Jazz Articles about Tom Halter

About Tom Halter

Album Review

Either/Orchestra: Nalbandian The Ethiopian

Read "Nalbandian The Ethiopian" reviewed by Jim Trageser

by Jim Trageser
February 11, 2026

After a decade and a half break, the always interesting Either/Orchestra is back with another compelling recording--albeit one recorded in 2011 and 2012, and only now, in 2026, seeing the light of day. Russ Gershon remains at the helm of the Either/Orchestra, and not only is this recording finally being issued, but the group is also in the midst of 40th anniversary touring schedule with shows later this spring of 2026 scheduled for Knoxville and Cleveland.

Album Review

Club d'Elf: As Above - Live At The Lizard Lounge

Read "As Above - Live At The Lizard Lounge" reviewed by Doug Collette

by Doug Collette
February 20, 2023

The music of Club d'Elf's debut album, As Above, speaks volumes in terms of the group's mystical and stylistic roots. In fact, it is perfectly reflective of the actual ancient quote from which the title is taken; 'As above, so below...' suggests how the rhythm motifs are as fully and completely developed as the melodic themes. Recorded in 1999 and 2000, at the Lizard Lounge in Boston, which has become Mike Rivard and company's home base over the ...

Album Review

Either/Orchestra: Live In Addis

by AAJ Italy Staff
February 20, 2006

Questo splendido doppio album live documenta il naturale epilogo tra Russ Geshon e la musica etiope. Un amore iniziato nel 1988 con l'ascolto di un Long Playing di Mahmoud Ahmed e alimentatosi negli anni grazie alle riedizioni della collana Ethiopiques, curate da Francis Falceto. Nel 1999 Geshon incise con la sua Either/Orchestra i primi arrangiamenti jazzistici di musica popolare etiope, fondendo l'esuberanza ritmica e la ricchezza timbrica della band con le modulazioni metriche e le forme modali della musica dell'Africa ...

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Album Review

Club d'Elf: As Above: Live at the Lizard Lounge

Read "As Above: Live at the Lizard Lounge" reviewed by AAJ Staff

by AAJ Staff
March 1, 2001

The groove runs deep and long on As Above, a 2-disc set from Club d'Elf. Voyaging through realms of electronica, ethnic percussion, and dirty funk, As Above pays exquisite attention to the beat. The two-plus hours of collected music on this set document the highlights of five months' worth of live improv at Boston's Lizard Lounge. (OK, so it's actually in Cambridge, but what's a hop across the river in the grand scheme of things?) Ringleader (bassist) Mike Rivard hosts ...