Jazz Articles

like 465

Kenny Dorham: 'Round About Midnight at the Cafe Bohemia

by Matt Marshall
September 8, 2009

There's a thickness to the sound of this 1956 Kenny Dorham set as reissued by Music Matters on two 45-rpm records--a density that blows from the speakers and settles in the room like smoke. Which is to say the fidelity of the Music Matters product proves itself as strong on live recordings as it has on their Blue Note studio reissues. Here, the club acoustics are palpable, requiring only the cracking of a favorite beverage to complete the scene.

Not ...

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A Question of Time

by Alan Bryson
September 8, 2009

Imagine you were given the chance to go back in time and witness four musical events (one each from jazz, blues, classical, and rock history.) What would they be? That's an after-dinner topic friends might discuss by candlelight. If your inner-child has completely matured, perhaps you could approach it as a potential film: if you were given a massive budget to authentically recreate four musical events, what would they be? This idea has intrigued me for a while, ...

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Yaron Herman Trio: Muse

by Raul d'Gama Rose
September 8, 2009

If music could exist outside of time--not as in rhythm, but as in the time-space continuum--then it might sound like the glassy, ice-hot pianism of Yaron Herman. How did he get to inhabit this spare soundscape in almost suspended animation? Perhaps it is because he is powered by the magic of an uninhibited soul--that and the happy accident of the finiteness of mathematics. Add the mysterious trickery of melding of the two, and the result is music that sways, mirage-like ...

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E.J. Strickland & Marcus Strickland: Double Album Release Party at Joe's Pub, NYC

by David Miller
September 8, 2009

E.J. Strickland Quintet & Marcus Strickland TrioJoe's PubNew York, New YorkAugust 21, 2009At a recent Christian McBride show, the bassist professed good-humored jealousy over the Strickland family “getting all the gigs," then invited saxophonist Marcus to sit in. Having witnessed the performances of twin brothers Marcus and E.J. (drums) with their respective groups at Joe's Pub, it is no surprise that from even a busy musician's perspective the Strickland family would seem to have a ...

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John Beasley: Positootly!

by Larry Taylor
September 8, 2009

On Positootly!, pianist John Beasley explores a variety of styles for a thoroughly enjoyable and stimulating experience. Each track benefits immensely from the indelible touch of drumming great Jeff “Tain" Watts, in alliance here with percussionist Munyungo Jackson.

Hailing from Louisiana, Beasley started playing in the late seventies, getting his seasoning with such jazz greats as Miles Davis, Freddie Hubbard and Dianne Reeves. Lately, he has gravitated towards composing for film and television, but he continues to release new music ...

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Mike Lee / Ted Chubb: New Tricks

by Glenn Astarita
September 8, 2009

New Jersey resident, veteran educator, group leader and session ace Mike Lee pulls some new tricks out of an old bag on this 2009 quartet date with co-leader/trumpeter Ted Chubb. In the liners, Lee mentions that this aggregation found its origins via recurring jam sessions in his basement. They're a young and noble bunch of jazz warriors ready for battle. The proof lies within this hip session, based on crisp arrangements, resonant soloing and a tight-knit line of attack.

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Tierney Sutton: Not a Material Girl

by Carl L. Hager
September 8, 2009

Vocalist Tierney Sutton discovered jazz while immersed in Russian language and literature studies at Wesleyan University. During her college years she also abandoned her earlier atheism and became engaged in a lifelong study of Man's spiritual nature. She has adopted no halfway measures in any of these pursuits. Though she hasn't yet written lyrics, she brings the passion of a poet to the use of language and lyricism in her singing. Her religious devotion is Dostoevskian in its upright clarity ...

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Johnny Conga: Breaking Skin

by Raul d'Gama Rose
September 7, 2009

Johnny Conga comes from a long line of illustrious tumbadora (conga) players. From the musical evidence on Breaking Skin, this genealogy may begin with the likes of Chano Pozo, Mongo Santamaria, Tata Guines, Candido, Armando Peraza and Francisco Aguabella. Lest there be a scream of “blasphemy," it bears mention that Conga stylistically connects the ancient with the modern, from the challenging rhythms of West Africa--the beating heart of ritmo--to the son and danzon, timba, bembe, charanga, rumba, mambo and more. ...

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Gutbucket: A Modest Proposal

by Glenn Astarita
September 7, 2009

This multitasking quartet offers a sense of newness to the jazz realm by crossing borders and taking an aggressive, raucous and well-rehearsed stance. In theory, the band should capture the attention of the young and thoroughly hip, along with the adventurous music aficionados who yearn for a sense of musical excitement.

Gutbucket rocks the house as it aligns avant-garde metrics with snazzy jazz, and jazz-rock, while also integrating hardcore rock with an in-your-face mode of attack. Ty Citerman's ...

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John Zorn: The Crucible

by Mark Corroto
September 7, 2009

John Zorn is not one to rest on his laurels. It is probably not possible for Zorn to rest, period. With The Crucible, the fourth installment of his Moonchild band, the saxophonist/composer delivers a recording that will be attractive to both hardcore metal and jazz fans.

Twenty years ago Zorn unleashed his band Naked City, its brand of noise/jazz/metal and predilection for musical violence a revelation. He had already shown, in his index card cues, a mix/match, start/stop ...