Jazz Articles about Dennis Chambers

Teymur Phell: Master Volume

by Geno Thackara
March 8, 2020

This crackling debut from Teymur Phell is a hearty, eclectic and loud funk-fusion party. He sets the tone right away with “Zero to Sixty"--a title that's actually a bit misleading since it kicks off already at sixty mph—and shows that he knows his way around a bass, and also has plenty of use for one with six strings, thank you very much. This jaunt as leader follows years of live and session work; he has clearly taken a lot away ...

Steve Khan: Patchwork

by John Kelman
September 16, 2019

Amongst the many myths out there about music-making—especially in jazz, where the improvisation quotient is often so high—is that composing may, indeed, be work, but doesn't require the kind of relentless attention to detail that far more truthfully defines how many artists write and arrange their music. These days, one need only look to music by artists including Pat Metheny, Antonio Sanchez and Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah to find music conceived with intimate and painstaking detail while, at the same ...

Steve Khan: Parting Shot

by Mark F. Turner
June 1, 2011

It's tough for artists to remain viable in a fast-paced environment in which hype is focused on the latest flavor of the week or whatever technology and media is creating a buzz. As usual, jazz gets caught in the flux, but guitarist Steve Khan continues to demonstrate that it's not just about the technology or complexity, but the music and who's playing it. Off the heels of the superb live recording The Suitcase (Tone Center, 2008), Khan continues his love ...

Steve Khan: Parting Shot

by John Kelman
April 24, 2011

Evolution is one of those things where an artist either gradually shifts direction, or makes sudden quantum leaps. Guitarist Steve Khan has done both in a career dating back four decades, and the first of three hot fusion records for Columbia as a leader, Tightrope (1977), that fit firmly in The Brecker Brothers camp, but, with an in-your-face guitar presence that ran the occasional risk of over-dominance. Khan had a clear epiphany with Evidence (Arista, 1980), an overlooked gem interpreting ...

Chambers / Berlin / Fiuczynski / Lavitz: Boston T Party

by Woodrow Wilkins
March 26, 2006

If quirky titles and wacky cover art were award categories, the foursome of Dennis Chambers, Jeff Berlin, Dave Fiuczynski and T Lavitz would score major honors with their new release, Boston T Party. However, those are just attention getters. The real prize is the music--quirky, wild, and most of all, fun. Some of the more interesting titles are “(Great) Ball of Issues, a humorous spin on Jerry Lee Lewis' “Great Balls of Fire, and a pair that put a creative ...

Dennis Chambers / Jeff Berlin / Dave Fiuczynski / T Lavitz: Boston T Party

by Jim Santella
January 24, 2006

These four jazz fusion artists give Boston T Party something to crow about. Ten tracks mean ten instrumental conversations; the quartet's original compositions are based in the blues, driven like fiery hard rock, and built upon the spontaneity of jazz.

Dave Fiuczynski breathes with expressive fire. The action of his electric guitar adds a distinctive voice to the session that's filled with emotional depth and an easygoing demeanor. Dennis Chambers gives the session considerable force through his throbbing ...

Dennis Chambers: Outbreak

by Todd S. Jenkins
February 21, 2003

Dennis Chambers, the reigning master of all beats funky, presents a panorama of groove stylings in the vein of Les McCann and the Headhunters. In fact, this session initially feels similar in spirit to labelmate Bill Evans' recent Big Fun, which featured McCann himself. But in the big picture the two releases have little in common besides Randy Brecker and a deep, abiding love of the funk.Chambers is certainly at home in this territory; so much so, in ...