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Benito Gonzalez: Sing To The World
by Jim Worsley
Unbridled rhythmic fury fueled by a rich harmonic underbelly is the essence of Sing To The World. Pianist Benito Gonzalez has once again assembled a vibrant cast that flourishes on ten original creations. Inventive and energetic, the ensemble gels in the moment and establishes interplay with rich and intelligent conversation. The depth and articulation comes as no surprise, with reference to his previous works as a leader and the seven years Gonzalez spent as a member of Kenny Garrett's band. ...
Continue ReadingJoshua Redman + Brad Mehldau + Christian McBride + Brian Blade: RoundAgain
by Pat Youngspiel
None of these men requires introducing to anyone who has even remotely followed the contemporary jazz scene at any point over the past thirty years. Their respective bodies of work have guided and represented jazz throughout the last decades and continue to set the benchmark for original composing and improvising today. 26 years after their much-lauded debut, Moodswing (Warner Bros., 1994) as the Joshua Redman Quartet, they've reconvened for a second set of music which sounds just as fresh today ...
Continue ReadingModern Big Bands: Christian McBride, Marshal Gilkes, Gerald Wilson, Brian Lynch and More
by Russell Perry
Since the early days of jazz, composers, arrangers, and players have sought out large ensembles for their potential for rich expression and vibrant musical color. Even in the heyday of small-group dominated bebop, Dizzy Gillespie formed a big band as soon as he could. To this day, while few bands can hold together as touring units, some find regular work in public radio, especially in Europe, some hold weekly residencies in a few major cities and, more frequently, a number ...
Continue ReadingBenny Benack III: A Lot of Livin' to Do
by Angelo Leonardi
Non ancora trentenne Benny Benack III conferma il talento espresso nell'esordio di tre anni fa One of a Kind, con un album frizzante e coinvolgente, dove ritroviamo la baldanza del trombettista neo bop e l'esuberanza del vocalist in equilibrio tra crooner e vocalese. Il rischio d'essere scambiato come un epigono di Harry Connick Jr. e Michael Bublé è concreto ma Benny ha molte frecce al suo arco: ottima educazione musicale (doppia laurea alla Manhattan School of Music), ...
Continue ReadingJoshua Redman: RoundAgain
by Robert Middleton
A return to the quartet from saxophonist Joshua Redman's Moodswing (Warner Bros., 1994). Yes, 26 years has passed. A great album a generation ago. RoundAgain is a reunion of masters: Redman with pianist Brad Mehldau, bassist Christian McBride and drummer Brian Blade. Each at the very top of their games and their respective domains. Sax, piano, bass, and drums. Holy shit, could you assemble a band better than this one? Modern masters, now in their middle years (50's) are ...
Continue ReadingChristian McBride: The Movement Revisited
by Chris May
The spring 2020 release of The Movement Revisited: A Musical Portrait Of Four Icons is the latest chapter in Christian McBride's inspirational salute to the African American civil rights movement and to four of its heroes: Dr. Martin Luther King, Rosa Parks, Malcolm X and Muhammad Ali. Embracing big band jazz, small group jazz, gospel, funk and chorale musics, together with spoken word passages, the suite employs an eighteen-piece band, the ten-piece Voices Of The Flame gospel choir, two lead ...
Continue ReadingChristian McBride, Matana Roberts, Chicago Underground Quartet and More
by Maurice Hogue
Each of February's shows will have some music recognizing Black History Month. The selected recording for 2020 is The Movement Revisited--A Musical Portrait of Four Icons, Christian McBride's epic, and you'll hear tunes from the album each week. This show also features Matana Roberts and Coin Coin Chapter IV -Memphis. The Chicago Underground Quartet is back in business with a new studio release, and two of England's, and the free jazz world's, iconic players have a new release as well. ...
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