Jazz Articles about David Hazeltine

David Hazeltine and the Classic Trio: The Classic Trio Meets Eric Alexander

by C. Michael Bailey
May 7, 2002

David Hazeltine, I presume...

One has to admit that it is a bit presumptive to name a jazz combo the “Classic Trio." There have been many “Classic" piano trios. The ones that quickly spring to mind are Oscar Peterson, Bill Evans, Ahmad Jamel, Ray Brown, Gene Harris, and the list continues. Pianist David Hazeltine has slapped this leaden moniker on himself and his rhythm section of bassist Peter Washington and drummer Louis Hayes. The moniker may not be too ...

Steve Davis: Systems Blue

by David A. Orthmann
May 2, 2002

Indicative of formative experiences in the bands of Art Blakey and Jackie McLean, as well as his current association with the cooperative sextet One For All, Steve Davis’ Systems Blue encompasses many of the characteristics of bop and hard bop without sounding stalled in a bygone era. On his fifth date for the Criss Cross label, the trombonist and prolific composer favors selections from the American Popular Songbook. While he frequently alters the forms and harmonic designs in engaging ways, ...

David Hazeltine: The Classic Trio Meets Eric Alexander

by Jim Santella
May 1, 2002

Audio samples from this mainstream quartet recording are available at David Hazeltine's web site . Straight ahead and always keeping the tradition alive, the pianist's trio complements Eric Alexander and adds sparkling interlude passages of its own. A healthy mix of originals and popular songs gives the session variety. Remember Jimmy Webb's “Didn't We"? Who can forget the lovely ballad that anchored most nightclub sessions some time ago? Hazeltine and Alexander interpret the classic song within the tradition, but with ...

David Hazeltine: The Classic Trio Meets Eric Alexander

by C. Andrew Hovan
April 12, 2002

Honing his skills to such a degree that it all sounds deceptively easy, David Hazeltine’s art is always in danger of being misunderstood because it’s not radically too far to the left or right. In other words, he’s a mainstream player working within the tradition. But you know it seems that these days you have to be weird or young to get any press, so Hazeltine often gets lost in the shuffle. And that’s a shame because if hard bop ...

David Hazeltine: The Classic Trio Meets Eric Alexander

by David A. Orthmann
March 1, 2002

One of the pleasures of keeping up with the ever-growing number of recordings featuring David Hazeltine is savoring his connection to a select circle of peers. The pianist thrives in the company of strong, assertive individuals who stretch the bebop-rooted, straight-ahead tradition without breaking the mold. Three of Hazeltine's most important alliances are with drummer Louis Hayes, bassist Peter Washington, and tenor saxophonist Eric Alexander. As a sideman for several years in Hayes' working quintet, he developed an extraordinary rapport ...

One For All: Live at Smoke, Volume 1

by David A. Orthmann
February 1, 2002

As anyone who frequents jazz clubs will attest, there are nights that live on in memory for years after the last note fades. Aside from basic details easily recalled (personnel, tunes, arrangements, etc.), what really matters is the way the music made us feel. On these rare occasions, the sounds were so potent that, for a time, nothing else mattered and all worldly concerns yielded to the happenings on stage. In search of another incredible experience, we keep coming back ...

One For All: Live at Smoke- Volume 1

by C. Andrew Hovan
January 1, 2002

Growing out of a weekly jam session that drummer Joe Farnsworth used to lead at a New York club called Augie’s, the hard bop ensemble One For All now encompasses a pool of leaders who still manage to get together and cultivate the kind of musical empathy that they’ve developed over the years. After two initial albums for the Sharp Nine label, the group jumped ship to Criss Cross Jazz where the majority of the guys cut records of their ...