Jazz Articles
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Nikos Chatzitsakos: Tiny Big Band 2
by Jack Bowers
Cleaving to the premise that one Tiny Big Band deserves another, bassist Nikos Chatzitsakos is back with Tiny Big Band 2, the second album by his feisty nonet and a follow-up to the well-received Tiny Big Band! (self-produced), recorded in 2022. This time, Chatzitsakos uses two vocalists instead of one, rotating them on half of the album's eight tracks, and brings back only three of the earlier album's instrumentalists, plus himself. The returnees are cornetist Robert Mac ...
Continue ReadingPeter Brotzmann Tribute Concerts at Cafe OTO
by Frank Rubolino
When the free jazz movement started in the United States in the late 1950s, it quickly spread in the 1960s to Europe where many musicians from the States found a more accepting environment for this form of music. One of the earliest benefactors from this exposure was Peter Brotzmann of Germany, a man who rose over the years to legendary status in the genre. He earned the highest respect from musicians and fans alike due to his innovative style and ...
Continue ReadingLouis Cole: Quality Over Opinion
by Scott Lichtman
Louis Cole is a chameleonic genius--merging beats, samples and catchy tunes across styles ranging from “metal-funk-fusion" to “pastoral falsettos." His loose incorporation of jazz traits, including syncopation, funk keys and sophisticated horn arrangements, has yielded new validation with a Grammy 2024 Best Alternative Jazz Album nomination for Quality Over Opinion (originally released in 2022). Cole plays fluid keys, guitar, drums, sings and produces. There are twenty pieces on Quality Over Opinion. Practically every tune--the majority clock-in at under ...
Continue ReadingNew music from Scott Henderson, Frank Gambale, Cocolite and Work Projekt
by Len Davis
New music from guitarist Scott Henderson, from Karnevel, from Italy Lorenzo Ceci with Mohini Dey, French band Cocolite, and a new single from Frank Gambale. Hungarian band Work Projekt, and German guitarist Rafael Trujillo. More from bassist Mark Egan from Cross Currents and Tom Kennedy with New Start. Chick Corea Elektrik Band from The Future Is Now and John McLaughlin from Boston Record. Playlist Scott Henderson “Sky Coaster" from Karnevel (Mango Prom) Time Marker Lorenzo Ceci-Mohini Dey “Wave ...
Continue ReadingTrespass Trio featuring Susana Santos Silva: Live In Oslo
by John Sharpe
Although Swedish saxophonist Martin Küchen is the toast of festival-goers across Europe for the variously sized Angles ensembles he fronts, which revel in sometimes exuberant, sometimes heart-rending riff-fuelled anthems, he also pursues somewhat more somber strands of expression. One involves the sort of adventurous sonic explorations heard on Animal Quotes (Relative Pitch, 2022). But another, and the one heard on Live In Oslo, finds him in small group settings designed to negotiate his often dirge-like compositions. For this ...
Continue ReadingJoel Ross, Pat Metheny & Francesco Crosara
by Joe Dimino
From the talented Italian-born, Seattle-based pianist Francesco Crosara, we start the 842nd Episode of Neon Jazz with the title track off his album Circular Motion. From there, we get into an inspiration of his in Chick Corea's Return to Forever. Also, new music from Joel Ross, Doug MacDonald and Mike LeDonne. We close out the hour with a triumphant tune from The Gary Urwin Jazz Orchestra. Dig the jazz, my friends.Playlist Francesco Crosara “Circular Motion" Circular Motion (OA2 ...
Continue ReadingLondon Afrobeat Collective: Esengo
by Chris May
Back in the day, when Fela Kuti invented Afrobeat--and yes, unlike practically every other music to emerge in the 20th century, Afrobeat was indeed the creation of one person--the music served two functions: to champion the rights and aspirations of post-colonial Black Africans, particularly those at the bottom of the pyramid, and to provide a soundtrack enabling any and everyone to have a good time. It is now 27 years since Kuti passed and any Afrobeat worthy ...
Continue ReadingEvan Parker - Barry Guy: So It Goes
by John Sharpe
Two masters who have invented a (the?) lexicon for their instruments meet on So It Goes. British saxophonist Evan Parker and his compatriot bassist Barry Guy should need no introduction to anyone interested in European free improvisation. Both active since the 1970s, they remain vital forces even with as they both move into their eighth decade. Their association was formalized in 1980 with the inception of the long running trio completed by drummer Paul Lytton. But they have also appeared ...
Continue ReadingJoe Hisaishi: A Symphonic Celebration: Music from the Studio Ghibli films of Hayao Miyazaki
by Scott Gudell
Many movie directors have forged tight bonds with musicians/composers and crafted long lasting and trusted partnerships. Director Hayao Miyazaki is the creator, architect and wizard behind the curtain of arguably the greatest film animation studio on the planet, Japan's Studio Ghibli (with all due respect to, and an occasional photo finish with, Disney.) Joe Hisaishi is the intuitive composer of dozens of film scores including numerous projects with Studio Ghibli. Together, they've mastered the delicate art of combining image and ...
Continue ReadingAnni Kiviniemi, Visions of Nar, Illegal Crowns, Mark Solborg & More
by Ludovico Granvassu
The elegance of the unforeseen might well be the core theme of this set featuring gorgeous and surprising international projects. Happy listening! Playlist Ben Allison “Mondo Jazz Theme (feat. Ted Nash & Pyeng Threadgill)" 0:00 Shalosh “The Market" Tales of Utopia (ACT) 0:16 Host talks 3:37 Anni Kiviniemi Trio “Tiu Dropar" Eir (WeJazz) 5:33 Illegal Crowns “Crooked Frame" Unclosing (Out of Your Head) 10:44 Host talks 22:12 Mark Solborg “Interlude No. I" Babel (ILK) 21:04 Visions ...
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