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.

Extended Analysis

Samuel Blaser Quartet: As the Sea

by Dave Wayne
September 19, 2013

Since bursting on the the international jazz scene in the mid-2000s, Swiss trombonist Samuel Blaser has established himself as one of his instrument's foremost practitioners. His playing combines the precision and detail of a top-flight classical instrumentalist with the unfettered, emotionally direct and rhythmically rich approach that characterizes the best jazz players. Blaser--still in his early 30s-- has also forged a reputation as a bandleader and composer par excellence. Presently, he leads four different bands, and occupies the trombone chair ...

Album Review

Carla Bley / Andy Sheppard / Steve Swallow: Trios

by Sammy Stein
September 19, 2013

In Lugano, Switzerland in 2012, pianist Carla Bley, saxophonist Andy Sheppard and bassist Steve Swallow were recorded, and the result is Trios (EMC 2013). This CD is atmospheric and energised. Included are new versions of Bley's original “Utviklingssang" ( “Development Song"), “Vashkar" and the suites “Les Trois Lagons" , “Wildlife," and “The Girl Who Cried Champagne." It marks Bley's departure from the ECM distributed WATT label which has been her platform for the past 40 years, and her first recording ...

On and Off the Grid

Johnny Smith: The Man, The Legend

by Dom Minasi
September 19, 2013

On June 11, 2013, guitarist Johnny Smith passed away. He was 90 years old. Some may have never heard of him, but in the world of jazz guitar he was legend. There will be many articles written about him. Besides the historical content of his accomplishments, I want to write about what he meant to me on a personal level and the thousands of other guitarists throughout the world. I was 14 years old when I ...

Live Review

Barranquijazz 2013

by Mark Holston
September 18, 2013

BarranquijazzBarranquilla, ColombiaSeptember 4-8, 2013“Audiences in Latin America are totally different than in Europe," Italian clarinetist Gabriele Mirabassi told me while we shared a bus ride from the international airport n Barranquilla, Colombia to our hotel. “Here, if you connect with them, people become passionate and emotionally expressive. In Europe, someone will come up after a concert and say something like, 'Oh, that was a very intellectual project you presented tonight.' They try to be cool. Here, it's ...

Album Review

Julian and Roman Wasserfuhr: Running

Read "Running" reviewed by Bruce Lindsay

by Bruce Lindsay
September 18, 2013

Four albums into their careers and the Wasserfuhr brothers--trumpeter Julian and pianist Roman--are still in their 20s. Running showcases their signature sound, unhurried and strong on atmosphere, as befits a pair of musicians whose first album, Remember Chet (ACT Music, 2006) paid homage to Chet Baker. It also sees them working with a new and sympathetic rhythm section, exploring the use of a string duo and featuring the work of their father, clarinetist Gerald Wasserfuhr.In keeping with the ...

Multiple Reviews

Four Artists Of The Jazz Clarinet Renaissance

by Dan Bilawsky
September 18, 2013

Since the jazz clarinet never really died, renaissance--or rebirth--may not be the term that best describes what's happening to the instrument in the twenty-first century jazz universe; it is, however, a pretty good one word synopsis. The licorice stick was there at or near the start, tooting along next to the trumpet and trombone in early twentieth century New Orleans front lines, and its popularity carried over into the swing era, as clarinetists Benny Goodman and Artie ...

Live Review

SubCulture, Grand Opening: Gregg Kallor, Gregory Porter, David Murray Infinity Quartet ft. Macy Gray

by Scott Krane
September 18, 2013

The art of recording has changed music, more so in the information age. Nevertheless, it seems consensus in New York: jazz sounds better live. SubCulture is a new performance space in the district of Manhattan that is called 'NoHo.' The building is located at 45 Bleecker Street right in front of a stop for the B, D, F, M and 6 trains. The recommended drink as per space owner, Marc Kaplan is the Liberty School cabernet and a semi-local brew, ...

Album Review

Samuel Blaser Consort in Motion: A Mirror to Machaut

Read "A Mirror to Machaut" reviewed by Troy Collins

by Troy Collins
September 18, 2013

Over the last few years Swiss trombonist Samuel Blaser has established himself as a significant presence in the international jazz scene. Recent activity features no less than three consecutive releases; A Mirror to Machaut is the latest in a series of engaging albums, following One From None (Fresh Sound New Talent, 2013), the debut of his co-led Quintet with Canadian bassist Michael Bates, and As The Sea (Hatology, 2013), the second recording of his regular touring Quartet.Among his ...

Album Review

A Sondheim Jazz Project: A Sondheim Jazz Project: City of Strangers

Read "A Sondheim Jazz Project: City of Strangers" reviewed by David Bittinger

by David Bittinger
September 18, 2013

This CD crosses two soft borders: one between Canada and the U.S, and one between show tunes and jazz. It presents the work of the most famous Broadway songwriter of the past half century as might be heard performed at the Village Vanguard rather than the Winter Garden.Saxophonist and arranger Bobby Hsu's “A Sondheim Jazz Project" realizes Stephen Sondheim compositions as they're rarely realized. Hsu's motive: “I want to be Sondheim's advocate in the jazz world, rather than ...

Album Review

Roberta Piket: Solo

by Dan McClenaghan
September 18, 2013

Listening back on Roberta Piket's discography, with recordings like the trio affair, Love and Beauty (Thirteenth Note Records, 2007) and the ambitious Side, Colors (Thirteenth Note Records, 2013), it's clear that the New York-based pianist has established herself as “an artist deserving wider recognition." With Solo she cements a reputation as a top level jazz artist. Solo features Piket alone with the piano, the most challenging of formats. To say she has risen to the challenge is an ...