Jazz Articles about Hugh Ragin

John Hines: In The Pocket

by Jerry D'Souza
May 18, 2004

A debut recording is always interesting. John Hines’ first is by and large a good debut, except for a couple of awkward moments where he gets heavy handed and congeals his playing. This happens on “In a Sentimental Mood,” which is weighed down by the tack he takes. Sentiment need not be down in the dumps. And on “Central Park West,” his first solo does not ignite the thread. It is now time for the goodies.

The blues ...

John Hines: In The Pocket

by Michael P. Gladstone
April 19, 2004

In the Pocket is a straight-ahead trombone album from John Hines. The majority of this group is from the Denver, Colorado area. Hines shows a good mix of nine standards, jazz standards and original tunes from keyboardist Michael Pagan.

The opening title track, written by Hines, typifies the session with a bright melody line. Hines has a resounding delivery that would have been welcome on any of the late 1950s sessions at Blue Note or Prestige studios. On ...

John Hines: In the Pocket

by Dan McClenaghan
April 18, 2004

The title tune on trombonist John Hines' In the Pocket had me mulling over comparisons with—of course—the late trombone master J.J. Johnson. And I felt that where Mr. Johnson romanced the listener, charmed the ears with subtle sweet somethings, John Hines' approach was more like a sermon—an upbeat, life-affirming, straightforward exhortation. A fine, driving piece of mainstream jazz.With tune two, the classic “I Could Write a Book," I knew something not just good, but really special was happening. ...

Hugh Ragin: Feel The Sunshine

by Jim Santella
September 6, 2002

Hugh Ragin's title track reminds us that music communicates expression. His passion shines through warmly. By adopting the classic jazz quintet format for his third Justin Time release, the trumpeter has retained a mainstream sensibility. However, his adventurous nature remains evident from start to finish. Standards and originals swing, while introducing flights of fancy throughout. The ensemble interprets with clarity and a natural ease. Their session combines avant-garde thrills with picturesque impressionism, sullen blues and joyful swing. Ragin's trumpet attains ...

Hugh Ragin: Fanfare & Fiesta

by Jim Santella
April 1, 2001

Recorded last June, this session moves in three distinct directions. Two cameo appearances by Clark Terry invite a lighthearted swing element. The title track moves toward creative improvised music, and yet is still in line with the mainstream. The remainder of the album invites unpredictable behavior through composed counterpoint and exciting solo performances.

Hugh Ragin, 50, cites the World Saxophone Quartet as his inspiration. A varied career has allowed the trumpeter to befriend different musical themes. With David Murray, he's ...

Hugh Ragin: Fanfare & Fiesta

by AAJ Staff
March 1, 2001

Until 1999, Hugh Ragin was vastly under-recorded. Appearing sporadically with David Murray, Anthony Braxton, D.D. Jackson or Roscoe Mitchell, Ragin inserted his individualistic style into his sounds, provoking an undercurrent of demand for more fully realized work. Justin Time followed up on Ragin's promise when it released An Afternoon In Harlem last year, a message-laden project that combined the energy of Harlem with Sun Ra-inspired spirituality and ruminations about escapes from slavery.On Fanfare & Fiesta, messages are laid ...

Hugh Ragin: An Afternoon in Harlem

by AAJ Staff
July 1, 2000

Trumpeter Hugh Ragin made this recording in late '98 in a (mostly) quartet format featuring pianist Craig Taborn, bassist Jaribu Shahid, and drummer Bruce Cox. The tunes, all Ragin originals, range from the sauntering bluesy strut of the title track to fast bebop to free jazz, concluding with a Sun Ra-inspired avant garde accompaniment to poetry read by Amiri Baraka. His liner notes establish the suite as a celebration of life in Harlem.

Ragin obviously plays the starring role here: ...