Jazz Articles
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Fritz Hauser & Pedro Carneiro: Pas de Deux
by Glenn Astarita
Pas de Deux (a dance for two) is an enthralling collaboration between percussion luminaries Fritz Hauser and Pedro Carneiro, emerging as a symphonic exploration of rhythm and resonance, challenging and redefining the traditional confines of percussion-based music. This collection transcends the typical aggregation of tracks; it unfolds as a nuanced, poetic exchange between two maestros, articulating a dialogue through the sophisticated vernacular of rhythm and timbre.First off, those expecting a typical drum solo album, where it is all ...
Continue ReadingThe Guitar Trifecta At The Peacock Lounge
by Walter Atkins
A enjoyable way to start the Dr. Martin Luther King Holiday Weekend began with The Guitar Trifecta at the Peacock Lounge, located on historic Haight Street in San Francisco on January 12 2024. The GT consisted of Bay Area guitar stalwarts: Calvin Keys, Lloyd Gregory and Carl Lockett. Julia, a surprise guest vocalist, contributed a few songs at the end of the session. The Trifecta's invigorating evening performance included tasty renditions of “Sunny" and “Misty" in their set. ...
Continue Reading1974 with Soft Machine, Passport, Flora Purim and Stanley Clarke
by Len Davis
1974 Part 2 -50 years ago with Volker Kriegel, Wayne Shorter, George Duke, Passport, Soft Machine, Flora Purim, Santana, Horace Arnold, Stanley Clarke and John Abercrombie. Playlist Volker Kriegel “Mild Maniac" from Mild Maniac (MPS) 00:00 Wayne Shorter “Beauty And The Beast" from Native Dancer (CBS) 06:29 George Duke “Psychomatic Dung" from Faces in Reflection (MPS) 12:56 Passport “Eternal Spiral" from Looking Thru (ATCO) 19:38 Soft Machine “Nettle Bed" from Seven (CBS) 26:08 Flora Purim “Silver Sword" from ...
Continue ReadingNatalie Tenenbaum, Eitan Kenner: Duets/Solos
by Richard J Salvucci
The late Abbey Simon, an outstanding classical pianist of the twentieth century, could play jazz. At least he said he did, although one searches in vain for a recorded example (other than a snatch on You Tube). A listener might think, “Well, Simon was of the old school, and Curtis-trained, so it would require some imagination." But then there is Natalie Tenenbaum, here paired with fellow Julliard product Eitan Kenner. Tenenbaum is a composer, player, and all around mistress of ...
Continue ReadingCecilia Quinteros: Narel
by Hrayr Attarian
Argentinian cellist Cecilia Quinteros' oeuvre has encompassed the western classical idiom, jazz, improvised music and interdisciplinary projects with dancers. After several collaborative recordings Quinteros has released her first solo album, the award winning seven movement Narel. This is a mesmerizing suite that demonstrates Quinteros' brilliance as a composer and virtuosity as a performer. The individual tracks exhibit Quinteros' various influences. For instance, the recording opens with the angular, overdubbed refrains of the first segment that create an eerie ...
Continue ReadingBud Powell, Barry Harris, Les McCann & Larry Vuckovich
by Joe Dimino
We dedicate the 838th Episode of Neon Jazz to a titan on the keys in Larry Vuckovich. In that vein, we cover a host of musicians and vignettes that make up his storied career. From musicians like Duke Ellington, Eddie Vinson, Barry Harris, Lester Young, Horace Parlan, Bud Powell and Jon Hendricks. We wrap it up by saying goodbye to Les McCann, who left us at the end of 2023. Dig this new hour of jazz, my friends.Playlist ...
Continue ReadingAlbert Vila: Reality Is Nuance
by La-Faithia White
Reality Is Nuance features nine tracks from jazz guitarist Albert Vila and his trio. The trio is completed by bassist Doug Weiss, who has performed with jazz legends such as singers Joe Williams and Lizz Wright, and drummer Rudy Royston, who has performed with the late great Les McCann, saxophonist Ravi Coltrane and The Mingus Big Band to name just a few. Vila is from Barcelona, Spain where he began his musical studies. He has traveled around the world gaining ...
Continue ReadingDavid Ambrosio's Civil Disobedience: 50 Years in the Making
by Paul Rauch
Modern jazz has never been more prolific. Nonsense you say? With most recording and touring jazz musicians coming out of institutions of higher learning these days, jazz listeners can encounter top line players in virtually any major city in the United States. What's happening in New York is happening in Seattle, Denver, Detroit or Cleveland in scenes that vary in size but are nonetheless there. With the newest wave comes in-depth compositional skills, the likes of which have never been ...
Continue ReadingMary Halvorson: Cloudward
by Doug Collette
The title of guitarist/composer Mary Halvorson's Cloudward alludes to the sense of optimism she has stated she felt when writing the bulk of the material in fall of 2022. And while this palpable sense of faith in the future is in marked contrast to the tangible air of eerie foreboding that surfaced so often on this LP's predecessors, the presence of largely the same personnel lineup--the Amaryllis Sextet-- provides a stable link of continuity. The reappearance of prior collaborators recording ...
Continue ReadingKris Davis: Defining Jazz's Vanguard
by Lawrence Peryer
Today, the Spotlight shines On Grammy-winning pianist and composer Kris Davis. Kris joined us in the wake of the September 2023 release of her album Live at the Village Vanguard (Pyroclastic Records). Live at the Village Vanguard is the second release from her band Diatom Ribbons, an adventurous quintet featuring drummer Terri Lyne Carrington, turntablist and electronic musician Val Jeanty, bassist Trevor Dunn--and new addition, the guitarist Julian Lage. In addition to talking about ...
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