Jazz Articles about Russell Malone

About Russell Malone

Album Review

Amber Weekes: A Lady With a Song

Read "A Lady With a Song" reviewed by Katchie Cartwright

by Katchie Cartwright
March 20, 2025

Irving Berlin wrote “Suppertime" (aka “Supper Time") for As Thousands Cheer (1933), a topical revue with several stars and many musical numbers. Ethel Waters introduced it, making history as the first African American woman to star on Broadway. Berlin wrote it specifically for Waters, who also sang his lighthearted “Heat Wave" in the show. “Suppertime" has a more serious story, told in the voice of a woman who--while making dinner--must find a way to tell her children that ...

Interview

Russell Malone: Guitar Master

by R.J. DeLuke
August 27, 2024

This article was first published on All About Jazz on February 29, 2016. “People make too big of a deal about being self taught. Because nobody is completely self taught," ruminates Russell Malone, one of the best loved jazz guitarists by both fans and critics. His sound is full and rich; his fingers fleet,the ideas springing from his head to his hands with speed and dexterity. But the origins of his style and the status he's achieved do ...

Play This!

Remembering Russell Malone: Black Butterfly

by Ian Patterson
August 27, 2024

Russell Malone (November 8, 1963-August 23, 2024) was a tasteful guitarist of the Wes Montgomery school who made his start in the band of organist Jimmy Smith in 1988. Born in Albany, Georgia, Malone was influenced by the gospel, country and blues that surrounded him. Best known for his 25-year association with Diana Krall, Malone also collaborated with Ray Brown, Gerald Wilson, Ron Carter, Benny Green, Sonny Rollins and a whole host of jazz glitterati. His versatility saw him courted ...

Album Review

Amber Weekes: A Lady With a Song

Read "A Lady With a Song" reviewed by Richard J Salvucci

by Richard J Salvucci
August 27, 2024

It is difficult to know exactly what to do with a recording like this. Amber Weekes is a very good singer, and from the outset, she calls this a “celebration" of Nancy Wilson, not an imitation or a recreation. You can hear Wilson's influence throughout: her articulation, occasional staccato delivery, deep sincerity and emotional heft come through in Weekes' recording. And a good recording it is, make no mistake. Anyone who enjoyed Wilson, or any good female vocalist, will enjoy ...

Album Review

Claudia Acuna: Duo

by Angelo Leonardi
March 12, 2024

Alcuni classici della canzone popolare latina costituiscono il nucleo del sesto disco da leader di Claudia Acuña. In questa celebrazione la cantante cilena ha coinvolto sette protagonisti del jazz contemporaneo in altrettante esecuzioni in duo caratterizzate da palpitante relazione con la loro identità tradizionale. I due brani conclusivi sono cantati in inglese e la vedono piena protagonista: “Cristal Silence" di Chick Corea è cantato a cappella; “YO" è una sua composizione originale eseguita con un sottofondo percussivo. ...

Album Review

Rickie Lee Jones: Pieces of Treasure

Read "Pieces of Treasure" reviewed by Angelo Leonardi

by Angelo Leonardi
May 1, 2023

È stata una relazione lunga e tormentata quella tra Rickie Lee Jones e il songbook jazzistico. Una relazione iniziata con le sue prime esibizioni pubbliche, oltre quarant'anni fa, che va avanti alimentata dall'amore, nonostante tutto. Diciamo questo perché la risposta di pubblico e critica è stata fredda e talvolta feroce. Jazz standards costellano molti suoi album e ne troviamo in particolare in Girl at Her Volcano del 1983 e in Pop Pop del 1991 ma solo oggi ...

Album Review

Houston Person: Reminiscing at Rudy's

Read "Reminiscing at Rudy's" reviewed by Jack Bowers

by Jack Bowers
November 29, 2022

The “Rudy's" in the title of tenor saxophonist Houston Person's album, Reminiscing at Rudy's, is not a nightclub or other such venue but the New Jersey studio of celebrated recording engineer Rudy Van Gelder who died in 2016. As befits reminiscing, the bulk of the album's numbers are tender ballads, every one of which lands squarely in Person's amorous wheelhouse. That is not to say the veteran tenor saxophone maestro—who has recorded almost seventy albums as leader ...