Jazz Articles
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Chris Rottmayer: Being
by Richard J Salvucci
One thing is for sure. If a listener comes upon a recording based on the music of Mulgrew Miller and Woody Shaw, there are unlimited possibilities for a harmonic education. Both players were revered for their sophistication and the beauty of the melodies they created. So it hardly seems odd that someone, here pianist Chris Rottmayer, would have made an academic study of what they were doing. Ordinarily, even an academic might think “what a frightful idea," but Rottmayer understood ...
Continue ReadingChkifi, OFT, Berne And More
by Bob Osborne
Another selection of excellent new jazz releases includes a couple of offerings from Tim Berne, one with Michael Formanek and the other with Bill Frisell. The programme commences with Nicolas Chkifi's excellent tribute to legendary drummer Paul Motian. Playlist Show Intro 00:00 Nicolas Chkifi “Blue Midnight" from Motian Love Dance (Ramble Records) 00:30 OJT “It's Not That Bad" from Ground Level (Jazz Daddy Records) 07:11 Tim Berne & Michael Formanek “Bass Voodoo" from Parlour Games (Relative Pitch Records) ...
Continue ReadingDaniel Carter / Adriano Camacho / Federico Ughi: Trabajadores De Energia
by John Sharpe
Jazz must be one of the most cosmopolitan art forms going. A case in point would be American multi-instrumentalist Daniel Carter and Brooklyn-based Italian drummer Federico Ughi, the twin founders of NYC's esteemed 577 Records imprint, met with Mexican bassist Adriana Camacho in Italy in Spring 2023. The title of the resultant Trabajadores De Energia, “Power Workers" in English perhaps, might suggest a needle-in-the-red blow-out, but Carter does not lean that way anymore. After a tenure in such fire-breathing outfits ...
Continue ReadingWake Up! It's Twenty-Twenty Four
by Patrick Burnette
Back in the saddle again, the boys look at three recent releases and one cute little two-year-old. Two of the recordings are led by bassists and two by drummers, so you could say all four were led by a member of the rhythm section -if you liked saying things like that. They are mostly fairly easy-going albums as well, but, spoilers, Mike doesn't like them all equally. No further clues here -tune in to find out which ones make the ...
Continue ReadingTerry Gibbs, Omer Leshem, Daniele Defranchis, Jeff Lederer
by Cheryl K.
During this week's two-hour program of Jazz and improvised music, vibraphonist Terry Gibbs (ahead of his 100th birthday), guitarists Eldritch Priest and Daniele Defranchis, saxophonists Omer Leshem and Jeff Lederer, and pianists Greg Spero and Bryn Roberts. Playlist Terry Gibbs “Prelude to a Kiss" from Vol. 7: The Lost Tapes, 1959 (Whaling City Sound) 2:48 Laufey “Haunted" from Bewitched: The Goddess Edition (AWAL) 3:20 Eldritch Priest “Dormitive Virtue" from Dormitive Virtue (Halocline Trance ) 4:44 Bruno Råberg “Elegy" ...
Continue ReadingExcessive Chops, Antagonistic CDs, and the Malevolent Inner Voice
by Mr. P.C.
Excessive ChopsDear Mr. P.C.: It seems like people don't really value chops anymore. Cats want their solos to be “thoughtful" with lots of space between notes and lines, and I know most of them only play that way because it's all they've got. To me, big spaces are just missed opportunities. I have chops; am I wrong to want to use them? --Can't Handle Others Playing Sparsely Dear CHOPS: After all the ...
Continue ReadingSimon Moullier at Takoma Station Tavern
by Robert Bellafiore
Simon Moullier Takoma Station Tavern Washington, DC October 5, 2024 Vibraphonist Simon Moullier was honest with his uncertainty about what was about to happen: “I met these musicians for the first time two hours ago." But the audience at Takoma Station witnessing his Washington, DC debut had nothing to worry about. The challenge, and the thrill, of performing with strangers--pianist Janelle Gill, bassist Obasi Akoto, and drummer Lenny Robinson--made for two outstanding sets of standards ...
Continue ReadingIlario Ferrari Trio: Above the Clouds
by Neil Duggan
Ilario Ferrari is certainly a busy man. A highly accomplished pianist and vocalist, he is also adept on the guitar. He has been involved with an array of diverse music projects for various ensembles from the world of pop and rock to add to his orchestral collaborations and arrangements. Ferrari is a UK resident of Italian origin who has released three albums as a leader. He also leads the Ilario Ferrari Trio, with Above the Clouds being their second release, ...
Continue ReadingNeil Cowley Trio: Entity
by Chris May
British pianist Neil Cowley put his trio on hold in 2017 to go solo. Entity marks the return of the group, which is completed by bassist Rex Horan and drummer Evan Jenkins. This is their eighth album since 2006, and the fourth with Horan in the lineup (Jenkins has been present from the start). The press materials accompanying the album include a statement from Cowley about the need for “human push back" against the potentially malign aspects of digital technology, ...
Continue ReadingLux Quartet, Warren Wolf, and Archie Shepp
by Jerome Wilson
This show features recent music from Warren Wolf and the Lux Quartet led by Myra Melford and Allison Miller as well as older work from Jamie Baum and Don Byron's New Gospel Quintet. Playlist Henry Threadgill Sextett “I Can't Wait Till I Get Home" from The Complete Novus & Columbia Recordings of Henry Threadgill & Air (Mosaic) 00:00 Alchemy Sound Project “Dark Blue Residue" from Afrika Love (Self Produced) 00:53 Altus “The Last Gift" from Mythos (Biophilia) 8:39 ...
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