Jazz Articles about Michael Musillami

Michael Musillami: Archives

by AAJ Staff
March 1, 2001

A decade after recording his first record of original compositions, guitarist Michael Musillami's early work finally sees the light of day. The tunes on Archives obey a more rigid and static rhythmic order than the material that followed. The rhythm section, while coloring the foundations with a constant effusion of personality, mostly proceeds in lock-step.

Against this backdrop, the work of primary soloists Musillami and the late Thomas Chapin acquires a contrasting glow. Chapin's unique sense of twist and flow ...

Michael Musillami: Groove Teacher

by AAJ Staff
March 1, 2001

The third record in guitarist Michael Musillami's trilogy of early '90s recordings offers more of his original compositions, and more intuitive interplay by his tight-knit musical community. Much of the energy on this septet record sparks from Musillami's axe, yet the other players mostly avoid any kind of fixed roles. In general, the compositions tend toward upbeat, swinging numbers with nods to funk and Latin rhythms, as well as the usual straight-ahead stuff. Musillami and pianist Kent Hewitt respect the ...

Mario Pavone/Michael Musillami: Motion Poetry

by AAJ Staff
February 1, 2001

While credited to bassist Mario Pavone and guitarist Musillami, Motion Poetry is truly a group effort. Their quartet (with pianist Peter Madsen and drummer Michael Sarin) enjoys a remarkable level of cohesion and energy. The demanding compositions on Motion Poetry (by Pavone and Musillami, as well as Thomas Chapin and Marty Ehrlich) require rock-solid on-the-spot tightness. The mostly upbeat character of these tunes emphasizes punch and groove. Motion Poetry, as the title suggests, emphasizes the development of melodic ...

Mario Pavone/Michael Musillami: Motion Poetry

by AAJ Staff
February 1, 2001

While credited to bassist Mario Pavone and guitarist Musillami, Motion Poetry is truly a group effort. Their quartet (with pianist Peter Madsen and drummer Michael Sarin) enjoys a remarkable level of cohesion and energy. The demanding compositions on Motion Poetry (by Pavone and Musillami, as well as Thomas Chapin and Marty Ehrlich) require rock-solid on-the-spot tightness.The mostly upbeat character of these tunes emphasizes punch and groove. Motion Poetry, as the title suggests, emphasizes the development of melodic ideas ...

Michael Musillami: Mar's Bars

by AAJ Staff
February 1, 2001

In the wake of fusion, jazz guitar has often suffered from the “star effect." A few anointed players receive the bulk of the public's attention, while other stylists with insight and ability remain overshadowed. Pat Metheny, John Scofield, and Charlie Hunter may garner the bulk of the media's attention, but straight-ahead player Michael Musillami has been busy working in the trenches. And it's paid off. Clean-toned virtuoso playing, compositional fluidity, and a coherent ensemble sound mark his 1992 disc Mar's ...

Michael Musillami: Archives/Mar's Bars/Groove Teacher

by Mark Corroto
February 1, 2001

Guitarist Michael Musillami recorded three sessions with Thomas Chapin between 1990 and 1994. Chapin was an extraordinary human being and musician who died of leukemia in 1998 at age 40. His high level of energy and imagination permeates throughout these recordings and it is a blessing they have been released on Playscape Recordings. Chapin studied jazz at Rutgers before becoming the musical director for Lionel Hampton’s big band for five years. His solo career coincided with the opening of New ...