Jazz Articles about Spike Wilner

About Spike Wilner

Album Review

Spike Wilner Trio: Plays Monk & Ellington

Read "Plays Monk & Ellington" reviewed by Pierre Giroux

by Pierre Giroux
December 5, 2022

There have probably not been two more disparate individuals in jazz than the pianists Duke Ellington and Thelonious Monk. Ellington was a florid individual in all aspects of his life, with his speaking style, his sartorial choices, and his compositions which were informed by ever-growing inspirational sources. In contrast, Monk was introverted and generally uncommunicative; his compositional style was linear and succinct, and he was generally more comfortable playing his own material. Pianist Spike Wilner, who had great admiration for ...

Album Review

Spike Wilner Trio: Plays Monk & Ellington

Read "Plays Monk & Ellington" reviewed by Jack Bowers

by Jack Bowers
December 3, 2022

Not to mince words, this is a splendid album by New York-based pianist Spike Wilner and his trio, recorded in January 2022 at GP's Juke Joint, which must double as a recording studio, as there is no audience. No matter the venue, it is difficult to wander too far astray when playing the music of Thelonious Monk and Duke Ellington, even though the album could have been called Plays Monk & Ellington & Strayhorn as the last two numbers, “U.M.M.G." ...

Album Review

The Spike Wilner Trio: Aliens & Wizards

Read "Aliens & Wizards" reviewed by Jack Bowers

by Jack Bowers
May 5, 2021

Spike Wilner, generally noted in his native New York City as an excellent jazz pianist, is even more widely known as proprietor of two of the city's leading jazz clubs, Smalls and Mezzrow. Though hard hit by the Covid-19 pandemic, Wilner has soldiered on, presenting live music whenever possible and forming the SmallsLIVE Foundation, a non-profit arts group dedicated to creating and propagating jazz in New York through recordings, live streaming, archiving, educational initiatives and live performances. Wilner's foundation teamed ...

Album Review

The Spike Wilner Trio: Aliens & Wizards

Read "Aliens & Wizards" reviewed by Pierre Giroux

by Pierre Giroux
May 1, 2021

In this initial collaboration between The Cellar Music Group and The Smalls LIVE Foundation, it is no small wonder that driving forces behind this effort are the founders, Executive Producers, and close friends Cory Weeds and Spike Wilner. Respected musicians in their own right, Weeds and Wilner have a common appreciation and concept about jazz music. Accordingly, having pianist Wilner lead his own trio that includes bassist Tyler Mitchell and drummer Anthony Pinciotti on this release ...

Radio & Podcasts

Spike Wilner, Count Basie, Clark Terry and more

by Joe Dimino
October 11, 2020

The world of jazz is in survival mode. The shift from live shows to livestream is now how the art form is coping. This week we open with club owner Spike Wilner and a cut off a new Live at Smalls CD. The rest of the episode focuses on artists with new material and how they are dealing with this new world, Brian Landrus, Brian Andres, David K. Matthews and Mike Casey. Enjoy the show and keep on supporting the ...

The Jazz Life

The Little Metal Buddha

by Spike Wilner
June 26, 2018

A short piece this time. But sometimes saying what you want, like playing what you want, in as few words--or notes as possible, is really the way to go. The Jazz Life is an interesting project I'm engaged in, writing and searching for things to say that focus on what we do in order to live and perform as jazz musicians. I'm interested in hearing from anyone via All About Jazz who has a story to tell about ...

Album Review

Spike Wilner: Koan

by Mark Corroto
August 12, 2016

I have an idea that pianist Spike Wilner has read Kenny Werner's book Effortless Mastery: Liberating The Master Musician Within (1996), because Koan emulates Werner's lessons in surrendering one's self to music. Werner's teachings on enlightenment flow through this trio recording, Wilner's sixth as a leader. As a disciple of Harlem stride and ragtime, Wilner, like so many modern pianists from Thelonious Monk to McCoy Tyner, has the ability to open his own book at any page in ...