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

Maria Muldaur, Marcia Ball, Tracy Nelson and Del Ray at the Musical Instrument Museum

by Patricia Myers
October 30, 2013

Maria Muldaur, Marcia Ball, Tracy Nelson and Del Ray Musical Instrument Museum “Saluting the Pioneers of Women Who Rock" Phoenix, Arizona October 16, 2013 Four women musicians performed a joyous tribute to Sister Rosetta Tharpe and Memphis Minnie, black pioneers in gospel and early blues styles that became the roots of rock 'n' roll. The 22-song concert format was a soul-satisfying mix of gospel, blues, boogie-woogie and swing. “Saluting the Pioneers" was ...

Album Review

Charnett Moffett: Spirit Of Sound

Read "Spirit Of Sound" reviewed by Dan Bilawsky

by Dan Bilawsky
October 30, 2013

Bassist Charnett Moffett's first two releases on the Motéma imprint came out two years apart; his third and fourth releases for the same label--The Bridge: Solo Bass Works (Motéma Music, 2013) and the outing under discussion here--arrive a mere three months apart. His working pace has clearly quickened, but the quality of the music hasn't suffered for it. Both The Bridge: Solo Bass Works and Spirit Of Sound present an artist, interpreter, composer and conceptualist in his prime.

Live Review

Lewis Nash All-Stars at the Nash

by Patricia Myers
October 30, 2013

Lewis Nash All-Stars: Randy Brecker, Javon Jackson, George Cables, George Mraz The Nash Phoenix, AZ October 11, 2013 Drummer Lewis Nash led an all-star quintet of Randy Brecker on trumpet, Javon Jackson on tenor saxophone, George Cables on piano and George Mraz on bass to mark the first anniversary of the Nash, Jazz in AZ's performance and education center. Two 75-minute sets (with separate admissions) comprised the main event of a four-day celebration ...

Album Review

Luis Lopes Humanization 4tet: Live in Madison

Read "Live in Madison" reviewed by Glenn Astarita

by Glenn Astarita
October 30, 2013

Respectively, Portuguese artists Luis Lopes (guitar) and Rodrigo Amado (saxophone) are known for aggressive tactics and forward motion at almost any tempo. There's nothing sheepish about this live date, recorded in Madison, WI. And there's no looking back as the band seemingly loaded up on energy drinks for this high-impact set. Lopes' variable use of distortion techniques--among other factors--provide a razor-sharp and stinging soundstage, coupled with Amado's rip-roaring solos. They use space as an equalizer amid snaking time changes and ...

Album Review

Kosi: One More Cup of Coffee

Read "One More Cup of Coffee" reviewed by Mehdi El Mouden

by Mehdi El Mouden
October 30, 2013

Akosua Gyebi, known as Kosi released her debut album One More Cup of Coffee. Deeply rooted in the New York scene, Kosi weaves along guitarist Aron Marshak powerful melodies in graceful style. From folk, blues, to jazz, Kosi captures urban tales in a contralto emotive tone. Indeed, with a voice husky with emotion, Kosi sings her heart out. Singing about love, reflecting upon urban life or just whistling upon guitar riffs, Kosi is generous with her approach to ...

Interview

Lorraine Feather: I Love You Guys

by Carl L. Hager
October 30, 2013

The great pianist and composer, Thelonious Monk, is credited with the remark that “writing about jazz is like dancing about architecture." But don't dash off and try to authenticate the quote. One, it'll just take you down a rabbit hole, and two, whether or not he ever actually uttered those words doesn't really matter. Because far too often, it's true. It's true to the extent that the offending scribe is violating a fundamental law: either he doesn't know ...

Mr. P.C.'s Guide to Jazz Etiquette and Bandstand Decorum

November 2013

by Mr. P.C.
October 29, 2013

Dear Mr. P.C.: When is it okay to sub out a gig if I get called for a better one? -- Holding Out, Eagerly Dear HOE: Here's the problem: If you take the better gig, who's to say that you won't get called for one even better than that? And so you begin a destructive cycle that knows no end. It becomes an addiction--there's always a better gig around the corner, and ...

Album Review

Chip Stephens Trio: Chip Stephens Trio: Relevancy

Read "Chip Stephens Trio: Relevancy" reviewed by Carlo Wolff

by Carlo Wolff
October 29, 2013

Chip Stephens is an impeccable technician, a clever, even daring composer, and a restless explorer of melody. Adept at swing and complexity, he unfurls piano lines with a restless authority that marries brawn to delicacy in this collection of originals and transmogrified standards. Bracketed by a brisk, darting take on Carla Bley's angular “Syndrome" and a breakneck rendition of Bill Evans' “34 Skidoo," Stephens' second Capri CD never flags. It traverses the blues ("Somewhere Before the End"), swing ...

Live Review

Oddarrang/Girls In Airports at Belfast Festival 2013

by Ian Patterson
October 29, 2013

Oddarrang/Girls In Airports Elmwood Hall Belfast Festival Belfast, N. Ireland October 23, 2013 Over the course of fifty one years the Belfast Festival has programmed an ocean of outstanding music, from the guitar-spangled blues of Jimi Hendrix and the epic ragas of sitarist Ravi Shankar to the classical artistry of pianist Alfred Brendel. Jazz too has featured prominently over the years--from trumpeter Dizzy Gillespie to pianist Geri Allen--though less so in recent editionss.

Album Review

Judy Wexler: What I See

Read "What I See" reviewed by Florence Wetzel

by Florence Wetzel
October 29, 2013

One of the deepest relationships in jazz blossomed on the West Coast in the 1950s, when singer June Christy and arranger Pete Rugolo combined their gifts on numerous albums. Christy supplied the voice and the heart, which Rugolo set off to perfection with exquisite, often surprising arrangements. The deep understanding between the two artists was particularly evident in their choice of songs; both had an eye for the unusual and the neglected, as well as lyrics that conveyed emotions of ...