Jazz Articles about George Mraz

George Mraz & Iva Bittova: Moravian Gems

by Victor Verney
October 19, 2007

George Mraz & Iva Bittova Moravian Gems CubeMetier 2007

The United States is a large country and anything but culturally homogenous. Americans routinely make geographical distinctions among themselves, politically (red state vs. blue state), religiously (Southern Baptist vs. New England Baptist), and of course, musically. All three of America's indigenous musical art forms draw such lines: Southern rock is considered a distinct subgenre of rock'n'roll; Chicago blues is distinguished from its elder ...

Aa.Vv.: Billy Strayhorn: Lush Life

by AAJ Italy Staff
March 26, 2007

Strettissimo collaboratore di Duke Ellington per quasi trent’anni, Billy Strayhorn è uno dei grandi autori della storia del jazz. Basta scorrere i titoli dei brani contenuti in questo album per rinfrescarsi la memoria. Oggi, a quarant’anni dalla sua scomparsa, l’etichetta Blue Note pubblica questo CD, nel quale alcune delle sue più famose composizioni vengono interpretate da un nucleo di artisti davvero impressionante. Al di là del singolo brano, o della declinazione che ad esso viene attribuita dai singoli musicisti, quello ...

Steve Kuhn: Seasons of Romance

by Glenn Astarita
March 1, 2000

The great jazz pianist Steve Kuhn tackles well-known standards and not so familiar compositions by performers such as Brazilian guitarist Dori Caymmi, bassist Steve Swallow and a contribution from saxophonist Bob Mintzer on Seasons of Romance.

The opener, saxophonist Bob Mintzer's piece titled, “Six Gun" is an ebullient, mid-tempo swing while Kuhn's easily-recognizable or patented elegance and signature style is notably portrayed from the onset. Kuhn's flair and casual poise ride atop the skillful rhythmic articulations by veteran and highly ...