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.

Interview

Partisans: Never the Same Way Twice

by John Kelman
June 16, 2014

It's been five years since Partisans--the British jazz group (not to be confused with the also-British punk rock band The Partisans) cited as the godfathers of the new wave of British jazz, first emerging in 1997 with the out-of-print self-titled debut on the EFZ label--last released an album, specifically the superlative By Proxy (Babel, 2009), which All About Jazz's Chris May called the group's “long expected masterpiece" and “one of the most exciting albums to be released on either side ...

Album Review

IN Trio: Defining Moment

Read "Defining Moment" reviewed by Dan Bilawsky

by Dan Bilawsky
June 16, 2014

The focus of piano-less trio records, right or wrong, is inevitably placed on the inherent freedom of the format. But what of those who simply want to try out said grouping without purposely using it as a springboard to uncertainty and complete openness? Such groups are a rarity, receiving short shrift in the jazz press and even less attention beyond, but they do exist. The IN Trio, made up of bassist Harvie S, saxophonist Tim Armacost, and drummer Christian Finger, ...

Album Review

Leslie Pintchik: In the Nature of Things

Read "In the Nature of Things" reviewed by Dr. Judith Schlesinger

by Dr. Judith Schlesinger
June 16, 2014

Leslie Pintchik begins her explorations on her fourth CD with a musical sunrise of soft, shimmering colors that grows into a bright and energetic day. From this appealing opener, “With You in Mind," she instantly distinguishes herself from the legions of jazz composers who confuse “personal expression" with self-indulgent noodling that shows little concern for story or melody. In contrast, Pintchik composes memorable tunes that tell a coherent tale: here, the story is usually light-spirited and swinging, with flashes of ...

Extended Analysis

Wolfgang Muthspiel: Driftwood

by John Kelman
June 16, 2014

Since studying at Berklee College of Music and returning to his home in Austria--though not before releasing a number of American-based recordings either on his own or as a member of bands led by people like Gary Burton, Marc Johnson and Patricia Barber--guitarist Wolfgang Muthspiel has largely been focusing on his career through Material Records, the label he founded at the turn of the millennium. And while he's released no shortage of fine recordings for the label--including both studio and ...

Album Review

Larry Goldings/Peter Bernstein/Bill Stewart: Ramshackle Serenade

Read "Ramshackle Serenade" reviewed by Dan Bilawsky

by Dan Bilawsky
June 16, 2014

Few artistic partnerships are as delightfully durable as the trio of organist Larry Goldings, guitarist Peter Bernstein, and drummer Bill Stewart. These men have often recorded under the moniker of the “Larry Goldings Trio" over the past two-plus decades, but this has never been a band to favor one player over another. Each man has always owned equal shares in this group--demonstrated on strong showings like The Intimacy Of The Blues (Verve, 1991), Moonbird (Palmetto, 1999), and Sweet Science (Palmetto, ...

Album Review

Charlie Apicella & Iron City: Big Boss

Read "Big Boss" reviewed by Dan Bilawsky

by Dan Bilawsky
June 15, 2014

Thank god for groove music. In an era when needless complexity often dominates, it's nice to encounter a throwback record that's built on feel-good rhythms and soulful declarations. That's what Big Boss is all about. Sparks (Carlo, 2009) set things in motion for this band, as guitarist-leader Charlie Apicella planted his flag in soul jazz territory by delivering direct-and-honest originals and covering the music of organist Dr. Lonnie Smith, guitarist Grant Green, and saxophonist Lou Donaldson; The ...

Live Review

Keb' Mo' at Mesa Arts Center

by Patricia Myers
June 15, 2014

Keb' Mo' Mesa Arts Center Mesa, Arizona May 15, 2014 Roots-bluesman Keb' Mo' enthralled a full-house audience with his wide-ranging tribute to American blues, singing and playing acoustic, electric and slide guitars, banjo and harmonica. Varying his repertoire among old-fashioned country blues, soul and folk-style storytelling, the 62-year-old replicated the attitude and energy of his earlier years. Although touring to promote his new album, BLUESAmericana (Kind of Blue Music, 2014), he delivered plenty ...

Album Review

Robbie Harvey: Blowin' That Old Tin Can

Read "Blowin' That Old Tin Can" reviewed by Bruce Lindsay

by Bruce Lindsay
June 15, 2014

Robbie Harvey is one of the new young breed of straight-ahead, mainstream, jazz players whose emergence over the last decade or so gives lovers of the genre a warm feeling and an optimism for the future. What's more, his instrument of choice is the trombone. Blowin' That Old Tin Can is his debut album as leader--the title may be somewhat dismissive of his chosen horn, but the music is a celebration of its sound and of its place in a ...

Extended Analysis

Jack Bruce: Silver Rails

by Phillip Woolever
June 15, 2014

Jack Bruce and a sterling cast of supporting players roar down breathtaking tracks on this powerful production, offering what sounds like Bruce's autobiographical retrospective in an artistic, highly personal manifesto. The album seems to progress in stages, starting with British blues and abstract jazz, musical touchstones Bruce has based much of his catalog on. A rotating ensemble establishes middle ground between the bittersweet buzz of alternative genres, before rocking down the finish line to close with a bite ...

Album Review

Jeremy Fox: With Love

Read "With Love" reviewed by Dan Bilawsky

by Dan Bilawsky
June 15, 2014

Top-shelf vocal talents, beautifully crafted arrangements of classic songs, and a mile-long list of musicians to make said arrangements come to life. What's not to like? Jeremy Fox--a pianist/educator/arranger/vocal coach who's worked with everybody from trumpeter Terence Blanchard to vocalist Theo Bleckmann--put together a project that recalls the days of big-budget studio affairs carried out for the express purpose of draping vocal royalty in musical finery. Those days are long gone, and few in the industry have ...