Jazz Articles

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Matthias Bublath: Voices

by Woodrow Wilkins
October 28, 2009

Variety is said to be the spice of life. Taken one further, musical variety is the spice of a happy existence. Pianist, organist, composer and arranger Matthias Bublath easily shifts from Brazilian to Afro-Cuban, from jazz and R&B to gospel and funk. Bublath has performed at many festivals and events around the world, including the Montreux Jazz Festival. He works New York-area jazz clubs, as well as engages himself in composing and arranging for various ensembles, motion pictures ...

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Thomas Barber's Janus Bloc: Snow Road

by Troy Collins
October 27, 2009

In ancient Roman mythology, Janus, the god of gates, doorways, beginnings and endings, was often depicted with two heads facing in opposite directions--one looking to the past, the other to the future--making him an appropriate signifier for music that embraces a range of historical traditions. Snow Road is the debut recording of trumpeter and recent Julliard graduate Thomas Barber's large ensemble Janus Bloc, whose episodic compositions reveal a plethora of stylistic antecedents, drawing from classical, jazz, and film scores.

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Bruce Hornsby & the Noisemakers: Levitate

by Mark F. Turner
October 27, 2009

It is an oxymoronic but accurate statement that would describe Bruce Hornsby as a contemporary traditionalist. Traditionalist in the sense that his music is steeped in the heartland of America--a riverboat pianism with not only the blues, but also jazz and pop; a storyteller whose song vignettes portray the everyday lives of ordinary folk as heard in his many releases beginning with the multi-million selling debut album, The Way It Is (RCA, 1986). Yet he is a contemporary who is ...

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Take Five With Mike Wolk

by AAJ Staff
October 27, 2009

Meet Mike Wolk:Performing music that swings, sounds cool, with great harmony and melody is my life's work. I prefer the structure of straight-ahead jazz as it gives me a chance to play the lines, phrases and licks that create an emotional response from my bandmembers and the audience.I live in Charleston, South Carolina, and originally am from Boston. I learned my music the old fashioned way - in bands and on the gig as well as ...

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Gary Peacock / Marc Copland: Insight

by Martin Gladu
October 27, 2009

Chiefly known as pianist Keith Jarrett's choice bassist, Gary Peacock has nevertheless continually invested himself in a myriad of projects not involving his once marathoning employer. One such endeavor is this duet recording with pianist Marc Copland. Taped during his stint with Copland's New York Trio in May 2005 and October 2007, Insight captures the moodier, more poetic side of their sporadic association.An oft-overlooked veteran who has worked with such illustrious artists as Kenny Wheeler, John Abercrombie and ...

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Ahleuchatistas: Of The Body Prone

by Mark Corroto
October 27, 2009

Tzadik label chief John Zorn has never lost his passion for hardcore music. Although his band Naked City is no more, he continues to promote artists who, to quote Allen Ginsberg are, “destroyed by madness, starving hysterical naked, dragging themselves through the negro streets at dawn looking for an angry fix." The band Ahleuchatistas certainly does know how to Howl (from Ginsberg's 1956 poetry collection).

Of The Body Prone is the fifth CD release by the band and ...

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ECM at 40: Enjoy Jazz Festival: Days 3-6, October 22-25, 2009

by John Kelman
October 27, 2009

Days 1-2 | Day 3-6 | Days 7-10 | Days 11-12 ECM at 40. It's hard to believe that a record label responsible for stretching the boundaries of modern music has survived the various crises that have threatened and, in some cases, decimated so many others. With Enjoy Jazz's “The Blue Sound: 40 Years of ECM" festival-within-a-festival, it's as good a time as any to take stock of where the label has been, where it is, and where's ...

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Bruce Hornsby: The Master of Levitation

by Mark F. Turner
October 27, 2009

For more than 20 years, singer/songwriter, pianist/composer, and band-leader Bruce Hornsby, has proven to be a survivor in an ever changing music environment. From winning multiple awards including a Grammy for Best New Artist in 1987 for the multi-platinum album The Way It Is (RCA, 1986) with his band The Range, to dual releases in 2007 (on Sony/Legacy)—a foot-stomping bluegrass duo Ricky Skaggs & Bruce Hornsby and the swinging jazz trio outing Camp Meeting, with drummer Jack DeJohnette and bassist ...

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October 2009

by Mr. P.C.
October 27, 2009

Dear Mr. P.C.:Here's the scene: A friend of mine has a trio gig at a local club. I drop by with my horn after my own gig, and he invites me to sit in. I finish my tune (which, I think, goes pretty well), and then I'm just standing there wondering: Is he going to ask me to play another one or not? I have no idea, and my question to you is how I'm supposed to handle ...

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Carla Bley: Carla's Christmas Carols

by John Kelman
October 27, 2009

Carla's Christmas Carols? For many, the idea of their favorite jazz artist releasing an album of seasonal songs usually smells of crass commercialism or pure pandering, but leave it to pianist/composer/arranger Carla Bley to produce an album that's as reverentially in the spirit of the season as it gets, while being musically deep enough to fit within her substantial discography with complete relevance. And it is reverential. Accompanied by longtime partner, bassist Steve Swallow, and the German Partyka ...