Jazz Articles about Kevin Hays

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Kevin Hays: Variations

by Dan Bilawsky
November 21, 2011

When famed jazz scholar Gunther Schuller first coined the term “Thematic Improvisation," he wasn't introducing a new concept so much as shedding light on how jazz artists had come to use the age-old “Theme And Variations" format in their own sweet way. While nobody would argue that grand compositional gestures or outré improvisations from a master musician can be revealing, hearing an artist dissect and rebuild a musical theme on the spot is the real window into their mind. A ...

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Kevin Hays Trio: You've Got a Friend

by AAJ Italy Staff
June 26, 2009

Quattro brani del repertorio pop ed altrettanti standard del jazz per un disco informe, che strizza l'occhio sia al grande pubblico che a chi ama il jazz, finendo con lo scontentare entrambi. Un percorso illuminante per giudicare la cifra stilistica irrisolta del pianista statunitense, bravo ma incapace di dare una svolta significativa alla sua carriera di onesto esecutore del mainstream contemporaneo. Prevalgono le risapute linee neobop, debitamente smussate ed addolcite da melodie morbide e soffuse per rassicurare l'ascoltatore, insieme a ...

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The Kevin Hays Trio: You've Got a Friend

by John Barron
May 31, 2009

Pianist Kevin Hays and long-time collaborators Doug Weiss (bass) and Bill Stewart (drums) explore a set of jazz and pop classics on You've Got a Friend, a well-conceived piano trio affair.

The Carol King-penned title track and Paul Simon's “Bridge Over Troubled Water" begin the disc with a laid-back gospel vibe, tranquil and unhurried. Hays approaches these pop classics with just the right amount of lyricism, being faithful to the essence of each tune while happily avoiding the temptation to ...

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Kevin Hays: The Dreamer

by AAJ Italy Staff
December 11, 2008

Chi ha apprezzato il pianista Kevin Hays come parte di gruppi importanti del modern mainstream si troverà un pò spiazzato ad ascoltarlo in un'incisione in cui si diverte a mettere insieme piste di pianoforte, sintetizzatori, Fender Rhodes per fare una musica eclettica e divertente, autore di canzoni dai testi che andrebbero anche per le star della canzone pop. Con la sua voce alla Chet Baker ed i ritmi in battere di sottofondo sforna un album gradevole, in cui ritorna alla ...

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Kevin Hays: Piano Works III: Open Range

by Andrew Rowan
March 21, 2007

Pianist Kevin Hays came to prominence in New York in the '80s, eventually working with such luminaries as Sonny Rollins, Benny Golson, Roy Haynes, Joe Henderson, Art Farmer and John Scofield, among others. In the '90s, he recorded a well-received series of sessions for Blue Note, including '94's Seventh Sense (one of the New York Times' “Top 40 Jazz Releases of the Year ) and '96's Andalucia (which featured Ron Carter and Jack DeJohnette). Now, relocated to Santa Fe, New ...

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Kevin Hays Trio: For Heaven's Sake

by Dan McClenaghan
June 9, 2006

Kevin Hays opens For Heaven's Sake with a bit of solo piano: an introspective, reverent-sounding, church-like interlude. Then bassist Doug Weiss and drummer Bill Stewart slip into the sound and the trio winds into tenor saxophone great Sonny Rollins' “Sonny Moon for Two," cranking up the intensity/extroversion factor for five minutes, and Weiss takes a solo in front of Stewart's implacable timekeeping and Hays' spare, sparkling comping. It's a well-chosen, beautifully executed opener for a set of familiar jazz standards. ...

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Kevin Hays Trio: What Survives

by John Kelman
January 4, 2006

Like trumpeter Tim Hagans, whose recent release Beautiful Lily represents a welcome return to recording as a leader, pianist Kevin Hays is back with three records in the space of one year, following a seven-year break. Piano Works III: Open Range (ACT, 2005) is a solo effort, while his forthcoming ArtistShare disc features his longstanding trio with bassist Doug Weiss and drummer Bill Stewart. Based on the evidence of What Survives, a recent independent release featuring the same trio from ...