Jazz Articles

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Brandon Wright: Boiling Point

by Raul d'Gama Rose
May 8, 2010

The appeal of saxophonist, Brandon Wright comes fast, bearing a rather lyrical swagger. This young tenor player shows plenty of confidence--even cockiness--and a mature attitude on Boiling Point. Wright has a full, round tone and a forthright attack; his fingering is deft, almost like a stage magician, and it bodes with it a whispering glissando in the dying elements of his phrases and notes. His solos are full of bright ideas and flow full and free, billowing in gentle gusts ...

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Mike Longo Trio: Sting Like A Bee

by Marcia Hillman
May 8, 2010

Sting Like A Bee is pianist Mike Longo's follow-up to his well-received Float Like A Butterfly (Consolidated Artists Productions, 2008). Bassist Bob Cranshaw and drummer Lewis Nash join him, and this CD is so laidback and relaxed that it comes as no surprise to read in the liner notes that there was no need to listen to any playbacks. This offering is a tribute to two mentors: Oscar Peterson, with whom he studied for a time as a private student, ...

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Michael Musillami: Old Tea

by Lyn Horton
May 8, 2010

Guitarist Michael Musillami has seized onto the meaning of irreplaceable moments with Old Tea, dedicated to his 29-year-old son, who took his own life on March 10, 2009. In an extraordinarily touching story, Musillami's liner notes say what cannot be said musically. But the music, executed by his outstanding regular trio, expresses more than can be verbalized. Bassist Joe Fonda and drummer George Schuller take on Musillami's music with a sensitivity befitting the celebration of human life. ...

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Roberto Rodriguez: Timba Talmud

by Elliott Simon
May 8, 2010

A killer Latin rhythm section combined with soulful Jewish melodies is just one aspect of what makes Timba Talmud, from percussionist Roberto Rodriguez, such an infectious delicacy. Sexteto Rodriguez, as the band is now called, has been the premier vehicle for Rodriguez to showcase his strong compositions that, like a good Cuban sofrito or a tasty Jewish kugel, beautifully blend and simmer a variety of ingredients into a seamless pleasure. Over the years, Rodriguez has perfected a recipe that has ...

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Sonny Rollins Elected as Member of American Academy of Arts & Sciences

by Jack Bowers
May 7, 2010

This month's most welcome news has nothing to do with big bands but everything to do with artistry and excellence: saxophonist and jazz icon Sonny Rollins has been elected to membership in the American Academy of Arts & Sciences. The Academy, a center for independent policy research (I don't quite understand what that has to do with jazz, but so be it), is among the country's oldest and most prestigious honorary societies and celebrates the 230th anniversary of its founding ...

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Beat Kaestli: Invitation

by Dan Bilawsky
May 7, 2010

The Great American Songbook is something of a repertoire Bible for jazz vocalists, regardless of whether or not they originally hail from America. Vocalist Beat Kaestli was born in Switzerland, but he made New York his home after arriving to attend the Manhattan School of Music in the early 1990s. Since that time, his music has touched on everything from gospel and R&B to musical theater, but he has really narrowed his focus to jazz since his exploration of standards ...

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David Berger Jazz Orchestra / Sheryl Bailey / UNC–Greensboro

by Jack Bowers
May 7, 2010

David Berger Jazz Orchestra Sing Me a Love Song: Harry Warren's Undiscovered Standards Such Sweet Thunder 2010

If composer Harry Warren is remembered at all, it is for such blockbuster hits from the 1940s as “Chattanooga Choo-Choo" (the country's first million-selling record), “I've Got a Gal in Kalamazoo" and “You'll Never Know" (one of Warren's three Academy-Award winning songs; he also won for “Lullaby of Broadway" and “On the Atchison, Topeka and ...

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Kenny Wheeler / Colours Jazz Orchestra: Nineteen Plus One

by John Kelman
May 7, 2010

Following Kenny Wheeler's career can be a knotty proposition. Born in Canada, the trumpeter/composer relocated to Britain in the 1950s, becoming an integral part of its jazz scene. He recorded for Germany's ECM Records for over two decades, including the classic Gnu High (1976) in addition to his Azimuth collaborations with pianist John Taylor and singer Norma Winstone. More recently shifting his affiliation to Italian labels including EGEA and CAM Jazz, he's focused largely on small groups, though he's made ...

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Phil Meadows' Standard: Leeds, UK, April 24, 2010

by Alex J Watson
May 7, 2010

Phil Meadows' StandardToast BarLeeds, UKApril 24, 2010Saxophonist Phil Meadows is a rising star of the UK jazz scene. Benchmark performances such as his appearance at Manchester Jazz festival last year, along with various accolades, including winner of LIMA Bands Competition 2008, have helped kick start the career of the young Chethams School of Music graduate. Unveiling his new group Standard, at Toast bar in Leeds, Meadows--who is best know for leading groups playing his own ...

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Peter Epstein and Idee Fixe: Abstract Realism

by John Barron
May 7, 2010

Abstract Realism is the debut recording for the band Idée Fixe, an experimental ensemble under the leadership of saxophonist Peter Epstein, that has been in existence since 1997. Along with Epstein, the band includes guitarist Andy Barbera, bassist Sam Minaie and drummer Matt Mayhall. Special guests for the disc include bass clarinetist Brian Walsh and saxophonist Gavin Templeton. With minimal ideas as the basis for each track, the music takes on spontaneous group thought with cohesive realizations. As ...