Jazz Articles about Santiago Leibson

About Santiago Leibson

Album Review

Michael Sarian: Live at Cliff Bell's

Read "Live at Cliff Bell's" reviewed by Richard J Salvucci

by Richard J Salvucci
September 28, 2024

This is music for the adventurous, especially those with the ears to deal with unusual harmonies. Michael Sarian is a now-Canadian trumpet player in the mold of Enrico Rava. His gift is his sound: dark, burnished, probing, even tentative at times. He is fond of half-valve expeditions into the upper register, which, if executed properly, can smear a tone between a squeal and a shriek. It is more than appropriate for the sort of music he plays, insinuating and beguiling, ...

Album Review

Michael Sarian: Live at Cliff Bell's

Read "Live at Cliff Bell's" reviewed by Dan Bilawsky

by Dan Bilawsky
September 24, 2024

On March 30, 2023, Michael Sarian rolled into Detroit landmark Cliff Bell's with horn in hand. In the midst of a spring tour, that particular venue and evening provided an opportunity for the trumpeter and his bandmates--pianist Santiago Leibson, bassist Marty Kenney and drummer Nathan Ellman-Bell--to do what they do best. Working through new material and strong selections from previous studio albums, this outfit delivered the goods with coiled intensity, some sturm-und-drang sophistication, open ears, sensitivity and melodic mindset. And ...

Album Review

Matt Pavolka: Disciplinary Architecture

Read "Disciplinary Architecture" reviewed by Glenn Astarita

by Glenn Astarita
August 6, 2024

Matt Pavolka, a seasoned bassist and composer, has carved a distinct niche in the New York jazz scene for over two decades. Initially focused on trombone (studying under the legendary David Baker), Pavolka's path took a sharp turn at Berklee College of Music. There, he switched to bass and blossomed as a composer, earning accolades for both performance and composition. His latest offering, Disciplinary Architecture, is a record brimming with ambition and a unique sonic atmosphere. The album ...

Album Review

Nicolas Politzer: Visiones

Read "Visiones" reviewed by Mike Jurkovic

by Mike Jurkovic
November 8, 2023

At first encounter, as the Cecil Taylor infused “Fandango" kick-starts Argentinian drummer Nicolas Politzer's highly recommended Visiones, a keen perception of falling, or at least cliff-side vertigo, accompanies the rancorous performance. But do not let go. Hang on. There is resolution. Politzer's angular musicality makes for some fiery and spirited discussions with well-travelled bassist Michael Formanek, (Mary Halvorson, Tomas Fujiwara, Fred Hersch) and equally far-afield pianist Santiago Leibson, (Francisco Mela, Gerald Cleaver, Camila Nebbia), which can (and do) ...

Album Review

Gauci Leibson Parker Sorey: Live at Scholes Street Studio

Read "Live at Scholes Street Studio" reviewed by John Sharpe

by John Sharpe
May 5, 2023

Tenor saxophonist Stephen Gauci certainly knows how to pick a band. On another of his regular bulletins which go under the title Live At Scholes Street Studio, he has assembled a line-up to die for, notable for the appearance of Tyshawn Sorey on drums and William Parker on bass. Although Argentinian pianist Santiago Leibson may be less feted, he is a trusted collaborator who combined effectively with Gauci on Pandemic Duets (Gaucimusic, 2021), and he plays a full role on ...

Album Review

Nicolas Politzer: Sera Niebla

Read "Sera Niebla" reviewed by Mike Jurkovic

by Mike Jurkovic
September 29, 2022

A digital release only from Ears&Eyes Records, Argentinan drummer/composer Nicolas Politzer's blurry, obstinate, and steady handed debut, Sera Niebla (translated to there will be fog), catches the ear first with its nebula of inherent mystery then holds your attention fast with the music's dusky twists and turns. Under Santiago Leibson's leadership, the trio has released three, self produced albums since 2010, Amon (2014), Pendular (2015), and Vivo en el FNA (2010). So it is fair to say that ...

Album Review

Shawn Lovato: Microcosms

Read "Microcosms" reviewed by Troy Dostert

by Troy Dostert
September 9, 2022

Bassist Shawn Lovato's debut album, Cycles of Animation (Skirl, 2017), possessed a conceptual sophistication that went far beyond an imaginative slice of creative jazz. The same is evident on Microcosms, an album that involves giving his terrific ensemble the chance to develop minute gestures into larger, more determinate shapes. The constant ebb and flow that results is compelling, with a sense of order that periodically takes hold amidst the individual members' freedom to find their own pathways to a common ...