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.

190

Album Review

John Law / Mark Pringle: This is

Read "This is" reviewed by Jakob Baekgaard

by Jakob Baekgaard
October 1, 2011

Traditionally, the art of the piano duo has been linked to classical music, and almost every significant classical composer, from Mozart to Maurice Ravel, has written music for two pianos. In jazz, however, this particular medium is somewhat rare, and although Bill Evans recorded Further Conversations with Myself (PolyGram, 1967), where he overdubbed himself on piano, decidedly pure piano duos in jazz have been scarce, with An Evening with Herbie Hancock and Chick Corea: In Concert (Columbia, 1978) being one ...

157

Live Review

Wilco: New York, NY, September 22, 2011

by Lawrence Peryer
October 1, 2011

WilcoRumsey Playground, Central ParkNew York, NYSeptember 22, 2011 Nels Cline can conjure wind. He did so mid-way through the third song of Wilco's performance in New York City on September 22. There were several thousand witnesses. Cline, Wilco's guitarist-cum-audio mad scientist, was at the crest of an intense solo passage in “Ashes of American Flags" when a strong, crisp breeze blew in from the East, lifting the blanket of early evening ...

154

Album Review

Andre / Tokar / Kugel: Varpai

Read "Varpai" reviewed by Eyal Hareuveni

by Eyal Hareuveni
October 1, 2011

This unique, pan-European trio of like-minded improvising masters--Lithuanian vocal artist/dancer Andrė Pabarčiūtė, Ukrainian bassist Mark Tokar and German percussionist Klaus Kugel--explore the multiple sound variations of their instruments, releasing them from typical conventions while inventing free form structures and pulses. With great sensitivity, imagination, patience and obviously flawless technique this trio succeeds in forming timeless, rich soundscapes that sound fresh, organic and inspiring. On “Symphonic Fields," Pabarčiūtė's broad vocal range touches Tokar's lower register arco and then ...

131

Live Review

Jorma Kaukonen with Barry Mitterhoff: South Burlington, VT, September 15, 2011

by Doug Collette
October 1, 2011

Jorma Kaukonen with Barry MitterhoffHigher Ground Showcase LoungeSouth Burlington, VermontSeptember, 15, 2011 Because Jorma Kaukonen's appearance at Higher Ground's Showcase Lounge was billed as a solo show, it was a bit unsettling to enter the intimate venue and see a rack of stringed instruments next to a second chair on the stage. All the more so, perhaps, for longtime fans of the ex-Jefferson Airplane and Hot Tuna guitarist to watch Barry Mitterhoff sit at ...

121

Live Review

The Voice of The Wetlands All-Stars: New York, NY, August 25, 2011

by Mike Perciaccante
October 1, 2011

The Voice of The Wetlands All-Stars Hiro Ballroom New York, New York August 25, 2011 With the first major storm in decades bearing down on the northeast coast of the United States, The Voice of The Wetlands All-Stars treated revelers to a pre-Hurricane Party at New York's Hiro Ballroom on a pleasant, if somewhat muggy, Thursday evening in late August. The show followed in the aftermath of the earthquake centered in Virginia that registered 5.9 ...

161

Album Review

Pascal Marzan / John Russell: Translations

Read "Translations" reviewed by Raul d'Gama Rose

by Raul d'Gama Rose
October 1, 2011

The magic of Pascal Marzan and John Russell's Translations lies in the miraculous pliability of strings. The two guitarists are dangerously adventurous, although one is slightly more programmatic than the other; still, both artists test the elasticity of their nylon and steel strings to the maximum extent. It is almost certain, however, that Marzan and Russell did not set out to make this album as edgy as it turned out; too much of it sounds unscripted, with music stuttering at ...

164

Take Five With...

Take Five With Patricia Velasquez

by AAJ Staff
October 1, 2011

Meet Patricia Velasquez: Patricia Velasquez began classical piano lessons at the age of four. In Junior High, she began to study jazz. She attended Berklee College of Music in 1987. She has performed at Stepping Out with the South Central Mass Choir; at Ryles for a blues reunion with Shirley Lewis and guests; at the Acton Jazz Cafe, and at Sculler's with the Pat Braxton Band. She has also played with Joe Cook.Instrument(s): Piano.

116

Album Review

Alex Brown: Pianist

Read "Pianist" reviewed by Edward Blanco

by Edward Blanco
October 1, 2011

With a little help from Cuban-born saxophonist Paquito D'Rivera the jazz world heralds the entrance of 22 year-old Alex Brown, capturing but a glimpse of his talents on a monster recording debut simply entitled Pianist. It was actually D'Rivera's bassist, Oscar Stagnaro,who began to gig with pianist around the Boston area, ultimately introducing Brown to D'Rivera, and the rest is history. Taken with Brown's skills on the instrument and his understanding of Latin music beyond Afro-Cuban rhythms, D'Rivera took him ...

140

Album Review

Frantisek Uhlir: 60

by Jerry D'Souza
October 1, 2011

Prague Castle is the premier performance venue in the capital of the Czech Republic. It has held a monthly Jazz at the Castle concert since 2004, with the largest number of performances coming from bassist František Uhlíř. He has performed eight times at the venue, including September 8, 2010, to celebrate his 60th birthday. The cast of nine international musicians he assembled for the occasion establish their credentials right from the time they set “Expectation" up, following the customary introduction ...

233

Album Review

Jon Crowley: At the Edge

Read "At the Edge" reviewed by Nicholas F. Mondello

by Nicholas F. Mondello
October 1, 2011

There's a mysteriously haunting and melancholic presence to trumpeter Jon Crowley”s At the Edge. In a way, the elongated melodies, tonal shadings and ensemble colorings seem Impressionistic; there are layers of sound--textural gemstones, displayed via minimalist melodic segments, like a beautiful haiku. All thirteen of At the Edge's cuts are Crowley originals. His composer's pen lays broad, wide strokes with subtle flair. While the general format is subdued, a relaxed tension permeates the presentation. This is thoughtful ...