Jazz Articles about Nicholas Payton

About Nicholas Payton

Album Review

Clifford Lamb: Blues & Hues New Orleans

Read "Blues & Hues New Orleans" reviewed by Kyle Simpler

by Kyle Simpler
July 24, 2021

There are quite a few cities in the world that have an important musical legacy, and in many cases, the city's musical history might be one of the first things people associate with it. Take New Orleans. Commonly known as the birthplace of jazz, it's hard to imagine New Orleans without conjuring up brass bands, jazz clubs and juke joints. San Francisco-based pianist Clifford Lamb explores New Orleans' musical and cultural aspects with Blues & Hues New Orleans by offering ...

Radio & Podcasts

Grrrr... Young Lions Revisited

by Patrick Burnette
July 8, 2021

It had to happen. The bastards came of jazz-age in the eighties and nineties--an era when young lions roamed the earth (and the mall record bins) and, sooner or later, attention must be paid. What to say about this last gasp of mainstream, corporate-approved jazz before the collapse of the majors? Oh, so very, very much. So much in fact that some of the ranting had to be tagged on to the ending just to avoid sinking the ship. Pop ...

Album Review

Benito Gonzalez: Sing To The World

Read "Sing To The World" reviewed by Jim Worsley

by Jim Worsley
May 7, 2021

Unbridled rhythmic fury fueled by a rich harmonic underbelly is the essence of Sing To The World. Pianist Benito Gonzalez has once again assembled a vibrant cast that flourishes on ten original creations. Inventive and energetic, the ensemble gels in the moment and establishes interplay with rich and intelligent conversation. The depth and articulation comes as no surprise, with reference to his previous works as a leader and the seven years Gonzalez spent as a member of Kenny Garrett's band. ...

Album Review

Yohan Giaume: Whisper of a Shadow

Read "Whisper of a Shadow" reviewed by Jim Worsley

by Jim Worsley
March 5, 2021

Collaborations are quite common projects in the jazz world, and in most forms of music, for that matter. Collaborations, however, are slightly more rare when a modern day composer's album is in conjunction with a composer from the nineteenth century. Such is the case with the works of Louis Moreau Gottschalk (1829-1869) melding with composer and trumpeter Yohan Giaume. Giaume has had a deep connection, both musically and intellectually, with Gottschalk for many years. Gottschalk's world travels, influences, and notable ...

Album Review

Chicago Soul Jazz Collective: It Takes a Spark to Start a Fire

Read "It Takes a Spark to Start a Fire" reviewed by John Pietaro

by John Pietaro
December 5, 2020

Solace. Listening to classic 1960s soul-jazz as an escape from today's stresses united the musicians who founded the Chicago Soul Jazz Collective. Many of us know of that comfort, the one carried by a cursory view of nostalgia. But don't look too close. Tenor saxophonist John Fournier and trumpet player Marques Carroll built a band on this foundation, exploring the canon. Their sophomore effort is an album of urban tinder and smoke signals, recorded on vintage equipment. The final product ...

Radio & Podcasts

Nicholas Payton, Carmen McRae's Centennial, Newk with Max Roach & More

by Marc Cohn
February 7, 2020

Nicholas Payton appeared a few days ago at the Manship Theatre, downtown Baton Rouge. So, we thought it would be a fine idea to feature several selections from his most recent recording, Relaxin' with Nick. This week we start our Carmen McRae centennial celebration, featuring her with Jack McDuff, Phil Upchurch and Red Holloway 'live..'. a sweet session. Then it's our continuing chronological Sonny Rollins salute featuring his work with Max Roach + 4. Along the way, 21st century music ...

Radio & Podcasts

Nicholas Payton, The Bad Plus and More

by Joe Dimino
December 29, 2019

This week we open with the great Drummer Jerome Jennings, a musician who has a keen eye on the social issues and political environment of today, and a cut off his new album Solidarity. We also visit the world of The Bad Plus with a song off their newest and highly anticipated album called Activate Infinity. We also were fortunate to hear from Philadelphia musician Lucas Brown with his album Skyviews and Italian jazz cat Roberto Tola. We profile the ...