Jazz Articles about Mark Levine

About Mark Levine

Reassessing

Luis Gasca was one of the hottest trumpet players in California during the 1970s, recording a handful of albums fueled by the drugs, the culture, and the excitement of that time and place. Though they all featured large ensembles, only one of them allowed some of the era's most legendary musicians to blur the lines separating jazz, latin, and rock and roll. “Everyone should have two favorite cities; their own and San Francisco," claimed Gasca. It was there, ...

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Album Review

Mark Levine and the Latin Tinge: Off & On The Music of Moacir Santos

Read "Off & On The Music of Moacir Santos" reviewed by Raul d'Gama Rose

by Raul d'Gama Rose
October 13, 2009

If a record could be like a comet streaking across the musical stratosphere, then Mark Levine's Off & On: The Music of Moacir Santos would be just that. Moreover, in personifying this album like comets are given names, this one would be named after comet Kohoutek because it is a rare gem of a record.It's one of the few occasions in recent times that Moacir Santos, the rarer of two modern Brazilian masters, is being honored. Brazilian music ...

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Album Review

Mark Levine and the Latin Tinge: Isla

Read "Isla" reviewed by Forrest Dylan Bryant

by Forrest Dylan Bryant
May 15, 2003

Pianist/educator Mark Levine is a master of straight-ahead Latin jazz. The members of his Latin Tinge quartet all share his orientation towards modern bop, enhanced by a remarkable ability to lay down a pretty mean clave beat. On Isla , the group tackles compositions by Cedar Walton and Kenny Garrett as well as standards of both the Latin and popular songbook variety.On Garrett's “Ain't Nothing But the Blues," the tempo is relaxed and the mood keeps cool. Levine's ...

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Album Review

Mark Levine & The Latin Tinge: Serengeti

Read "Serengeti" reviewed by Jim Josselyn

by Jim Josselyn
October 1, 2001

The rhythms of Latin music are some of the most challenging in jazz. To play this music convincingly, mastery of its syncopation, odd groupings, accents, grooves and poly-rhythms are absolutely required, and this is no easy task. On Serengeti, Mark Levine and the Latin Tinge prove not only are they masters of the groove, but tasteful, soulful and inspired players as well.“Cha Cha Cha Para Mi Alma," a charmingly simple number, starts this recording in a relaxed, swinging ...