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Jazz Articles about David Alvarez III

About David Alvarez III

Album Review

While there are few new wrinkles on Canadian-born pianist Zen Zadravec's album, New Paradigm, neither is there anything to mar this well-wrapped post-bop session comprised of eight of his generally bright and pleasing compositions and arrangements. Zadravec leads what is essentially a sextet (three-horn front line and rhythm), mixing things up by adding a guitar on three tracks, wordless vocals on two. Guitarist Tom Bartelmay is especially impressive on “New Paradigm" and “Do or Do Not, There Is ...

Album Review

Jordan VanHemert: Nomad

Read "Nomad" reviewed by Jane Kozhevnikova

by Jane Kozhevnikova
May 16, 2022

After his previous album, I Am Not A Virus (Big Round Records, 2021), inspired by the ongoing fight against racial prejudice, Jordan VanHemert releases Nomad, continuing to explore and embrace his Asian American identity. As the liner note says, this album is a celebration of Korean culture “through the melodies of both ancient & contemporary folk & children's songs, distilled through a modern jazz aesthetic." The opening tracks sound like a traditional saxophone trio similar to Sonny Rollins' ...

Album Review

Jordan VanHemert: Nomad

by Jack Bowers
May 7, 2022

Although his name offers no clue, saxophonist Jordan VanHemert's heritage is Korean. He salutes that legacy on Nomad, his second album as leader, with a pair of Korean folk songs and half a dozen comparatively modern themes written by Koreans or Korean Americans. Most are performed by VanHemert's trio: (Rodney Whitaker, bass; David Alvarez III, drums). Pianist Lisa Sung, guitarist Nathan Borton, bassist John Webber, drummer Max Colley III and vocalist Sharon Cho join VanHemert on the children's song “Half ...