Jazz Articles

like 292

Peter Brotzmann: Lost & Found

by Nic Jones
November 24, 2009

It's important to point out that this is Peter Brötzmann entirely solo on various reeds because, with this particular advocate of the free, the solo context has always amounted to something entirely different to his group work. As an unaccompanied soloist, he has always been an antithesis of Evan Parker's seamless flow on soprano sax in particular, as if Brötzmann's accommodation within the moment is of a radically different order.

That's best highlighted here by ..."Got A Hole In It," ...

like 550

Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke, and Lenny White: Forever Fine in Dusseldorf

by Phillip Woolever
November 24, 2009

Corea, Clarke, and White Tonhalle Dusseldorf, Germany November 4, 2009 An acoustic visit by these long journeying, top tier collaborators brought fresh perspective to their work, and thus to both the ups and downs of a widely touted gig. Happily, for the relatively small crowd, there were far more ups than downs. While most reviews have been overwhelmingly positive, not everything has been roses for CCW since their guest and star-studded kickoff ...

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Jim Peterik: Jim Peterik's Lifeforce

by Jeff Winbush
November 24, 2009

Jim Peterik describes his music as “jazz that rocks." As far as self critiques go, that's a fair assessment. After Jeff Beck found critical and commercial success with Blow by Blow (Epic, 1975), it opened the door for other rock guitarists (Rick Derringer, Craig Chaquico, Ronnie Montrose) to jump in and start playing jazz fusion or New Age instrumentals. Whether that makes these guys serious jazz musicians or slumming rock n' rollers who shouldn't quit their day jobs is subject ...

like 249

Dave Stryker at The Turning Point Cafe

by David A. Orthmann
November 24, 2009

Dave Stryker The Turning Point Cafe Piermont, NY October 24, 2009

“That's what we like about jazz. It's never the same way once," quipped Dave Stryker near the end of an exhilarating seventy-five minute set. Forsaking the familiarity of his working bands for a fling with the Turning Point Cafe's Jazz Series rhythm section and front line soloist, the unrehearsed performance placed a premium on spontaneity and risk taking. Aside from introducing three ...

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Herculaneum: Herculaneum III

by Nic Jones
November 24, 2009

In some respects what we have here is music that's a step on from Jimmy Giuffre's work in the 1950s, but if it's the chamber music notion that unites the two bodies of work across the intervening half-century, it's clear that this band marches to a rhythmically more vigorous aesthetic. The music is at times alive with a kind of tensile energy that similarly invalidates the Giuffre comparison, but what unites the two is a sense of exploration, of goals ...

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Robby Ameen: Days in the Life

by Raul d'Gama Rose
November 24, 2009

Robby Ameen is one of those first call percussionists who has been chafing at the bit to produce something all his own. Now he has his chance, with Days in the Life and he acquits himself with excellence. Things might have very well gone awry, as so often happens when self producing a first record. This, however, does not happen with Ameen, as he is careful to avoid the obvious at all costs. The percussionist is well known for his ...

like 2,181

Christian McBride: Getting the Inside Straight

by Esther Berlanga-Ryan
November 24, 2009

If we think about it for a little while, it's possible to believe that there is something almost mystic and undeniably powerful about jazz. The way it developed through the years and its constant ignition-like energy; the creativity of those who lead the way and those who continue the journey today; the improvisation that takes over souls and willingly delivers its magic for an amazed world to listen.Jazz is a growing teenager whose future is as wide and ...

like 1,067

Myron Walden: Eclectic Reedman

by Edward Bride
November 23, 2009

In words often used to describe the music of Duke Ellington, Myron Walden is a saxophonist beyond category. More so than many other musicians, Walden himself eschews reliance on any one instrument, not tenor or alto nor soprano nor bass nor... well, you get the idea. The voice that he is striving to use in any particular setting can vary widely from time to time; there is no favorite child in this man's family of instruments.

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Clay Ross: Matuto

by Greg Camphire
November 23, 2009

In Brazilian Portuguese, matuto signifies a backwoods country hillbilly. Guitarist, vocalist and South Carolina native Clay Ross knows a thing or two about these types of folks, and finds common ground between their counterparts across the equator on Matuto, his eclectic debut for Ropeadope Records. Ross is something of a polymath, handling guitar, vocals and lyrics as well as the Brazilian cavaquinho guitar and kashakas percussion. His vision for this project is unique; with a mix of ...

like 324

Bill Dixon: Tapestries for Small Orchestra

by Nic Jones
November 23, 2009

Bill Dixon Tapestries For Small Orchestra Firehouse 12 2007

When this double-CD/single-DVD set hits the market in November 2009, trumpeter Bill Dixon will be 84 years old. In an ideal world--and on the basis of this release that's the world Dixon inhabits--age wouldn't be an issue. His work is that of a questing spirit not in thrall to the ageing process. Dixon's life and music were celebrated at the Vision Festival in 2007, but ...