Jazz Articles about Colleen Allen

About Colleen Allen

Album Review

Ona: Traces of Brazil Voices of Toronto

Read "Traces of Brazil Voices of Toronto" reviewed by Konstantin N. Rega

by Konstantin N. Rega
March 25, 2026

Jazz-classical crossovers are not so unique, but they can still mesmerize with their fluidity and breadth of sound. Traces of Brazil, Voices of Toronto by the Ona Ensemble is a short yet robust selection of tunes. Their style of Brazilian chamber jazz is not in your face; rather, it sits back and lets the listener glide in and unwind. “Oná" is a Yoruba word meaning “New Path," and the blend that the group has created shows this with aplomb. ...

Album Review

Joaquin Nuñez: Ruta De La Clave

Read "Ruta De La Clave" reviewed by Richard J Salvucci

by Richard J Salvucci
July 8, 2025

Ruta de la Clave is everything a good recording should be: listenable, stimulating, thoughtful, a bit eclectic and, above all, musical. Joaquín Núñez and Habana Safari has set out to do a version of the “history of the clave." Of course, this is a unique vision, a distillation of Núñez's experiences as a Cuban-Canadian percussionist. But his overall goal is considerably greater, “a reinvention of Afro-Cuban jazz." That is a pretty tall order. Others will say ...

Album Review

Dr. Purgatory: The Consumption: A Tragic Folkale in Six Parts

Read "The Consumption: A Tragic Folkale in Six Parts" reviewed by Dan McClenaghan

by Dan McClenaghan
April 22, 2025

Guitarist David Riddel}, aka Dr. Purgatory mixes up the influences of Dutch guitarist Reinier Baas, Maurice Ravel and Bjork and more. Everything I compose is essentially influenced by her (Bjork's) 2001 album <em>Vespertine</em> (Elektra)," Riddel says. Under those influences, he has produced a futuristic, chamber jazz, {{m: Herbie Hancock-esque fantasy soundtrack of sorts with The Consumption: A Tragic Folk Tale In Six Parts. His septet, featuring his guitars, two reed players, a violin, piano, bass, and drums, makes ...