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

Arturo Vera / Ethan Mann: Acoustic Project

Read "Acoustic Project" reviewed by Dan Bilawsky

by Dan Bilawsky
March 3, 2012

The Acoustic Project is a confluence of classical styling, Spanish-tinged songs, and improvisational elements, brought together by two men who have ample knowledge and skill in all three areas. Guitarists Ethan Mann and Arturo Vera have known each other for two decades, having connected long ago when they were both at the Manhattan School of Music, and they share a deep musical bond that is evident throughout this album. Their journey begins with Heitor Villa-Lobos' “Aria," which ...

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Extended Analysis

Philip Glass: Einstein on the Beach

by Nenad Georgievski
March 3, 2012

Philip GlassEinstein on the BeachNonesuch2012 (1993)Music has a tremendous ability to affect human emotions in a very inexplicable manner. It offers a way of communication rooted in emotions rather than in meaning. On the other hand, throughout the ages, music has never lacked controversy and has always been able to create a stir with heated debates, to polarize audiences or simply to provoke a reaction. Be it trumpeter Miles Davis or singer ...

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Album Review

Forward Energy: The Awakening

Read "The Awakening" reviewed by Glenn Astarita

by Glenn Astarita
March 3, 2012

One never knows whether reed men Jim Ryan and Rent Romus will take matters to the next level or slam conventional jazz applications through the meat-grinder. Respectively, the artists are known for skirting the outside through the mouthpiece of various ensemble configurations, straddling the avant-garde, and an array of mechanisms that often defy categorization. Polytonal in scope, the quintet embeds ever-so-slight modern mainstream elements into a largely zestful session, spanning free-zone type introspective outlooks with hard and fast ...

Album Review

Ron Carter's Great Big Band: Ron Carter's Great Big Band

Read "Ron Carter's Great Big Band" reviewed by Raul d'Gama Rose

by Raul d'Gama Rose
March 3, 2012

There is practically nothing that Ron Carter has not done, including actually playing second bass fiddle to Charles Mingus on Three Or Four Shades Of Blue, (Atlantic, 1977). Ever since the world shone a spotlight on the bassist when he graced the great quintet of Miles Davis, with Tony Williams, Herbie Hancock and Wayne Shorter, Carter has been recognized as one of the premier jazz bassists of the time. Many of his albums--including Uptown Conversation (Embryo/Atlantic, 1989), his trio recording ...

Album Review

Meeco: Beauty of the Night

Read "Beauty of the Night" reviewed by Dan Bilawsky

by Dan Bilawsky
March 3, 2012

While danger, intrigue and excitement are often born beneath a silvery moon, love, loss and regret seem to come first to Meeco's mind when his thoughts turn to the night. The Paris-based composer/producer gathered what can only be described as a dream team of jazz's crème de la crème to help him bring life to eight of his sensitive compositions on this, his third album. The concept behind Meeco's music, which deals in whispering, pensive Euro-Brazilian sounds, ...

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Extended Analysis

Eric Bibb: Deeper In The Well

by Chris May
March 2, 2012

Eric BibbDeeper In The WellDixie Frog2012As bluesman Willie Dixon affirmed, you can't judge a book by looking at its cover. But you often can from reading the first paragraph. Switching your receptors from visual to audio, so it is with the first few bars of an album's opening track. And as the New Orleans-infused funk of singer and guitarist Eric Bibb's “Bayou Belle" snakes its way out of the speakers, its poise ...

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Album Review

John Raymond: Strength & Song

Read "Strength & Song" reviewed by Dan Bilawsky

by Dan Bilawsky
March 2, 2012

When trumpet giant Jon Faddis gives his stamp of approval to another trumpeter and climbs aboard to co-produce his debut, it's probably a safe bet that he has something special going on. Such is the case with John Raymond, who delivers the goods again and again during this original-heavy program. Raymond, a native of Minnesota who relocated to New York after spending his college years at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, distinguishes himself from the get-go here ...

Album Review

Steve Lacy: Avignon and After - 1

Read "Avignon and After - 1" reviewed by John Eyles

by John Eyles
March 2, 2012

Emanem and Steve Lacy have been entwined since the label was born with the release of the saxophonist's LP Solo (1974). The first eight tracks of this CD hold the contents of that album, recorded at two August, 1972 concerts in Avignon--significantly, Lacy's very first solo concerts. Ever since, the label has championed the music of Lacy with several landmark releases. This CD and its companion, The Sun (2012), are prime examples. Together, this pair of albums replaces the 1995 ...

Multiple Reviews

Jerry Bergonzi: Two DVDs from the Master Educator

by Dan Bilawsky
March 2, 2012

Tenor saxophonist Jerry Bergonzi has spent decades honing his skills and he has the discography to prove it. Strong solo dates on the RED, Double-Time and Savant labels, along with notable sideman work with legends such as pianist Dave Brubeck, have earned him the respect of his peers and the reputation of being a no-nonsense force of nature on his instrument, but his best work may take place in the classroom. Bergonzi has been codifying and passing ...

Album Review

Lucid: So Oder So

Read "So Oder So" reviewed by Jack Bowers

by Jack Bowers
March 2, 2012

Lydia Schiller, Sevi Krieger and Florian Leuschner met not long ago as members of one of Germany's several superb youth jazz orchestras (yes, that is a good idea; a pity it hasn't surfaced on this side of the Atlantic) and decided to form a working trio built around Schiller's lucid vocal talents, which include flawless diction, unwavering pitch, and an uncommon ability to scat and swing. Since the first three tunes on So Oder So are sung in German, it ...