Jazz Articles about John Douglas

About John Douglas

Album Review

While there are few new wrinkles on Canadian-born pianist Zen Zadravec's album, New Paradigm, neither is there anything to mar this well-wrapped post-bop session comprised of eight of his generally bright and pleasing compositions and arrangements. Zadravec leads what is essentially a sextet (three-horn front line and rhythm), mixing things up by adding a guitar on three tracks, wordless vocals on two. Guitarist Tom Bartelmay is especially impressive on “New Paradigm" and “Do or Do Not, There Is ...

Album Review

The Paxton / Spangler Septet: Ugqozi

by Chris May
June 17, 2022

Ugqozi is a celebration of modern, urban African music, especially that from South Africa, with which co-leaders trombonist John Tbone" Paxton and percussionist RJ Spangler have been in love for decades. It is also an affirmation of the vibrant Detroit scene of which the multi-generational Paxton / Spangler Septet is a part. Actually, the band is not a septet. Depending on whether one goes by the sleeve credits or the press release, it is either an octet ...