Jazz Articles about Chris Lightcap

Chris Lightcap's Bigmouth: Epicenter

by Dan McClenaghan
March 17, 2015

The group is packed with some of the top stars of modern jazz, but it's with the collective and cohesive ensemble sound that bassist/composer Chris Lightcap's Bigmouth stands out. Hard-driving, electric, edgy, with a chip sitting firmly on its collective shoulders, Epicenter, Lightcap's ode to New York City, commissioned by Chamber Music America New Jazz Works, sizzles with the brashness and agitated energy of the big city. Central to the sound is keyboardist Craig Taborn's distinctive work on ...

Chris Lightcap's Bigmouth: Epicenter

by Mark Corroto
March 12, 2015

Chris Lightcap is a bassist's bassist. As a sideman to leaders such as Regina Carter, Matt Wilson, Joe Morris, Marc Ribot, and Craig Taborn, his rock-solid timekeeping can be quite inconspicuous. He is a sort of steadfast superglue that leaders and composers hold in high regard. As a leader and composer, there is another Chris Lightcap. Epicenter, is his third Bigmouth release, following the quintet Deluxe (Clean Feed, 2010) and a quartet Bigmouth (Fresh Sound New Talent, 2002). ...

Chris Lightcap: Deluxe

by AAJ Italy Staff
September 20, 2010

Un giorno o l'altro bisognerà avviare una discussione seria sul concetto di mainstream in epoca post-post-postmoderna. Esiste ai giorni nostri un jazz che va per la maggiore? Ha ancora senso fare riferimento a un vocabolario estetico largamente condiviso e immediatamente riconoscibile? La questione è meno peregrina di quel che si potrebbe credere. Il termine mainstream è forse uno dei più abusati e fraintesi nel gergo jazzistico, sia da chi vi si trincera in nome del purismo, sia da chi lo ...

Chris Lightcap: Deluxe

by Stuart Broomer
June 5, 2010

Bassist Chris Lightcap released a CD called Bigmouth on Fresh Sound-New Talent in 2003, featuring a quartet with drummer Gerald Cleaver and the unusual frontline of two tenor saxophonists, Tony Malaby and Bill McHenry. Seven years later, Lightcap returns to the concept, with “Bigmouth" now the name of the band rather than the CD. In the intervening period, the band and the concept have evolved considerably. Cleaver and Malaby are still present, but the second tenor saxophonist is now Chris ...

Chad Taylor: Circle Down

by AAJ Italy Staff
November 23, 2009

Ex collaboratore di Fred Anderson e Rob Mazurek, Taylor imprime una direzione diversa - quasi inattesa - rispetto ai propri trascorsi di free-jazz. Sia pur senza il linguaggio ruvido e spregiudicato delle precedenti esperienze, il suo trio rivela una estrosa personalità che lo porta ad esprimersi su eccellenti livelli La pianista Angelica Sanchez si dimostra una solista magnifica, destinata a fare grandi cose nel jazz di domani. Dietro di lei l'incalzante drumming del leader, per padroneggiare un linguaggio aperto, dove ...

Chris Lightcap Quartet: Big Mouth

by Farrell Lowe
October 21, 2003

With the release of Bigmouth, Chris Lightcap's sophomore effort on the Fresh Sound label, he continues to carve a unique niche into the modern jazz world. His music adroitly surfs the waves between mainstream and avant-garde sensibilities, managing to do so without insulting either camp. The quartet is comprised of two strong tenor sax players up front alongside the able support of drummer Gerald Cleaver and Lightcap on upright bass.

If you enjoy the classic quartet music of Ornette Coleman, ...

Chris Lightcap Quartet: Bigmouth

by Phil DiPietro
October 15, 2003

The jazz world has more than a few parallels to the world of sports, but unfortunately isn't given the same level of coverage and scrutiny. The rise of the formerly- regarded “team player" to sudden “all-star" status based on a reshuffling of the supporting cast is common to both worlds. Chris Lightcap now affirms his talents deserve wider recognition with this slam dunk followup to his debut, Lay-up. Blurring distinctions between the what-is-free and the what-is-harmony-based informs the playing of ...