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

TOC: You Can Dance (If You Want)

Read "You Can Dance (If You Want)" reviewed by Eyal Hareuveni

by Eyal Hareuveni
October 10, 2012

The French trio TOC--part of the musicians collective Muzzix in Lille, breaks all the rules and musical barriers on this, its second release, same as it did on its debut, Le Gorille (Circum Disc, 2009). These three skilled improvisers move freely between contemporary music, experimental pop, art and psychedelic rock, noise and fiery jazz with reckless energy, as if aiming to close the cultural gaps between the followers of composer Igor Stravinsky and those who listen to Sonic Youth--all done ...

Album Review

Platform 1: Takes Off

Read "Takes Off" reviewed by Glenn Astarita

by Glenn Astarita
October 10, 2012

The debut recording by Platform 1 comprises a multinational cast of progressive jazz musicians who easily knock it out of the park with blazing free-bop motifs, introspective sojourns, shuffling jazz-boogie vamps and celebratory interactions. Add the often feverish solo spots and tumultuous climaxes into the mix to round out a divergent program, culminating in a highly imaginative set of structured song forms, subdivided with ample portions of improvisation. Amsterdam-based free jazz drummer Michael Vatcher launches “In Between Chairs ...

Interview

James Cammack: Where You At?

by Ian Patterson
October 9, 2012

Oftentimes, it's only the passing of time that can offer true perspective. In years to come, bassist James Cammack may look back on 2012 as the year when--after over 30 years in the business--he truly began his musical adventure in earnest. After 29 years playing bass in the ensembles of piano legend Ahmad Jamal, Cammack was, much to his surprise, let go. The signs had been on the cards for awhile, when Jamal had started using bassist Reginald Veal the ...

Album Review

James Cammack: Both Sides Of The Coin: Part 1

Read "Both Sides Of The Coin: Part 1" reviewed by Ian Patterson

by Ian Patterson
October 9, 2012

Though James Cammack began on electric bass in the mid-1970s, he's best known as the double-bassist for legendary pianist Ahmad Jamal, a role that kept him on his toes for a remarkable 29 years. Cammack has graced many of Jamal's best latter-day recordings, but it's really live, locking horns in an improvisational cauldron with Jamal and drummers of the caliber of Idris Muhammad and Herlin Riley, that Cammack's own talent as an improviser and accompanist are best seen. Cammack reverts ...

Album Review

Torben Waldorff: Wah-Wah

Read "Wah-Wah" reviewed by Mark F. Turner

by Mark F. Turner
October 9, 2012

Guitarist/composer Torben Waldorff has released a number of penetrating recordings, including 2008's Afterburn and 2010's American Rock Beauty , both on the musician-driven ArtistShare label. They are shaded with top-notch musicianship, fresh perspectives, and one elusive quality: the art of being copacetic, where the music evokes a sense of cool that's not just defined by chops or technological devices but, more so, with a vibe that feels relevant and evocative. Wah-Wah is further proof of the Sweden-based guitarist's abilities.

Album Review

Flu(o): Encore Remuants

Read "Encore Remuants" reviewed by Eyal Hareuveni

by Eyal Hareuveni
October 9, 2012

This French quintet--part of the musicians collective Muzzix, in Lille, and known before as Impression--presents current European jazz at its best. Immediate and restless as its album name suggests, it is inclusive, experimental and inventive, all without subscribing to any labels. Encore Remuants, all the challenging compositions, except the free improvised “Fluo," were written by drummer Peter Orins--who, together with trumpet player Christian Pruvost, makes up the French half of the quartet KAZE with Japanese pianist Satoko Fujii ...

Hardly Strictly Jazz

Your Past Will Come Back To Haunt You: Omnivore and Dust To Digital - Two Record Labels That Matter

by Skip Heller
October 9, 2012

When I was growing up, a great many labels actually worked hard at having an identity. Blue Note meant something, as did Stiff, Rounder, Sugar Hill, Fania and many more (even some of the majors). Music fans actually bought stuff with a sense of trust for the people who put it out. Packaging, production style, taste, and aesthetic pointed to (big idea) a real live art vision behind each release. I've worked with and for several reissue labels, ...

Album Review

Charlie Hunter: Not Getting Behind is the New Getting Ahead

Read "Not Getting Behind is the New Getting Ahead" reviewed by Doug Collette

by Doug Collette
October 8, 2012

Charlie Hunter is such an original thinker, composer and musician, that his albums are always interesting. But on this wryly and topically titled project with longtime collaborator and kindred spirit drummer Scott Amendola, the seven-string guitarist outdoes himself.With a rustling flourish from Amendola's kit, the duo slips right into a groove on the languorous, blues-derived “Assessing the Assessors, An Assessor's Assessment." The history of the duo dates back to the 1995 formation of unsung jazz-fusion quartet TJ Kirk ...

Album Review

Weber Iago: Piano Masters Series, Volume 3

Read "Piano Masters Series, Volume 3" reviewed by Dan Bilawsky

by Dan Bilawsky
October 8, 2012

Clarity in sound and format link volumes two and three of Adventure Music's Piano Masters Series, but the artists showcased on these solo dates bear little resemblance to one another. Pianist Philippe Baden Powell, who was featured on Piano Masters Series, Volume 2 (Adventure Music, 2012), laid out a diverse piano portfolio filled with classic jazz fare ("Giant Steps") and nods to famous Brazilians (i.e. Caetano Veloso). Melody and rhythm powered his performances and a sense of relatively clear structural ...

Big Band Report

Stars on the Horizon

by Jack Bowers
October 8, 2012

Even before Groovin' Hard, the Los Angeles Jazz Institute's latest foray into the world of contemporary jazz, kicked off its four-day run (October 11-14) at the Marriott LAX Hotel, a letter arrived from LAJI director Ken Poston announcing details of next May's extravaganza, also at the Marriott. The theme is Big Band Spectacular, and the bands who have thus far signed up to take part are the Bill Holman Band, Gordon Goodwin's Big Phat Band, the Tom Kubis Band, Bob ...