

by Karl Ackermann
December 6, 2015

New York City resident Will Mason, while pursuing a Ph.D. in music at Columbia University, took the time to submerge himself in the most Spartan and remote conditions of his native Maine for the inspirations of nature that become manifest in Beams of the Huge Night. The drummer and composer assembled an unusually populated septet to give life to a generous sixty-six minutes of sound and music, capturing the volatility and tranquility of true seclusion. Mason, who also ...

Album Review

Grateful Dead: Dick's Pick's Volume Three: Pembroke Pines, Florida 5/22/77

Read "Dick's Pick's Volume Three: Pembroke Pines, Florida 5/22/77" reviewed by Doug Collette

by Doug Collette
December 5, 2015

Given what's ensued--beyond the scope of the band itself-in the wake of the Grateful Dead's very first archive series, 'Dick's Picks,' it's hard to believe but well to remember this ongoing project had comparatively modest, humble beginnings. An offhanded conversation between bassist Phil Lesh and ultra-fan Dick Latvala let to an eventual total of thirty-six titles, this installment, Volume 3, taken from the now-historic spring 1977 tour. Minimal and generic graphics, a la bootlegs of the time, combined ...

Album Review

Andréa Wood: Kaleidoscope

Read "Kaleidoscope" reviewed by Geannine Reid

by Geannine Reid
December 5, 2015

Andréa Wood presents her second album as a leader with, Kaleidoscope. Devotees and newcomers alike should feel equally welcome when listening to Kaleidoscope. Wood has done an excellent job of compiling a twelve song program that is accessible in the deep history of jazz along with her well-crafted originals. The discerning aficionado will find Wood's vocal control and sense of rhythm deeply studied in the tradition, while the neophyte with easily relate to Wood's strong sense of groove and story ...

Film Review

The Who Live in Hyde Park

by Doug Collette
December 5, 2015

The Who Live in Hyde Park Eagle Vision 2015 If seeing The Who in Hyde Park in a theater the fall of 2015 didn't provoke the thought, watching the DVD of Chris Rule's terrific film cements the impression the group now fronted by guitarist/vocalist/songwriter Pete Townshend and lead vocalist Roger Daltrey is the greatest tribute band in the world. Anyone who's been apprehensive about seeing the Who since the passing of original members, ...

Bailey's Bundles

Christmas 2015 II: Classical

by C. Michael Bailey
December 5, 2015

A “Classical Christmas?" Here is... Vienna Boys Choir Merry Christmas from Vienna Deutsche Grammophon 2015 As iconic is the Vienna Boys Choir, it is hard to believe that they do not release a holiday offering each year. Groups like Mannheim Steamroller and Trans Siberian Orchestra have made a cottage industry out of Christmas music. It is banal and sterile, technique over emotion. At least we can count on the Vienna ...

Catching Up With

Maria Schneider on "The Thompson Fields"

by Marta Ramon
December 4, 2015

Maria Schneider is one of the most influential artists on the international jazz scene. Her open minded approach has led her to become a referent as a composer without being tagged to a specific genre. In the jazz panorama, she receives recognition for her impeccable, beautiful and meaningful compositions as well as for her passionate and determined work as a conductor of her orchestra. The Thompson Fields (ArtistShare, 2015) marks the first Maria Schneider Orchestra release in eight years. With ...

Tell Me More

Lee Ritenour: Behind a "Twist of Rit"

by Belinda Ware
December 4, 2015

Lee Ritenour is a musical talent who approaches jazz as an artist does a canvas. He takes time to explore colorful arrangements within each song he records mixing various degrees of fusion, rock, blues, and funk based on the feel of the song. Ritenour has become a master of his own style in creating music that reflects the story of each song he performs through the instrument of the guitar. He has an innate passion to create message music that ...

Album Review

Ben Monder: Amorphae

Read "Amorphae" reviewed by Mark Sullivan

by Mark Sullivan
December 4, 2015

Veteran guitarist Ben Monder is at his most experimental and atmospheric in this collection of largely improvised performances, his sixth album as a leader, and his first for ECM. The genesis of the album came from Monder's 2010 duet sessions with Paul Motian, sadly abbreviated by the legendary drummer's passing. Motian fans can surely be forgiven for wishing there was more than the two tracks included. But one of them is the highlight of the album: the pair revisits Rodgers ...