Jazz Articles

like 189

Phillip Johnston: Page of Madness

by Ken Dryden
December 7, 2009

Phillip Johnston first drew critical acclaim for his work as a saxophonist and composer in the Microscopic Septet. Since the group disbanded in 1992 (though it reunited for a new recording last year and occasional concerts), he distinguished himself leading various groups of his own (often several at the same time), composing quirky jazz that was avant-garde yet accessible, including several scores for films directed by Doris Dorrie, Philip Haas and Paul Mazursky. He was commissioned by the Film Society ...

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Aram Shelton's Fast Citizens: Two Cities

by Troy Collins
December 6, 2009

One of the defining characteristics of Chicago's progressive jazz scene is the ubiquity of a tight-knit group of young, post-Vandermark improvisers who alternate sideman and leadership duties in a variety of ensembles. Whether led by individual artists or operating as loose collectives, they approach the tradition from similar angles, seamlessly incorporating aspects of swinging post-bop, edgy free improvisation, and contemporary composition into a cohesive whole. Their historically reverent, yet adventurous inside-outside sensibility has come to define the Windy City's current ...

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Flat Earth Society: Cheer Me, Perverts!

by Ian Patterson
December 6, 2009

Fifteen-piece Belgian big band Flat Earth Society is the sonic equivalent of a freak show--weird, wonderful and like nothing you've come across before. Cheer Me, Perverts! is bursting with the energy of punk--sharing some of the anarchy, too--yet the CD exhibits intricate section harmonies and wonderful contrapuntal melodies. The soloists revel in their freedom, and the playing is characterized by idiosyncrasy and skill in equal measure. Zappa-esque and Ellingtonian in turn, Balkan brass meets 1970s prog rock, Cheer Me is ...

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Jason Adasiewicz's Rolldown: Varmint

by Mark Corroto
December 6, 2009

Jason Adasiewicz's quintet Rolldown, has been together since 2004, and Varmint, its second release, again invites you into Mr. Peabody's “wayback machine" (from The Rocky And Bullwinkle Show of the 1960s) to explore ancient history with a modern ear. That ancient history is the 1960's New Thing, and our explorers are armed with the knowledge of just how that story ended.Adasiewicz, a prime player in the continual resurgence of Chicago jazz, can be heard with Josh Berman (Old ...

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Tomer Baruch Quintet: The Nature Of Not Knowing

by David Miller
December 6, 2009

Tomer Baruch Quintet The Nature Of Not Knowing Cool-Kalb Records 2009

Israeli pianist Tomer Baruch marks his first recorded foray into jazz with The Nature Of Not Knowing, an ambitious project melding philosophy and jazz. What is his philosophy, what is he trying to convey? If we knew we wouldn't be listening.

Whatever it is though, it works. The Nature of Not Knowing is, for all its heavy ideas, quite ...

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Take Five With Michaela Rabitsch

by AAJ Staff
December 6, 2009

Meet Michaela Rabitsch:Michaela Rabitsch, singer, composer and Austria's only and top female jazz trumpet player has released Moods, her third CD together with guitarist Robert Pawlik. Moods presents ten songs that reflect the passion, energy and emotions of their life.

This album is their first recording with exclusively original compositions, reflecting the core of their current work. They are presenting jazz with catchy melodies, strong harmonies, groovy rhythms and adventurous improvisations in a fine balanced vocal - instrumental ...

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Freddy Cole: The Dreamer In Me

by Marcia Hillman
December 6, 2009

This CD ably captures Freddy Cole in a live set at New York”s Dizzy's Club Coca Cola, from February 2008. Cole sings his way through a selection of non-overdone material, accompanying himself on piano on five of the tracks (the remaining piano chores delightfully handled by John DiMartino). The rest of the band includes Jerry Weldon on tenor saxophone, guitarist Randy Napoleon, bassist Elias Bailey and drummer Curtis Boyd (the latter three his usual touring group). Cole ...

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Chano Dominguez Quinteto Flamenco at Jazz Standard

by Ned Sublette
December 6, 2009

Chano Dominguez“The Flamenco Side of Kind of Blue" Jazz StandardNew York, NYDecember 3, 2009 I have a confession to make.

I've never listened to Kind of Blue.

Oh, I've heard the tunes over the years. You can't escape them. And I have lots of Miles Davis albums. ESP is my favorite. Jack Johnson. Various Prestige sides, which I bought as cutouts when I was a teenager. I never managed to buy Kind ...

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Wayne Escoffery: Uptown

by Joel Roberts
December 6, 2009

On Uptown, his fifth album as a leader, the impressive 34-year-old tenor saxophonist {Wayne Escoffery employs an old-fashioned soul jazz lineup of sax, Hammond B-3 organ, electric guitar and drums. But don't expect to hear the sort of bluesy “uptown" jams associated with classic soul jazz tenors like Gene Ammons, Eddie “Lockjaw" Davis or Stanley Turrentine. While he's a hard-swinging tenor with a big, warm tone, Escoffery's passion, expressiveness and long, flowing solos, as well as his thoughtful, forward-thinking compositions, ...

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Donny McCaslin: Declaration

by Tom Greenland
December 6, 2009

Declaration is tenor saxophonist Donny McCaslin's eighth solo effort, a compilation of original compositions and arrangements featuring a three- to five-horn brass section including trumpets, trombones, French horn and tuba. With Edward Simon (piano/organ), Ben Monder (guitar), Scott Colley (bass) and Antonio Sanchez (drums) making up the core band, the result is a far denser sound than his previous trio outing. Like earlier efforts, McCaslin's songs are sterling, ranging from bittersweet ballads to funky rock to quirky ...