Jazz Articles about Lewis Barnes

William Parker Raining on the Moon: Corn Meal Dance

by AAJ Italy Staff
December 24, 2007

Giganteggia la figura di William Parker nel panorama della musica improvvisata di oggi: predicatore, musicista immenso, teorico, storico coscienzioso, giustiziere a volte, catalizzatore di talenti ed energie, animatore straordinario e responsabile, almeno in gran parte, della rinascita di certo black free gravitante intorno all’area newyorchese. E, d’altro canto, il contrabbassista ha le spalle larghe e non ha mai rifuggito le proprie responsabilità, dimostrando di essere pienamente cosciente del ruolo di guida spirituale, coscienza critica e ultimo erede della cultura, non ...

William Parker: Corn Meal Dance

by Michael McCaw
December 14, 2007

Steeped in the bedrock of the blues, hearkening back to sounds of Charles Mingus' Blues and Roots jazz, and featuring one of the more compelling and soulful voices in music today, Corn Meal Dance by bassist William Parker, is a complete package even if it takes a few listens to hear.With a few exceptions, lyrics in jazz are often straight forward and leave little to interpretation. And upon first listen here one might feel that the lyrics are ...

William Parker: Corn Meal Dance

by James Taylor
December 2, 2007

William Parker's Corn Meal Dance showcases the enigmatic figure's best attributes--not as bassist but, instead, as band leader and poet. The release finds Parker again working with his Raining On The Moon Quintet, first featured on Raining On The Moon (Thirsty Ear, 2002). An overall more pop and blues-oriented record than some of Parker's more eclectic excursions, Corn Meal Dance is refreshing and Parker's words thought provoking.Joining Parker is Rob Brown (alto sax), Hamid Drake (drums), Lewis Barnes ...

William Parker / Raining On The Moon: Corn Meal Dance

by Glenn Astarita
October 19, 2007

New York bassist/composer/poet and bandleader William Parker stands tall among the crème de la crème of great musical minds and instrumentalists. Corn Meal Dance, featuring his group Raining On The Moon, further instills a mystical framework that seems to yield notions of a sense of oneness, regardless of ensemble size or musical direction. These qualities ring loud and clear on this downright beautiful jazz recording, designed with lyrical content that touches upon existentialism, spirituality and sociopolitical musings.

Vocalist ...

William Parker / Raining On The Moon: Corn Meal Dance

by Troy Collins
September 17, 2007

Bassist, composer, Vision Festival organizer and all-around Renaissance man William Parker is a man of many talents, from solo bass recitalist to big band leader. Raining On The Moon, his lyrical group, features the vocal talents of Leena Conquest, singing Parker's words like they were her own. Based on the same line-up as his long-standing quartet (altoist Rob Brown, trumpeter Lewis Barnes and drummer Hamid Drake), this variation featured on Corn Meal Dance adds a new voice, pianist Eri Yamamoto. ...