Jazz Articles
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Lady Day Reimagined: Stella Heath’s Jazz Story
by Steven Roby
Vocalist Stella Heath describes Billie Holiday the way a director describes a great actor--precise about choices, attentive to subtext, and focused on how a story resonates in the room. “Stories are front and foremost for me," she says. Heath's connection to Holiday starts with feeling. What drew her in wasn't just her timbre or repertoire, but the uncanny way Holiday “makes you feel a song." Heath perceives emotional accuracy--how a single line can convey witness, tenderness, or a ...
Continue ReadingThe Summer Knows (un été 42)
by Artur Moral
Not so young, but still foolish: arduous is the path chosen by pianist, composer and singer Franck Amsallem, a lesser-known figure--outside his immediate performance circle--even among some of the jazz world's most avid and encyclopedic enthusiasts. Nevertheless, this musician's name should appear in that roster of outstanding French baby boomer keyboardists mentioned in Pierre de Bethmann: Sharing a Musical Breakfast in Lyon. There are several reasons for this unintentional and unfair ignorance: his current thematic approach, formalized in ...
Continue ReadingDino Saluzzi: El Viejo Caminante
by Doug Collette
El Viejo Caminante is a natural and logical extension of Dino Saluzzi's Albores (ECM, 2020). On that solo album, the bandleader used his instrument (the bandoneon--an accordion-like instrument with origins in Germany) to mesmerize and during this companion piece/sequel, Saluzzi's interplay with his two bandmates is comparably hypnotizing. As such, the album belies the translation of its title “The Old Wanderer." Understated as is the flow of energy on cuts such as “La Ciudad De Los Aires Buenos," ...
Continue ReadingJovino Santos Neto Quarteto: Mais Que Tudo: Live at Kerry Hall 1995
by Bruce Phares
Sit down. Put on the best earphones you've got. A seatbelt wouldn't hurt, either. Get ready to be blown away. From the opening salvo of Jovino Santos Neto's dazzling composition “Metamorph," you're about to be taken on a musical journey of intense elation, abandon, and passion, engaging and urgent in all aspects, through the many twists and turns of what now is considered a legendary concert; the first time Seattle ears were given a chance to hear these amazing songs ...
Continue ReadingChes Smith: Clone Row
by Glenn Astarita
Ches Smith, the San Diego-born Sacramento-raised drummer who studied philosophy at the University of Oregon before diving headfirst into the Bay Area's experimental music scene, has long been one of modern jazz's most restless spirits. His deep resume includes work with Marc Ribot, Tim Berne, John Zorn, Mary Halvorson and Nels Cline, cementing his reputation as a first-call rhythmic architect for the avant-garde and progressive jazz. Following his acclaimed ten-piece ensemble album Laugh Ash (Pyroclastic, 2024), Smith took a bold ...
Continue ReadingRico Jones: The Spiritual Sax Of Bloodlines
by Lawrence Peryer
Today, the Spotlight shines on tenor saxophonist Rico Jones.Rico's new album BloodLines (Giant Step Arts), captures something you don't hear much anymore--a live recording that feels like a complete story. Recorded at Brooklyn's Ornithology Jazz Club, it's five original compositions that explore his multicultural heritage, from his Indigenous and Latino roots to his deep connection with Black American musical traditions.Based in Harlem, Rico's already performed with Esperanza Spalding at the Blue Note and co-led the first ...
Continue ReadingRodney Crowell: Airline Highway
by Doug Collette
The best entries in Rodney Crowell's twenty-plus entry discography emphasize simplicity in material, musicianship and production. As such, Airline Highway has much in common with But What Will the Neighbors Think (Warner Bros., 1980) and The Chicago Sessions (New West, 2023). Unlike (too) many contemporary country artists, Crowell does not affect a pose. Instead, he proffers himself as an intelligent and discerning soul who has learned much from living life to the fullest (without belaboring the specifics).Layered arrangements ...
Continue ReadingJohanna Summer, Ken Stubbs, Hiromi, Kasper Rietkerk & More
by Ludovico Granvassu
Another weekly tour of fresh jazz sounds from all over the map, stylistically and geographically. Happy listening! Playlist Ben Allison “Mondo Jazz Theme (feat. Ted Nash & Pyeng Threadgill)" 0:00 Hiromi's Sonicwonder “XYZ" Out There (Telarc) 0:16 Host talks 7:05 Itai Kriss “Drivin'" Daybreak (Jojo) 8:00 Host talks 13:42 Ken Stubbs “Journeyers" Homecoming : ECM Revisited : Vol. I : Eréndira (cherryK) 15:49 Johanna Summer “Teardrop" Upright (ACT) 23:47 Host talks 26:21 Kasper Rietkerk “Blueberry ...
Continue ReadingJazzfestival Saalfelden 2025
by Vincenzo Roggero
Jazzfestival SaalfeldenVarious venues Land Salzburg, Austria August 21-24, 2025 One hundred and ninety artists from twenty-six countries, nearly thirty thousand attendees, eight different venues, more than sixty concerts, and a record number of tickets sold. These are just numbers, but they confirm how the Saalfelden Jazz Festival--now in its forty-fifth edition--draws audiences from across Europe, remains deeply rooted in its territory, and channels resources and energy thanks to the active participation of the entire ...
Continue ReadingFergus Quill: Up Down
by Ludovico Granvassu
A few years back, British bassist Fergus Quill discovered the music of Xero Slingsby, the larger-than-life saxophonist who passed away in 1988 at the age of 30. Though his career was short, Slingsby left an indelible mark on anyone fortunate enough to hear him and continues to enjoy cult status among a devoted few. Quill not only fell in love with the music but also felt compelled to play it--both to shine new light on Slingsby's work ...
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