Jazz Articles about John Stein

John Stein: Concerto Internacional de Jazz

by Chris M. Slawecki
October 7, 2006

You can tell from just one look that Concerto is serious music seriously played by serious musicians. In the cover photo, Stein presents what us folks in the cliché trade would call “a stern visage --and in case you weren't certain of the program, the title informs you directly that this is an international concert of jazz.

Stein recorded Concerto in a São Paolo studio with his touring band during a sold-out tour of Brazil. It is not ...

John Stein: Concerto Internacional de Jazz

by Jim Santella
August 7, 2006

For this intriguing Brazilian project, guitarist John Stein traveled to São Paulo, where he found ambience and collaborated with a cohesive group of like-minded artists. Together, they interpret standards and originals with intuitive feeling.

Stein, who prefers to keep the session to a basic guitar/bass/drums trio with rotating guests, fills each piece with sensual guitar melodies that flow seamlessly like a Brazilian summer breeze. He explores each melodic reference passionately but gently, pulling substance from the air and ...

John Stein Trio: Interplay

by Jerry D'Souza
October 21, 2004

On his fifth album as a leader, John Stein eschews original compositions for standards, except for one tune ("Eleanor's Folly"). Picking up some great tunes could be a good idea in itself. But there is ambivalence in his approach. Stein can go out and inject a measure of intensity, or he can keep the cool in and stay laid back, whence he caresses the tunes instead injecting a nice lustful shot and getting them up and riveting.

Stein ...

John Stein: Conversation Pieces

by Jack Bowers
September 1, 2002

Blessed are the eavesdroppers, for they shall overhear such consistently beguiling conversations as those between guitarist John Stein, reedmeister David “Fathead" Newman and their eloquent companions, bassist Keala Kaumeheiwa and drummer Greg Conroy. Even though the guitarist “puts words in his mouth" (all of the compositions are Stein's), Newman evidently relishes the thought-provoking interplay, as this is their second album together. The session is evenly divided between trio and quartet numbers with Newman playing alto on “Up and at 'Em," ...

John Stein: Portraits and Landscapes

by Jack Bowers
September 1, 2001

Here’s an album that definitely lives up to its name, as guitarist John Stein and his colleagues paint a series of exquisite “pictures in sound,” all but one of which were written by Stein himself. The exception is the standard “Moonlight in Vermont,” given a pleasurable ride by Stein’s working trio (bassist Keala Kaumeheiwa, drummer Greg Conroy) and guest pianist Larry Goldings. Stein keeps the music fresh and beguiling by altering form and tempo, using samba, bossa, hard bop, soul ...

John Stein: Portraits and Landscapes

by Dave Nathan
June 1, 2001

Jardis Records is the German counterpart of England's String Jazz label. Both concentrate on guitar music and performers. Here Jardis has reached across the Atlantic to put to a CD the styling of Boston's John Stein. Stein, who teaches harmony at the prestigious Berklee College, gathered together some like minded cohorts for a solid session of straight ahead jazz with modern trimmings. All but one of the pieces are by Stein and are especially melodic, avoiding jagged, quirky rhythm patterns. ...

John Stein: Portraits and Landscapes

by C. Andrew Hovan
January 1, 2001

Once in a while an artist comes along who simply takes you by surprise and that in turn is what keeps jazz the evolving and appealing art form that it is. Such is the case with guitarist John Stein, a mainstay on the Boston jazz scene and an established artist who certainly is deserving of wider appreciation. For his third set as a leader, Stein finds himself allied with the German-based Jardis label, a concern that focuses exclusively on fine ...