Jazz Articles
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Fieldwork: Thereupon
by Dan McClenaghan
Early in his recording career, pianist Vijay Iyer formed his most compelling group, Fieldwork. The initial album release, Your Life Flashes (Pi Recordings, 2002) broke new ground and put down the roots from which everything Iyer has created in 20-plus years has grown and flourished. Iyer's recording career began in 1995 with Memorophilia (Asian Improv). The ensuing 30 years have seen more than a score of albums from the pianist in a leadership role as well as dozens ...
Continue ReadingRoberto Magris: Lovely Day (s)
by Edward Blanco
Veteran Italian jazz pianist Roberto Magris has enjoyed a four-decade career with the accumulation of over thirty albums as leader, in addition to appearing as a sideman on another 10 recordings. Yet, this highly versatile, creative and talented musician has never recorded a solo performance project until now. With Lovely Day(s), Magris finally keeps his promise to do so after so many solo tracks throughout his vast discography and the many times he has expressed to producers that he would ...
Continue ReadingSoft Ffog: Focus
by Glenn Astarita
Soft Ffog, a Norwegian jazz-prog quartet from Bergen, emerged with their self-titled debut in 2023. Led by guitarist Tom Hasslan, the band features keyboardist Vegard Lien Bjerkan, drummer Axel Skalstad and bassist Trond Frønes. With nods to 1970s giants like Camel, Focus Soft Machine and Mahavishnu Orchestra, they blend intricate prog rock with improvisational jazz, evoking a retro spirit that feels fresh rather than dated. Their 2025 sophomore album Focus sharpens this vision across four sprawling tracks, marking ...
Continue ReadingJames Brandon Lewis: Ware
by Ludovico Granvassu
Here is a track from one of the year's most acclaimed musicians, James Brandon Lewis, who, as of late, doesn't just land in the best-of lists--he takes up multiple slots. From Abstraction Is Deliverance (Intakt Records) --featuring Lewis' tightly-knit quartet with Aruán Ortiz on piano, Brad Jones on bass and Chad Taylor on drums --"Ware" is a deeply felt tribute to David S. Ware--a giant saluted by a new giant of the tenor saxophone, fully aware of the ...
Continue ReadingRIP Nancy King and Terry Reid
by Jerome Wilson
This program pays tribute to two musicians who have recently passed away, vocalist Nancy King and singer-guitarist Terry Reid. It also includes music from Max Roach, Meshell Ndegeocello, and Tubby Hayes along others.Playlist Henry Threadgill Sextett I Can't Wait Till I Get Home" from The Complete Novus & Columbia Recordings of Henry Threadgill & Air (Mosaic) 00:00 Cal Tjader I Can't Get Started" from Catch The Groove: Live at the Penthouse 1963-1967 (Jazz Detective) 1:11 Teddy Charles Edging ...
Continue ReadingResistance! Music for these times from Ivanna Cuesta with Kris Davis, Jason Kao Huang, Caroline Davis and Robert Glasper
by Hobart Taylor
Music that's brave and beautiful from Caroline Davis, Jason Kao Hwang, Robert Glasper and introducing Ivanna Cuesta!Playlist Jason Kao Hwang Spin Fast and Burn" from Myths of Origin (True Sound Recordings) 00:00 Caroline Davis synchronize my body where my mind has always been" from Alula Captivity (Ropeadope) 3:20 Caroline Davis Nicole Mitchell Nappy Nina City Flora" from Portals Volume 2 Returning (Intakt) 11:07 Host Speaks 16:15 Robert Glasper Madiba" from Code Derivations (Concord) 18:18 La Tanya Hall Azure ...
Continue ReadingCanarias Jazz Y Más 2025 Jazz Festival
by Larry Pryce
Canarias Jazz Y Mas 2025 Jazz Festival Plaza Santa Ana and Lago Martianaz Gran Canaria & Tenerife, Spain July 4-26, 2025 The 34th edition of Canarias Jazz Y Más arrived in July as innovative and well organised as ever. With 59 concerts set over all eight islands of the archipelago in 28 different locations this annual festival is one of the most exciting in Europe, featuring top artists from Europe and America ...
Continue ReadingRemembering Sheila Jordan: Sheila's Blues
by Ian Patterson
NEA Jazz Master Sheila Jordan, who passed away on August 11, 2025, at the age of 96, will be remembered as one of the great improvising jazz vocalists--imitated by many, bettered by none. Born in Detroit in 1928, Jordan's life-long love affair with jazz began in the 1940s when she heard Charlie Parker. After the first four notes I was hooked. I got goose bumps and I instantly knew that was the music I had been waiting to ...
Continue ReadingOlga Amelchenko: Howling Silence
by Andrew Hunter
Olga Amelchenko, the Russian born, Paris based saxophonist and composer, is joined here on her fourth recording as leader by a strong ensemble with members old and new. Jesus Vega has been playing drums with Amelchenko for a long while. Canadian guitarist Matthew Stevens, who did such great work with Walter Smith iii, is a new addition to the group. It is not obvious that this particular iteration of Amelchenka's band is recent; They play as if they have known ...
Continue ReadingCatina DeLuna & Otmaro Ruíz: Lado B Brazilian Project 2
by Pierre Giroux
Catina DeLuna and Otmaro Ruíz have once again teamed up to explore the rich tapestry of Brazilian music in Lado B Brazilian Project 2. As a follow-up to their earlier exploration of this repertoire, this album sees the duo delve even deeper into Brazil's lyrical and melodic treasures, producing results that are both innovative and rooted in tradition. They have assembled a stellar band to perform Ruíz's arrangements, including two carry-overs from their first edition: guitarist Larry Koonse and bassist ...
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