Jazz Articles about Jim Black

Jim Black: Dogs of Great Indifference

by Troy Collins
July 3, 2006

The fourth Winter & Winter studio release by Jim Black's longstanding AlasNoAxis group is, like its predecessors, remarkably consistent in delivery. The progressions the group makes at times are so subtle from one album to the next that the different recordings can seem interchangeable. But AlasNoAxis soldiers on as part of a brave new tradition, blending the contemporary sounds of indie rock and electronica with jazz improvisation into an organic and satisfying brew.

Black gained initial exposure in ...

Rick Peckham Trio: Left End

by Jerry D'Souza
September 14, 2004

Guitarist Rick Peckham has played as a sideman on several albums, bringing his personal signature to the music. On this, his debut as leader, he elevates that presence, aided by two fine musicians in Jim Black and Tony Scherr.

Peckham is fine tuned into jazz, as evidenced by his cover of the Thelonious Monk tune “Evidence," as well as the group's “Free 1" and the fleeting “Free 2." And though the harmonies may not be those of jazz ...

Jim Black/Alasnoaxis: Habyor

by John Kelman
August 3, 2004

Drummer Jim Black reconvenes his Alasnoaxis band for its third outing on the Winter & Winter label, this time delving even further into song form than on the first two releases. More than a little influenced by alt rock bands, there are still tastes of progressive and art rock in the mix, but the emphasis is definitely on rock. Fans of more traditional jazz will, no doubt, shy away from Habyor , but more adventurous listeners who don't mind examining ...

Jim Black: Habyor

by AAJ Staff
August 3, 2004

Listeners familiar with drummer Jim Black's work alongside Ellery Eskelin, Tim Berne, and Dave Douglas were surprised by his solo debut, AlasNoAxis , back in 2000. The outright bulk of the backbeat-driven opus stood in contrast to Black's other jazz-oriented efforts, which were marked (and continue to be marked) by a more liberal dynamic approach. The drummer's short attention span and fluidity of motion allow him to integrate styles on the fly and constantly shift his center of balance, but ...

Rick Peckham: Left End

by Sean Patrick Fitzell
July 3, 2004

The opening twangy guitar riff off the title track of guitarist Rick Peckham’s Left End suggests an edge usually associated with rock music, a feeling solidified by the propulsive groove of drummer Jim Black and bassist Tony Scherr (both with plenty of rock in their backgrounds) to push the leader’s statement further. And that’s just the first 30 seconds.

Peckham’s debut as a leader draws on early classic rock guitar influences for sound and attitude and infuses them with improvisational ...

Rick Peckham: Left End

by John Kelman
June 13, 2004

For the first album by the assistant chair to the guitar department at the Berklee School of Music, one might expect a heavily jazz-centric affair and, given Rick Peckham’s vintage, one that would be heavily informed by alumni like John Scofield, Pat Metheny and Bill Frisell. And, to be sure, there’s a certain outward edge a la Scofield, and some reference to the skewed Americana of Frisell territory. But while Left End may demonstrate these allegiances, they are just as ...

Jim Black - AlasNoAxis: Splay

by Glenn Astarita
July 3, 2002

This outing marks the follow up to drummer Jim Black’s well-received debut solo effort, Alas, No Axis. And while Black and associates render comparable regions of sound, they have seemingly cultured their overall approach with this new release. To that end, the musicians convey more of a “group” based vibe – partly due to less experimentation and more adherence to compositional attributes. Although, the drummer’s previous extravaganza was not lacking in the excitement and originality-of-concept arena.

One ...