Jazz Articles about Sam Rivers

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Larry Young: Into Somethin'

by Greg Simmons
January 5, 2013

Organist Larry Young's Into Somethin' is full of relaxed grooves, great melodies and strong performances from tenor saxophonist Sam Rivers and 1960s stalwarts Elvin Jones (drums) and Grant Green (guitar). Originally released in 1964, this record has been remastered and released on 45 RPM vinyl by Ron Rambach at Music Matters. Soul Jazz? Groove Jazz? Whatever. It's good jazz and that's what matters. On the opening “Tyrone," Young plays deep blues at a straightforward, un-showy pace that gets ...

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Sam Rivers / Dave Holland / Barry Altschul: Reunion: Live In New York

by Mark Corroto
September 25, 2012

There will be no more opportunities to experience saxophonist Sam Rivers, who passed away in 2011, at 89. Then again, you probably hadn't caught him live in decades, since he chose to live in Florida from the early 1990s, although he did release several large ensemble sessions. His 1960s Blue Note Records and 70s Impulse! dates continue to be treasured classics. What ardent fans and collectors look for these days are his trio LPs with bassist Dave Holland and drummer ...

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Sam Rivers: Fuchsia Swing Song

by Greg Simmons
November 9, 2011

The Music Matters reissue of saxophonist Sam Rivers' Fuchsia Swing Song is likely the finest pressing of this record ever produced. Remastered from the original two- track tapes, and pressed on two 180 gram 45 rpm LPs, this vinyl is dead quiet, and sonically stunning. The instruments are huge in the soundstage and the clarity blows any CD version--and likely most prior vinyl versions--out of the water. Add to that a gorgeous gatefold cover with additional session photos and thick ...

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Sam Rivers - Ben Street - Kresten Osgood: Violet Violets

by AAJ Italy Staff
April 4, 2006

All'età di 82 anni (alla data d'incisione di questo disco) Sam Rivers torna in sala d'incisione - su invito dell'emergente batterista danese Kresten Osgood - dimostrando di vivere una splendida seconda giovinezza. Dopo aver trascorso gli anni ottanta in mediocre oscurità (nonostante un periodo come sideman di Dizzy Gillespie) da un decennio il grande sassofonista che animò la stagione del Loft Jazz, è tornato a registrare album di notevole spessore: ricordiamo un intenso duo con Alexander von Schlippenbach nel 1997 ...

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Sam Rivers/Ben Street/Kresten Osgood: Violet Violets

by Annika Westman
November 16, 2005

Since this group's first CD was called Purple Violets, what would be more appropriately redundant than naming the sequel Violet Violets? The legendary Sam Rivers did it again--actually both CD's are a result of the same great session, and this is another one without a dull moment. The lineup is the same, except vibraphonist Bryan Carrott is not featured on these tracks.

The young and very talented Danish drummer Kresten Osgood suggested this project to the Danish Stunt jazz label. ...

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Sam Rivers/Ben Street/Kresten Osgood/Bryan Carrott: Purple Violets

by Rex Butters
August 9, 2005

Sam Rivers has the energy of an old Taoist master. On his infrequent trips to Los Angeles, he's relaxed after gigs by mixing it up with local musicians all night long. One such after hours session resulted in Vista, with Adam Rudolph and Harris Eisenstadt. A night in Denmark resulted in Purple Violets, a collection of duets, trios, and quartets featuring Ben Street on bass, Kresten Osgood on drums, and occasionally Bryan Carrott on vibes. Rivers runs in good company--his ...

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Sam Rivers: Contours

by Germein Linares
March 3, 2005

After his Blue Note debut on Fuchsia Swing Song, saxophonist Sam Rivers drifted further “out" on Contours. Reissued as a limited edition connoisseur series CD, this '65 Blue Note outing sparkles anew with 24-bit remastered sound. Playing with trumpeter Freddie Hubbard, pianist Herbie Hancock, bassist Ron Carter, and drummer Joe Chambers, Rivers performs four of his more accessible and vigorous compositions. “Point of Many Returns," with its slackened hard bop structure, starts the album with Rivers, Hubbard, and Hancock reinforcing ...