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Take Five with Guitarist Jamie Pye
by AAJ Staff
Meet Jamie Pye Jamie Pye is a London-based jazz guitarist and composer with roots in both Australia and New Zealand. He performs in various line ups and contexts; from intimate duo residencies to headline performances as a bandleader showcasing his original music. He is often part of house bands for jam sessions around town, or as a sideman on other projects. In 2023, Jamie completed his first 10-date national tour around New Zealand, including appearances at the Creative ...
Continue ReadingDoug Collette's Best Jazz Albums Of 2024
by Doug Collette
These may not have been the only titles that provided respite from the inane insanity (insane inanity?) around us this year, but each in its own way commanded deep and abiding attention in and of itself. Mary Halvorson Cloudward Nonesuch Records Satoko Fujii Jet Black Libra Records Vijay Iyer Compassion ECM Records Satoko Fujii Unwritten Libra ...
Continue ReadingStephane Wrembel: Triptych, featuring Jean-Michel Pilc
by Scott Gudell
If Stephane Wrembel's early influences partially evolved from guitarists in classic rock bands such as Pink Floyd and Led Zeppelin, it was not long before the French-born guitarist was drawn forever to the creative and romantic sounds of gypsy jazz master guitarist Django Reinhardt. Elements of Reinhardt's often brisk style would drift in and out of many of Wrembel's releases. Dreamers of Dreams, his 2014 release (Water Is Life Records, the artist's label), featured not only stand out cuts such ...
Continue ReadingChristian Dillingham: Halcyon
by Hrayr Attarian
On the intriguing Halcyon, his second release as a leader, Chicago bassist Christian Dillingham explores folkish motifs in a haunting ambience. The music here is a mix of his own compositions and covers of diverse backgrounds that showcase, once again, his versatility. The band has quite a unique sound, thanks to its collective virtuosity, with guitarist Matt Gold's incandescent pedal steel giving it a rootsy flavor. For instance, singer-songwriter Gillian Welch's “Lowlands" has a buoyant and a tad ...
Continue ReadingDuck Baker: Breakdown Lane: Free Solos & Duos 1976-1998
by Mark Corroto
This release is a great introduction to the music of Duck Baker and, maybe more importantly, a reminder of why the musician's sound is so vital. Baker, a finger-style acoustic guitarist, is a folk music omnivore. Besides Scottish and Irish fiddle music, he is at home with bebop, blues, free jazz and free improvisation. Let that last sentence sink in for a minute. Baker's folk can absorb, digest and effortlessly function in all genres. He released the stunningly beautiful covers ...
Continue ReadingJim Witzel, Jazzmeia Horn, Peter Berntein, John Fedchock and more
by Benjamin Boddie
Today's Music--Right Now! .Fantastic music by Steve Allee, Oscar Peterson, Rebecca Kilgore, Jim Witzel, Jazzmeia Horn, Warren Wolf, Peter Bernstein, Vanisha Gould, John Fedchock, Christian Sands, Diane Marino, Alvin Queen, George Cables, Adrian Cunningham, Javon Jackson, Ben Paterson, Arturo Sandoval, Stan Harrison, Avishai Cohen, Marina Albero, and more. Playlist Blue Lou Marini “Twister" from Out Of The Blue (La Reserve) 00:00 Steve Allee “Tergiversation" from Zebra Stories (Jazzville Records) 06:44 Oscar Peterson “You Look Good To Me" from ...
Continue ReadingEllie Lee, Jenny Scheinman, and Alden Hellmuth
by Jerome Wilson
This show features recent music from Ellie Lee, Jenny Scheinman, and Alden Hellmuth. It also contains a set of British jazz/blues artists such as Graham Bond and Blodwyn Pig. Playlist Henry Threadgill Sextett “I Can't Wait Till I Get Home" from The Complete Novus & Columbia Recordings of Henry Threadgill & Air (Mosaic) 00:00 Alden Hellmuth “Personal Saints" from Good Intentions (Fresh Sound New Talent) 00:51 Sonny Rollins “All The Things You Are" from A Night at the ...
Continue ReadingCelebrating innovative releases from the Pi Recording catalog
by Hobart Taylor
This week we feature Pi Recording artists including the Tyshawn Sorey Trio, Anna Webber, Steve Coleman and the Five Elements, Luke Stewart, Jen Shyu, Henry Threadgill, Patricia Brennan, Matt Mitchell, Kate Gentile and others. Playlist Aaron Parks “Little Beginnings" from Little Big III (Blue Note) 0:00 Brandee Younger “Tickled Pink" from Somewhere Different (Impulse) 4:48 Host Speaks 7:47 Patricia Brennan “Solar" from Maquishti (Valley of Search) 9:08 Christopher Hoffman Henry Threadgill “What Comes" from Vision is the Identity ...
Continue ReadingAlexander Hawkins: Music as a Generous Space
by Giuseppe Segala
Born in Oxford in 1981, Alexander Hawkins is one of the leading musicians of his generation and a significant figure on the contemporary international scene. Personable and approachable, he is one of the few musicians of his age who engage meaningfully with the pioneering spirit of the African-American music tradition from the 1960s onward. His stylistic versatility, proficiency, exploratory mindset, and broad expertise in diverse approaches and languages make him a sought-after collaborator. His multifaceted artistic persona and ...
Continue ReadingSimon Nabatov Quartet featuring Ralph Alessi: Lovely Music
by John Sharpe
An alternative title for Lovely Music by Russian-born, German -based pianist Simon Nabatov might be Greatest Hits. He has selected some of his most tuneful works from across his career for interpretation by a quintet which includes American trumpeter Ralph Alessi in a one-off performance. Completing the lineup of this 2021 live date from Nabatov's home from home, Loft in Cologne, are more regular colleagues saxophonist Sebastian Gille, bassist David Helm and drummer Leif Berger. However, it presents not as ...
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