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.

Live Review

Dennis Rowland Benefit Concert at the Herberger Theater Center

by Patricia Myers
December 30, 2013

Dennis Rowland Benefit Concert Herberger Theater CenterPhoenix, AZ November 6, 2013 Monica Mancini headlined a troupe of national and local musicians to perform a benefit concert for former Count Basie Orchestra vocalist Dennis Rowland, raising funds for his stroke rehabilitation and ongoing health care. Nine singers and a dozen instrumentalists delivered a wide repertoire that reflected Rowland's 40-year musical career, from singing jazz with the Count Basie Orchestra (1977-84) to blues, soul and Motown styles. ...

Album Review

Matt Wilson Quartet + John Medeski: Gathering Call

Read "Gathering Call" reviewed by Mark Corroto

by Mark Corroto
December 30, 2013

When he is not occupying the drum chair of one of dozens of bands that he is called upon to inject with his contagious effervescence, drummer Matt Wilson can be found leading his two bands, Arts & Crafts and the Matt Wilson Quartet. Both quartets feature stellar bassists, Arts & Crafts--Martin Wind and here, Chris Lightcap. Where the former employs the talents of pianist/organist Gary Versace, the Quartet sails without keys. That is, until Wilson invites John Medeski as a ...

Album Review

Dave Rempis/Joshue Abrams/Avreeayl Ra: Aphelion

Read "Aphelion" reviewed by Mark Corroto

by Mark Corroto
December 30, 2013

The blossoming of an artist is a beautiful thing. In order for a musician to thrive in today's jazz world, he must be willing to operate in multiple lineups, go on book tours, organize other musicians' shows, and record and promote his own music. A tall task, but saxophonist Dave Rempis has made the jump from sideman to entrepreneur with applause. The trio recording Aphelion and duo Second Spring are the third and fourth releases on his artist-run ...

Album Review

Barry Danielian: Metaphorically Speaking

Read "Metaphorically Speaking" reviewed by Glenn Astarita

by Glenn Astarita
December 30, 2013

Trumpeter Barry Danielian seemingly makes a good living as an in-demand session artist via stints with Bruce Springsteen, Barbara Streisand, Billy Joel and many others of note, spanning just about all conceivable music genres. On this solo effort, he garners the support of many New York-based jazz artists. While Danielian doesn't break new ground, the album may spark interest with jazz fusion and jazz-funk enthusiasts. At times, Danielian rekindles notions of '70s Brecker Brothers fare with his use ...

Album Review

Tony Succar: Tony Succar y Mixtura: De One Live Sessions, Vol. 1

Read "Tony Succar y Mixtura: De One Live Sessions, Vol. 1" reviewed by Mike Oppenheim

by Mike Oppenheim
December 29, 2013

Arranger, producer and percussionist Tony Succar and his Latin jazz band Mixtura offer their renditions of a handful of standards on the 2013 album De One Live Sessions Vol. 1. Though a studio album, the band embraces the “live in the studio" feeling, which shines throughout. A DVD of the band during the same studio session accompanies the album, providing a glimpse of the coordination and communication between the performers. Succar plays timbales and cajon, and is joined ...

Interview

Jonathan Rowden: Group Identity

by Paul Naser
December 29, 2013

The Los Angeles jazz scene has no shortage of prodigious talent; on any given night throughout the sprawling landscape that makes up the greater Los Angeles area there is always some exciting happening or unique event, and one is often hard-up to make a decision about where to spend their evening. There are musicians who established themselves years ago, young men and women just arriving on the scene and everything in between. All of it makes the thriving community of ...

Film Review

Steven Wilson: Drive Home

by John Kelman
December 29, 2013

Steven Wilson Drive Home Kscope 2013 It's been a busy couple of years for Steven Wilson. The British singer, multi- instrumentalist and songwriter has continued his work as the go-to guy for surround sound and stereo remixes on recent outings including XTC's Nonesuch (1992; reissued Panegyric, 2013), Yes' Close to the Edge (1972; reissued Panegyric, 2013), Jethro Tull's Benefit: A Collector's Edition (1970; reissued Chrysalis, 2013), and his new stereo mix, in collaboration with King ...

Album Review

Fabrizio Sotti: Right Now

Read "Right Now" reviewed by Mike Oppenheim

by Mike Oppenheim
December 29, 2013

Jazz guitarist, songwriter, and pop producer Fabrizio Sotti has been involved with the music industry at all levels throughout his career, offering his varied talents in all genres of music. The 2013 release Right Now is the culmination of his years of experience, diverse musical interests, and accumulation of talented collaborators. Not a typical jazz album, Right Now offers jazz-flavored interpretations of songs from the pop music repertoire. The core group consists of Sotti on guitar, bassist Tony ...

Album Review

Flash featuring Peter Banks: In Public - Udder Chaos / Live At Cowtown Ballroom

Read "In Public - Udder Chaos / Live At Cowtown Ballroom" reviewed by Glenn Astarita

by Glenn Astarita
December 29, 2013

Late guitarist Peter Banks turned quite a few heads as an exceptional guitarist when he burst onto the scene during the initial manifestation of the progressive rock outfit, Yes. But due to artistic differences he left the band in 1970, and subsequently formed Flash, which was a quartet that illustrated stylistic similarities to Yes. The band released three albums from 1971-1973 and more or less developed a loyal following but never enjoyed widespread success. However In Public features the unit ...

Album Review

Mike Longo and the New York State of the Art Jazz Ensemble: Live From New York!

Read "Live From New York!" reviewed by Dan Bilawsky

by Dan Bilawsky
December 28, 2013

When trumpet titan Dizzy Gillespie left this earth he left no shortage of disciples behind. His now-legendary peers (i.e. saxophonists Jimmy Heath and Benny Golson), a cadre of killer Cubans (Arturo Sandoval, multi-reedist Paquito D'Rivera, pianist Gonzalo Rubalcaba, etc.) and a pride of young lions all worked with him, learned from him, and sang his praises, both before and after he departed; so did/does pianist Mike Longo, though too few people seem to recognize him. Part of ...