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Jim Snidero: Far Far Away
by Dan Bilawsky
Far Far Away brings us ever so close to the genius of Jim Snidero. An incandescent affair built upon the pillars of new partnership and continuing collaboration, it showcases a marked consistency in craftsmanship and inventiveness that leaves no doubt as to this artist's place in the jazz firmament. Of course, seasoned listeners need no reminders about his elevated status. The vaunted alto saxophonist has been delivering dynamic performances as a leader on record for the better part of four ...
Continue ReadingJesse Davis: Live at Smalls Jazz Club
by Jack Bowers
Alto saxophone master Sonny Stitt always chafed when he was called “little Bird," a reference to the greatest alto of them all, Charlie Parker. “I'm not a little Bird," he would say, “I'm me; Sonny Stitt." In similar fashion, Jesse Davis would probably shrug off any comparison to another of the instrument's esteemed patriarchs, the late Julian “Cannonball" Adderley. Even so, such a connection is hardly misplaced. To some ears, Davis is the nearest thing to Cannonball since...well, Cannonball himself. ...
Continue ReadingJim Snidero: Far Far Away
by Dan McClenaghan
Alto saxophonist Jim Snidero had quite a year in 2021, with the re-release of his masterpiece, Strings (Savant), originally released in 2001, and the release of another masterful set, Live At Deer Head Inn (Savant). In 2022 he decided to keep a good thing going, inviting his Deer Head rhythm section--pianist Orrin Evans, bassist Peter Washington, with Joe Farnsworth back in the drummer's seat--into the studio, along with guitarist Kurt Rosenwinkel, for an inspired set of bop and post-bop tunes, ...
Continue ReadingSpike Wilner Trio: Plays Monk & Ellington
by Pierre Giroux
There have probably not been two more disparate individuals in jazz than the pianists Duke Ellington and Thelonious Monk. Ellington was a florid individual in all aspects of his life, with his speaking style, his sartorial choices, and his compositions which were informed by ever-growing inspirational sources. In contrast, Monk was introverted and generally uncommunicative; his compositional style was linear and succinct, and he was generally more comfortable playing his own material. Pianist Spike Wilner, who had great admiration for ...
Continue ReadingSpike Wilner Trio: Plays Monk & Ellington
by Jack Bowers
Not to mince words, this is a splendid album by New York-based pianist Spike Wilner and his trio, recorded in January 2022 at GP's Juke Joint, which must double as a recording studio, as there is no audience. No matter the venue, it is difficult to wander too far astray when playing the music of Thelonious Monk and Duke Ellington, even though the album could have been called Plays Monk & Ellington & Strayhorn as the last two numbers, “U.M.M.G." ...
Continue ReadingPatty Lomuscio: Star Crossed Lovers
by Paul Beard
The Italian singer Patty Lomuscio had long dreamed of making an album in New York with pianist Kenny Barron. Now she has done so. Alongside Barron is drummer Joe Farnsworth, bassist Peter Washington and Vincent Herring on alto saxophone. The title track, comes across really well. Lomuscio's talents start to shine through and then with the next offering, “This Can't Be Love," it becomes obvious that a certain British Dame has influenced this Mediterranean songstress: her scatting is ...
Continue ReadingThomas Linger: Out In It
by Pierre Giroux
For his first release as a leader, pianist Thomas Linger has surrounded himself with first rate musicians: guitarist Peter Bernstein, bassist Yasushi Nakamura]] and drummer {{Joe Farnsworth, each of whom share Linger's commitment to a reflective approach. All of the numbers are originals by Linger, with covers of “Lush Life" by Billy Strayhorn and “Woofin'and Tweetin" by Art Farmer. The album's strong sound comes in no small part because the recording was completed, in July 2021, at the Van Gelder ...
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