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

Kristian Terzic: Kristian Terzic

Read "Kristian Terzic" reviewed by Glenn Astarita

by Glenn Astarita
May 5, 2013

In case the good word hasn't gotten out, Croatia boasts a nascent jazz scene. Keyboardist Kristian Terzic dispatches a prime example of that notion, performing with fellow countrymen on this sparkling rendezvous that skirts jazz-fusion and the Latin element. Other than his impressive technical faculties, Terzic shines as an impressive composer. Regardless of tempo or when the band works on overdrive, the agenda is etched by surging themes, shaded with memorable harmonic content and rousing unison choruses. And there are ...

Album Review

Willie Nelson and Family: Let’s Face the Music and Dance

Read "Let’s Face the Music and Dance" reviewed by C. Michael Bailey

by C. Michael Bailey
May 4, 2013

While it is an apologia for Willie Nelson, at 80, he has more than earned the right to do as he damn well pleases when he records. When Ray Charles passed away in 2004, Nelson was the only American musician to possibly accept the Charles mantle of musician with the greatest depth and breadth, having had an immeasurable impact on American music. Having composed country standards like “Crazy," “Hello Walls" and “Funny How Time Slips Away"--recording the ...

Live Review

Steven Wilson at Club Soda

by John Kelman
May 4, 2013

Steven WilsonClub SodaMontreal, Canada April 25, 2013 When currently ex-Porcupine Tree founder/front man last played Montreal in November, 2011--touring in support of his second solo recording, Grace for Drowning (Kscope, 2011)--it was clear by the end of the performance that the next time he came to the Canadian city, the crowd which filled the 800-capacity Corona Theatre was certain to grow. Not exponentially, as Wilson's solo career has unveiled in a methodical fashion that ...

Album Review

Charles Flores: Impressions Of Graffiti

Read "Impressions Of Graffiti" reviewed by Glenn Astarita

by Glenn Astarita
May 4, 2013

Reared and educated in Cuba, bassist Charles Flores migrated to the US and evolved into a first-call session artist for saxophonist David Sanchez and flautist Dave Valentine among many others. Sadly, Flores' debut solo endeavor is a posthumous release as he succumbed to cancer on August 22, 2012. Yet it's a luminous testament to his holistic musicality. With impressive chops and knowing when to employ restraint, Flores is the traffic director on these invigorating and often Latin-tinged, multihued jazz-fusion pieces. ...

Take Five With...

Take Five With Joy Divine

by AAJ Staff
May 4, 2013

Meet Joy Divine:The power of music is my inspiration. The simple truth is, I love to sing. Anyone who knows me would say, I'm a passionate advocate for keeping music alive, no matter what. Anyone who knows me would also say I am a passionate advocate for keeping music alive in your life, no matter what.I've been singing since before I could walk. Though I've had the opportunity to sing and play with a multitude of ...

Album Review

Rodrigo Amado's Motion Trio + Jeb Bishop: The Flame Alphabet

Read "The Flame Alphabet" reviewed by John Sharpe

by John Sharpe
May 4, 2013

Remember free-bop? While there's no hard and fast definition, the term was used to encompass jazz boasting a written head, often at rapid bebop tempo, which subsequently opened up harmonically and rhythmically, but without straying completely off the map. Think some of the freewheeling Blue Note discs of Sam Rivers and Andrew Hill or some of the roller coaster charts from reedman Anthony Braxton's classic quartet with trumpeter Kenny Wheeler. As a descriptor it also fits the output of the ...

Album Review

Uri Gurvich: BabEl

by Mark Corroto
May 4, 2013

Toss a dart at the world map and you are likely to hit a country of origin for a band member in saxophonist Uri Gurvich's ensemble. The Israeli-born son of Argentinian parents assembled an international cast for his first release The Storyteller (Tzadik, 2009). The same band of Bulgarian bassist Peter Slavov, Cuban drummer Francisco Mela, and Argentinian keyboardist Leo Genovese return for BabEl with the addition of Moroccan oud and percussion provided by Brahim Fribgane on three tracks.

Album Review

Michelle Pollace: New Beginning

Read "New Beginning" reviewed by Edward Blanco

by Edward Blanco
May 4, 2013

Pianist and composer Michelle Pollace from the San Francisco Bay Area has been a long-time exponent of the Latin jazz genre going back to her days as co-leader of the Zarate Pollace Project where, along with Bay Area songwriter and guitarist Abel Zarate, the group performed a blend of fusion, jazz, Brazilian and Afro-Cuban styles of music. Pollace continues her exploration of Latin jazz leading her own small combo on their debut outing New Beginning, featuring original compositions and arrangements ...

Big Band Report

Pointing Fingers... And Naming Names

by Jack Bowers
May 4, 2013

As the countdown continues toward the last Big Band Report in June, the time has come to point fingers and name names--in other words, to compile a short list of contemporary jazz musicians who have risen above the norm to help make life more pleasurable for one devoted listener. These are, mind you, personal choices, and the list is far from inclusive; while some of the names may be new to you, rest assured they have earned their places. You ...

Live Review

Dave Liebman / Andy Emler Trio: Helsinki, Finland, April 24, 2013

by Anthony Shaw
May 3, 2013

Dave Liebman with the Andy Emler TrioApril Jazz FestivalLouhisaliTapiolaHelsinki, FinlandApril 24, 2013 Saxophonist Dave Liebman is known to have played the length and breadth of the jazz world, on both sides of the Atlantic, in both hemispheres, and, having done so for nearly 50 years, it is impressive that he is still able to find novelty and innovation in every performance. As his record testifies, his name is synonymous with ...