Jazz Articles
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Rodney 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 ...
Continue ReadingNed Rothenberg: Looms & Legends
by Troy Dostert
Solo recordings, at least when they feature instruments other than piano or guitar, can be a challenge even for the most committed jazz listeners. The excitement generated by the dialogue of multiple instrumentalists is, of course, missing, and even the most talented artists can have trouble sustaining one's interest for an entire album. Such releases can be rather rewarding, however, when the musician in question has either astonishing technique or compelling emotional substance--or both, as is evident on multi-instrumentalist Ned ...
Continue ReadingAki Rissanen: Imaginary Mountains
by Neil Duggan
Finnish pianist Aki Rissanen has built an impressive discography through collaborations with artists including Rick Margitza, Dave Liebman and Randy Brecker, contributing to 18 albums as either leader or co-leader. Yet he is perhaps best known for the part he plays in leading one of European jazz's most distinctive piano trios, the Aki Rissanen Trio. The album Imaginary Mountains, the title of which is a nod to the influence of Keith Jarrett's Personal Mountains (ECM, 1989), features jazz ...
Continue ReadingJoe Farnsworth, Snorre Kirk, Alex Sipiagin, Tom Gershwin and more
by Benjamin Boddie
Today's Music--Right Now! Fantastic music by Joe Farnsworth, Sam Dillon, Etienne Charles, Tyreek McDole, Cory Weeds, Jimmy Greene, Snorre Kirk, Ryan Keberle, Mike Freeman, Brandee Younger, Michael Dease, Alex Sipiagin, Steve Allee, Vladimir Kostadinovic, Lauren Henderson, Mark Winkler, Gregory Tardy, Tom Gershwin, Tyler Henderson, Jim Witzel, Jonathan Moritz, Airmen Of Note, Art Hirahara, and more. Playlist Joe Farnsworth “Continuance" from The Big Room (Smoke Sessions) 00:00 Sam Dillon “No Promises" from My Ideal (Cellar Music Group) 06:18 Etienne ...
Continue ReadingMiguel Zenón Quartet: Vanguardia Subterránea: Live at The Village Vanguard
by Mark Corroto
The perfect sports analogy for saxophonist and composer Miguel Zenón might just be baseball legend Roberto Clemente. Both were born in Puerto Rico, and both are revered as masters of their respective crafts. Clemente was a perennial All-Star, a World Series MVP, a Gold Glove winner and a National League batting champion. Zenón, for his part, has been honored with a Guggenheim Fellowship, a MacArthur “genius" grant and a Doris Duke Artist Award. He is frequently recognized as alto saxophonist ...
Continue ReadingSheila Jordan, Nancy King, Ola Onabule, Dara Starr Tucker, Nicolas Bearde and More!
by Jua Howard
Greetings Music Family! It's time for another episode of the “First Instrument Jazz Show." I've got music from two vocal jazz giants who recently joined the ancestors, Sheila Jordanand Nancy King. I also have a lot of new music to share including music from Ola Onabule, Dara Tucker, Sinne Eeg, Kelly Green, Camille Thurman and Peter Campbell. Come get lost in the music with me. Playlist Intro 00:00 Sheila Jordan “Laugh Clown, Laugh" from Portrait of Sheila (Blue ...
Continue ReadingBrad Mehldau: Ride into the Sun
by Frank Housh
Elliott Smith (1969-2003) recorded six solo studio albums and was acclaimed for poignant, sophisticated songwriting and reedy, melodious voice. Tragically, he suffered from mental health issues and substance abuse throughout his life. On October 1, 2003 Smith died of two stab wounds to his chest. While initial media reports said the fatal wounds were self-inflicted, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner refused to endorse suicide as a cause of death. Toxicology tests found no illegal or controlled substances in his ...
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