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Jazz Articles about Bill Frisell
Bill Frisell: History, Mystery
by John Kelman
While guitarist Bill Frisell has continued to shape his uniquely skewed confluence of musical styles, it's been too long since he weighed in heavily on the compositional side. In recent years, the writing has most often served the playing, largely providing a context around which the guitarist and various-sized groups can explore, expand and mine. That's by no means a bad thing, and has resulted in some fine albums including Bill Frisell, Ron Carter, Paul Motian (Nonesuch, 2006) and East/West ...
Continue ReadingBill Frisell: All Hat
by Ian Patterson
The problem with attempting to define Americana is that it is an all-encompassing term culturally speaking. As far as music goes, Americana runs the gamut from the Grateful Dead to Willie Nelson and just about everything in between. Equally, the music of guitarist Bill Frisell is difficult to describe without embarking on a short essay, and perhaps because of his eclecticism his music defines the essence of Americana as well as any and better than most.
This original score for ...
Continue ReadingBill Frisell: History, Mystery
by Chris May
Over the 25 years he's been recording as a leader, guitarist Bill Frisell has worked in a multitude of settings, from gritty downtown to pastoral Americana, and with as many kinds of line-ups, from string trios through small groups to little-big bands. He's convinced in most contexts, and dug deep in many, always retaining his own voice, in which an abundant lyricism is partnered with earthy rhythmic vitality.
On the two-disc History, Mystery, Frisell shuffles the pack and ...
Continue ReadingBill Frisell: Pursuing Beauty
by Nenad Georgievski
There are people in this world who are blessed with the gift of constant searching for the beautiful in a world that has gone terribly wrong somewhere. Bill Frisell is someone that is evidently on a quest such as that one. Clearly one of the most original and most proficient guitarists now playing, he is acknowledged as one of the most influential and exciting jazz guitarists to emerge in the latter half of the 20th century. Noted for his unparalleled ...
Continue ReadingTaking a Magical Mastery Tour with The Bill Frisell Trio in Northampton, Massachusetts
by Lyn Horton
Bill Frisell Trio Iron Horse Music Hall Northampton, Massachusetts June 21, 2007
Flourishing in something produces ecstasy. No experience can equal the satisfaction of a temporally bound creative act for which no result can be predicted and which simply becomes increasingly surprising as it evolves. The conversation that a musician can have internally with an instrument as well as with bandmates strengthens the possibility for an outcome more positive than was ever anticipated. The ...
Continue ReadingBill Frisell: Bill Frisell, Ron Carter, Paul Motian
by John Barron
The old saying, you can't judge a book by its cover, certainly applies to the latest release by eclectic guitarist Bill Frisell on the Nonesuch label. The untitled recording--actually co-led by Frisell, pioneering bassist Ron Carter, and drummer Paul Motian--delivers an empathetic commentary on an expansive American musical landscape. What is pleasantly surprising--or perhaps reassuring--is that this is accomplished by the unlikely combination of Frisell and Carter who would seem, on paper anyway, to be a most unusual grouping of ...
Continue ReadingJack DeJohnette - Bill Frisell: The Elephant Sleeps But Still Remembers
by AAJ Italy Staff
Quando due artisti importanti, che portano ben in vista le stimmate della genialità, decidono di incontrarsi non ci si può aspettare meno che un capolavoro. E spesso si rimane delusi. Ma in questo caso la premessa non viene disattesa e il risultato è eccellente, una piccola gemma che meriterebbe una distribuzione in grande stile che speriamo la coraggiosa Egea sappia assicurare. Il batterista Jack DeJohnette e il chitarrsita Bill Frisell si conoscono e si stimano da tanto tempo, hanno avuto ...
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