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Umberto Petrin / Pheeroan akLaaf Duo: Clusone, Italy, July 21, 2012
by Garrison Fewell
Umberto Petrin / Pheeroan akLaff DuoClusone Jazz FestivalMons TheaterClusone, ItalyJuly 21, 2012A premier performance by the piano-drum duo of Umberto Petrin and Pheeroan akLaff opened the first set on Saturday night at the 32nd annual Clusone Jazz Festival near Bergamo, Italy. Their music provided much more than the stereotypical first meeting of two musicians from different countries. The two demonstrated a high level of creative spontaneity, a genuine ability to listen and respond ...
Continue Reading...Matt Steckler: Persiflage
by Donald Elfman
The dictionary defines persiflage as light bantering talk or a frivolous style of treating a subject. Saxophonist/flutist Matt Steckler's compositional style can seem slangy and almost casual, but repeated listens reveal a depth of color, a true sense of shape, and a brilliant mix of the improvisational and the written.For Persiflage Steckler has found players who know how to stretch the tradition as well as go beyond it. Jazz Passengers trombonist Curtis Fowlkes heads the front line with ...
Continue Reading...Matt Steckler: Persiflage
by AAJ Staff
Matt Steckler is a young saxophonist, flautist, and composer with an edgy saxophone style. Judging from this recording, he's got some provocative ideas. However, he still seems to be developing his craft and his approach. Not to imply that Steckler lacks something technically--rather, to this reviewer he seems unformed, as if he's not certain of his direction, other than the fact that he wants to play jazz.
Steckler gets around the horn reasonably well, yet I find his alto sax ...
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