Jazz Articles about Ernest Dawkins

About Ernest Dawkins

Album Review

Ernest Dawkins' Live in the Spirit Residency Big Band: Memory in the Center, An Afro Opera: Homage to Nelson Mandela

Read "Memory in the Center, An Afro Opera: Homage to Nelson Mandela" reviewed by Hrayr Attarian

by Hrayr Attarian
October 31, 2015

Perhaps no statesman (or woman), of the second half of the 20th century, personifies struggle for freedom and human rights as much as Nelson Mandela. This is because the late South African president dedicated his long life to ending apartheid and the injustices associated with it. His perseverance crowned by his success resonated globally. Saxophonist, and bandleader Ernest Khabir Dawkins composed and premiered a stirring suite as tribute to Mandela for the 2014 Chicago Jazz Festival. The concert ...

Album Review

Ernest Dawkins' Live in the Spirit Residency Big Band: Memory in the Center, An Afro Opera: Homage to Nelson Mandela

Read "Memory in the Center, An Afro Opera: Homage to Nelson Mandela" reviewed by AAJ Staff

by AAJ Staff
July 10, 2015

Registrata nella serata inaugurale del Chicago Jazz Festival del 2014, questa suite è un appassionato omaggio a Nelson Mandela da parte di una big band diretta dal sassofonista (ma qui non suona) e compositore Ernest Dawkins. Sedici elementi, alcuni già conosciuti al pubblico italiano come il trombettista Corey Wilkes, il trombonista Steve Berry o la cantante Dee Alexander, altri magari il cui nome non dirà molto, ma coesi per una musica che parla prima di tutto allo ...

Album Review

Ernest Dawkins: Afro Straight

Read "Afro Straight" reviewed by AAJ Italy Staff

by AAJ Italy Staff
May 7, 2013

Ecco un disco tutto sommato insolito, non facile da decifrare: si tratta infatti di una reinterpretazione di una parte della tradizione afroamericana da parte di un musicista non più giovane, appartenente ad una scuola solitamente associata all'avanguardia. La città in questione, dove questo CD è stato registrato nell'ottobre 2010 e nell'aprile 2012, è Chicago, luogo generatore anche in questi ultimi vent'anni di fermenti e nomi nuovi. Il musicista è il sessantenne Ernest Dawkins, da sempre autorevole membro dell'AACM. La tradizione ...

Album Review

Ernest Dawkins: Afro Straight

Read "Afro Straight" reviewed by Jerry D'Souza

by Jerry D'Souza
March 3, 2013

Ernest Dawkins is a multifaceted giant of the saxophone. He was part of the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians (AACM), a groove into which he perfectly fit, blowing fresh winds of change into the comfort zone of improvisation. The sum of his parts included commissioned works for the Black Metropolis Research Consortium and the Banliues Bleues Festival. He moves into another compact area this time, playing eight standards and two originals, and once again invests his individualism into ...

Album Review

Ernest Dawkins: Afro Straight

Read "Afro Straight" reviewed by Mark Corroto

by Mark Corroto
December 21, 2012

Afro Straight is Saturday music. That day following a work week where you take off your suit and tie or uniform, and put on that favorite sweatshirt and pair of jeans to kick back and relax in the familiar confines of your home. The familiar is your solace, and saxophonist Ernest Dawkins delivering time-honored standards is the equivalent of comfort food for the ears.Dawkins, a member of Chicago's AACM (Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians), is a ...

Album Review

Chicago Trio: Velvet Songs to Baba Fred Anderson

Read "Velvet Songs to Baba Fred Anderson" reviewed by AAJ Italy Staff

by AAJ Italy Staff
March 26, 2012

Caloroso tributo a Fred Anderson, fondamentale figura del jazz creativo di Chicago, non solo come artista, ma anche come instancabile supporto alle generazioni più giovani di improvvisatori e come proprietario del mitico Vevet Lounge. Registrato nel 2008, due anni prima della scomparsa di Anderson, questo doppio della RogueArt fotografa dal vivo la telepatica tensione creativa che scorre tra tre dei principali protagonisti della scena della Windy City, il sassofonista Ernest Dawkins, il contrabbassista e violoncellista Harrison Bankhead e il batterista ...

Album Review

Chicago Trio: Velvet Songs to Baba Fred Anderson

Read "Velvet Songs to Baba Fred Anderson" reviewed by John Sharpe

by John Sharpe
March 11, 2012

Drawn from two nights at Chicago's legendary Velvet Lounge, this double-disc set by three of the Windy City's finest provides fitting tribute to that establishment's late proprietor. Tenor saxophonist Fred Anderson was held in high esteem for his support for young musicians, non-judgmental direction, and provision of a space to experiment and perform. That the music was recorded two years prior to Anderson's passing lessens neither the saxophonist's influence nor the depth of feeling behind the dedication.Going under ...