Jazz Articles
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Lionel Hampton, Terry Gibbs, Bobby Hutcherson & Warren Wolf
by Joe Dimino
On this special Christmas Day episode of Neon Jazz, we're unwrapping an hour dedicated to the true masters of the vibraphone--those incredible artists who made this instrument sing like no other. This celebration was sparked by an unforgettable performance by the brilliant Warren Wolf at The Blue Room, nestled in the historic 18th and Vine district of Kansas City, MO. We kick things off with Warren Wolf's “Saturn's Child" from his 2024 masterpiece History of the Vibraphone. From there, the ...
Continue ReadingImmanuel Wilkins, Mark Lockheart, Kenny Barron, Miguel Zenón & More
by Ludovico Granvassu
Enjoy a set that revolves around the beauty of ensemble work.Happy listening!Playlist Ben Allison “Mondo Jazz Theme (feat. Ted Nash & Pyeng Threadgill)" 0:00 Mark Lockheart “Morning Smiles" Smiling (Edition) 0:16 Host talks 7:35 Kit Downes “Full Dress (Live)" Reflex: Dr. Snap (Live) (BimHuis) 9:12 Host talks 16:13 Immanuel Wilkins “AFTERLIFE RESIDENCE TIME" Blues Blood (Blue Note) 17:44 Kenny Barron “The Nearness of You" Beyond This Place (Artwork) 26:22 Host talks 32:51 Out Of/Into “Synchrony" Motion ...
Continue ReadingSteve Smith & Vital Information, Area 51-Anton Chekurov and Paolo Fresu, plus Steve Khan, Garaj Mahal and Virgil Donati
by Len Davis
New music with Steve Smith and Vital Information, Area 51 with Celso Pixinga, Steve Hunt and Tim Miller, Indian guitarist Amyt Datta and Canadian guitarist Thomas Polychuck. Russian saxophonist Anton Chekurov, Italian trumpeter Paolo Fresu and Brazilian bassist Thiago Espirito Santo. Old favourites Steve Khan, Jonas Hellborg with the late Shawn Lane, Jam Band Garaj Mahal, Chick Corea Electrik Band and drummer Virgil Donati. Playlist Steve Smith and Vital Information “Don't Stop Believing" from New Perspective (Self Produced) ...
Continue ReadingIntroducing Vocalist April May Webb
by Sanford Josephson
When April May Webb was attending William Paterson University more than 10 years ago, pianist Mulgrew Miller, who was Director of Jazz Studies, came to one of her ensemble classes and played a Sarah Vaughan record. “He kinda was trying to fool me," Webb said. “He didn't tell me who it was, and he asked me, 'Do you know what this is?' I said, 'Yeah, that's Sarah Vaughan.' He said, 'You need to study her even more because she encompasses ...
Continue ReadingKen Nordine: The Architect of Word Jazz
by Kristine England
"Let me tell you a funny story I made up about the guy who wanted to reach into in, and he couldn't. And it bothered him. It'd bother you, wouldn't it?" So begins the tale of a troubled man lost within his mind's abstractions. This tale is Word Jazz, a “somewhat new medium" conceived by Ken Nordine in the 1950s. A voiceover performer who was a uniquely creative wordsmith as well, Nordine wielded his rich, velvety baritone like ...
Continue ReadingDavid Ostwald's Louis Armstrong Eternity Band at Birdland
by Mark Edelman
David Ostwald's Louis Armstrong Eternity Band Birdland Theater New York, NY December 24, 2024 Christmas came a day early in the cozy confines of downstairs' Birdland Theater on 44th Street just west of 8th Avenue. The holiday-bedecked elves in David Ostwald's Louis Armstrong Eternity Band provided the kind of Yuletide cheer that had a packed crowd of early era jazz fans loving every minute. Santa Ost-wald kept the joint jumpin,' aided by fellow bandleader Vince ...
Continue ReadingJames Emery Neo Trio: Inner Drive
by Glenn Astarita
Before forming this trio, James Emery established himself as a prominent figure in the New York jazz scene, notably as a founding member of the acclaimed String Trio of NY. This unique ensemble, blending classical and jazz influences, garnered critical acclaim for its inventive arrangements and dynamic performances. And Inner Drive highlights the virtuosic talents and ingenious interplay of the Neo Trio: Emery on acoustic guitar, Chris Jonas on saxophones and Cyrus Campbell on bass. The album presents a compelling ...
Continue ReadingDave Stryker: Stryker with Strings Goes to the Movies
by Jack Bowers
Guitarist Dave Stryker, who is at home in any venue, Goes to the Movies on this ambitious album, wherein his working quartet is greeted by a thirty-piece orchestra with strings and four talented guest artists. There are some gems here--Henry Mancini's “Dreamsville," Rodgers and Hammerstein's “Edelweiss," Ennio Morricone's theme from Cinema Paradiso among them--and a few pleasant surprises as well. Songs in the latter group include “You Only Live Twice," from the James Bond film of that ...
Continue ReadingJohn Paul Jones: Hoediddle
by Geno Thackara
Sure, everybody and their uncle knows about that band that John Paul Jones played in once upon a time, but there has seemed to be practically no recognition for his two (and apparently still only) solo albums from around the turn of the century. These were a pair of wild--and impressively eclectic, in the case of '01's The Thunderthief--stompers that can still singe your eyebrows off at ten yards. ...
Continue ReadingPaul de Barros: Chronicling Marian McPartland's Life in Jazz
by Lawrence Peryer
Today, the Spotlight shines On award-winning jazz critic and author Paul de Barros.Throughout his storied career, Paul was editor and critic at the Seattle Times and has written for Downbeat and Earshot Jazz, amongst other outlets. He is also the author of Jackson Street After Dark: The Roots of Jazz in Seattle (Sasquatch Books, 1993), but today, he joins us to talk about the updated edition of his book Shall We Play That One Together? The Life and ...
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