Jazz Articles about Jaleel Shaw

About Jaleel Shaw

Album Review

Joey Alexander: Celestial Keeper

Read "Celestial Keeper" reviewed by Doug Collette

by Doug Collette
July 18, 2026

Joey Alexander may no longer qualify as a prodigy, but his skills as a pianist and composer remain prodigious. The bell-like clarity of the notes ringing out at the outset of “Bemused (solo improv 1)" augurs as much for Celestial Keeper as it does for the now 22-year-old, who follows suit throughout the album. In fact, guest intervals that might otherwise stand as interruptions in the flow of work with his trio of bassist Kris Funn and drummer ...

Album Review

Alexander Claffy: Alive in Philadelphia, Vol. 1 (At Chris’ Jazz Cafe)

Read "Alive in Philadelphia, Vol. 1 (At Chris’ Jazz Cafe)" reviewed by Jack Bowers

by Jack Bowers
May 7, 2026

Bassist Alexander Claffy, a pillar on the New York City jazz scene since 2011, returned “home" in March 2025 to record Alive in Philadelphia Vol. 1 for an enthusiastic audience at Chris' Jazz Club, on whose stage he had performed since he was a teenager in the City of Brotherly Live. He did not return alone, bringing with him an able supporting cast that included a pair of well-respected saxophonists, alto Jaleel Shaw (another Philadelphian) and tenor Seamus ...

Radio & Podcasts

Jaleel Shaw: Painting the Invisibility in Jazz

by Stephen Braunginn
April 6, 2026

Discover how music, family, and culture shape alto saxophonist Jaleel Shaw. We discuss his album, Painter of the Invisible, and the personal stories woven into his jazz, from his Philly roots to his latest inspirations--including the gentle sounds of his new baby. Playlist Jaleel Shaw: “Gina's Ascent" from Painter of the Invisible (Changu Records) 09:32 Jaleel Shaw: “Tamir (For Tamir Rice)" from Painter of the Invisible (Changu Records) 10:53 Jaleel Shaw: “The Invisible Man" from Painter of the ...

Radio & Podcasts

Jaleel Shaw, John Vanore, and Richie Beirach

by Jerome Wilson
February 18, 2026

This program features music from Jaleel Shaw, Dawn Clement, John Vanore, Ian Shaw, Marion Brown and the late Richie Beirach.Playlist Henry Threadgill Sextett “I Can't Wait Till I Get Home" from The Complete Novus & Columbia Recordings of Henry Threadgill & Air (Mosaic) 00:00 John Vanore and Abstract Truth “Gods and Devils" from Easter Island Suite (Self Produced) 00:58 Steve Allee Big Band “Cookin' at the Kitchen" from Naptown Sound (Jazzville) 8:03 Host Speaks 15:12 Jason Stein “Crystalline" ...

Album Review

Kerry Politzer: Alternate Route

Read "Alternate Route" reviewed by Dan McClenaghan

by Dan McClenaghan
January 11, 2026

A first impression as pianist Kerry Politzer's ninth album spins: This is an artist adept at bringing a band together for a one-day studio outing to play a bunch of her forward-leaning compositions to turn out a vibrant, crisp-sounding set. Obvious also, on tune # 1--"Before It's Too Late"--is that guitarist Kurt Rosenwinkel has a special genius for pairings with pianists. He proved that with his contribution to Jo-Yu Chen's Stranger (Okeh Records, 2014), and he is in the mix ...

Album Review

Kerry Politzer: Alternate Route

Read "Alternate Route" reviewed by Paul Rauch

by Paul Rauch
January 6, 2026

Pianist Kerry Politzer had released eight albums before Alternate Route (Whirlwind, 2025), though to many jazz listeners they essentially flew under the radar. Politzer is a Portland, Oregon-based musician on the faculty at the esteemed jazz studies program at Portland State. With this, her ninth offering, more attention and accolades are bound to come her way. The album of ten original compositions not only lends a strong focus on her adept compositional and instrumental skills, it also welcomes in a ...

In Pictures

Jaleel Shaw with the John Toomey Trio at the Attucks Jazz Club

by Mark Robbins
October 18, 2025

Born on February 11, 1978, in Philadelphia, Jaleel Shaw emerged from the city's rich musical landscape, studying at Greene Street Friends School and the Philadelphia High School for the Creative and Performing Arts. He earned a dual degree in Music Education and Performance from Berklee College of Music in 2000, followed by a Master's in Jazz Performance from the Manhattan School of Music in 2002. Shaw gained early recognition as a finalist in the Thelonious Monk International Jazz Saxophone Competition ...