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Dennis Gonzalez and Faruq Z. Bey w/Northwood Improvisers Septet: Hymn for Tomasz Stanko
by AAJ Italy Staff
Con una trentina di incisioni sotto proprio nome il trombettista (ma non solo, in quanto si dedica anche ad altre espressioni artistiche) Dennis Gonzalez non è proprio un novellino. In Europa si è fatto conoscere con incisioni per la tedesca Konnex, ora fuori catalogo, per la benemerita label svedese Silkheart, per la quale negli anni `80 ha ripresentato al pubblico il sassofonista Charles Brackeen, più di recente per la portoghese Clean Feed, ed ora per la milanese Qbico. In America ...
Continue ReadingDennis Gonzalez: A Matter Of Blood
by Mark Corroto
The reemergence of trumpeter Dennis Gonzalez continues. But, to quote an infamous rapper, “Don't call it a comeback, I've been here for years." And Gonzalez has been making music for many years. Since he has lived the last three decades in Texas, the New York-centric jazz world tended to overlook him. With a flurry of activity of late, it is nearly impossible to ignore him.
He recorded for Sweden's Silkheart in the 1980s, and more recently Portugal's Clean ...
Continue ReadingDennis Gonzalez / Jnaana Septet: The Gift Of Discernment
by Nic Jones
Trumpeter Dennis Gonzalez has been responsible for some beautifully realized music on record in the past and this is a worthy addition to the canon. The music's full of that often difficult to define quality called life, shot through with a group conception which makes for a realization which is simultaneously both tight and loose.
The presence of percussionist Alvin Fielder provides a kind of link with the percussive workouts of the Art Ensemble Of Chicago, and it's that aesthetic ...
Continue ReadingDennis Gonzalez NY Quartet: Dance of the Soothsayer's Tongue (at Tonic)
by AAJ Italy Staff
Dance of the Soothsayer's Tongue comprende due distinte sedute di registrazione accomunate, nell’intento del leader, dallo stesso spirito improvvisativo. La prima, datata 9 agosto 2003, consiste nei trentaquattro minuti live, registrati al Tonic di New York, sopravvissuti ad una serie di inconvenienti di tipo tecnico e rimasti per lungo tempo nel cassetto. La seconda è una registrazione in studio di un anno successiva, ispirata da quello spezzone di un concerto, si dice, leggendario, e appositamente pensata per poter dare alle ...
Continue ReadingDennis Gonzalez: Dance of the Soothsayer
by Mark Corroto
Dennis González may the greatest trumpeter that you've never heard of. The Texas native, active some thirty years ago, has reawakened to provide a batch of stellar recordings. Dance of the Soothsayer's Tongue (Live at Tonic), with his New York Quartet, might be one of the best jazz releases of 2007.
With nearly thirty releases as leader, his music has somehow always flown under the jazz radar. But ask musicians like Charles Burnham, Kidd Jordan, Nels Cline, Elton ...
Continue ReadingDennis Gonzalez / Yells at Eels: Geographia
by Donald Elfman
Trumpeter Dennis González's tunes and improvisations are open and free-form, while still retaining a strong rhythmic pulse and forward motion. Evident, too, is a kind of Southwestern color that looks towards Mexico and Latin America. Yells at Eels is the name of a group he started with his sons, bassist Aaron and drummer Stefan. Geographia has the vibe of a party of like-minded players, and the whole thing feels live--with Stefan bashing away but continuing to hold ...
Continue ReadingDennis Gonz: Idle Wild
by Germein Linares
As with his previous efforts, notably 2004's quartet NY Midnight Suite, Texas-born trumpeter Dennis González creates jazz steeped in life's various joys, anxieties, truths and wonders. González's works require time and patience for full appreciation as they unfold through various rhythms, melodies, and harmonies. This is a thinking person's jazz. Catchy riffs and clever hooks won't do here. Tolerance and serenity are in abundance instead on Idle Wild, with saxophonist Oliver Lake, bassist Ken Filiano and drummer Michael T. A. ...
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