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Jazz Articles about MeShell NdegeOcello
About MeShell NdegeOcello
Instrument: Bass, electric
Meshell Ndegeocello at SFJAZZ Center
by Harry S. Pariser
Meshell Ndegeocello No More Water: The Gospel Of James Baldwin SFJAZZ Center San Francisco, CA January 17, 2025 The works and courageous career of writer and novelist James Baldwin (August 2, 1924--December 1, 1987) had an immense impact on many people. One of them is bassist and songwriter/composer Meshell Ndegeocello, who first composed some of the tunes on her latest CD, No More Water: The Gospel Of James Baldwin around a decade ago. ...
Continue ReadingThe Jazz Worlds of James Baldwin - Part 1
by Ludovico Granvassu
The centennial of writer and civil rights activist James Baldwin offers a great opportunity to look into the call and response which has been going on, for decades, between Baldwin's inner world and the world of jazz. Here is a set featuring music inspired by his writings and tunes by musicians we was connected with. Happy listening! Playlist Ben Allison “Mondo Jazz Theme (feat. Ted Nash & Pyeng Threadgill)" 0:00 Sébastien Texier, Christophe Marguet “Another Country ...
Continue ReadingMeshell Ndegeocello, Shaun Martin, Patricia Brennan and Kiki Valera
by Hobart Taylor
Music from Meshell Ndegeocello from No More Water: The Gospel of James Baldwin, remembering pianist Shaun Martin, Patricia Brennan's new release Breaking Stretch and the latest from guitarist Kiki Valera.Playlist Kiki Valera “Funfuñando" from Vacilon Santiaguero (Circle 9 Records) 0:00 Jane Bunnett & Maqueque “Bolero a un Sueño" from Playing With Fire (Linus) 5:32 Dafnis Prieto “Conga Ingenua" from 3 Sides of the Coin (Dafnison) 10:54 Host Speaks 19:18 Catherine Russell and Sean Mason “South To A Warmer" ...
Continue ReadingMeshell Ndegeocello: Gatsby
by Scott Lichtman
For 2024, the Grammys introduced a new category for Best Alternative Jazz Album, i.e. a genre-blending, envelope-pushing hybrid that mixes jazz with other styles. The first winner is Meshell Ndegeocello for The Omnichord Real Book. While Ndegeocello's pieces span jazz, hip hop, African, folk, and electronica influences, she's also capable of writing beautiful ballads. Have a listen to “Gatsby." Is it a fresh perspective on the classic novel The Great Gatsby or perhaps a reflection about her life... or yours? ...
Continue ReadingA Hip-Hop Jazz Thing @50 - Part 2
by Ludovico Granvassu
This week we take a look back at decades of cross pollination between jazz and hip-hop, with a focus on international projects and on collaborations between jazz and hip-hop artists. Our little contribution to the celebrations of half a century of hip-hop. Happy listening! Playlist Ben Allison “Mondo Jazz Theme (feat. Ted Nash & Pyeng Threadgill)" 0:00 Dream Warriors “My Definition of a Boombastic Jazz Style" And Now the Legacy Begins (Island Records, 4th & Broadway) ...
Continue ReadingSam Gendel: Cookup
by Scott Gudell
Saxophonist Sam Gendel has sent out an invitation to an unusual sonic Cookup. So what is he serving? Who will be there? Will beat poets merge with experimental musicians in a smoky jazz grotto? Will it be a cryptic musical labyrinth or a collection of meandering songs? Is it a transcription of ancient African organic rhythms or something more modern? The answer is elusive and, by design, a moving target. There are bits and pieces of all the ...
Continue ReadingPat Metheny: From This Place
by Chris M. Slawecki
When a musician of Pat Metheny's pedigree writes, “From This Place is one of the records I have been waiting to make my whole life," it seems prudent to listen. Each of these ten new compositions seems to reflect a different aspect of Metheny as composer and guitarist, casting his bright and articulate voice in various configurations of his core band (Welsh pianist Gwilym Simcock, Malaysian/Australian bassist Linda May Han Oh, and drummer Antonio Sanchez, whose tenure with ...
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