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SFJAZZ Collective: Live in New York Season 8 - Music of Stevie Wonder
by John Kelman
SFJAZZ Collective Live in New York Season 8: Music of Stevie Wonder SFJAZZ 2011 One old adage says, If it ain't broke, don't fix it." But another says, Change is good." For the first time in its eight touring seasons, the SFJAZZ Collective has found a way to manage both. This is the first time that the lineup has remained constant from one year to the next, with the 2011 incarnation identical to ...
Continue ReadingSFJAZZ Collective: Live 2010: 7th Annual Concert Tour
by John Kelman
Despite a format that's become, by definition, formulaic, the SFJAZZ Collective has managed to defy weary predictability, releasing a new collection, each and every year, which pays a most modern tribute to another of jazz's most iconic figures. Every year since 2004, the Collective's members each select music from the chosen artist's discography, creating arrangements with both respect and a healthy dose of irreverence, in addition to contributing a new piece of original music intended to somehow fit within the ...
Continue ReadingSFJAZZ Collective at Nighttown
by Matt Marshall
SFJAZZ CollectiveNighttownCleveland Heights, OhioOctober 16, 2010 Since 2004, the SFJAZZ Collective, an octet of world-class musicians in the prime of their careers (no legends" meat wagon, this), has toured the world, spreading the jazz gospel. Two members remain from the initial group--vibes player Stefon Harris and alto saxophonist Miguel Zenón. And, while certainly a vehicle to promote its parent organization, SFJAZZ, the nonprofit jazz institution that, among other things, presents the annual ...
Continue ReadingSFJAZZ Collective: Live 2009
by John Ferrell
From its formation in 2004, SFJAZZ Collective has demonstrated a unique ability to showcase individual talent while simultaneously maintaining a unified ensemble sound. Live 2009 is a magnificent representation of this delicate balance. The Collective's 2009 tour featured compositions by pianist McCoy Tyner arranged by members of the collective, and one original composition by each player.
The arrangements portray the diverse styles and musical backgrounds of the Collective's members, while keeping the spirit of the original recordings. Pianist Renee Rosnes' ...
Continue ReadingSFJAZZ Colective: Live 2008: 5th Annual Concert Tour
by Joel Roberts
Each year since 2004, the SFJAZZ Collective has brought together eight of the top names in jazz (including, in its latest lineup, Joe Lovano, Dave Douglas, Stefon Harris and Miguel Zenon) to focus on the work of a single modern jazz giant. Ornette Coleman, John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk and Herbie Hancock were featured in past years and in 2008 the spotlight was on the music of Wayne Shorter--an inspired, if obvious, choice, given Shorter's profound influence on today's jazz scene ...
Continue ReadingSFJAZZ Collective: Ottawa, Canada March 1, 2009
by John Kelman
SFJAZZ CollectiveDominion-Chalmers United Church Ottawa, Canada March 1, 2009
It was a stellar weekend for jazz in Ottawa, Canada. First, on Saturday, February 26 fans were treated to an intimate but outstanding evening of music by local bassist John Geggie and his guests, guitarist Vic Juris and drummer John Fraboni. Then, the following evening, the SFJAZZ Collective made its first appearance in town (sponsored by the TD Canada Trust Ottawa International Jazz Festival), ...
Continue ReadingSFJazz Collective: Live 2008: 5th Annual Concert Tour
by J Hunter
SFJazz Collective is not unfamiliar with personnel turnover. Since the octet's debut in 2004, there has been at least one lineup change every year. This season, though, saw three new arrivals--the most notable being Joe Lovano, who succeeds Joshua Redman as Artistic Director. When you factor in Dave Douglas' addition in 2007, that means half the band (and most of the front line) was switched out in just over a year. As such, Live 2008 could be forgiven ...
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