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Jazz Articles about Jeff Parker
Rob Mazurek Exploding Star Orchestra: Lightning Dreamers
by Mark Corroto
The similarities between Rob Mazurek's Exploding Star Orchestra and Sun Ra's Arkestra are numerous. Both leaders travel the spaceways via the technologies available in their time, applied through dynamic rhythm and pulse. For Ra, his sound began when he was an apprentice in Fletcher Henderson's band in the 1940s, and Mazurek's 1990s work revolved around Isotope 217 and the various Chicago Underground (and later São Paulo Underground) ensembles. Both bandleaders were composers of their time, nonetheless they always create music ...
Continue ReadingHenry Franklin: Jazz Is Dead 14
by Chris May
Adrian Younge and Ali Shaheed Muhammad's Jazz Is Dead label is a moveable feast when it comes to consistency. In its fourteen albums date, there have been some great ones, some not so great ones and a couple of duds. With bassist Henry Franklin, however, the label has come up with a blinder, its most satisfying disc to date. Los Angeles-based Franklin is not well known beyond musician circles, but his track record is distinguished. He has released ...
Continue ReadingJeff Parker / Eric Revis / Nasheet Waits: Eastside Romp
by Mark Corroto
If the answer on the television quiz show Jeopardy is: Have not ever recorded together as a trio," you most probably would have never guessed the question, What have Jeff Parker, Eric Revis, and Nasheet Waits never done?" Well, that is until now. Each musician has an impressive discography, with nearly 500 sessions in total between them. Just not together. Waits' drums and Revis' bass have graced the music of Orrin Evans and Armen Nalbandian's ensembles and also ...
Continue ReadingJoVia Armstrong: The Antidote Suite
by Angelo Leonardi
La scena musicale di Chicago regala continue sorprese. Protagoniste di questo lavoro sono la percussionista e compositrice JoVia Armstrong e la violinista Leslie DeShazor, riunite nell'Eunoia Society. Accanto a loro un nutrito gruppo di ospiti, tra cui i celebri Jeff Parker e Nicole Mitchell. The Antidote Suite è pubblicato dalla nuova etichetta della flautista e non è casuale: la Armstrong è infatti un nuovo membro dell'AACM ed è fortemente impegnata nella valorizzazione del patrimonio culturale afroamericano. JoVia è ...
Continue ReadingJeff Parker: Forfolks
by Karl Ackermann
Guitarist/composer Jeff Parker is closely associated with indie group Tortoise and Rob Mazurek's Chicago Underground and Exploding Star Orchestra projects, but the scope of his work is extensive. The Bridgeport, Connecticut native has worked in numerous genres and technologies, and with a varied range of artists including, Joshua Redman, Nicole Mitchell, Yo La Tengo, Matana Roberts, Ingebrigt Håker Flaten, Nels Cline, George Lewis and Fred Anderson. Parker has recorded eight albums as a leader but with the release of Suite ...
Continue ReadingJeff Parker, Emile Parisien, Andrea Keller, Gabriel Zucker & More New Releases [Mondo Jazz 181-1]
by Ludovico Granvassu
Up-and-comers, younger and older Statesmen in a playlist that offers a cross-section of some the most creative new jazz on record. Happy listening! Playlist Ben Allison Mondo Jazz Theme (feat. Ted Nash & Pyeng Threadgill)" 0:00 Dave Meder Century Rag" Unamuno Songs and Stories (Outside-in-Music) 0:16 Host talks 6:33 Alex Hamburger What's Your Story Morning Glory" And She Spoke (DK2) 7:50 Host talks 14:47 Emile Parisien Louise" Louise -Single (ACT) 16:26 Andrea Keller Wave Riders Linger" ...
Continue ReadingMakaya McCraven: Deciphering the Message
by Angelo Leonardi
Il debutto in casa Blue Note di Makaya McCraven è un omaggio alla storia musicale dell'etichetta, espresso ovviamente in prospettiva personale. Come ha fatto nei suoi dischi recentie in particolare nell'omaggio a Gil Scott-Heron (We're New Again, XL Recordings 2020)-il batterista e produttore di Chicago usa creativamente la tecnologia sperimentata dai DJ e produttori di hip-hop e club culture, in prospettiva nuova. Il classico repertorio Blue Note degli anni cinquanta e sessanta suscita l'attenzione delle subculture giovanili ...
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