Jazz Articles

like 394

Trio ELF: 746

by Dan McClenaghan
October 22, 2009

With Trio ELF, Walter Lang takes the traditional piano trio format off on a dance groove tangent. The German pianist works and records prolifically with different piano trios, mostly acoustically, with a Bill Evans-like lyricism, a great respect for the form and an erudite depth to his artistry--which makes the groove-laced 746 a surprise for those not clued in to this direction by the group's debut set, ELF (Enja Records, 2006).Souping up the piano trio for a more ...

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George Lewis: A Power Stronger Than Itself

by Lloyd N. Peterson Jr.
October 22, 2009

As an improviser, educator and an explorer of musical expression, George Lewis has become one of the significant contributors towards the respect and recognition Jazz is finally receiving as one of America's most notable and distinguished cultural achievements. He recently published what I consider to be one of the most critical books on Jazz and African American culture. I also consider the AACM to be the most culturally important group of artists that ever came together in the history of ...

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Joe Morris: Fine Objects

by Mark Corroto
October 22, 2009

Guitarist Joe Morris continues his 2002 experimentation with the double-bass. On Fine Objects, he leads a trio of saxophone, bass, and drums through two of his own compositions, a couple of trio improvisations, and other compositions by Ornette Coleman, Eric Dolphy, Larry Clinton and Petr Cancura.

Morris chose two former students from the New England Conservatory in Boston for this session. Tenor saxophonist Cancura, born in the Czech Republic, is gaining quite the reputation in jazz circles. He ...

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Ravi & Anoushka Shankar, Terry & Gyan Riley, Kenny Garrett and Larry Ochs

by Martin Longley
October 22, 2009

Ravi & Anoushka ShankarCarnegie HallOctober 10, 2009 Ravi Shankar's 90th birthday is arriving this year, and still the master plays on, even if he no longer sits cross-legged, instead perching delicately on the edge of his performing platform. As well, Shankar now hoists a lighter sitar variant, shorn of its cumbersome tuning-head. As with his last NYC appearance at this very hall, around two years ago, Shankar's fingers took a short while to ...

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Mike Reed's People, Places & Things: About Us

by Troy Collins
October 22, 2009

Chicago-based drummer Mike Reed's debut of his People, Places & Things Ensemble, Proliferation (482 Music, 2008), was dedicated to the under-recognized people, places, and things from late 1950s Chicago that he found inspiring. About Us continues this concept, eschewing the previous session's focus on under-sung cover tunes in favor of original compositions written by Reed and his band mates, with one tune apiece contributed by three of Chicago's most influential artists.

The line-up once again features the effusive ...

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Numusic Festival 2009

by Martin Longley
October 22, 2009

Numusic 2009Stavanger, NorwaySeptember 9-13, 2009 This was the tenth anniversary edition of Stavanger's Numusic festival, a five-day banquet that centers around the notion of electronic music in all of its varied guises. This can oscillate from glittery dancefloor cheese-ploughing to mood-lit cranium-scooping experimentronix, with actual musicians often allowed to roam outside of laptop innards or mixing desk vermicelli. Sometimes acts rock hard, at others they noodle wetly. Ofttimes, jiggling about is advised as a good audience ...

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Take Five With Luca Santaniello

by AAJ Staff
October 22, 2009

Meet Luca Santaniello: Originally from Italy and a graduate of the Conservatory Of Music 'Lorenzo Perosi' in Campobasso, drummer Luca Santaniello has been living in New York City since 2001, performing as a freelance jazz musician and collaborating with musicians from the international jazz scene. He has performed in the finest New York City jazz clubs and venues as well as toured most of Europe with several different bands that vary in a wide range of jazz styles. Since relocating ...

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Cecil Brooks III: Hot Dog

by Glenn Astarita
October 22, 2009

Cecil Brooks III frequently performs with this unit at his Cecil's Jazz Club & Restaurant in West Orange, New Jersey. The trio abides by a free-spirited, good-timey jazz gait, and is not concerned with reinventing the proverbial wheel. It's a good bet that the patrons got their monies' worth via these perky and tightly-woven spins on jazz and pop standards. The musicians also dish out a sprightly jazz-waltz rendering of “Theme from, Mannix," from the popular 1960s and '70s TV ...

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Wayne Wallace Latin Jazz Quintet: Bien Bien!

by Raul d'Gama Rose
October 21, 2009

The music with clave that began with Machito's “Tanga," and George Russell's “Cubana-Be Cubana-Bop" has come a long way. With clave in his soul, trombonist Wayne Wallace proves, yet again, on Bien Bien! that the cheer of the music is truly infectious. Wallace is rare among musicians who can swing as well as he can clave. With the addition of shuffle rhythms and backbeats bubbling under the skin, he creates glorious music even with just a few notes on his ...

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Matt Cusson: Going Along

by Esther Berlanga-Ryan
October 21, 2009

When Matt Cusson was barely three years old something was already starting to unfold within the little corners of his young heart. Genius usually visits early in life, and never leaves those who have been pampered by its delicate spell. It watches them grow. It teaches them how to walk, and laugh and create pure magic out of thin air, always leading their way. It allows them to chase their dreams as if they were stubborn butterflies daring the Sun, ...