Jazz Articles about Miguel Zenon

About Miguel Zenon

Album Review

Raphaël Pannier Quartet: Faune

by Jerome Wilson
January 24, 2021

On his first recording as a leader, drummer Raphaël Pannier shows himself to be a musician who has one foot in the classical world and one foot in jazz. He leads his group in a set of original and classic compositions from both genres, maintaining a sense of formal grace and improvisational energy throughout. Pannier's quartet performs two familiar jazz tunes. A version of Ornette Coleman's “Lonely Woman" flows with somber intensity; Miguel Zenon's alto flies and Ben ...

Album Review

Miguel Zenon, Luis Perdomo: El Arte Del Bolero

Read "El Arte Del Bolero" reviewed by Angelo Leonardi

by Angelo Leonardi
January 11, 2021

Dopo l'avvincente Sonero dedicato al songbook di Ismael Rivera--il grande cantante portoricano noto come El Sonero Mayor e amato in tutta l'America latina--il sassofonista Miguel Zenon sceglie una dimensione più intima, continuando però a scavare nelle memorie dell'infanzia. Il progetto è infatti dedicato a celebri bolero della tradizione, resi famosi da Benny Moré,Ray Barretto, Arsenio Rodriguez, Cheo Feliciano e dalla seducente cantante cubana Victoria Yolí Raymond, meglio nota come “La Lupe." «Queste non sono canzoni qualsiasi—ha commentato ...

Album Review

Raphaël Pannier Quartet: Faune

by Dan Bilawsky
November 3, 2020

The debut from drummer Raphaël Pannier has no difficulty laying out references to modern modes of impressionism and the nature of wildlife implied in its title. Its opener --a ten-minute take on Ornette Coleman's “Lonely Woman" that offers slinky melody, sophisticated coloring, intense upheaval, a bass soliloquy and a return to the shadowy theme--is but the first of many indications that Pannier can paint open compositions in altered light while also awakening and taming tension. It's an artful display of ...

Album Review

Edward Simon: 25 Years

Read "25 Years" reviewed by Dan McClenaghan

by Dan McClenaghan
September 29, 2020

Pianist Edward Simon immigrated to the United States from his native Venezuela while still in his teens. He stayed, and carved out a successful career in music. His fiftieth birthday rolled around, and the artist decided it was time to take a look and listen back. In a musical journey that spans the titular 25 Years, Simon has crafted a lot of music, employing a Latin/jazz/classical approach with a seemingly effortless refinement, making sounds that are unfailingly engaging and beautiful. ...

Album Review

César Cardoso: Dice of Tenors

Read "Dice of Tenors" reviewed by Angelo Leonardi

by Angelo Leonardi
September 17, 2020

Cresciuto nella sempre più vivace scena jazzistica portoghese, César Cardoso giunge al quarto disco da leader in dieci anni, il primo in cui guida un organico internazionale con gli statunitensi Miguel Zenon al sax contralto (già ospite nel precedente Interchange di quattro anni fa), il trombettista Jason Palmer, il vibrafonista Jeffery Davis, il trombonista italiano Massimo Morganti, il bassista argentino Demian Cabaud e i connazionali Oscar Graça al pianoforte e Marcos Cavaleiro alla batteria. In questo progetto ...

Album Review

Cesar Cardoso: Dice of Tenors

Read "Dice of Tenors" reviewed by Jack Bowers

by Jack Bowers
May 3, 2020

Dice of Tenors is Portuguese-bred tenor saxophonist Cesar Cardoso's ardent salute to a half-dozen of the world's foremost tenor saxophone masters: Sonny Rollins, Dexter Gordon, John Coltrane, Hank Mobley, Joe Henderson and Benny Golson. To carry out that purpose, Cardoso has convened an admirable octet on which he shares the front line with trumpeter Jason Palmer, alto Miguel Zenon, trombonist Massimo Morganti and vibraphonist Jeffery Davis. The group's hard-working rhythm section consists of pianist Oscar Graca, bassist Demian Cabaud and ...

Album Review

César Cardoso: Dice of Tenors

Read "Dice of Tenors" reviewed by Friedrich Kunzmann

by Friedrich Kunzmann
April 26, 2020

Judging solely by the credits and scope of the Portuguese saxophonist César Cardoso's newest undertaking, one could expect a pretty conservative affair. The title of the album sums it up quite adequately. From Benny Golson to Sonny Rollins to Joe Henderson, Cardoso cuts through the oeuvre of some of the most distinguished masters of the tenor saxophone and presents their works in a new light. Of course John Coltrane's “Giant Steps" can't be left out of this equation. Sound familiar? ...