Jazz Articles about Steven Bernstein

Steven Bernstein: Diaspora Hollywood

by Dan McClenaghan
September 28, 2004

Trumpeter/composer Steven Bernstein's Diaspora Hollywood brings a Jewish tinge into a bluesy American jazz feeling; this mournful after-hours set brings some past sounds to mind while simultaneously pushing the vision forward.The ensemble features an unusual front line of the leader's trumpet with Pablo Calocero's baritone saxophone, bass clarinet and flutes, along with D.J. Bonebrake's vibraphone shimmerings, adding the occasional pop of bongos from Danny Frankel to add another touch of the odd and exotic.Past sounds that ...

Bill Frisell: Unspeakable

by John Kelman
August 22, 2004

Some artists spend an entire lifetime within a narrow genre, honing their skill and working at stretching the boundaries of that style, while others transcend all definitions and labels, creating a music that defies categorization. Such is the case with guitarist Bill Frisell, who over a twenty-five year career has contributed to everything from the Nordic cool of Jan Garbarek's quartet to the downtown edge of John Zorn's Naked City. On his own records he has explored diverse landscapes including ...

Steven Bernstein

by Celeste Sunderland
October 28, 2003

Prince can heat up a Detroit night with his slippery tongue and quivering guitar vamps. Trumpet player Steven Bernstein can do as much for a New York jazz club with his slide trumpet and an eight-piece band. On one of his Monday night residency performances last month at the Jazz Standard, Bernstein's group the Millennial Territory Orchestra covered “Darling Nikki". Prince's lithe, grinding seductress from the hotel lobby vanished. In her place strolled in a burlesque queen from the ‘30s. ...

Mario Pavone Nu Trio/Quintet: Mythos

by AAJ Staff
October 1, 2002

One of the most prolific yet least recognized bassists on the New York scene today is Mario Pavone. Pavone, six decades into life, has no shortage of energy, and this is reflected on Mythos. Pavone offers three quintet tunes and eight trio tunes, mostly originals, on this outing. The piano trio is always at the center of the music, but a couple horns add nice density up top. As always, Pavone treads the line between swing and punch, structured composition ...

Michael Blake: Drift

by AAJ Staff
February 1, 2002

Blake is an improvising saxophonist who, because of his personal interests and the label he’s on, is often mistakenly relegated to the Worldbeat sections. To be honest, this disc only grabbed me halfway through, but when it did, it grabbed hard, and has sustained repeated listening.

The title cut, “Drift,” is echoed à la old ECM, and has lots of little percussion making the mournful tune very world-weary. Kimbrough, listed as playing only piano, is on an electric model. Scherr’s ...