Jazz Articles

like 234

Jerry Granelli V16: Vancouver '08

by Matt Marshall
June 30, 2009

Jerry Granelli's drums open and close the third release from his V16 outfit, Vancouver '08. In between he mostly sits back and gives ground to electric strings: two guitars and a bass. It's a wise choice. Guitarists Christian Kogel and especially David Tronzo are wizards of the six string. The Live at Ironworks DVD that accompanies this CD provides visual evidence of their tricks. Slide guitarist Tronzo applies not only the traditional steel and glass to his axe, but also ...

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Nick Hempton Band: Nick Hempton Band

by David Miller
June 30, 2009

Nick Hempton. The name even sounds old school, doesn't it? From the opening notes of the alto saxophonist's debut, Nick Hempton Band, it is clear that Hempton and his quartet are after that old Blue Note feel and sound. And, for the most part, they succeed. This is a turn-back-the-clock, no-holds-barred blowing session. And what's more, it's obvious that these cats can play.But the similarities to 1950s and '60s Blue Note end with the music. What make this ...

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Kermit Ruffins: Swingin' and Smilin'

by Tod Smith
June 30, 2009

There's a rebirth occurring in New Orleans music, and trumpeter/vocalist Kermit Ruffins finds himself front and center. While the post-Katrina recovery has meant many things for the Crescent City, in a number of ways it's been musicians who have taken the lead in bringing the city back to its traditions. Prior to the storm, many musicians and fans of the traditional New Orleans sound spoke despairingly about the musical future for the city that many considered to be the place ...

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Ottawa Jazz Festival 2009: Days 1-3, June 25-27, 2009

by John Kelman
June 29, 2009

Days 1-3 | Days 4-6

John Stetch TV Trio / Dave Douglas Brass Ecstasy / Roberta Gambarini Toshiko Akiyoshi Trio / Jimmy Cobb's So What Band; S.M.V. The Botos Brother / Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue / Al GreenTD Canada Trust Ottawa International Jazz Festival Ottawa, Ontario, Canada June 25-27, 2009

As festivals strive to stay afloat at a time when sponsorships are down due to the ...

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Partisans: By Proxy

by Chris May
June 29, 2009

London band Partisans has been making the hair stand up on the back of audiences' necks with its supercharged collision of jazz and rock since 1996. By Proxy is the band's fourth album following the acclaimed Max (Babel, 2005), which was the most effective recreation of Partisans' ferocious live sound in the recording studio up to that date.

Max was a monster. By Proxy is even better. Like its predecessor, it conveys much of the impact of the ...

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Remembering Michael: Help Me Sing It

by Chris M. Slawecki
June 29, 2009

“Lift your head up high / And scream out to the world I know I am someone / And let the truth unfurl Ain't no one can hurt you now / Because you know what's true Yes, I believe in me / So you believe in you Help me sing it..."

Just like I remember where I stood in 1977 when news of Elvis' death ripped across televisions everywhere, most ...

like 714

Masada Quintet Featuring Joe Lovano: Stolas: Book of Angels, Volume 12

by Troy Collins
June 29, 2009

John Zorn's Masada project has blossomed over the past decade and a half, demonstrating durability in the face of multiple interpretations. The composer's stated intention to create a classic songbook, a consistent body of written work to inspire artists beyond his own performances, has been fruitful. However, most of the variations on these Hassidic-inspired tunes have been made by peers and associates who record for Zorn's own Tzadik imprint. Stolas: Book of Angels, Volume 12 stands poised to break Zorn's ...

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Denise La Grassa: April Dreams

by Matthew Warnock
June 29, 2009

April Dreams is a sultry album of original pop/jazz vocal compositions by Illinois-based singer Denise La Grassa. Featuring the solid rhythm-section work of guitarist Scott Tipping, bassist Matt Thompson, drummer Gerald Dowd and pianist Ben Lewis, the album is both tasteful and emotionally engaging. With catchy melodies, a strong ensemble performance and well-written lyrics, April Dreams weaves its way through the entire spectrum of modern pop/jazz in a highly entertaining fashion. All of its songs, with the exception ...

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Johnny Varro: Two Legends of Jazz

by Mike Neely
June 29, 2009

Traditional jazz fans are lucky because Two Legends of Jazz catches pianist Johnny Varro and clarinetist Ken Peplowski on an inspired day in the studio. Varro has a light, subtle touch and melodic gift reminiscent of Teddy Wilson. Co-leader Peplowski sets aside his saxophones for clarinet during the entire session, which is a treat because his older style, woody sound meshes well with Varro's bright, precise piano. Peplowski is as shrewd and savvy on clarinet as he is on saxophone.

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Chris Potter Underground: Ultrahang

by John Kelman
June 29, 2009

With a consistent line-up since the debut of Underground (Sunnyside, 2006)--where, after alternating between guitarists Wayne Krantz and Adam Rogers, the reed man settled on Rogers as the group's full-timer for Follow the Red Line: Live at the Village Vanguard (Sunnyside, 2007)--Chris Potter has not only created his most personal and identifiable music to date, but he's clearly also found the group with which to make it. Potter and Rogers, along with mainstays Craig Taborn (Fender Rhodes) and Nate Smith ...