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Umbria Jazz Winter 2022
by Libero Farnè
Umbria Jazz Winter 29 Orvieto Varie sedi 28.12.22--1.1.23 Nel programma della ventinovesima edizione del festival orvietano, la prima pagina era interamente dedicata alla memoria di Franco Fayenz, scomparso il 25 ottobre 2022; critico dall'impronta unica, capace di conciliare analisi musicale e sana divulgazione, era anche un amico storico di Umbria Jazz. Nel presentare il concerto d'apertura al Teatro Mancinelli, anche Enzo Capua ha ricordato il prezioso lavoro lasciatoci dal giornalista. Purtroppo, da un punto di ...
Continue ReadingWalter Smith III & Matthew Stevens: In Common III
by Chris May
The third iteration of tenor saxophonist Walter Smith III and guitarist Matthew Stevens' In Common project is another delightfully lyrical and inventive affair. Each of the albums presents Smith and Stevens in the company of a different three-piece rhythm section. The first had vibraphonist Joel Ross, bassist Harish Raghavan and drummer Marcus Gilmore. The second had pianist Micah Thomas, bassist Linda May Han Oh and drummer Nate Smith. On In Common III, the quintet is completed by pianist ...
Continue ReadingBorderlands Trio: Wandersphere
by John Sharpe
Like a billionaire with money to burn, the Borderlands Trio frequently launch into space, and hit the jackpot in doing so. On this double disc set, the threesome—comprising bassist Stephan Crump, pianist Kris Davis and drummer Eric McPherson—luxuriate in the wide open vistas of four expansive improvisations of between nineteen and forty-two minutes. The decision to play and present entire pieces rather than excerpts, as they did on some of the shorter numbers on their debut Asteroidea (Intakt, 2017), pays ...
Continue ReadingStephan Crump: Wandersphere
by Mark Corroto
Let's play a game. Call it “Is it improvised or composed?" Today's contestants are the Borderlands Trio, comprised of bassist Stephan Crump, pianist Kris Davis, and drummer Eric McPherson. Their release Wandersphere, recorded in December, 2020, consists of four tracks on two CDs. Four lengthy tracks, the shortest nearly twenty minutes and the longest at forty-one minutes plus. The game is, of course, rigged because listeners of the trio's previous release Asteroidea (Intakt, 2017) will know all the music is ...
Continue ReadingBorderlands Trio: Stephan Crump / Kris Davis / Eric McPherson: Wandersphere
by Dan McClenaghan
It begins so quietly, whispering out of silence like a ghost. The creaking door of Stephan Crump's arco bass, the hiss of Eric McPherson's brushes, the parsimonious delicacy of Kris Davis' piano notes. This is what opens Disc one of this two CD outing by the Borderlands Trio. The tune's following half hour's worth of improvisational expressionism--an exercise in filling the vacuum with free flowing musical ideas--gathers momentum, like an incoming storm, or maybe a colony of microscopic organisms reaching ...
Continue ReadingHafez Modirzadeh: Facets
by Hrayr Attarian
Innovative composer and saxophonist Hafez Modirzadeh has always pushed the idiomatic envelope in his work. His eighth release as a leader, the stimulating Facets is, as hinted on the cover art, a musical kaleidoscope. Consisting of 18 short tracks the album explores various time signatures, modes and tonal colors that fuse many musical traditions. Three equally idiosyncratic artists take turns for a set of solos and duets with Modirzadeh. “Facet Sorey," for instance, is a crystalline tune with ...
Continue ReadingWomen in Jazz: Pianists / Composers
by Russell Perry
Until recently, women in jazz were predominantly singers and pianists. While women have expanded their contributions, women players still excel in both roles and there are an amazing group of women pianists enriching the music today, many of whom are top-flight composers. In our final program dedicated to women in jazz, celebrating an extended Women's History Month, we'll hear from some great pianist / composers. Playlist Host Intro 0:00 Kris Davis / Terri Lyne Carrington Duo “Sympodial Sunflower" ...
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