Jazz Articles about Kenny Wheeler

Kenny Wheeler, Ennio Morricone and Wayne Shorter

by John Eyles
December 30, 2003

Although he was born in Canada, Kenny Wheeler has been in the UK for over fifty years now, so we feel like he is our own. I initially asked Wheeler for this interview at a gig at The Vortex last summer, one of the infrequent--and special--appearances of his big band, which includes such long-standing Wheeler collaborators as Evan Parker, Norma Winstone, John Taylor and Stan Sulzmann. When I told Parker that I wanted to interview Wheeler, his comment ...

Kenny Wheeler: Dream Sequence

by Glenn Astarita
September 25, 2003

The latest edition to trumpeter/flugelhornist Kenny Wheeler's discography commences with variable pulses and emphatic horn charts on “Unti." But while this production launches with an up-tempo groove, the majority of this set simply corresponds to the wistful implications set forth by the album title. Recorded during several visits to London's Gateway Studio spanning 1995 to 2003, Wheeler performs solely on flugelhorn, along with a core sextet--separating into duo, trio, and quintet consortiums. Simply stated, the great flugelhornist is ...

Kenny Wheeler, John Taylor: Moon

by Enzo Vizzone
March 1, 2002

Wheeler and Taylor have produced some great music together in the past, but seldom as irresistibly gorgeous as this. Confining himself to flugelhorn, Wheeler is lyric beauty personified, his mellifluously songlike improvisations burnished by a richly expressive tone; Taylor is the perfect partner, his piano matching and echoing Wheeler's explorations at every turn. It says much for clarinettist Mirabassi that he fits into this closely-knit duo so well when he joins them on three pieces. The material, six originals by ...

John Abercrombie: Open Land

by Glenn Astarita
December 1, 1999

One of the true treasures of Modern Jazz, guitarist John Abercrombie’s impressive and somewhat legendary recorded legacy continues with Open Land. Here, Abercrombie expands his longtime “organ trio” group consisting of organist Dan Wall and drummer Adam Nussbaum while garnering the rather estimable support of special guests, saxophonist Joe Lovano, trumpeter Kenny Wheeler and violinist Mark Feldman.

On Open Land the great guitarist offers the listener a panoramic view via wide-open and expansive compositions that leave plenty of room for ...

Kenny Wheeler: A Long Time Ago

by Glenn Astarita
December 1, 1999

Trumpeter, composer Kenny Wheeler is among the elite roster of jazz luminaries who have contributed to ECM Records’ success over the last few decades and following up the acclaimed “Angel Song” with Bill Frisell, Lee Konitz and Dave Holland, Wheeler brings us A Long Time Ago.

A modern day stylist, Kenny Wheeler has done it all, whether performing free-jazz, mainstream or mixing it up with brass ensembles which serves as the foundation and motivating factor behind A Long Time Ago. ...

John Abercrombie: Open Land

by David Adler
December 1, 1999

John Abercrombie’s guitar tone has changed a lot over the years. I am particularly fond of his late 70s quartet with Richard Beirach, George Mraz, and Peter Donald. Back then his sound was extremely dark—nearly underwater in fact, with no treble to speak of. Lately it’s developed a lot more flesh and attack. On this new record, Open Land, he gravitates toward a nasal tone more along the lines of John Scofield. “Spring Song," a haunting waltz, and “Gimme Five," ...

Kenny Wheeler: A Long Time Ago: Music for Brass Ensemble and Soloists

by David Adler
December 1, 1999

Kenny Wheeler’s records for the most part have featured small groups dotted with big names from the ECM stable: Dave Holland, Jack DeJohnette, Keith Jarrett, John Abercrombie, Peter Erskine, Bill Frisell, and so on. Here the Canadian-born trumpeter/composer recruits a brass ensemble from his adopted home, England. There are four trumpets, two trombones, two bass trombones, and even a conductor, and none of the names will be familiar to most American listeners. Wheeler restricts himself to fluegelhorn and is supported ...