Jazz Articles about Matthew Stevens

About Matthew Stevens

Album Review

The musical paths of saxophonist/composer Walter Smith III and guitarist/composer Matthew Stevens have crossed on many occasions over the years, touring and recording together in their respective bands and those of Esperanza Spalding, Ambrose Akinmusire, Terence Blanchard, Dave Douglas and Terri Lynne Carrington. They first recorded together in 2017, convening a stellar band to interpret original compositions written for the session. In Common (Whirlwind, 2018) was well received for its original sound and spontaneity. They've reconvened for In ...

Album Review

Dave Douglas: Dizzy Atmosphere: Dizzy Gillespie At Zero Gravity

Read "Dizzy Atmosphere: Dizzy Gillespie At Zero Gravity" reviewed by Giuseppe Segala

by Giuseppe Segala
May 11, 2020

Chi si aspetta da questo disco un omaggio fedele all'approccio umoristico e pirotecnico di Dizzy Gillespie, non conosce Dave Douglas. Il trombettista, che ha compiuto lo scorso marzo cinquantasette anni, ha mostrato nelle frequenti dediche ai protagonisti della storia del jazz la propria propensione del tutto personale a tale pratica: lo ha fatto tra l'altro con Mary Lou Williams, Wayne Shorter, Booker Little. Nello splendido Devotion, pubblicato lo scorso anno, in trio con Uri Caine e Andrew Cyrille, c'erano pure ...

Album Review

Dave Douglas: Dizzy Atmosphere: Dizzy Gillespie At Zero Gravity

Read "Dizzy Atmosphere: Dizzy Gillespie At Zero Gravity" reviewed by Dan McClenaghan

by Dan McClenaghan
April 20, 2020

The distinctive trumpet of Dizzy Gillespie (1917-1993), with the idiosyncratic upward angle of its bell, is transformed into a starship on the cover of Dave Douglas' Dizzy Atmosphere: Dizzy Gillespie in Zero Gravity, seemingly soaring above the stratosphere, in Earth orbit. Douglas has a history of nodding to past greats: pianist Mary Lou Williams on Soul On Soul (Sony Legacy, 2000), saxophonist Wayne Shorter on Stargazer (Arabesque, 1997), and on a pair of Riverside discs that explored the music of ...

Album Review

Matthew Stevens: Woodwork

Read "Woodwork" reviewed by Dan Bilawsky

by Dan Bilawsky
July 20, 2015

Guitarist Matthew Stevens has already made a name for himself through his work with artists like trumpeter Christian Scott, saxophonist Walter Smith III, drummer Terri Lyne Carrington, and bassist-vocalist Esperanza Spalding. But he shouldn't be pigeonholed as a support player or viewed simply as sideman du jour in the eyes of the jazz world. That would be a mistake, as he has plenty to offer on his own. With Woodwork, Stevens' long-awaited debut, the guitarist steps forward and shows himself ...