Jazz Articles about Charles Lloyd

Charles Lloyd: Sangam

by Budd Kopman
May 15, 2006

Those who have been following Charles Lloyd on ECM--as well as plenty of other people--have a real reason to rejoice. Sangam, Lloyd's first live recording for the label, is extremely well recorded and features a new configuration. The concert was part of an event entitled “Homage to Billy Higgins," which included a screening of Dorothy Darr's documentary Home, which recorded on film some of Higgins and Lloyd's last conversations together before Higgins died. Lloyd has always had ...

Charles Lloyd: Sangam

by Matt Cibula
April 21, 2006

At this juncture in his life and career, Charles Lloyd has become untouchable. His tone is so full of depth that it sounds good to nearly everyone who hears it; his scope is so broad that he can never be accused of coasting, yet he remains fundamentally listenable, so no one can throw labels like “obscurantist" or “self-indulgent" at him, either. He is spiritual but grounded, weird but accessible, old as the hills but still youngish enough in his attack ...

Charles Lloyd: Sangam

by John Kelman
April 11, 2006

Musicians at saxophonist Charles Lloyd's level of artistry rarely, if ever, have a bad night. Some times out are better than others, though, and based on this live recording, May 23, 2004 was clearly one of those evenings.

Which Way is East (ECM, 2004), a series of intimate duets Lloyd recorded with Billy Higgins a few short months before the drummer's death in 2001, demonstrated a shared musical understanding that transcended style and convention. As much a spiritual document as ...

Charles Lloyd: Jumping the Creek

by Ollie Bivens
October 22, 2005

The many fans of Charles Lloyd will revel in Jumping the Creek, one of the best since his “comeback" in the late '80s. Of the members of his new band, pianist Geri Allen has played the longest with the saxophonist (about five years). However, the group plays so well together that is easy to assume that they have been performing as a unit for some time. Consisting of duets and trios among various band members, Jumping the Creek continually shifts ...

Charles Lloyd Quartet: Jumping the Creek

by Eric J. Iannelli
May 22, 2005

On the cover of Charles Lloyd's latest album, a solitary figure walks with some deliberation toward a vast expanse of sea. A series of lines converge at his right, appearing to box him in like one of Francis Bacon's popes. And so before even getting so far as inserting the disc in the player, the listener is aware that Lloyd's chosen title is an ironic understatement, partly cynical, partly playful. This is hardly a matter of jumping the creek. It's ...

Charles Lloyd: Jumping the Creek

by John Kelman
April 4, 2005

While saxophonist Charles Lloyd made some memorable ensemble discs with the late, great drummer Billy Higgins--'99's Voice in the Night, '00's The Water is Wide and '01's Hyperion with Higgins--there was always something a little safe about these recordings. When working with Higgins, with the exception of their last release together, '04's duet Which Way is East, Lloyd seemed to ground himself in more mainstream territory than he did on his more broadly-reaching '90s albums with pianist Bobo Stenson and ...

Charles Lloyd: Jumping the Creek

by Eyal Hareuveni
March 29, 2005

When it comes to saxophonist Charles Lloyd, you always know that with every new release you will marvel at his melodic and serene playing, his spiritual vision, and his relaxed and flexible manner of leading his ensemble. With his new quartet--featuring pianist Geri Allen, who collaborated with Lloyd on Lift Every Voice (ECM, 2002), bassist Bob Hurst, and young and imaginative drummer Eric Harland, Lloyd again delivers a beautiful and mature statement.

Jumping the Creek offers a mix ...