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

Gian-Carla Tisera: Nora La Bella

Read "Nora La Bella" reviewed by Geannine Reid

by Geannine Reid
July 24, 2014

Gian-Carla Tisera was raised in Bolivia and completed her Masters in Opera Performance at the University of Southern California. In 2004, she recorded Bolivian Baroque with Florilegium early music ensemble under the Dutch label Channel Classics and has toured with Florilegium throughout Europe, Bolivia, Turkey, Singapore and the United States. In 2012 Tisera produced and recorded her debut album, which was co-produced by Elio Villafranca. The album featured arrangements of opera arias and Latin American songs displaying her operatic singing ...

Album Review

Sean Jones: Im•pro•vise-Never Before Seen

Read "Im•pro•vise-Never Before Seen" reviewed by Dan Bilawsky

by Dan Bilawsky
July 23, 2014

Sean Jones, the former lead trumpeter of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, never hides behind anything or anyone when he plays. That being said, it's still worth noting that he's pulled back the curtain on this one, revealing more of himself than in the past. This album--his seventh album in ten years on the Mack Avenue imprint--has no overdubs, no percussive window dressing, no other horns sharing space in the front line, and no guests. It's Jones at his ...

Album Review

Jason Ajemian: A Way A Land Of Life

Read "A Way A Land Of Life" reviewed by John Sharpe

by John Sharpe
July 23, 2014

While the talented cast dazzles, what comes across most strongly on this 42-minute LP is the controlling mind of bassist Jason Ajemian. Part of the fertile underground scene in Chicago, Ajemian has featured with Ken Vandermark and Matt Bauder, as well as cornetist Rob Mazurek's Exploding Star Orchestra. But none of that really prepares one for the strength of this quartet date. The spirited interaction he draws from a front line of Mazurek and tenor saxophonist Tony Malaby is one ...

Live Review

Odean Pope Quartet at Chris’ Jazz Cafe

by Victor L. Schermer
July 23, 2014

Odean Pope Quartet Chris' Jazz Café Philadelphia, PA July 19, 2014 Legendary tenor saxophonist Odean Pope, in addition to his international status and iconic recordings, often appears in Philadelphia, his home town, but usually in festivals, concerts, and other situations where he is part of a bigger mix. His one evening show at Chris' Jazz Café gave listeners a special opportunity to hear him in an intimate setting where they could really attend to ...

Album Review

Jerrold Dubyk Quintet: Invitations

Read "Invitations" reviewed by Edward Blanco

by Edward Blanco
July 23, 2014

Canadian saxophonist Jerrold Dubyk delivers his third album as leader on Invitations , where he blends an array of fresh original music with a few cover tunes in forging an audacious musical experience of modern-styled jazz. An educator by profession, Dubyk is the Director of Music at Strathcona High school as well as serving on the faculties of Macewan University and the University of Alberta. However, recording has been keeping the educator busy as he also unveils an album of ...

Multiple Reviews

Your Shipp Has Come In

by Mark Corroto
July 23, 2014

These two guest appearances demonstrate that pianist Matthew Shipp has become an elder statesman in the jazz world. How that happened can be boiled down to two simple elements. One: he has created a unique sound and language for improvised music and two: Shipp has become a doyen of cutting edge music making and opinion. Perhaps all of this could be foretold from his early apprenticeship in David S. Ware and Roscoe Mitchell's bands, and his collaborations with ...

Interview

John Riley: Inspiring Innovation

by Ben Scholz
July 23, 2014

Foremost an innovator, John Riley has always been a “drummer's drummer" in the world of straight-ahead jazz. With nearly a hundred recordings, a dozen videos, and five books under his belt, Riley is a veritable font of knowledge in the bebop realm. In this article, we take a look back at some of his musical endeavors including recording with Miles Davis, working with Quincy Jones, and playing drums with the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra. We'll also examine the changing landscape of ...

Live Review

Førdefestivalen 2014

by Martin Longley
July 22, 2014

Førdefestivalen Førde, Norway July 3-6, 2014 In its 25th year, the Førdefestivalen global music weekender became slightly nostalgic. Usually, a specialized theme is declared for each edition, but for this significant anniversary, a set of return invites were issued to artists who were fondly remembered for their previous appearances. Normally, the festival has a policy of continually booking first-time visitors, but we could forgive them for being a touch misty-eyed on this occasion. ...

Live Review

Maira Freitas + Lenine at Central Park Summerstage

by Ernest Barteldes
July 22, 2014

Maira Freitas + Lenine Brasil Summerfest at Central Park Summerstage New York, NY July 19, 2014 For her New York City debut, Maira Freitas traveled lightly, backed solely by a drummer on stage. She did the first few songs on piano, beginning with a jazz- inflected samba and then moving on to a very personal rendition of “Dream A Little Dream," her voice a clear soprano with great range. After introducing herself ...

Album Review

Kenny Lavender: Conscious Journey Part 1 & 2

Read "Conscious Journey Part 1 & 2" reviewed by Nicholas F. Mondello

by Nicholas F. Mondello
July 22, 2014

"Big D, Texas!" If that's the “Final Jeopardy" answer based on this recording, the obvious and very correct question would be: “Where does the featured artist on Conscious Journey Part 1 & 2 come from?" Yep, it's where everything is expansive, free-wheeling and hot--and ditto this recording. Spanning two CDs and offering a dozen superbly-performed selections with nine originals, this is a Longhorn Steer of quality music--most of it exciting, swinging and all of it definitely entertaining. ...