Jazz Articles about Nick Lombardelli

About Nick Lombardelli

Album Review

Saxophonist Chris Oatts is a graduate of the jazz program at Temple University's Boyer College of Music and Dance and the nephew of revered saxophonist—and faculty member of Temple University—Dick Oatts. This reviewer heard Chris Oatts at Chris' Jazz Café (similarity in the names purely coincidental) in September, 2021, with his quintet featuring one of his teachers and mentors, Terell Stafford, on trumpet. In that set, Oatts stayed within the bebop/hard bop traditions and showed exceptional sophistication, inventiveness, and resilience ...

Album Review

Michael Hudson-Casanova: Echoes of Thought

Read "Echoes of Thought" reviewed by Richard J Salvucci

by Richard J Salvucci
November 4, 2021

Art Blakey would always open with a theme. Over the years, the theme changed, just as did Bu and his musicians. But the context was always the same. “Pay attention, y'all. This is Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers." If a listener is old enough to remember that moment, and willing to make due allowance for a Philly band “in the tradition," well, there you are. “Spin the Context" starts us. “The Old Days, Whenever They Were," is right on ...

Album Review

Nick Lombardelli: Secret Suite

Read "Secret Suite" reviewed by David A. Orthmann

by David A. Orthmann
April 11, 2021

Nick Lombardelli's debut recording as a leader heralds the arrival of a prodigious composer, arranger and instrumentalist. Secret Suite is a five-part work that deftly fuses composed material and the improvisations of nearly everyone in an eight-piece band, including drummer Matt Scarano who initiates “Solid Ground" and caps off “A New View," the suite's final movement. Utilizing jazz and classical techniques, Lombardelli writes vivid melodies that evoke a variety of moods, often stretches his compositions beyond easily ...

Album Review

Nick Lombardelli: Secret Suite

Read "Secret Suite" reviewed by Kyle Simpler

by Kyle Simpler
March 28, 2021

It's easy to see the influence of blues and popular music in jazz. After all, many jazz standards were originally popular songs, and blues is where jazz music originated. Classical music, though, has also featured prominently in jazz, but it doesn't always get the same level of recognition. However, some of the greatest jazz musicians and composers, such as Duke Ellington, Bill Evans, and Dave Brubeck have all been influenced by classical music. In keeping with this tradition, Nick Lombardelli's ...

Album Review

Elliot Bild & the Zone: ISMS

Read "ISMS" reviewed by Nicholas F. Mondello

by Nicholas F. Mondello
March 27, 2021

A textural and improvisational tour de force from Elliot Bild and the Zone, ISMS, recorded live, consists of ten selections—nine of which are Bild originals—and offers up an evening of intelligent and enlightening jazz. “Army of Aliens (Your Thoughts)" opens the set and is a classic hard-bop burner with Bild and saxophonist Hudson-Casanova lifting off the launch pad. “Lines and Dots" is a tasty bossa with an angular melodic head reminiscent of Oliver Nelson's symmetrical melodic patterns.