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Jazz Articles about Dayna Stephens
Alicia Olatuja: Intuition: Songs From The Minds Of Women
by Angelo Leonardi
È un tributo alla creatività delle donne in generale e delle cantautrici in particolare, questo di Alicia Olatuja, che interpreta composizioni di Tracy Chapman, Joni Mitchell, Violeta Parra, Sade Adu, Kate Bush e altre. Alicia ne aggiunge di proprie e partecipa come arrangiatrice in un progetto fortemente sentito e condiviso col produttore Kamau Kenyatta, noto per il suo ruolo nel successo di Gregory Porter, e con Ulysses Owens Jr. Alicia Olatuja è una versatile mezzosoprano, maturata ...
Continue ReadingAl Foster: Inspirations and Dedications
by Peter J. Hoetjes
On paper Al Foster's resume as a supporting artist reads better than most other jazz drummers. He's recorded albums with Dexter Gordon, Art Pepper, Frank Morgan, Sonny Rollins, McCoy Tyner}, and a comeback-era {Miles Davis, among a plethora of others. Chances are, those who aren't familiar with his name have heard him somewhere, and for the first time since 2002, they can hear him on Inspirations And Dedications as a band leader. As its title suggests, the album ...
Continue ReadingDayna Stephens: Gratitude
by Geno Thackara
Dayna Stephens is happy to be here. It's not just in the obvious “Hello Clevelaaaand!" sense you'd get from any visiting performer saying hello to a crowd (not that that's a bad thing), but a heartfelt conviction. After a battle with a rare kidney disease and a life-saving donation from his aunt, the New Jersey saxophonist is acutely aware of how great it is to still be present and able to make beautiful music. His picturesque eighth album is meant ...
Continue ReadingDayna Stephens: Peace
by Angelo Leonardi
C'è un gruppo stellare accanto al sassofonista Dayna Stephens per il suo quinto disco da leader e il risultato non poteva che essere pregevole per equilibrio, lirismo e adesione ai valori fondanti del jazz moderno. Il percorso musicale è quello di un concept album caratterizzato da una precisa linea espressiva: undici ballad di autori vari (c'è anche il nostro Ennio Morricone) unite dalla stessa estetica ed esaltate nella loro dimensione cantabile. La musica si snoda in un dialogo rilassato e ...
Continue ReadingDayna Stephens: I'll Take My Chances
by Andrew Luhn
For his second Criss Cross release I'll Take My Chances, saxophonist Dayna Stephens has put together an impressive recital showing off his skill for composition, arranging, and improvisation. The ten tunes presented here are a nice mix of Stephens's originals, an Ellington classic, and original tunes from contemporary pianists Brad Mehldau and Aaron Parks. The tunes all prove to be fantastic vehicles for Stephens to showcase his warm, soulful sound, and the prowess of the group he has put together ...
Continue ReadingDayna Stephens: The Timeless Now
by Jim Santella
"But Beautiful , the final track from saxophonist Dayna Stephens' debut album, summarizes his session. This modern mainstream performance centers on his warm tenor saxophone conversations, and includes seven originals as well as two standards. Pianist Taylor Eigsti, bassist Ben Street and drummer Eric Harland are seamlessly cohesive throughout and, with guests guitarist John Scofield on three tracks and trombonist Nick Vagenas on one, the disc has variety as well as creativity. When the leader or one of his partners ...
Continue ReadingTake Five With Dayna
by AAJ Staff
Meet dayna: Dayna Stephens was born in Brooklyn, New York August 1st, 1978, and was raised in the San Francisco Bay Area. He began playing the saxophone at age thirteen. He attended the prestigious Berkeley High School and took part in their jazz ensemble. Dayna was then accepted to Berklee School of Music in Boston, MA on a full scholarship. There, he studied with Hal Crook, Billy Pierce, George Garzone and Andy McGee among others. While in Boston, Dayna also ...
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