Jazz Articles about Dan Robbins

About Dan Robbins

Album Review

The “Shaw" in guitarist Jason Keiser's album Shaw's Groove is the late great Woody Shaw, one of the more innovative and influential jazz trumpeters of the twentieth century. Even though he lived only forty-four years (he died in May 1989), Shaw was an important role model whose sweeping influence remains strong to this day, both as a player and composer. The first four songs on Shaw's Groove were written by Shaw himself, among the many he composed ...

Album Review

Sandra Marlowe: The Heart Always Remembers

Read "The Heart Always Remembers" reviewed by Dan Bilawsky

by Dan Bilawsky
March 31, 2021

The heart always remembers, but so too do the ears. Vocalist Sandra Marlowe, probably aware of that fact, quickly grabs attention by demonstrating a real métier for metric play and gymnastics on pianist Larry Dunlap's witty, album-opening arrangement of “Fascinating Rhythm." Once that focus is on her work, Marlowe doesn't let up. In short order there's a balladic “When Did You Leave Heaven?" which dials things down (and offers some space to bassist Dan Robbins), a waltzing take on Sting's ...

Album Review

Hristo Vitchev: Of Light and Shadows

Read "Of Light and Shadows" reviewed by Tyran Grillo

by Tyran Grillo
April 6, 2020

Guitarist Hristo Vitchev reconvenes his synergistic quartet with pianist Jasnam Daya Singh, bassist Dan Robbins and drummer Mike Shannon for a set of nine originals, each deeper than the last. It's the kind of session that happens perhaps once in a decade, where every detail dovetails into the next without the merest hint of force. The title track is a joyous opener, practicing what it preaches by virtue of its gradations. It exudes passionate musical ideas and exposition. ...

Album Review

Hristo Vitchev: Of Light and Shadows

Read "Of Light and Shadows" reviewed by Phillip Woolever

by Phillip Woolever
December 9, 2017

Vitchev's latest effort is another jewel in his growing catalogue of widespread genres. Given Vitchev's warmly ambitious range of projects, he may soon be able to center his own multi-themed festival. This presents his current, contemporary style quartet in an impressive showcase. The SF bay area group's core has played together in various ensembles for years, and their cohesive evolution is demonstrated throughout. Vitchev gives his band mates plenty of room to groove from the opening track on, ...