Jazz Articles about Steve Cardenas

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Steve Cardenas: West of Middle

by Raul d'Gama Rose
July 2, 2010

Steve CardenasWest of MiddleSunnyside Records2010

It is time for the voice of Steve Cardenas to be heard. The guitarist, a sideman for several years and dozens of projects led by a diverse group of musicians--bassists, reedmen, brass players, drummers, vocalists--Cardenas has held his own in various sizes of ensembles. But as a leader, so far the guitarist has preferred the company of one or two musicians to accompany him on his musical ...

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Matt Marantz: Offering

by Mark F. Turner
June 14, 2010

Saxophonist Matt Marantz's Offering is a splendid debut; echoing, in part, the lyricism and verve of three of his influences--Charlie Parker, Cannonball Adderley, and Phil Woods. It's interesting to note that the young New Orleans based saxophonist is a tenorist--whose intrepid lines and phrasings are honed from practice and performance--with an alto-like tonality that is less throaty than players such as Chris Potter, and purposed with its own individuality. Proving himself to be an astute writer on ...

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Steve Cardenas: West of Middle

by Sean Patrick Fitzell
June 12, 2010

Guitarist Steve Cardenas sports an unassuming style, devoid of histrionics. He favors clean tones, solid rhythms and cagey harmonies for a subtle, supportive approach. It's a combination he's used to help shape the music of drummers Paul Motian and Joey Baron, bassists Alexis Cuadrado and Charlie Haden and vocalists Kate McGarry and Rebecca Martin, among others. On West of Middle, only his third record as a leader, Cardenas enlists drummer Rudy Royston and bassist Ben Allison, with whom he's developed ...

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Steve Cardenas: Panoramic

by AAJ Italy Staff
February 5, 2006

Steve Cardenas è da almeno una decina d'anni uno dei nomi emergenti della chitarra jazz, un musicista eclettico già protagonista di varie collaborazioni e anche leader di alcuni progetti discografici dei quali questo Panoramic rappresenta la proposta più recente. Sono con lui in questo album pubblicato dalla spagnola Fresh Sound il saxofonista Tony Malaby, il bassista Larry Granadier e il batterista Kenny Wollesen. Un quartetto di grande livello che spinge la musica verso soluzioni di grande eleganza, caratterizzate da un ...

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Steve Cardenas: Panoramic

by AAJ Staff
May 18, 2004

An observation we might make about jazz albums today, as opposed to the days of vinyl, is that there are a lot more first-rate musicians recording today, for a welter of small, independent CD labels. This means that there is a lot more available, high-quality jazz product today, if the astute listener knows where to look. Which brings us to Panoramic, the latest CD by guitarist Steve Cardenas.

If an album as good as Panoramic had been released ...

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Steve Cardenas: Panoramic

by Phil DiPietro
March 19, 2004

Steve Cardenas has worked as a superb accompanist to classic groovers Eddie Harris and Jay McShann, classic modernists Charlie Haden and Paul Motian, and a newer breed of female vocalists, such as Kate McGarry, Rebecca Martin and even Miss Norah Jones. Unusually, he's best-known for work in ensembles that spin twin guitars, as a member of Motian's Electric Bebop Band (where he's split duties with Kurt Rosenwinkel and now, Ben Monder) and Joey Baron's “Killer Joey" (with Brad Shepik).

Release ...