Jazz Articles about Kirk Lightsey

About Kirk Lightsey

Album Review

Dexter Gordon: More Than You Know

Read "More Than You Know" reviewed by Alberto Bazzurro

by Alberto Bazzurro
March 13, 2026

Intitolato come un 33 giri orchestrale del lontano 1975 dello stesso Dexter Gordon, questo doppio album, uscito prima in CD e da poco più di un mese anche in vinile (poco meno di ottanta minuti totali, parlati compresi), documenta il passaggio del grande tenorsassofonista al festival genovese di Villa Imperiale del 1981, in un'edizione che ospitò anche, fra gli altri, Art Pepper, Lee Konitz con Art Farmer e, in chiusura, un piano solo di Borah Bergman. Il gruppo ...

Radio & Podcasts

Let There Be Lightsey!

by Patrick Burnette
January 29, 2026

Welcome to 2026! As what will certainly prove to be an interesting year kicks off, the boys dive deeply into little-discussed keyboard master Kirk Lightsey's discography, checking out a couple of leader dates, an unusual duet exploration of a single composer, and a sideman appearance in a saxophonist's band who at least one All About Jazz reader finds worthy of a box set. Playlist Discussion of Kirk Lightsey's album Isotope (Criss Cross) 3:46 Discussion of Kirk Lightsey and ...

Album Review

Dexter Gordon: More Than You Know (1981)

Read "More Than You Know (1981)" reviewed by Neil Duggan

by Neil Duggan
November 6, 2025

More Than You Know is a previously unreleased live recording by jazz legend Dexter Gordon. It is the first in the GleAM Records series dedicated to the giants of jazz. The recording features saxophonist Gordon performing with his early 1980s quartet: Kirk Lightsey on piano, David Eubanks on bass and Eddie Gladden on drums. Dating from July 1981, it was recorded at the Villa Imperiale, Genoa, Italy and has the full backing of Gordon's estate. Having played with ...

Album Review

Kirk Lightsey: Live At Smalls Jazz Club

Read "Live At Smalls Jazz Club" reviewed by Richard J Salvucci

by Richard J Salvucci
October 20, 2023

The genesis of this brief (in terms of tracks; the Spotify version differs slightly) but satisfying recording merits some comment. During the salad days of the pandemic, Smalls Jazz Club in New York (and many other venues) were shuttered. Many artists were forced to improvise (in more ways than one) both to find a place to play and to make a living, neither particularly easy even in “normal" times. The Smalls LIVE Foundation raised funds through what it describes as ...

Multiple Reviews

Solo Piano - Yin and Yang

by Geno Thackara
November 8, 2021

Cornelius Claudio Kreusch Transformer Self Produced 2021 Though it's easy enough for a player to find a home niche, Cornelius Claudio Kreusch sounds like he won't really be satisfied until he's practically tried them all. Classically-trained and having whirled through fusion, funk, Latin, African, film scores and probably too much else to list, he somehow manages to pack in pieces of everything when just playing solo. The mix here bridges the classic tones of Thelonious ...

Radio & Podcasts

Cynthia Abraham, Kirk Lightsey, Marc Cary, Kazemde George & Other New Releases

by Ludovico Granvassu
October 16, 2021

Two main themes in the second part of this week's edition of Mondo Jazz. Jazz players of Caribbean heritage (Arturo O'Farrill--Cuba, Cynthia Abraham--Guadeloupe, Kazemde George--Haiti), and remarkable piano jazz (Marc Cary, Kirk Lightsey, Scott Spivak & Frank Kimbrough, Irène Schweizer, Chick Corea). Happy listening! Playlist Ben Allison “Mondo Jazz Theme (feat. Ted Nash & Pyeng Threadgill)" 0:00 Arturo O'Farrill “Despedida in Lion Struggles and Strugglets" ...Dreaming in Lions... (Blue Note) 0:15 Host talks 5:15 Cynthia Abraham ...

Album Review

Ray Blue: Work

by Edward Blanco
April 8, 2020

New York-based and bred, tenor saxophonist Ray Blue is no novice but a veteran player who has not received the accolades he so deserves. Perhaps after laying down and documenting an incredible volume of music on Work, the spotlight will shine a little brighter on this unheralded player. A composer and educator, as well as one of the most in-demand musicians in New York, Blue is a soulful performer, a full-throated sax man with a fluid and lyrical style which ...