Home » Jazz Articles » Phillip Johnston
Jazz Articles about Phillip Johnston
About Phillip Johnston
Avant-Retro or Retro-Avant? Part II
by Ludovico Granvassu
Anthony Braxton playing standards? Don Byron and Phillip Johnston playing the music of Raymond Scott? Nothing to be suprised about... as musicians have a more open mind than critics like to recognize. So here's the second part of this week's show focusing on retro-sounding jazz performed by forward-leaning musicians -a bit like the jazz equivalent of Blade Runner. For the first part of this episode Happy listening! Ben Allison “Mondo Jazz Theme (feat. Ted Nash ...
Continue ReadingLyrics
Le Nuove Avventure di Phillip Johnston
by Vic Albani
Il sessantaquattrenne signor Phillip Johnston è un avanguardista autentico da tempi non sospetti. Famoso ai più per essere stato uno dei fondatori di quella straordinaria fucina creativa che risponde al nome di Microscopic Septet dove passano o sono passati Joel Forrester, ma anche di John Zorn, Don Davis, Richard Dworkin, David Hofstra, Dave Sewelson, George Bishop, Paul Shapiro, Bobby De Meo. Altri lo ricorderanno come innovativo “scorer" di splendide colonne sonore dedicate a film muti degli inizi del Novecento nonché ...
Continue ReadingPhillip Johnston Returns with Diggin' Bones and The Adventures of Prince Achmed
by John Kelman
The consequences of change in the music industry have been predicted for some time now but, with far too many blinkered deniers, it's had to begin approaching critical mass before being recognized for what it is: the commoditization and devaluation of music that has led to increasing challenges for musicians looking to maintain any kind of reasonable living. Sure, there are the bigger names who continue to thrive, and it's easy to point to the absurd volume of music being ...
Continue ReadingPhillip Johnston: Back From Down Under
by Ken Dryden
IntroductionPhillip Johnston is best known to many jazz fans as co-founder of The Microscopic Septet, though the saxophonist and composer has led many groups of his own and co-led others, including Big Trouble, The Transparent Quartet, Fast 'N' Bulbous and The Spokes. In addition, Johnston has composed and performed numerous soundtracks for both silent and modern films. A long time New York City resident, he relocated with his family to Australia over a decade ago, though he has continued to ...
Continue ReadingAlbum Review
Snap: Boggy Creek Bop
by AAJ Italy Staff
Il noto saxofonista americano Phillip Johnston ha lasciato New York da alcuni anni e si è trasferito in Australia. Pian pianino sta ricostruendo una rete di amicizie musicali che presumibilmente finirà per assomigliare a quelle che aveva a New York. In attesa di avere quindi un Microscopic Septet australiano e magari un Fast 'n' Bulbous di Sidney ci possiamo accontentare di questo quartetto di soli saxofoni che affronta un repertorio in parte già conosciuto, in parte originale. Sono con lui ...
Continue ReadingAlbum Review
The Microscopic Septet: Friday the Thirteenth
by AAJ Italy Staff
Ormai da una ventina d'anni il repertorio standard del jazz ha acquisito la musica di Monk come fosse una cosa naturale. Non solo le prevedibili “'Round Midnight" o “Well You Needn't," rilanciate da Miles Davis negli anni '50 e diventate in qualche modo canoniche; ma soprattutto i brani più personali, irriducibili, ellittici, quelli che solo Coltrane o Lacy riuscivano a illuminare da altre angolazioni. In realtà le composizioni monkiane non si prestano granchè come canovaccio sul quale costruire assoli generici, ...
Continue ReadingPhillip Johnston: Page of Madness
by Ken Dryden
Phillip Johnston first drew critical acclaim for his work as a saxophonist and composer in the Microscopic Septet. Since the group disbanded in 1992 (though it reunited for a new recording last year and occasional concerts), he distinguished himself leading various groups of his own (often several at the same time), composing quirky jazz that was avant-garde yet accessible, including several scores for films directed by Doris Dorrie, Philip Haas and Paul Mazursky. He was commissioned by the Film Society ...
Continue ReadingAlbum Showcase
Trending
Interview
Lou Marini: A Solo Career Starting At The Age Of 80
Jazz Raconteurs
Julius Hemphill: Marty Ehrlich and Tim Berne Remember a...
In Tribute To...
John Coltrane At 100: A Global Perspective
History of Jazz
John Coltrane in Detroit: A Brief History
Live Review
Detroit Jazz Festival 2026: A Gathering in a Great Jazz City
Interview
Jasur Khalilov: From Falak to Fusion
Profile
Sequoia Snyder: Growing in the Light of the Masters
Premium
VOTE!
