Jazz Articles about Donny McCaslin

About Donny McCaslin

Album Review

Boris Kozlov: First Things First

Read "First Things First" reviewed by Kyle Simpler

by Kyle Simpler
January 31, 2022

Bass players don't always get the recognition they deserve. While it's easy to see their importance in the rhythm section, they aren't always the first instrument that comes to mind when it comes to the spotlight. There are exceptions, of course, and Boris Kozlov definitely fits into this category. His Posi-Tone debut, First Things First, highlights his skills not only as a player, but also as a composer and bandleader as well. Anyone familiar with the Posi-Tone catalog ...

Album Review

Boris Kozlov: First Things First

Read "First Things First" reviewed by John Chacona

by John Chacona
January 30, 2022

During the early days of pandemic-induced isolation, old folkways and techniques suddenly became new again (remember the shortages of baking yeast and canning supplies?). The old ways are nothing new at Posi-Tone records, which has maintained an unflagging allegiance to swing, juicy melodies and fiery playing. Those qualities, all present on bassist Boris Kozlov's First Things First, situate this recording firmly within Posi-Tone's house style, one that calls back to the glory days of Blue Note Records. So, it's no ...

Album Review

Rachel Eckroth: The Garden

Read "The Garden" reviewed by Jerome Wilson

by Jerome Wilson
December 30, 2021

Pianist and composer Rachel Eckroth travels a twisty road on this CD, creating an ever-changing mix of jazz, prog rock, and fusion which utilizes off- center beats and swarming electronic effects. Eckroth's music is a little different on each track. Sometimes it builds up from layers of piano and synthesizers. At other times it works out of the basic piano trio format. Everything she creates, though, has an edgy, ominous atmosphere which lends itself as much to dark ...

Album Review

Rachel Eckroth: The Garden

Read "The Garden" reviewed by Vic Albani

by Vic Albani
December 6, 2021

Approccio numero uno: Non so se ve ne siete accorti ma esistono dischi che al primo ascolto ti fanno dire “ok." Al secondo “eh però...." Al terzo “Cribbio... Wow! Ma cosa stavo ascoltando le altre due volte?." Al quarto, se volete giocare con i maledetti voti, siamo già vicini al “beh cinque stelle e forse oltre..." Poi, necessariamente devi riconsiderare tutto e passi ad un ascolto davvero analitico, ragionato e capisci che però, forse, è proprio così. ...

Album Review

Don Peretz: Dikson

by Dan Bilawsky
September 6, 2021

Dikson takes its name from a sparsely populated arctic port located in northern Russia. And its music, though heated by strong individualists, largely reflects that origin, embodying the powerfully icy atmosphere of its influence. Masterminded by drummer Don Peretz, this eight-song jazz-tronica journey, nodding toward a remote realm at the top of the world, bumps, grooves and gives off an arresting, frigid energy that's all its own. Combing through hours of playing from the likes of tenor ...

Album Review

Rachel Eckroth: The Garden

Read "The Garden" reviewed by Mike Jurkovic

by Mike Jurkovic
September 1, 2021

One of the Phoenix's brightest lights, pianist-composer-vocalist Rachel Eckroth, who has ably added depth to the music of such polar opposites as Chris Botti, Rufus Wainwright, and St. Vincent, leaves no stone unturned in The Garden, her darkly convincing, Rainy Day Records debut. It is immediately apparent that Eckroth hears things unlike the rest of us. Her music is a prowling evolution, full of darkness yet attainable, redeemable light. Without hesitancy, she shapes and seizes, assembles, dissects, and ...

Live Review

Torino Jazz Festival 2021

by Libero Farnè
July 1, 2021

Torino Varie sedi 19—27.06.2021 Il grande successo di pubblico ottenuto dal Torino Jazz Festival 2021, spostato dalla fine di aprile alla fine di giugno, dimostra quanto fosse impellente la fame di musica dal vivo, nonostante le precauzioni da prendere contro una pandemia tutt'altro che debellata definitivamente. D'altra parte bisogna ammettere che il programma messo in piedi da Diego Borotti e Giorgio Li Calzi per il capoluogo piemontese era di tutto rispetto, proponendo impegnative produzioni originali, prime ...