Jazz Articles about Michael Dease

About Michael Dease

Radio & Podcasts

A Selection Of Exciting New Releases

by Bob Osborne
August 18, 2022

On this show all new releases from Michael Dease, Plantas Horribles, the trio of Steve Cardenas, Ben Allison and Ted Nash, the quintet of Jessica Ackerley, Patrick Shiroishi, Chris Williams, Luke Stewart & Jason Nazary, the Fade In Trio, the Gaston De La Cruz Quintet, Dave Douglas in the company of The Westerlies and Anwar Marshall, Robert Lee, Ten Meter Band, and finally, an exceptional new album from the Carole Nelson Trio.Playlist Show Intro 00:00 Michael Dease “Rainbow ...

Album Review

Michael Dease: Best Next Thing

Read "Best Next Thing" reviewed by Kyle Simpler

by Kyle Simpler
August 6, 2022

Like many other talented musicians, Michael Dease always looks for ways to take his music to the next level. He is continually exploring and looking ahead rather than simply resting on his laurels. Because of this passion and determination, he has earned a reputation as a top session player and as a band leader in his own right. Best Next Thing is Dease's ninth album for Posi-Tone Records, and it is an impressive addition to his discography. With ...

Album Review

Farnell Newton: Feel The Love

Read "Feel The Love" reviewed by David A. Orthmann

by David A. Orthmann
December 18, 2021

Posi-Tone Records produces coherent projects and maintains high standards in part by keeping things in-house; that is, frequently drawing on a substantial roster of affiliated artists to serve on a particular leader's record. A case in point is Feel The Love, Farnell Newton's third release for the label. While Newton's measured, concise, full-toned trumpet stylings and five, melodically rich compositions are a large part of the record's appeal, there are other factors that stand out. By turns ...

Album Review

Farnell Newton: Feel The Love

Read "Feel The Love" reviewed by Kyle Simpler

by Kyle Simpler
November 1, 2021

When cellist Pablo Casals was 93 years old, someone asked him why he still spent hours a day practising. Casals humorously replied that it was because he was beginning to notice some improvement. Like Casals, many other musicians spend hours practising and, in most cases, this dedication comes purely from a true love of music. Trumpet player Farnell Newton is no exception and, with Feel The Love, his passion for music is evident throughout. During the first two ...

Album Review

Tim Mayer: Keeper of the Flame

Read "Keeper of the Flame" reviewed by Jack Bowers

by Jack Bowers
June 12, 2021

On Keeper of the Flame, Tim Mayer, a Bostonian who now calls Mexico home, leads a sharp, swinging group of like-minded amigos on a (mostly) octet studio date enriched by Diego Rivera's colorful arrangements. Mayer plays tenor sax on half a dozen tracks, soprano sax on “Bye Bye Blackbird" and “Get Organized," alto flute on “Elusive." Mayer's tenor spans a bridge from early John Coltrane to George Coleman, Joe Henderson, Bob Mintzer and other post-bop patriarchs with a dash of ...

Album Review

Ulysses Owens Jr. Big Band: Soul Conversations

Read "Soul Conversations" reviewed by Jack Bowers

by Jack Bowers
May 9, 2021

Drummer Ulysses Owens Jr.'s Big Band comes out swinging on its debut recording, Soul Conversations, thundering through Michael Dease's incendiary arrangement of the Dizzy Gillespie/John Lewis flame-thrower, “Two Bass Hit." For more such heat, however, the listener must move forward to Track 5, John Coltrane's impulsive “Giant Steps," thence to Track 9 for Charles Turner III's earnest homage to “Harlem Harlem Harlem," on which he doubles as vocalist. That's not to say that everything in between is ...

Album Review

Rodney Whitaker: Outrospection: The Music of Gregg Hill

Read "Outrospection: The Music of Gregg Hill" reviewed by Paul Rauch

by Paul Rauch
May 8, 2021

Bassist Rodney Whitaker grew out of the Detroit jazz tradition, paying dues along the way on the road with the likes of Terence Blanchard, Roy Hargrove, Wynton Marsalis and Kenny Garrett. His hard-driving style personifies modern post-bop jazz, with his dedication to tradition acting as a catalyst rather than a deterrent from innovation. On Outrospection, Whitaker continues his work with under-the-radar, Michigan composer Gregg Hill. The two first collaborated on Whitaker's Common Ground: The Music of Gregg Hill ...