Jazz Articles about Ben Allison

About Ben Allison

Album Review

Steve Cardenas: Blue Has A Range

Read "Blue Has A Range" reviewed by Friedrich Kunzmann

by Friedrich Kunzmann
September 24, 2020

It's not easy to pin New York guitarist Steve Cardenas down to a few main attributes. His playing is unassuming, his compositions are equally subtle and his persona possessed of an even more humble nature, leaving him somewhat hidden in the shadows of the contemporary jazz world. Yet the veteran guitarist has been going at it now for over a quarter century, recording and playing with some of the finest international jazz heavy-weights of today, yesterday and tomorrow. Between Adam ...

Album Review

Steve Cardenas: Blue Has A Range

Read "Blue Has A Range" reviewed by Dan Bilawsky

by Dan Bilawsky
July 6, 2020

Connections abound across the personnel list on this quartet date. Guitarist Steve Cardenas has been part of pianist Jon Cowherd's Mercy Project for the better part of a decade. There, and in bassist John Patitucci's Electric Guitar Quartet, he's logged some musical miles with drummer Brian Blade, who steadily employs Cowherd in his Fellowship band. And then there's bassist Ben Allison—the fourth part of the equation and the album's producer. He's a longtime Cardenas colleague—both men have played frequently enough ...

Album Review

Dave Glasser: Hypocrisy Democracy

Read "Hypocrisy Democracy" reviewed by Dan Bilawsky

by Dan Bilawsky
May 4, 2020

Something of a socio-political scythe--a title and tool cutting straight into the failing system that surrounds us--Hypocrisy Democracy is also a broad statement detailing the ceaselessly looping fallibility of man and his actions. It's saxophonist Dave Glasser's most probing work to date, bound to both our present state of affairs and the history it mirrors, and it's an album that, despite its bold conceit, actually needs no concept to latch itself onto. The music is that strong. ...

Radio & Podcasts

Seven is as Seven Does

by Patrick Burnette
January 9, 2020

This episode is a seventh anniversary celebration featuring--you guessed it--septets. Also featuring copper, sheep, speculation about the role a great title has in creating a jazz classic, and all sorts of other goodies. Unwrap, enjoy, and stay tuned for pop matters where Mike strays productively off-course to give an in-depth review of an eye-opening David Binney concert. Playlist Discussion of The Fat Babies' album 18th and Racine (Delmark) 5:20 Discussion of Mulgrew Miller's album Hand in Hand ...

Radio & Podcasts

Ben Allison, Ron Horton, Frank Kimbrough: A Collective Trio

by Ludovico Granvassu
June 22, 2019

Ben Allison, Ron Horton and Frank Kimbrough have been collaborating for more than a quarter century, including as members of the influential Jazz Composers Collective. During these years they have established themselves as stalwarts of the New York jazz scene and developed their own instantly identifiable sounds, solidifying their international reputations as leading voices of their generation. This mixtape includes highlights of their extensive discographies, from their collaboration in the seminal Herbie Nichols Project, through countless ...

Album Review

Ben Allison: Quiet Revolution

Read "Quiet Revolution" reviewed by Angelo Leonardi

by Angelo Leonardi
February 25, 2019

A due anni dall'esclusiva uscita in vinile della Newvelle Records, Ben Allison rende disponibile Quiet Revolution a un pubblico più vasto, pubblicandolo in CD e nei consueti formati digitali. L'incisione è stata remixata e rimasterizzata con l'aggiunta di due brani inediti. La cosa farà piacere agli estimatori del bassista di New Haven, che ha inteso tributare un omaggio alla musica del Jimmy Giuffre 3, organico senza pianoforte che negli anni '50 e '60 ebbe varie edizioni a ...

Radio & Podcasts

Bass Is the Place!

by Ludovico Granvassu
January 31, 2019

Where do rhythm and harmony intersect? Where do you feel the beat, not just with your ears but your whole body? Bass is the place where it all comes together. This week we celebrate some beloved jazz bass players, from riveting soloists to groundbreaking composers and consummate sidemen. Ben Allison “Mondo Jazz Theme (feat. Ted Nash & Pyeng Threadgill)" 0:00 Jaco Pastorius “Donna Lee" from Jaco Pastorius (Epic) 0:07 Host talks 2:44 Charles Mingus “Haitian Fight Song" ...